Before going to Simcoe and Norfolk County, as posted on the last page, made some Niagara stops first. Some are cities, some are towns. Some already covered here so won't go into too much detail.
St. Catharines - Downtown has good and bad. Wednesday morning and hardly anyone on the street and not much traffic. I'd imagine 2.5 years ago there'd be more activity. But I do like being able to cross a street at any point without having to play Frogger like when I go to the office Downtown TO. Like when I was in Kingston about 10 years ago. No need to wait at a light. And it's why I prefer walking around or parking in small downtowns like Oakville, etc. A downtown I can cover completely on foot on any given day or find cheap/free parking instantly.
There was one street person in front of the BMO and one guy asked me for change at the Montebello Park washroom. My bro lives next to that park. That is definitely not surprising. I really want St. Kitts to blossom. Their main street is nice enough as it is but can take it up a level and be beautiful if they get more activity downtown.
My bro used to work in this building on the other side of the park. Here's an example of how downtown can be improved. It closed down five years ago. It still is boarded up. Not sure how this isn't knocked down already and replaced with a condo or apt. Bro heard the owner was trying to renovate and open as office space again. Not sure what office vacancy in St. Kitts was five years ago but it seems like it would have been win-win for the owner and city to get people moved in there as multi-family?
And this empty heritage building burned down recently. Of course, rumours say it was intentional since the owner didn't want to restore or partially restore it and just build something new.
https://niagaracanada.com/st-cathari...ocal-business/
![](https://i.postimg.cc/ncJNXC4q/Destination.jpg)
https://goodtimes.ca/canadas-top-ret...catharines-on/
![](https://i.postimg.cc/C5M0fNXn/jhfhgjkfg.jpg)
Niagara Falls - Been a long time since I drove through Downtown. By the bus terminal could easily stand in for the US. And I love their gateway signs. Queen St. was more bustling than I thought. Was busier than St. Kitts. Nice to see. Again, I want this area to really take off. Would be so cool to make DT a stop along the way when doing a day trip to the Falls.
https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/...niagara-falls/
Niagara Parkway - Driven the scenic route between the Falls and Niagara on the Lake plenty of times. Get to see the gorge, vineyards and mega hydro infrastructure. This was the first time going the opposite way, to Fort Erie. Totally different. At the top of the Niagara River of course, instead of the bottom. I love that no homes back onto the water. They are all on the other side of the street. The water side is full of small parking spots to pull over at every couple of kms. Water was emerald and blue. Very famous in fishing circles for the smallmouth bass population. I must say, I prefer looking across and seeing nature as opposed to when you get closer to Fort Erie and you start looking over at Buffalo.
https://www.zolo.ca/fort-erie-real-e...iagara-parkway
https://bansalteam.com/listing/2021-...-5m4-24925510/
https://andyandjudi.com/2014/08/31/n...e-sightseeing/
Fort Erie - Only stopped there once in my life. Going to the track to play slots on the way back from Buffalo. Checked it out proper this time. Bridgeburg, Ridgeway and Crystal Beach. Basically, a hodge podge of communities.
![](https://i.postimg.cc/dVLZRMq3/hjklhjl.jpg)
https://www.narcity.com/toronto/this...lifornia-vibes
Port Colborne - I like the vibe on the side facing the canal vs. the main street. Would be cool to watch when a ship is passing. Also stopped by Nickel Beach, which is where you're only allowed to access it by tailgating in your car on the beach. Until labour day that is. After that, you can park outside the fence and walk in for no charge.
![](https://i.postimg.cc/8zd6hYQc/image001.png)
![](https://i.postimg.cc/FF2ppwqV/image002.png)
![](https://i.postimg.cc/c1KTQdDJ/image004.png)
https://www.iheartradio.ca/610cktb/n...egy-1.17226481
Welland and Thorold - Last pic is the one of Thorold (pretty small downtown). Some rough aspects and/or people I see every time I pass through. But there's also a lot of good. Welland in particular has the recreational canal and the big canal for ships.
https://www.iheartradio.ca/610cktb/n...ies-1.14979791
https://www.turtlesproperty.com/
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/do...2720-309131361
https://chrisdelaatphotography.com/downtown-thorold