Niagara Falls Region Information

When people hear the words "Niagara Region," their thoughts often immediately jump to either Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake. These communities are, indeed, important within Niagara (and are discussed extensively here and here), but what of the 10 other municipalities that make up the region? For instance, did you know that West Lincoln is the biggest geographical area in the Niagara Region, but that it also has the smallest population base? Did you realize that in the township of Lincoln is the Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, which is home to a waterfall that is two-thirds the size of Niagara Falls? Further, did you know that Thorold was the location of the War of 1812 battle site, Beaverdams?

Overview

The Niagara Region, located in southern Ontario between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, was amalgamated in 1969, and in addition to Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, West Lincoln, Lincoln, and Thorold, is made up of Fort Erie, Grimsby, Pelham, Port Colborne, St. Catharines, Wainfleet, and Welland. Many of these communities share attractions, such as the Niagara Escarpment, the Niagara Wine Route, the Bruce Trail, and the Greater Niagara Circle Route (over 140 kilometres of paved trails suitable for cyclists), but also within the region as a whole are heritage districts, historical sites, museums, arts and culture venues and events, over 200 scenic trails and historical walks, casinos, festivals, fine dining, wineries, farmers markets, golf courses, and much more. However, what each township offers individually is, for the most part, unique to its own history and community traditions.

Fort Erie

Located across from Buffalo, New York, on the Niagara River, Fort Erie, among many other things, is known for its Old Fort, the Fort Erie Race Track and Slots, and Crystal Beach. Constructed in 1764, Old Fort Erie began as a supply depot for British troops during the American Revolution and since then has been taken over by Americans during the War of 1812, has been destroyed by the U.S., and, during the War of 1812, was the scene of Canada’s bloodiest battle. The Fort Erie Race Track also has its own historical timeline, as it has been hosting live thoroughbred racing since 1897, is thought to be one of North America’s most picturesque tracks, and has been home of the Prince of Wales stakes (the second jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown of racing) since 1959. Crystal Beach doesn’t lack in heritage, either—while it is now a popular swimming destination and home of the Crystal Beach Tennis & Yacht Club, it was originally the site of the Crystal Beach Amusement Park from 1888 to 1989.

Port Colbourne

Directly to Fort Erie’s east is Port Colbourne, a community that is otherwise known as the "Gateway to Navigation." Port Colbourne is one of Canada’s largest inland ports and is located along the mighty Welland Canal; it also one of My Destination Ontario’s "Cool Towns to Visit," and can be read about in further detail here.

Wainfleet

Travelling in a rough circle heading east around the Niagara Region will next bring you to Wainfleet, a small township that borders Lake Erie and has a population of about 6,000. Wainfleet is home to the Marshville Heritage Village (a living history museum that recreates how Ontario life was experienced between 1850 and 1910), the Marshville Chocolate Factory, the Wainfleet Bog Conservation Area, and the Gord Harry Trail. Additional communities within the township of Wainfleet are Chamber’s Corner and Long Beach, and notable here are the summertime attractions such as mini-putt, a nine-hole golf course, and (from May to October) a weekly farmers market.

West Lincoln

Bordered by Hamilton in the east, West Lincoln, as mentioned earlier, is the biggest geographical area in the Niagara Region. Within this area that covers 388 km2, Twenty Mile Creek and the Welland River offer high-quality canoeing and kayaking experiences, Smithville is host to a seasonal farmers market that’s open from the second Saturday in May until Thanksgiving weekend, and Santa visits each year for the Smithville Santa Claus Parade and Christmas in the Village celebrations.

Grimsby

Also bordered by Hamilton in the east, Grimsby is immediately north of West Lincoln and is located on Lake Ontario. Founded in 1790, Grimsby has run the gamut and produced everything from farm machinery, hospital furniture, furnaces, and metal products, to fruit and a successful fishing industry. The community is now the starting point of the Niagara Wine Tour, but it continues to pay tribute to its history with establishments like the Grimsby Museum and Chamber of Commerce tours of historically significant homes. Grimsby also likes to celebrate the arts with events such as the Art Festival on Nelles Boulevard (in September) and Wayzgoose (an annual April festival during which the Grimsby Public Art Gallery honours the book-publishing arts with a weekend-long fair).

Lincoln

Situated on Lake Ontario, Lincoln is known for its orchards, vineyards, and wineries, and thanks to its moderate climate, can grow fresh produce that includes cherries, peaches, apples, and pears. Much of this local bounty is available in farmers markets and restaurants throughout the Niagara Region, but wine lovers should pay particular attention to Lincoln’s Beamsville Bench. This area, about halfway up the Niagara Escarpment, is renowned for its ideal wine-growing conditions and is the home of internationally recognized icewines. Other naturally inspired pursuits in the area include the aforementioned Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, the Cave Springs Conservation Area, the Louth Conservation Area, the Rockway Conservation Area, and the Mountainview Conservation Area. Additionally, for a breakdown of the region’s history, don’t miss a visit to the Jordan Historical Museum.

St. Catharines

Also on Lake Ontario is St. Catharines, which is located directly to the east of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Known as "The Garden City," St. Catharines has 1,000 acres of parks, gardens, and trails, and the Happy Rolph Bird Sanctuary has one of Canada’s most exotic collections of flowering rhododendrons. Happy Rolph’s is also where popular annual events occur, such as the Pumpkinville Fall Festival in October. Additional yearly events and festivals within the community include the St. Catharines Santa Claus Parade, the Dragon Boat Festival (which is over 20 years old), and the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta that has been held in the quaint village of Port Dalhousie for over 100 years.

Tourists will also enjoy strolling Port Dalhousie’s pier, which boasts two lighthouses that were built in the late 1800s; an original antique Looff carousel in Lakeside Park that offers rides for five cents; the smallest jailhouse in Ontario (it’s now a pub); the Welland Canal (the Welland Canal Centre at Lock 3 is considered one of the best places to see ships throughout the canal); and the 9/11 Walkway that is lined with 27 deciduous trees planted in memory of the 27 Canadians killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre.

St. Catharines is actually the largest city in the Niagara Region, and was first settled in the 1780s. Over 200 years of history have allowed the city to create impressive walking tours throughout the downtown core, and also worth visiting are: the Morningstar Mill (a 130-year-old operational grist mill that sits atop the Niagara Escarpment at Decew Falls); the year-round St. Catharines Farmers Market that has been a community event since the 1860s and that is located downtown, next to the historic courthouse and city hall; the Victoria Law Cemetery; the St. Catharines Museum (at Lock 3 of the Welland Canal); and the British Methodist Episcopal Church-Salem Chapel that is the city’s featured underground railroad site.

Thorold

Centrally located within the Niagara Region, Thorold has its own unique sense of history, as (if you will remember) it was here that the War of 1812 battle, Beaverdams, occurred. Visitors to the area can also check out the Beaverdams Methodist Church and Burying Ground that was constructed in 1832 and is the oldest standing Methodist church in Ontario. Other historical and heritage sites in Thorold include: Decew House; the Old Fire Hall; Chestnut Hall; St. Johns School House (which was opened in 1804 and was the first free school in Upper Canada); Keefer Mansion; and Welland Mills (which was constructed in 1846 and, at the time, contained the largest watermill in Canada).

Visitors to Thorold can also enjoy sections four, five, and six of the Welland Canal Parkway Trail; the Thorold Lock 7 Viewing Complex (as well as the annual Mountain Top Ceremony in late March that marks the opening of the Welland Canal shipping season); the Italia-in-Festa in June that celebrates Thorold’s Italian culture with food, drink, dance, and entertainment; the Canal Bank Shuffle in October that over three days of music and dance brings together some of the world’s top blues musicians; and the annual Thorold Santa Claus Parade that is held in November each year.

Pelham

Easily accessible from Thorold is Pelham, a township that is composed of five historic villages: Effingham, Fenwick, Fonthill, North Pelham, and Ridgeville. This region’s motto is "five villages, one community," and in addition to a fantastic selection of wineries and local farmers, visitors to the area can experience Bradshaw Memorial Park, the Pelham Farmers Market in the Pelham Town Square (on Thursdays from May to the end of October), and the Pelham Santa Claus Parade that has been delighting children and adults in December for over 13 years.

Welland

Last but not least in the Niagara Region is Welland, which was founded in 1858 and is known as "Rose City," thanks to the over 350 acres of parks and top-notch rose gardens that are located here. In fact, each year at the Welland Rose Festival, the city celebrates the fact that it has one of Canada’s best rose gardens. Other festivals and special events taking place in Welland throughout the year include: IlluminAqua (a live-entertainment mixture of art, culture, fire, and water that sees musical artists perform on a floating stage among firepods that are positioned along the Welland Recreational Waterway); the Dragon Boat Festival; the Folklore Festival; the Niagara Food Festival; the Niagara Regional Exhibition (one of the oldest annual agricultural fairs in southern Ontario); and the annual February Winter Carnival that is over 45 years old.

Other popular attractions in Welland are Merritt Island (within walking distance of downtown), the Welland Farmers Market (open year-round on Saturdays), and the Welland Historical Museum (a historically designated Carnegie Building that was once home to the Welland Public Library).

For more information about the Niagara Region, check out My Destination Ontario’s travel articles on Ontario wine, food and wine in Niagara, the Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights, and autumn in the Niagara Region.