The peaceful marina at Port Dalhousie
Growing up in the desert has me puzzled about why I have such a connection to water. Maybe when it’s so rare you learn to appreciate it for what it is. As an adult I’ve been lucky to have spent years on the Pacific Coast in BC and now I’m lakeside in Niagara.
The Niagara Region sits between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, lakes that practically feel like oceans themselves. Off the coast of Lake Ontario and in the city of St. Catharines you’ll find Port Dalhousie. This community is a charming, historic waterfront area that attracts many visitors. There is quite a lot about the area but I’m going to focus on the waterfront right now. We are in the middle of a blazing hot summer and it seems timely.
It’s easy to spend an entire day here. You can avoid spending any money whatsoever, which is terrific for families. The parking lot is a decent size and doesn’t cost anything. There is a concession stand for those that forgot to bring refreshments plus a covered picnic area for anyone wanting to duck out of the hot sun for lunch.
A shaded picnic area and concession stand
Spending the day on the beach is a wonderful way to relieve stress and get back to enjoying nature. The sand is soft and the water is shallow for quite a distance from the shore. The beachside area even has sizeable washrooms for easy swimsuit changing.
When Dan and I were determining where to move, it worked in Niagara’s favour that it had lakes and not the ocean. I have an enormous fear of sharks and have trouble with the idea of swimming in the ocean. All my years in BC and I never jumped in the Pacific Ocean. I guess I’m just a lake kind of girl.
This beach has no sharks – a recipe for success in my book
If swimming isn’t your thing, maybe fishing is. The piers are a perfect spot to bring your fishing gear and spend some time. There is plenty of space to set yourself up.
Carting her fishing gear to a favorite spot
A perfect spot to sit while you wait for fish to come along
This guy has his own methods for fishing
When we dropped by the other day it was clear that several people use Port Dalhousie as their lunchtime getaway. Just sitting there listening to the lapping water, smelling the fresh lake air and watching the boats drift by, it’s almost like you went on a mini-vacation during lunchtime. What a nice way to spend an hour!
A boat preparing to dock
Plenty of benches dot the walkway for easy sitting
You can see the Toronto skyline on clear days
Port Dalhousie proudly operates the Lakeside Park Carousel. A beautiful piece of history from 1903, this carousel still operates at only 5 cents a ride. Five cents a ride – who can’t afford that?! It really is a stunning work of art and needs to be seen to appreciate it.
1903 Lakeside Park Carousel is still only 5 cents a ride
A playground is smartly stationed next to the carousel
With the marina and transient dockage allowed on the pathways, Port Dalhousie is a very friendly place for boaters. Everything is so accessible and allows for easy unloading/loading of your vessel. The cost for docking is low – heck, I’ve paid more to park my car in Vancouver.
Dockage sign alerting visiting boaters
Whether your idea of fun is grabbing your fishing pole, hitching up your boat or just grabbing the swimsuit, Port Dalhousie lakefront is your spot. Plus, no sharks!