Map of St. Catharines

About St. Catharines

St. Catharines is the largest city in the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario with a population of approximately 136,000 residents. Known as the 'Garden City' for its parks, trails, and tree-lined streets, St. Catharines is located in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula, surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and natural beauty. The city serves as the economic and administrative center of the Niagara Region.

The city's economy is diverse, with strengths in manufacturing, healthcare (Niagara Health System), education (Brock University), wine production, and tourism. St. Catharines is part of the Niagara wine region, with numerous wineries in the surrounding area. The historic Welland Canal runs through the city, allowing ships to bypass Niagara Falls and connect Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. Downtown St. Catharines features shops, restaurants, cultural venues including the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, and the scenic Port Dalhousie harbor district on Lake Ontario.

The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) runs along the northern edge of St. Catharines, connecting to Toronto (approximately 130 km northwest) and Niagara Falls (20 km southeast). Highway 406 runs north-south through the city, connecting the QEW to Highway 58. The Garden City Skyway bridge on the QEW is a local landmark. St. Paul Street serves as the main downtown corridor, while Ontario Street and Lake Street are major routes. The Welland Canal divides the city, with several lift bridges allowing road traffic to cross. The city's northern boundary reaches Lake Ontario at Port Dalhousie.