Summer in St. Catharines is all about soaking in the small moments. Discovering local traditions, finding hidden gems, and sharing experiences that bring people together. Waterfront views, standout dining, and wine country within reach – this is the start of your St. Catharines summer, mapped out.
A Port Dalhousie Summer Tradition
No summer in St. Catharines is complete without time spent along the Port Dalhousie waterfront.
The Lakeside Park Carousel opens May 16 and remains one of the city’s most cherished experiences. It’s a fully restored, hand-carved carousel that continues to connect generations through simple, nostalgic fun that only costs a nickle.
Just steps away, Tuesday evenings bring a different kind of energy with the Port Dalhousie Supper Market (back on June 23) – a lively waterfront gathering of local food vendors, music, and community atmosphere. It’s the kind of summer night that doesn’t need much planning. Just show up and enjoy it.
Together, they capture what Port Dalhousie does best: easy, memorable, and distinctly St. Catharines.
A True Hidden Gem in St. Catharines
If you’re exploring the city this summer, Tangerine Tortoise is the definition of a hidden gem, and if you’re not “in-the-know”, you’d drive right by.
From the outside, it looks like an old appliance shop, boasting it’s old “Heinz Appliances” sign atop a bright orange door. Step inside, and it opens into a space built around craft, care, and connection. At the centre is chef Robby Berry, whose 33+ years in kitchens around the world eventually brought him back to Niagara. After operating The Bleu Turtle and rethinking his direction during COVID, he created Tangerine Tortoise as a return to what matters most: quality over quantity, and food made with intention.
Everything is done in-house and in small batches, including a three-day dough process that reflects the philosophy behind it all; slow down, do it properly, and let time do its work. The menu is intentionally limited, shaped by preparation rather than scale, which makes each visit feel considered and unique.
For visitors, it’s a worthwhile stop while exploring downtown St. Catharines, and a reminder that some of the best experiences are the ones you don’t immediately see coming.
Wine Country, the Niagara Way
Just beyond the hustle and bustle of downtown, 13th Street Winery offers one of the region’s most complete wine country experiences, where craft, landscape, and hospitality come together.
Celebrating over 25 years of winemaking, the winery is guided by a simple mission: to create exceptional wines that reflect Niagara’s unique terroir while offering visitors an authentic estate experience rooted in place and community.
A visit can be as relaxed or as immersive as you want it to be. Step into the contemporary tasting bar for a guided experience of award-winning wines, or wander the grounds where sculpture, gardens, and open space invite you to slow down and explore.
In the warmer months, the outdoor Bistro offers seasonal dishes perfect for a midday stop, while the bakery has become a destination in its own right, known for butter tarts, fresh baking, preserves, and locally inspired treats that showcase Niagara’s agricultural richness.
Check this off your list for a quintessentially Niagara summer afternoon.
From lakeside traditions in Port Dalhousie, to unexpected culinary finds, to world-class wine just beyond the urban core, summer here is about discovery, and the places that make you want to stay a little longer than planned.
Stay tuned for part two of the Summer Bucket List series!
