NIAGARA • CANADA
DID YOU KNOW?

"SALTIES"
Ocean-going ships that have curved hulls to withstand ocean conditions.With deeper drafts, they often only carry a partial load when sailing the Great Lakes. They make up approx. 20% of Canal Traffic.

DID YOU KNOW?

"LAKERS"
Vertical-hull ships restricted to the Great Lakes. Because they  avoid salt water, their lifespan is much longer than  salties: up to 50 years or more.  Lakers make up approximately 65% of Canal Traffic.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Welland Canal closes in winter, usually  between January and March depending on ice conditions.  The Captain of the first ship through the canal each Spring is  honoured with a Top Hat ceremony.

DID YOU KNOW?

It takes 9.4 million litres of water  to fill a lock. No pumps are needed, it's all done thanks to gravity.

history

Niagara’s Welland Canal

1817

  • Construction begins on the Erie Canal, from Albany to Buffalo, which would give New York City direct access to Lake Erie and the promising markets of the Midwest. Because of the Erie Canal, powerful Montréal merchants and their counterparts in Upper Canada (today, Ontario) feared losing out on western trade. The British Navy, which lost naval superiority on Lake Erie during the War of 1812, was concerned about further strategic disadvantage.


1818

  • William Hamilton Merritt, a mill owner in St. Catharines, first proposes a canal from Twelve Mile Creek to the Welland River, which would bypass Niagara Falls.


1823

  • Merritt begins raising private funds for a survey of his proposed route.


1824

  • The Welland Canal Company is formed and George Keefer of Thorold is appointed its first president. Sod is turned for the canal on November 30 at Allanburg.


1825

  • Construction begins on the Canal, dug by hand with only the assistance of horse-drawn carts. 39 locks are crafted of hand-hewn timbers.


1828

  • Inadequate water supply and engineering difficulties forces construction of a Feeder Canal from Port Robinson to the Grand River.


1829

  • The Welland Canal opened on November 30. The schooners R.H. Broughton and Annie and Jane reach Lake Erie in two days, pulled along by teams of workhorses.


1833

  • Work is completed on an extension of canal from Welland to Port Colborne, adding an extra lock.


1841

  • The Province of Upper Canada turns all loans made to the financially-troubled company into stock and takes control of Welland Canal Company.


1842-1853

  • Second Welland Canal is constructed.


1872-1887

  • Third Welland Canal is constructed.


1913-1932

  • Fourth Welland Canal is constructed, with project stalled during First World War.


1965-1973

  • By-pass of City of Welland is constructed.


1974

  • 150th Anniversary of the commencement of construction of the First Welland Canal.


Present Day

  • The Canal is operated by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

<p>Lift Bridges at Port Colborne, Welland Ship Canal circa 1917</p>
<p>Lock 1 of the Welland Ship Canal with gates closed in June 1924, photo taken by J. A. McDonald. Photo attribution: Courtesy of the Welland Ship Canal album, Brock University Archives</p>
<p>The dredge Delver went down in 30 feet of water off Port Dalhousie while trying to make safe harbour from a sudden gale. Ten men on board of the 18-man crew were rescued by the tugs Alice and Meteor, but one man drowned, William Henry Burt. He would be the first victim of a canal construction that would take at least 137 lives. Pictured above is the Delver in the Welland Canal sometime around 1959. Photo attribution: Courtesy of Cy Williamson, through Skip Gillham</p>
<p>The Construction Railway and other pieces of large earth-moving machinery were indispensable in building the Canal. This image shows a dragline and rail engine that were used in excavating the channel for the future waterway. Unfortunately, almost 20% of all canal fatalities resulted from rail-related accidents. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum, Claude Richardson Collection, 2011-N</p>
<p>Construction trains are shown loaded with rock going to the Crushing Plant located near the Grand Trunk Railway Bridge on the Welland Canal. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum - 1273-N</p>
<p>This image shows the Port Weller construction site in September 1914. A large quantity of earth and rock was used to fill concrete cribs that were sunk into the lake to build the piers for the Welland Ship Canal. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum – 1340-N</p>
<p>Specially designed dump cars were used to haul tens of millions of cubic yards of earth and rock on the canal construction. Pivoting beds of the rail dump cars are shown being hand dumped by labourers near Lock 4, 17 April 1914. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum 2693-R, courtesy Library &amp; Archives Canada PA-61138</p>
<p>Construction progress above Lock 2, Welland Ship Canal, 1915. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum, from Elmer Stevens – 1973.2</p>
<p>Photo of a dump car at the end of the line in Port Weller, July 1915. Taken from an album belonging to John Laing Weller, the Engineer-in-Charge of Construction of the Fourth Welland Canal from 1912 to 1917. This photo falls within Section 1, a construction zone that extends from the tip of the breakwaters at Port Weller to about Linwell Road, a distance of approx. 4.5 km (2.8 mi.) Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum, 2006.73.442, from Miss Madelein Muntz</p>
<p>Railway engine #21 from the Welland Canal General Contractor, "Baldry, Yerburgh, and Hutchinson Limited”. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum - Claude Richardson Collection, 1970.1.38</p>
<p>The Welland Canal Construction Railway was the Canal corridor’s backbone. It enabled all work to take place hauling in equipment, hauling away debris, and at times pressed into service to convey an injured worker to the Homer Hospital. A dozen workers with their grinning boss in foreground take a welcomed break from the hard labour to pose for a photo. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum - Claude Richardson Collection - 1970.1.35</p>
<p>Teamsters were important to the early years of construction of the Welland Ship Canal. They were responsible for handling the teams of draft animals (usually horses) that were used with wagons or in hauling other equipment on the construction site. The men and their teams were gradually replaced by large mechanized machinery. While being a teamster could be considered one of the safer jobs on the Canal, there were still hazards that endangered lives. Photo attribution: John Boyd / Library and Archives Canada; St. Catharines Museum, 2681-R</p>
<p>Workers casually sit atop a pile of earth excavated from the canal work site. Hundreds of these trains would on a daily basis be transporting material to be used in lock construction, or the building of canal embankments or the breakwaters in the lakes. Loads of earth might also be deposited in waste dumps forming berms set back from the canal. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum, 2013-N</p>
<p>Track was laid along the construction site to allow train engines and cars to move heavy loads into and out of work areas. Photo – April 17, 1914. Photo attribution: St. Catharines Museum, 2712-R – Library &amp; Archives Canada, PA-061139 – John Boyd Collection</p>
<p>Conditions on the construction site of the Welland Ship Canal were always very dangerous and accidents were always a possibility. Photo credit: Mr. Tom R. Lee, St. Catharines Museum, 6674-N</p>
<p>Almost five million barrels of cement (@ 350 lbs. ea.) were required for the concrete locks, weirs, and other structures. Buckets similar to the one shown in this photo would be used in pouring the concrete for the massive monoliths. Photo Credit: Tom R. Lee, St. Catharines Museum, 6666-N</p>
<p>A stone crushing plant was built by the Canal to provide the stone needed for the construction work. It was a noisy, dusty place filled with hazards from moving machinery. The plant was operated by the contractor responsible for Sections 3 and 4. Photo Credit: St. Catharines Museum - Pat Horsey Collection</p>
<p>The Welland Canal construction was a place of much activity as evident in this photo at the future site of Lock 2, Sept. 21, 1914. Photo Credit: St. Catharines Museum, L1967.195.13, St. Catharines Historical Society Collection</p>

what to do

CANAL COMMUNITIES

Not sure where to begin when planning your visit to Niagara’s Welland Canal? Let us help!

There are countless experiences that will make your trip a memorable one.

Click on each community to learn all about what to see and do from the Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3, to the St. Catharines and Welland Museum, Merritt Island, Port Dalhousie’s historical waterfront, festival and events, public beaches, cycling shopping, wine routes and so much more!

  1. Welland

  2. Thorold

  3. Port Colborne

  4. St. Catharines

  1. Welland

  2. Thorold

  3. Port Colborne

  4. St. Catharines

COMMUNITY PROFILE
/
THINGS TO DO
/
GETTING HERE

Welland

Welland, the namesake of the canals, is centrally located geographically in the Niagara Region. Through its downtown, visitors will be able to note the active by-pass of the 3rd canal and tunnel as well as have access to the revitalized decommissioned section of the canal, now often referred to as the “flatwater”.

With a bold move which was the start of the now Welland Canals, the “ditch”, of William Merritt who initially desired a new water supply for his grist mill operation and then evolving to include a ship route, the channel was dug deep enough for boats to travel into the Welland River and on to Lake Erie via the Niagara River. The challenges met along the initial route brought the Grand River solution which fed the required level of water into the Canal. An aqueduct would be used to cross the Welland River which is still in evidence in the downtown area of Welland and from which visitors will cross over to access Merritt Island, the little known gem of park in the peninsula.

It was 1833 when the schooner Matilda, the first ship to travel through the Canal sailed through the centre of a shantytown later to be known as Welland. In 1973 the construction of the By-pass brought an end to 140 years of commercial shipping through our downtown and so began a new legacy.

The canal caters both to the competitor and recreationist. The canal and the Flat Water center includes the competitive component hosting international, national, regional and local water events from Pan Am to local regattas. Home of the Dragon Boat Championships from 2015 through 2024, there is much to see and enjoy. The recreational aspect takes up the balance of the stretch of water shouldered by the greater Niagara Cycle path as well as park land. You can rent canoes and kayaks to enjoy a serene journey through our water way, or join in our annual triathlon.

Welland, is a mecca for photographers with its Flatwater, Merritt Island, Bridge #13, cycle paths along historical buildings. For photography enthusiasts the subjects are varied, from wildlife and water sports to historical structures.

top 10 things to do

William Merritt initially dug a ditch to provide a new water supply for his grist mill operation, which evolved to include a ship route. This channel was deep enough for boats travelling into the Welland River and on to Lake Erie via the Niagara River. The initial route was challenging to navigate and so a second route was planned and would diverge at Port Robinson. When tragedy struck as the banks caved in at Port Robinson, a third route was sought out. The Grand River solution was timely and a channel was dug that would feed the required level of water into the Canal. An aqueduct would be used to cross the Welland River which is still in evidence today. Lake Erie water was let in to the Welland Canal through the Feeder in November of 1829.

In 1833, an extension of the Canal from Welland to Port Colborne was completed. The schooner Matilda was the first ship to make its way through the centre of a shantytown (now known as Welland). The 1973 By-pass brought an end to 140 years of commercial shipping through our downtown and so began a new legacy. The flatwater is now a world known venue of excellence for regattas and home of the Dragon Boat Championships through 2024.

Whether you are cycling, walking or driving into Welland you will enjoy a nature walk on Merritt Island or a leisurely stroll of downtown as you stop to rest, eat and shop. Stay for the evening and enjoy seasonal concerts on the waterfront stage and the nightly lighting of Welland Bridge 13.
<p class="p1">Come&nbsp;and&nbsp;see&nbsp;Welland&nbsp;Bridge&nbsp;13&nbsp;lit&nbsp;up&nbsp;Downtown&nbsp;Welland&nbsp;every&nbsp;night&nbsp;with&nbsp;its&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;colour&nbsp;changing&nbsp;LED&nbsp;lightsCheck&nbsp;out&nbsp;Facebook/WellandBridge13&nbsp;and&nbsp;Twitter @WellandBridge13&nbsp;for&nbsp;special&nbsp;light&nbsp;shows&nbsp;and celebrations.</p>
<p>Home to a beautiful 4.2 km path perfect for cycling, jogging, hiking, jogging, rollerblading, even picnicking. With a playground for children, washroom facilities, an air pump station, Merritt Island is perfect for families, friends and outdoor enthusiasts!&nbsp;</p>
<p>The place to live, learn and explore Welland&rsquo;s communities past, present and future stories. Several displays of history under one roof, different travelling exhibits throughout the year, come and explore it today.</p>
<p>Host to many international water Championships, a facility to compete at and train in from its impressive indoor training facility to the outdoor flat water experience. Come and see what put Welland&rsquo;s flatwater on the World Stage.</p>
<p>With so many places to shop, eat and play if you are looking for more information on the wonderful places in Welland contact the WDBIA info@downtownwelland.ca let them Welcome you to Welland. It&rsquo;s all Welland Good.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Open every Saturday since 1907, with shelves of fresh fruits and vegetables, tasty meats, natural cheeses, local artisans, and baked goods. Buying fresh and local is showcased at the Market.&nbsp;</p>
<p>With recently completed renovations, the Courthouse is located in the historic downtown core of the City, with items archived from the past, a museum has been set up on the second floor for the public to view.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This 750 seat amphitheatre overlooks the east bank of the Welland Recreation Canal and the beautiful floating stage on the water. With musical and theatrical events taking place throughout the summer. For available shows contact the Welland Downtown BIA.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Come and explore Welland's Canal side ride and through the Downtown. Beautiful trails, bike friendly businesses, great restaurants to stop and grab a bite to eat. Wayfinding signage throughout Welland.&nbsp;</p>
<p>From May to September come and explore the calmness of the Flatwater. Canoe and kayak alongside the ducks. Enjoy the peace and serenity of the scenic Welland Waterway.&nbsp;</p>

getting here





City of Welland

60 East Main Street
Welland, ON L3B 3X4

905.735.1700

twitter facebook

 

 

www.welland.ca
www.downtownwelland.ca

COMMUNITY PROFILE
/
THINGS TO DO
/
GETTING HERE

Thorold

Welcome to the rhythm of Thorold-the small city that lives to the beat of its own rhythm–a little bluesy and a lot friendly. Steeped in the history of the Welland Canal, the City of Thorold sits 350 ft. above sea level at the top of the Niagara Escarpment "Where Ships Climb the Mountain". A picturesque view of Locks 4,5,6 & 7 awaits you. Coordinate your stop at our Lock 7 Viewing Centre with theSeaway Schedule so you can catch a vessel as it passes the viewing deck.

Thorold’s historical downtown will surprise you with many newly restored buildings with freshly painted facades adding quaint heritage flair. The results are stunning! The beautification of Front Street is helping to rejuvenate the community and destination stores have set the trend. From old favourites to new trend-­?setting boutiques we invite you to shop, eat or browse at your leisure and let yourself be inspired!

Take part in the rhythm of Thorold and enjoy a variety of live events. You’ll enjoy theatre by talented members of the Thorold Community Theatre,historic Beaverdams Park is host to the sounds of Canada’s oldest community ensemble, the fifty-­piece Thorold Reed Concert Band and every fall, experience the energy of the Canal Bank Shuffle, a blues celebration that swings into town and takes the city by storm making Thorold a true Blues destination.

Summertime family traditions start here. For an affordable and fun night out, relive your childhood at Can-­View Drive In. Fall is the perfect time to take a family trip to Howells Family Pumpkin Farm for a hayride or a visit to the Haunted Spook Barn. Good times are in store for motorsport enthusiasts at Merritville Speedway –another summertime favourite.

Outdoor enthusiasts will be happy to explore Thorold’s conservation areas for hiking and wildlife watching. Short Hills Provincial Park also offers stunning scenery of the Niagara Escarpment with its equestrian and mountain bike trails. For golf lovers, Brock and Fox Run are two golf courses situated within city limits.

Thorold is rich in buildings of cultural and historic value. Over 50 designated properties are located within the city and surrounding rural communities. Many heritage buildings like Welland Mills are beautifully restored. Significant historic sites such as DeCou House connect us to our past.

The City of Thorold is a bicycle friendly community. From the Welland Canal Parkway Trail you can ride 8km through our tree-­lined streets as you make your way to Historic Downtown. Several bicycle racks are installed for your bike parking convenience.

top 10 things to do

On November 30, 1824, approximately 200 people gathered near the Allanburg bridge in Thorold to witness the sod-turning for the construction of the Welland Canal. The fourth version of the canal provides you with an opportunity to watch the phenomenon of a ship climbing a mountain, just south of the place where it all began.

Vessels pass through Lock 7 and then sail north into the Twin Flight Locks (Locks 4, 5 and 6). This is the most complex part of the Welland Canal System and it is truly where the magic happens! This is where the ships climb the mountain because this set of locks function like giant steps in a large flight of stairs. The Twin Flight Locks either raise or lower a ship three times the height of a regular lock as this is where the Niagara Escarpment falls. The Twin Flight Locks also allow for two-way traffic so upbound and downbound ships can travel at the same time. The water levels always have to be correct so the vessels can traverse the escarpment smoothly. The height of the lift of the Flight Locks and Lock 7 combined is 57 metres or 187 feet. It truly is an engineering masterpiece!

Visit Thorold’s Lock 7 Viewing Complex and Museum at 50 Chapel Street South, Thorold to watch ships as they sail over the Niagara Escarpment or climb the mountain. Listen to the roar of 23 million gallons of water pour into the lock and simply be amazed!

Stay in Thorold and experience a city that lives to the beat of its own rhythm – a little bluesy and a lot friendly. From fine boutiques to eateries, Thorold’s historical downtown will surprise you with newly restored buildings adding quaint heritage flair to Front Street. Colourful new facades, renovated storefronts and bike-friendly amenities for visitors looking for a unique Old Town shopping experience will find the casual and friendly beat a welcome change.
<p>Laura Secord is a true Canadian hero for her role in warning the British of a surprise attack by American forces. On June 21, 1813, after overhearing plans of the pending battle, she made the perilous 32 km journey from her home in Queenston to reach Lieutenant FitzGibbon at DeCou House.</p>
<p>Nestled within the Niagara Escarpment and Twelve Mile Creek valley, this unique and fragile ecosystem provides a tranquil setting for wildlife and visitors. Renown as a hot spot for seasonal trout fishing, the area is also popular with birdwatchers.</p>
<p>A throwback to summer fun awaits at the Can-View Drive-In situated on Highway 20 at Highway 406. As the sun sets behind the screens and ticket booths open, hundreds of families make their way to one of the last remaining drive-ins in southern Ontario.</p>
<p class="p1">Battle of Beaver Dams National Historic Site in Thorold was the site of a&nbsp;decisive British victory during the War of 1812, between Iroquois and&nbsp;American forces. Warned by Canadian heroine, Laura Secord, (and an&nbsp;Iroquois scout) the Caughnawaga Iroquois and Grand River forces&nbsp;defeated an attacking American force near Beaver Dams on 24 June&nbsp;1813.</p>
<p>Spend quality family time at Battle of Beaverdams Park, a 10-acre park with a bandshell in the heart of downtown Thorold. This historic park plays host to a wide variety of events throughout the year including Canada Day ceremonies.</p>
<p>The third weekend in October, we paint the town blue! For four fun-filled days, music-lovers fill downtown Thorold&rsquo;s caf&eacute;s, pubs and halls, where the best blues musicians from both sides of the border appear at the popular annual Canal Bank Shuffle.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Discover the Lock 7 viewing center situated atop of the Niagara escarpment, the most picturesque view of Locks 4,5,6 &amp; 7 awaits you. You haven&rsquo;t seen anything yet, until you view a massive ship pass by just a few feet away from you. Our friendly staff is here to greet you and answer your questions about the history of the Welland Canal, the City and Niagara Region. The complex is also home to an exhibit of artifacts from the Thorold and Beaverdams Historical Society.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In Thorold, hospitality and dining is a pleasant experience. Diverse restaurants, bistros and caf&eacute;s offer something to satisfy every taste &ndash; from an Italian feast to roadhouse fare. Or discover the friendly atmosphere and down-home cooking of a family restaurant or local pub.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">The revitalized downtown streetscape is bringing in curious shoppers, residents and&nbsp;developers. Newly renovated buildings are quickly filling up making Downtown Thorold a&nbsp;destination for visitors looking for a unique &ldquo;Old Town&rdquo; experience &ndash; and Front Street does&nbsp;not disappoint!</p>
<p>September through October, Howells Pumpkin Farm is where families come to have fun! Where else can you take the kids to see baby pig races or a jump in a straw barn?&nbsp;</p>

getting here






City of Thorold
3540 Schmon Parkway
P.O. Box 1044
Thorold, ON L2V 4A7
905.227.6613

twitter facebook

thoroldtourism.com
COMMUNITY PROFILE
/
THINGS TO DO
/
GETTING HERE

Port Colborne

The City of Port Colborne is where the Welland Canal joins with Lake Erie. The canal, which passes through the heart of the city, has been a driver of growth in the community. Today, the Welland Canal continues to play an important role in Port Colborne, serving as a multi-modal transportation hub. It is also a focus of many tourism attractions in the city.

The history of Port Colborne is closely entwined with that of the Welland Canal. Port Colborne was established as a settlement when the Welland Canal was extended from Port Robinson to Lake Erie in 1833. From grain terminals and flour mills to a steel mill and metal refinery, the Welland Canal’s presence running through the middle of the community has shaped the local economy.

Even to this day, some of Port Colborne’s major businesses rely on the canal for the movement of cargos to and from the City. Business has evolved to now include ship repair shops and ship wrecking yard. Port Colborne is the only location along the Wellanright next to modern ships. The Clarence Street Lift Bridge is one of three remaining lift bridges operating on the Welland Canal. Next to the bridge are walls of the old guard locks from the second and third Welland Canals, as well as the abutments of a swing bridge that once crossed the canal.

Downtown Port Colborne, located on the west side of the canal near the Clarence Street Lift Bridge, is home to the Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum and Heritage Village which celebrated and documents the history of the Port Colborne area and its marine industry. Historic West Street boasts some of the finest shops and restaurants in southern Niagara, and the Port Promenade is an excellent place to watch ships pass through the Welland Canal and into Lake Erie.

Lock 8 Gateway Park with an elevated viewing platform, flower gardens, fountains, picnic pavilion and washrooms, is a popular location to watch ships as they pass through the southernmost lock on the Welland Canal. The park also includes the uniquely designed “Algoport” Skate and Bike Park, which has been styled to resemble a freight ship. Lock 8 is the second longest canal lock in the world at 421 metres in length. The jack-knife bridges at both ends rise as ships pass through the lock. The Port Colborne Visitor Information Centre is located adjacent to the park at the corner of Main Street West and Mellanby Avenue.

Port Colborne celebrated its marine heritage with the annual Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival. Held during the civic holiday long-weekend in August, this is your opportunity to view and tour ships, cruise Lake Erie or the Welland Canal on a tall ship, and join the festivities held throughout town including an exciting concert series.

Port Colborne also offers a large marina, several public beaches, Vale Health & Wellness Centre which includes two arenas and a pool, and dozens of kilometers of paved recreational trails. Two 18-hole golf courses are within the immediate vicinity of Port Colborne, along with many parks and conservation areas for relaxation and hiking.

top 10 things to do

Port Colborne and the Welland Canal share a closely entwined history with one another. Port Colborne was established as a settlement when the Welland Canal was extended from Port Robinson to Lake Erie in 1833. The presence of the canal through the middle of the community has shaped the local economy. To this day, some of Port Colborne's major businesses rely on the canal for cargo movement.

Port Colborne is the only location along the Welland Canal to follow the original canal route. Visitors can see remnants of earlier canals right next to modern ships or check out the Clarence Street Lift Bridge, one of the three remaining lift bridges operating on the Welland Canal. View walls of the old guard locks from the second and third Welland Canals and abutments of a swing bridge that once crossed the canal.

The Port Promenade (along the side of the Welland Canal) is an excellent place to watch ships pass into Lake Erie, or visit Lock 8 Gateway Park to see ships from an elevated viewing platform as they pass through the southernmost lock on the Welland Canal and the second longest canal lock in the world! The Lock 8 Gateway Park also features a uniquely designed "Algoport" Skate and Bike Park which has been styled to resemble a freight ship.

trip-adv
<p>Located at Lock 8 Park, the Algoport Skate &amp; BMX Park's design is marine heritage and replicates a laker passing under a bridge and portrays a compass to navigate youth.</p>
<p>The Arts and Cultural Route is a self-directed guide to the studios and galleries. The Roselawn Centre for the Arts is a community centre that host the Showboat Festival&nbsp;Theatre as well as international acclaimed musicians.</p>
<p>Discover the outdoors by exploring the numerous cycling and hiking trails. Greater&nbsp;Niagara Cycle Route, The Friendship Trail, Gordon Harry Conservation Trail, the Lake Erie Waterfront Trail and The Welland Canals Parkway Trail.</p>
<p>Port Colborne has a number of events throughout the year. The signature event is the Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival each August long weekend. Other popular events are flavours, and Sportsfest. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The Marina has over 700 ships and provides all the on-shore amenities to make your visit enjoyable. Fishing in Port Colborne is an amazing experience, offering year-round, world-class sport fishing.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Port Colborne Historical Marine Museum and Heritage Village features a century of heritage buildings, historic gardens, pathways, covered pavilion and a tea room. The 1861 Georgian-Revival style Williams Home serves as the main exhibit gallery. 905-834-7604&nbsp;</p>
<p>HH Knoll- Lakeview Park is a waterfront park overlooking Sugarloaf Marina and Gravelly Bay. Lock 8 Gateway Park overlooks the Welland Canal. Mud Lake Conservation Area encompasses 160 acres of lakes, streams, wetlands and woods.</p>
<p>Nothing can beat a day at the Lake! Nickel Beach contains shady picnic areas, washrooms and unsupervised swimming. Centennial- Cedar Bay Beach with tennis courts, playing fields, and washrooms on site.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Check out the many unique shopping experiences that Port Colborne has to offer. Shopping areas are Downtown Port Colborne, Main Street, West Side Plaza, Port Colborne Mall and Portal Village Plaza. Stroll...Shop...and Relax! &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 145,000 square foot venue includes two NHL-sized ice pads, a walking/jogging track, six outdoor bocce courts and through the YWCA, an aquatic centre with lap and leisure pools, a gymnasium and fitness area.</p>

getting here




Port Colborne Visitor Information Centre
Humberstone Hall
76 Main Street West
Port Colborne, ON L3K 3V2
905.834.5722
1.888.PORT.FUN
twitterfacebook
www.portcolborne.ca

 

Port Colborne Economic Development, Tourism and Marketing
City Hall
66 Charlotte Street
Port Colborne, ON L3K 3C8
905.835.2900
COMMUNITY PROFILE
/
THINGS TO DO
/
GETTING HERE

St. Catharines

From authentic wine and culinary experiences, to unique festivals and cultural events including live music, theatre and sporting events, historical sites and a thriving downtown St. Catharines is at the heart of it all.

As you explore the Garden City be sure to include a visit to the Welland Canal Lock 3 Museum and experience the Great Lake ships travelling through the world-renowned Welland Canal and learn all about the rich community. The Welland Canals Centre's elevated observation platform lets visitors see ships from around the world as they navigate Lock 3 on their way through the St. Lawrence Seaway System. See the ships climb the mountain from this observation platform which is always free to use.

The Welland Canals Centre also provides opportunities to picnic in the park or enjoy the playground with your family. Experience the canal's past and present through a 15-minute video and museum exhibits. The Lockview Lounge on the second floor offers a great view in comfortable surroundings, especially during inclement weather.

top 10 things to do

A town initially formed because of its proximity to the convergence of 12 Mile Creek and Dick’s Creek, now dubbed the “Garden City,” St. Catharines has a little something for everyone. St. Catharines was a nucleus for the creation of the Welland Canal, an engineering masterpiece that attracts visitors from around the world.

Visit Lock 3 to view the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre and the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. The elevated observation platform at Lock 3 is an ideal place to witness ships maneuvering the lock system. Explore the story of the City of St. Catharines in the Museum’s exhibit galleries, including the Underground Railroad, the four Welland Canals, the First World War, the history of Canada’s oldest sport – Lacrosse and much more.


Downtown St. Catharines is a vibrant hub showcasing an eclectic mix of boutiques, shops and restaurants with menus from around the world as well as Ontario’s longest running farmer’s market. The entertainment scene is rich with intimate live music venues, sporting events and concerts at the Meridian Centre and the new FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Visit the quaint harbour side village of Port Dalhousie with two historical lighthouses, a beach, charming boutiques, restaurants, the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, and a historic LooCarousel! Summertime brings Canada Day celebrations, car shows, outdoor concerts, the annual Dragon Boat Festival and Ribfest in August. In the fall enjoy the Niagara Wine Festival, or hop over to Niagara’s largest indoor shopping destination, the Pen Centre which encompasses one million square feet of shopping fun.


Whatever the season… It’s all in St. Catharines!

<p>Visit our quaint, historic harbour front village of Port Dalhousie, home of the Royal Henley Regatta. Take a stroll along Port Dalhousie's quaint streets to window shop, people watch and enjoy the refurbished historic buildings, which house galleries, eclectic boutiques and mouth-watering casual/fine dining restaurants. An original antique Looff carousel in Port's Lakeside Park offers rides at the nostalgic price of five cents.</p>
<p>History lovers can take a trip through time at Morningstar Mill, a 130-year-old operational grist mill that sits atop the Niagara Escarpment at DeCew Falls.</p>
<p>Downtown St. Catharines is one of Niagara's most unique destinations with more than 120 shops, boutiques and 50 culinary establishments. It also features one of the oldest farmers markets in Ontario.&nbsp;Two hundred years of history has created a unique city of many heritage sites&nbsp;making a Downtown St. Catharines historic walking tour a must.</p>
<p>Niagara has earned an outstanding reputation for producing an array of exceptional wines in addition to our internationally acclaimed Icewine. Follow the Ontario Wine Route through downtown St. Catharines and Twenty Valley.</p>
<p>A 95,000 square foot academic and cultural complex comprised of four state-of-the-art performance venues. High quality and diversity ensures that there's something for everyone!</p>
<p>St. Catharines played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad of the 19th century, housing hundreds of freedom seekers who escaped from slavery in the southern United States. The famed Harriet Tubman brought countless people to freedom here in St. Catharines and many of their descendants are a proud part of our community today.</p>
<p>Located in downtown, Montebello Park was designed in 1887 by Frederick Law Olmstead, one of the designers of Central Park in New York City. This park is the home of numerous events and festivals throughout the year. Visitors to the park will enjoy the playground and open space, viewing the 1,300 rose bushes or listening to concerts throughout the summer months.&nbsp;</p>
<p>There is no better time than harvest to experience the best in wine and culinary across Niagara! For over 60 years the Niagara Wine Festival held in September celebrates wine country. Travel the wine route with a Discovery Pass or enjoy live entertainment, educational seminars, food and wine tastings and demonstrations in Montebello Park.</p>
<p>Travel Niagara's wine route that winds past lush vineyards and orchards. Found along Niagara&rsquo;s Wine Route, enjoy a picnic at Happy Rolph's Bird Sanctuary on the shores of Lake Ontario. Happy Rolph's boasts one of Canada's most exotic collections of flowering rhododendrons. It's also home to a petting farm that has chickens, pigs, horses, rabbits, sheep and goats. The pond inlet offers food and shelter for hundreds of ducks, geese and native birds.</p>
<p>This stunning trail stretches approximately 900 kilometres from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border, with new sections in the Niagara Region. It is a multi-use trail suitable for both cyclists and hikers. Attractions along the trail include Royal Canadian Henley Regatta course, Port Dalhousie Harbour, Lakeside Park and Carousel, Sunset Beach (formerly Municipal Beach), the Welland Canal, and Happy Rolph's Bird Sanctuary.</p>

getting here




City of St. Catharines
P.O. Box 3012
50 Church St.
St. Catharines, ON L2R 7C2

905.984.8880
905.688.5601 ext. 1731
1.800.305.5134

twitterfacebook

www.tourismstcatharines.ca

interesting facts

BRIDGES AND TUNNELS

Swing lift bridges

There are four “swing lift” bridges crossing the Canal – at Lakeshore Road, and Carlton Street in St. Catharines (Locks 1 & 2) and at Main Street and Mellanby Road in Port Colborne (Lock 8).

Counterbalance

Swing lift bridges are lifted by a huge counterbalance that swings the bridge out of the way of passing ships.

Vertical Lift Bridges

There are three “vertical lift” bridges crossing the Canal – at Glendale Avenue in St. Catharines, Highway 20 in Allanburg and at Clarence Street in Port Colborne.

The Mechanics

Vertical lift bridges involve weights suspended at either end, dropping to pull up the entire bridge 36.6 metres (120 feet).

Tunnels

Three tunnels pass under the Welland Canal – the Thorold Tunnel and the Main Street and Townline Tunnels in Welland.

PASSAGEWAY FOR THE WORLD

Lockage Time

It takes ships about 129 hours to sail from Duluth, Minnesota to the Atlantic Ocean, including 17 hours of lockage time throughout the Welland Canal and other St. Lawrence Seaway locks.

Bypassing Niagara Escarpement

The Welland Canal allows ships to bypass Niagara Falls and conquer the Niagara Escarpment in order to continue through the Great Lakes system.

Atlantic Ocean

From the Atlantic Ocean, ships can travel 2,000 kilometres (1,300 miles) inland to the edge of the Great Prairies.

Great Lakes

The five Great Lakes comprise the largest and most far-reaching inland waterway in the world.

SHIPS AND CARGO

The Numbers

Ships are raised 100 metres (326 feet) by seven locks within 11 kilometres (7 miles).

Navigating the Welland Canal

3,272 ships – mainly lakers, salties, tugs and barges – navigated the Welland Canal in 2014.

Tonnage

Ships carried over 31,750,000 metric tonnes of cargo in 2014.

Cargos

Common cargos are grain, iron ore, coal salt, stone, iron and steel.

Tolls

Tolls for passage vary from $19,000 to $38,000 for a loaded cargo ship or barge, depending on gross tonnage, and cargo type and approximately $1,500 for a small passenger ship.

Pleasure Crafts

Pleasure crafts are allowed passage for $320 one way through all locks.

WELLAND CANAL CORRIDOR

Four cities

The Welland Canal Corridor is a scenic route through four cities from lake to lake.

Viewing

Along the way, visitors enjoy viewing platforms, recreational trails and waterways, cycling routes, picnic areas, historical ruins, museums, displays, beaches, restaurants and accommodations.

Lots to do

The cities of St. Catharines, Thorold, Welland and Port Colborne offer vistas, activities, events and opportunities to entertain and fascinate every traveller.

The Corridor

The Corridor forms the western boundary of the Greater Niagara Circle Route Trails System.

downloads

MAPS & GUIDES

Access our official maps, specially designed to help visitors plan their time in Niagara and get the most out of the Welland Canal.

Our selection of maps will help you discover the evolution and history of the Welland, lock points of interest, over 140km of mostly off-road, paved trails suitable for walking cycling or rollerblading plus, the top things to do in each community during your stay.

Download these free Welland Canal maps and guides before you arrive.
Welland Canal Brochure
Welland Canal Historical Map
Things To Do Map
The Greater Niagara Circle Route Trails

getting here