Overview
St. Catharines is a city of 137,000 people in the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario, often overlooked by tourists heading to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Architecture · Budget Travel · Day Trips · History · Museums
Before you go
Accommodation
Hotels range from $91 Hampton Inn to $164 Best Western. Better value than nearby Niagara Falls. Brock University Residence available May-August.
Connectivity
Standard North American connectivity. Major carriers (Bell, Rogers, Telus) provide coverage. Free WiFi at major hotels.
Food
Diverse ethnic restaurants downtown. Budget options include U Need A Pita ($3-5). The Merchant Ale House offers good-value pub food ($5-10).
Transport
St. Catharines is accessible by Megabus from Toronto and Niagara Falls, and by Via Rail train. Local Niagara Transit buses cost $3.50 (exact cash required).
Weather
Micro-climate allows wineries to flourish. Summers are warm (avg 27C in July). Winters can have heavy lake-effect snow. Frost-free days are numerous.
Wine
Ontario wine country surrounds the city. Wineries like Henry of Pelham, Hernder Estate, and Creekside Estate offer tastings starting at $1 per sample.