Port Dalhousie -(pronounced daloozie by locals or just port)

Port Dalhousie, was once a little village at the mouth of the Welland Canal and the site of the Muir Dry Docks that built sailing ships carrying cargo through the canals. It is now part of St. Catharines, one of the 12 municipalities making up the Region of Niagara.
Many people go to the water when they need respite from the day and you'll find a line of lawn chairs on the berm on the east pier every Sunday after supper as people make their way down to Port to sit and watch the sun go down on Lake Ontario or stroll or roll to the end of either pier, there are two.
The old lighthouses are still there too, freshly painted with the beaver weathervanes on top.

What I like about Port is that you can roll from the end of one pier all the way over to the end of the other one. It'll take you about an hour and it is worth doing. On the east side, you'll see the lighthouses, the marina with all the sail boats, Canada geese, Mallard ducks, gulls, everyone walking their dog, and you'll have a good view of the west pier and west side of Port. As you do the walk, you'll go up to Lakeport Road, see an old lock masters shanty, the Henley Regatta grandstand, the weir where the power station operates, go behind Tredwell Restaurant on the bridge and then out near the shops and restaurants in the main merchants' area. From there you can see everyone on the east pier.

The beach is long, the water shallow. There is a walkway along the beach and accessible bathrooms near the pier.

Port also boasts a treaure. It has a vintage carousel, lovingly restored and running from May 24 until Labour Day. It's not accessible but will be. It is still only 5 cents a ride.

Most of the stores in Port are not accessible. The buildings are from another era. There are several new buildings though and there is a leather store, a small bazaar full of boutiques, and several places for ice cream that are accessible. At the back of the bazaar is a deli and bakery, Olsen's. They will make you up a bun or a salad with a fruit tart and a drink or quiche to take out to eat down by the water or at any one of the many benches around port.
Treadwell's Restaurant is totally accessible.
Marie's Lobster Restaurant is but the washrooms are not.
Murphy's is not accessible but they might let you into the patio if someone asks for you.
Several of the bars are accessible and serve food.
Tim Horton's is accessible but I believe the chairs are screwed to the floor.


Port Dalhousie is easy to find - just follow the Niagara Parkway to Lakeshore Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake and go as far as you can on Lakeshore Road, turn right when Lakeshore becomes Ontario Street and you'll go right into Port Dahousie. Or, take the QEW to Ontario Street in St. Catharines, go north on Ontario Street until you come to Lakeport and follow it into Port.