Old Port Dalhousie

Old Port Dalhousie is a quaint, historic harbourfront village, on the south shores of Lake Ontario. It’s famous for being the first of three Welland Canals, which opened up shipping lanes between lake Ontario and Lake Erie starting in 1820.

Port Dalhousie has been home to the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, with rowers from all over the world, competing on Martindale Pond; the site of the "1999 World Rowing Games".

For a nickel you can ride the 1903 Looff menagerie carousel in the 105-year-old Lakeside Park. The beach along the park shore is pristine and beautiful.

Within the community, there are marinas, boat cruises, a dinner theatre, a lighthouse at the end of a pier that dates back to 1800, and the smallest jail in Ontario. It’s about the size of an average walk in closet.

The surrounding historic buildings house galleries, fashions, and eclectic boutiques, casual/fine dining restaurants. I, in another life owned one of those shops. We specialized in Antiques, a Tea Room, and hand made crafts from area artisans.

Port Dalhousie is part of the city of St. Catharines, right in the middle of the wine region of Niagara and about 15 minutes from the border crossings at Niagara Falls and 30 minutes from Buffalo.

If you’re driving by on the QEW heading anywhere, it would be worth the time taken to stop by and enjoy the views.

http://www.portdalhousie.com/