Port Dalhousie Beach, home to a historic harbourfront village, is located in St. Catharines Ontario, and is known not only for its picturesque sunsets but also as one of the best kept secrets in the Niagara Peninsula. This area offers gorgeous views of the city of Toronto to the North, the historic town of Niagara on the Lake to the east, and breathtaking, romantic sunsets to the west. As kids build sand castles and splash in the water in the summer, couples come to sit on park benches and picnic tables to watch the sunsets shimmering off the water. As the sun begins to set along the waters of Lake Ontario, visitors and locals alike, begin to flock with their cameras to the beach to capture the perfect sunset image.

Picnic tables along the beach and several benches along the pier offer perfect areas to relax and watch the sunset. The pier is accessible and juts way out into Lake Ontario offering amazing views of the sun reflecting off of the water. Whether it's a night out with your family, a romantic walk with your loved one, or a stoll down the pier with the dog, you are sure to enjoy the beautiful sunset views Port Dalhousie Beach has to offer.

As the sun goes down quickly, there are many other things to do in the area such as shop at many of the little boutique and gift stores, or go for dinner, appetizers, or beverages at one of the many local bars or restaurants. There are coffee shops in the area as well as icecream parlors all located just a short walk up from the beach. This is the perfect area to come for icecream dessert after dinner, or a coffee or tea and enjoy it while walking either down the pier or along the shorelines of the beach at sunset. During the summer the beach is packed with people daily, as is the pier as people walk, run, bike, rollerblade, skateboard and fish along it. The marina, packed with sailboats and yachts offers great picture taking opportunities as well as boat cruises.

Dawn to dusk, daily.

From Niagara or Buffalo:

Take the QEW to exit 47, Ontario Street, St. Catharines

Left (north) on Ontario Street towards Lake Ontario, away from downtown

Left (west) on Lakeport Road at lights

Follow Lakeport Road over bridge

Veer right at traffic lights towards beach

Free parking at Lakeside Park

From Toronto:

Take the QEW to exit 51, Seventh Street, St. Catharines

Turn left (north) onto Seventh Street to Lakeshore Road

Turn right (east) onto Lakeshore Road which will become Main Street

Follow the signage to Port Dalhousie

Port Dalhousie is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Toronto, and about 45 minutes from Buffalo.

Port Dalhousie is a historic harbourfront village that is home to many heritage structures and historical sites: including two lighthouses dating from the late 1800s, an antique carouselthat costs 5 cents a ride, and the smallest jailhouse in Ontario, which was built in 1845.

For almost 100 years, Port Dalhousie has also been home to the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta on Martindale Pond, inviting rowers from all over the world to compete, and was the site of the "1999 World Rowing Games."

Lakeside Park was a popular tourist attraction from 1901 until the 1950s, known for its beaches, waterslide, carousel, dance pavilion and midway rides. The Carousel, is a historic masterpiece that was handcarved by the Charles I.D. Looff Company between 1898 and 1905. It came to St. Catharines in 1921 when it was purchased to become a part of the Port Dalhousie amusement park.

The midway closed in 1969, The City took over and all attractions were removed. The only structures that remained were the dance pavillion, the picnic shelter, and the famous carousel. The pavillion was destroyed by a fire in 1974, however today the picnic shelter and carousel still remain. Altough the place has changed quite a bit over time, the visitors still come.

Port Dalhousie is home to many birds such as Canada Geese, pigeons, gulls, ducks and swans, and many species of fish, which make fishing a popular activity in the area.

http://www.portdalhousie.com/

http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/PortDalhousie.asp

Port Dalhousie Heritage District:

http://niagaragreenbelt.com/listings/52-heritage-districts/807-port-dalhousie-heritage-district.html

Lighthouses in Port Dalhousie:

http://niagaragreenbelt.com/listings/64-lighthouses/375-port-dalhousie-lighthouses.html

Sunrise and Sunset Time/Date Calculator

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunrise.html

Sunrise and Sunset Photo Calculator (For photographers)

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/sunrise-sunset-calculator.htm

City of St. Catharines

• Beach
• Children's Playground
• Walkways and Pier extending out into Lake Ontario for sunset strolls
• Picnic Tables
• Covered Pavillion
• Marina & Yacht Club
• Public docks for visitors
• Bars and Eateries just up the street.

Seasonal:

• Antique Carousel
• Public Washroom and Changerooms
• Snackbar

5 cents for the Lakeside Park Carousel ride!

Wheelchair accessible pathways and piers.

Port Dalhousie Lakeside Park
Lakeport Road
Port Dalhousie, Ontario
L2N 5B4 Municipality St. Catharines

Recreation & Community Services Department
City of St. Catharines
320 Geneva Street
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7C2
Tel (905) 937-7210
Fax (905) 646-9262
Email jmclaghlin@stcatharines.ca

Pavement pathways and piers, grassy areas, and a sandy beach.