With a buzzed-about dining scene, engaging arts activities, and a diverse array of things to see and do, St. Catharines is a bit of a best-kept secret when it comes to romantic escapes.

Make Port Dalhousie your first stop and take a stroll on the pier out into Lake Ontario with a hot drink from one of the great local coffee stops, like Thistle Bookshop and Café, 416 Coffee, or Balzac’s. Those who prefer a sail to a stroll can book a romantic Lake Ontario experience aboard Niagara Nautico’s beautiful boat, the Black Diamond.

After your walk, stop for a delicious St. Catharines brunch at Pique-Nique, Bistro Mirepoix, The Diner House 29, The District, or the MICHELIN GUIDE-recommended Fat Rabbit.

Depending on your interests, Downtown St. Catharines offers plenty of intriguing options for spending an afternoon together. Art lovers will enjoy browsing the collections in the various galleries at Niagara Artists Centre and at White Galleon. Making the short drive out to 13th Street Winery to walk the massive outdoor sculpture garden is also highly recommended. Henry of Pelham Estate Winery also has an interesting collection of original paintings on display from a range of Canadian artists. Those who enjoy the thrill of thrifting will have a blast exploring the vintage stores and vinyl shops located in Downtown St. Catharines. Film enthusiasts can sneak in a matinee screening of the latest documentaries, new features and classic films at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre’s The Film House.

Following your afternoon’s explorations, settle in at Holiday Inn & Suites St. Catharines. The city’s largest hotel offers rooms and suites designed for comfort that include a work desk, mini-fridge, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, flat-screen HDTV, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary parking. The hotel is pet-friendly and offers a full-service restaurant, a to-go cafe, an indoor pool, and a fitness centre, Parkway Social, which is a huge bowling alley and entertainment centre and the rooftop patio, Lounge Six Sky Bar.

Enjoy a romantic dinner for two at a St. Catharines favourite, like Les Incompetents, OddBird, Wellington Court, Bolete, Mele Tratoria, or Ma Chinese Cuisine. Consider timing your trip to coincide with a concert that’s within walking distance of your dinner at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre or The Warehouse Concert Hall. Helliwell Hall also regularly showcases amazing live bands.

The next morning, grab some Niagara doughnuts for the road. Beechwood Doughnuts’ fresh, handmade, vegan doughnuts will convince even the most skeptical foodie that plant-based foods can be every bit as delicious. Humble Doughnuts sources all-natural ingredients and uses a signature slow-fermentation process to achieve a deeper, more sophisticated flavour in their light, airy brioche-style doughnuts.