Ontario has a 'Garden City' with endless trails and a postcard-worthy waterfront

It's a beautiful spot for a day trip.

Lead Writer, Travel

Springtime in Ontario means cherry blossoms, scenic strolls, and gorgeous gardens. This city, located a road trip from Toronto, is full of spring charm and a beautiful spot for a getaway.

St. Catharines is the largest city in the Niagara region, just over an hour from Toronto.

According to Niagara Falls Tourism, it's known as "The Garden City" due to its "lush greenery, vast hiking trails and picturesque parks."

The quaint downtown core is lined with local shops, eateries and entertainment venues. You can find everything from bookshops to antique stores and cozy cafes.

St. Catharines is situated in Niagara's wine region, so you'll want to visit some of the surrounding vineyards. Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery and Rockway Vineyards are some top spots to check out.

The city is home to more than 90 kilometres of beautiful trails to explore. You can wander along the Bruce Trail and trails within Short Hills Provincial Park for a peaceful spring outing. You can also head to Richard Pierpoint Park, where you'll find more trails and a community garden.

You don't want to miss a trip to Port Dalhousie, St. Catherine's waterfront community. The postcard-worthy area boasts quaint shops, lakeside parks and lighthouses.

You can enjoy beaches, scenic piers and an antique carousel during your visit.

With waterside charm and lush scenery, St. Catharines is a beautiful spot for a spring outing.

St. Catharines Tourism website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

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