Top left: The view from the marina pier at the end of the waterfront trail. Top right: Sign displaying that you are on the waterfront trail and will lead you the way. Bottom left: The pavillion located on the trail and near the pier for visitors to use for dining, relaxing or activities. Bottom right: View of Port Dalhousie pier Marina. Photos: [Michelle Gregson, 2013].
GENERAL INFORMATION
Port Dalhousie, is the waterfront and historic town the visitor will be experiencing during this destination. This town located on the shore of Lake Ontario, is one of the Niagara Peninsula’s best-kept secret. The harbour front consists of the waterfront trail, which allows the visitors to walk, jog, or bicycle the shore at anytime freely. The Port Dalhousie section waterfront trail incorporates the marina of Port Dalhousie and encompasses two lighthouses that are accessible by a pedestrian pathway. Along the concrete pier, benches are available to relax and contemplate the spectacular views of the lake, marina, and the town. The pier and the waterfront trail are right off the main street of Port Dalhousie, which provides accommodations, good quality restaurants, and shopping, and which is near well-recognized wineries. Wineries are located in all directions of the town, which make them easily accessible to travel to; either by vehicle or a short bicycle rides.
Photo Gallery
One of two lighthouses at Port Dalhousie pier marina. You are able to walk right up to them and see a real life lighthouse, that is still used today.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
Walking down the pier you can experience the nice breeze coming from the lake.
Right off the boardwalk is Port Dalhousie's beach, which is a accessed for all locals and visitors for swimming, relaxing or playing sports.
View across the water of one of two lighthouses at Port Dalhousie pier marina. You are able to walk right up to them and see a real life lighthouse, that is still used today.
The boardwalk allows you to either walk, job or bike along the trail.
From the pier towards the lake, you are able to see incoming boats and a view of the marina.
From the pier towards the lake, you are able to see incoming boats and a view of the marina.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
The boardwalk has two sides, one with the two lighthouses to view and the other for the city, marina and lake view.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
Always a nice journey to just sit and relax with friends and family, or on your own on the pier.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
Signs are located throughout the trail that shows you the way, if by any reason you get off track.
Beautiful view of Port Dalhousise from the pier.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
You are able to get close to the boats that are docked and sometimes they have daily boat rides for visitors to go fishing or sightseeing.
Just off the boadwalk, there is a pavallion that all locals and visitors are able to use for dining, activities, or settler.
Throughout your journey on the boardwalk, you will see much wildlife of birds.
One of two lighthouses at Port Dalhousie pier marina. You are able to walk right up to them and see a real life lighthouse, that is still used today.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
Walking down the pier you can experience the nice breeze coming from the lake.
Right off the boardwalk is Port Dalhousie's beach, which is a accessed for all locals and visitors for swimming, relaxing or playing sports.
View across the water of one of two lighthouses at Port Dalhousie pier marina. You are able to walk right up to them and see a real life lighthouse, that is still used today.
The boardwalk allows you to either walk, job or bike along the trail.
From the pier towards the lake, you are able to see incoming boats and a view of the marina.
From the pier towards the lake, you are able to see incoming boats and a view of the marina.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
The boardwalk has two sides, one with the two lighthouses to view and the other for the city, marina and lake view.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
Always a nice journey to just sit and relax with friends and family, or on your own on the pier.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
Signs are located throughout the trail that shows you the way, if by any reason you get off track.
Beautiful view of Port Dalhousise from the pier.
The boardwalk at the end of the waterfront trail, that leads straight out to the lake. Along the boardwalk are benchs for visitors to sit and enjoy the view and sounds.
You are able to get close to the boats that are docked and sometimes they have daily boat rides for visitors to go fishing or sightseeing.
Just off the boadwalk, there is a pavallion that all locals and visitors are able to use for dining, activities, or settler.
Throughout your journey on the boardwalk, you will see much wildlife of birds.
Port Dalhousie Marina is open from Victoria Day to Labour Day.
However, the pier is open 24/7 until weaher makes walking the pier dangerous.
DIRECTIONS
From Toronto:
Take the Q.E.W. south to St. Catharines and exit at Ontario Street North (EXIT 47).
Continue north on Ontario Street to Lakeport Road.
Turn left (west) onto Lakeport Road and follow Lakport Road into Port Dalhousie.
Turn right into the Royal Canadian Legion parking lot and follow the lot behind the Legion where the charter boats dock.
From Niagara:
Take the Q.E.W. north to St. Catharines and exit at Ontario Street North (EXIT 47).
Continue north on Ontario Street to Lakeport Road.
Turn left (west) onto Lakeport Road and follow Lakport Road into Port Dalhousie.
Turn right into the Royal Canadian Legion parking lot and follow the lot behind the Legion where the charter boats dock.
Historical
The Port Dalhousie District comprises the original canal village of Port Dalhousie, which was incorporated by the City of St. Catharines in 1961. It is situated on a narrow peninsula bordered on the north by Lake Ontario, on the south by Martindale Pond and Twelve Mile Creek, and on the east by the Port Dalhousie Harbor. The Port Dalhousie District includes the original commercial core of the port village with its mid-to-late-19th century commercial buildings, an spectacular residential area which includes many public and institutional buildings, an 1820s cemetery, historic Lakeside Park and the beach area which link the commercial core and residential area, and the entry locks of the original three Welland Canals (1826, 1848, and 1885).
Beginning in 1826 as the northern entry of the First Welland Canal, the village of Port Dalhousie developed and prospered as the Lake Ontario terminus and service provider for the second and third Welland Canals until 1932. From the 1830s to the 1960s, shipbuilding, servicing and repairs were important industrial components, recognized throughout the Great Lakes region by the shipping industry. Port Dalhousie has also been a popular tourist destination for over a century. Lakeside Park was established in 1902, and ferries, most notably for Emancipation Day picnics held in the park for the Canadian and American black communities, brought visitors there. The village is also associated with the historic Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, which has been held annually since 1903.
ECOLOGICAL
Port Dalhousie Pier has many ecological aspects to its location. It is situated right off the lake for spectacular views, down the road is the hidden Henley Island for rowing and other water activities, and the historical land that Port Dalhousie sits on has not been touched due to its heritage value. When taking a stroll down the waterfront boardwalk or pier, you experience breath-taking views of the lake, lighthouses, wildlife, marina, beach, and Port Dalhousie while meeting locals and visitors on the way.