Must-Visit Niagara Green Spaces With Gorgeous Lake, River, and Wetland Views
Many who arrive in Niagara primed to see Niagara Falls aren’t aware of the roster of other breathtaking watery views waiting to be enjoyed throughout the region. Niagara’s unique location between Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Niagara River, and the Niagara Escarpment means there is an abundance of green spaces where cascades, shorelines, and standing water are the stars of the show. Here are just a few favourites worth finding.
After taking in the beauty of Niagara Falls’ most famous waterfall, travel downstream along the White Water Walk to stroll along the quarter-mile boardwalk and watch the Niagara River’s rushing Class 6 rapids and crashing currents.
Time a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Ryerson Park to catch the sun as it dips below the Lake Ontario shoreline. Queen’s Royal Park is another excellent option if you’d like to dip your toes in the water at the same time, as it boasts the only public swimming beach on the Niagara River.
Make for the lake in St. Catharines, where the lakeside community of Port Dalhousie offers a lovely park and a perfect pier, treating walkers to spectacular views of Lake Ontario, including the Toronto skyline on clear days. Be sure to get an ice cream cone or cold drink from a local shop to enjoy on your stroll.
Hikers who navigate their way through Rockway Conservation Area and Louth Conservation Area in the Niagara Benchlands are rewarded with spectacular waterfall views.
Niagara’s South Coast has several options for wonderful water views beyond Lake Erie’s beautiful beaches. St. Johns Conservation Area has a lovely inland pond and four walking trails, some of which are wheelchair- and stroller-accessible. The Wainfleet Bog is another fascinating destination, with walking trails and boardwalks to help visitors explore the largest remaining bog within southern Ontario.
