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City of St. Catharines, Ontario
Explore the unique history of each winery with behind-the-scenes excursions and tastings of rare reserves or small-batch specialties, which are typically accessible exclusively at the wineries themselves. Complete the experience by taking your taste buds on a culinary journey at the winery restaurants, where you can feast on farm-to-table cuisine and menus influenced by the season.
St. Catharines is also the location of Canada’s largest wine festival and street parade, the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. Historic Montebello Park in downtown comes alive for two weekends with wine and culinary events, live entertainment, and interesting daytime activities.
Exploring the City
Catharines is Canada’s most Southern city, so it only makes sense that it experiences a specific climate that’s different from the Northern cities. St. Catharines experiences a humid subtropical climate with warm humid summers, mild to cool winters and lots of precipitation year round. This means that the city is hot and humid in the summer, but not too hot (humidity reduces the ‘feels like’ temperature). Winter can get a little cold, with an average high of around 10 degrees, but it’s not bitterly cold like cities like Ottawa and Toronto can get during the winter months. It also rains pretty frequently, but not enough to make the city a ‘wet’ rainy city like Vancouver.
Eat and Drink Your Way Through St. Catharines
There are tons of amazing places to eat and drink in St. Catharines, so you’ll never be bored. Whether you’re looking for a nice sit-down meal or just want to grab a quick snack, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the top places to eat and drink in St. Catharines. – For a quick snack, stop by Frank’s Donuts. This donut shop has been around for a long time and is famous for their hot, fresh donuts. They have tonnes of different flavours, so there’s something for everyone.
– If you want a sit-down meal, head to the Olde Dublin Pub and Restaurant. This is one of the classic Irish pubs in St. Catharines. They have all the traditional dishes, like bangers, fish and chips, and Irish stew, plus some daily specials. – Looking for something more Asian, head to Gogo Sushi for some great sushi. They have a large menu, so there’s something for everyone, even those who don’t like sushi.
– If you’re looking for a classic diner experience, head to the Blue Water Grill and Diner. This is a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch. They have some really great diner food, including some really good breakfast options.
– For a delicious meal with Caribbean flair, head to Margaritaville Caribbean Restaurant. This is a great place to eat if you’re craving something with a little bit of spice.
– Another great place to stop for a quick meal is Subway. They have some really great sub options, and you can build your own.
– If you’re looking for a nice sit-down meal, Head to The Purple Pear for some Asian fusion. They have a large menu with lots of delicious dishes, like the famous Shaking Beef.
– If you’re looking for comfort food, head to the Kitchen at the Lincoln for some traditional pub food. They have lots of great options for everyone, including some really delicious poutine.
– If you’re looking for something sweet, head to Lisa’s Sticky Toffee Pudding for some amazing desserts. They have everything from sticky toffee pudding to panna cotta, so you’re bound to find something you love.
– Another great place to end your meal is at the Coldstone Creamery. They have delicious ice cream, including lots of different types of ice cream cakes.
St. Catharines Museum
The St. Catharines Museum is a great place to learn more about the city’s history. They have exhibitions on everything from Niagara tribes to the War of 1812, and they also have a planetarium. The planetarium only runs a few times a year, but it’s worth making time to see if you’re in St. Catharines during those dates. – Where: 23 Church Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 2M1 – Admission: Adults $8, Children $5, Ages 12 and under – How To Get There: The museum is right in the middle of downtown St. Catharines, so it’s easily accessible by foot. – Hours: The museum is open every day except for Mondays. The hours vary by season, so make sure you check their website before visiting.
Lock 33 and Riverside Walkway
If you’re interested in history, you should definitely pay a visit to Lock 33. This was one of the original canals that connected Lake Ontario to the Welland Canal, a canal that ships use to go from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Now, you can walk around Lock 33, and it’s the perfect place to go for a nice walk in the city. In the summer and fall, it’s a great place to go for a stroll and to see some beautiful birds that like to live near the water. A short walk from Lock 33 is the Riverside Walkway, which is a beautiful path that winds along the St. Catharines waterfront. This path is a great way to spend a summer afternoon, and you can even walk to downtown St. Catharines from here. It’s a fairly easy walk that’s very well maintained, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. – Where: Riverside walkway is located along 10 Church Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 2M1 – Admission: Free – How To Get There: Both the walkway and Lock 33 are really close to downtown St. Catharines, so they’re easily accessible by foot.
Art in the St. Catharines Area
If you’re an art lover, you don’t have to go far to find some great art in the St. Catharines area. There are several museums and galleries where you can see and learn about some amazing art. There is the Philter Gallery, the Art Gallery of St. Catharines, and the St. Catharines Museum. These are all great places to go if you’re interested in art and culture. – Where: 10 Church Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 2M1 – Admission: Free