Although many people have heard of the Welland Canal, the Niagara Region and maybe even “Niagara’s South Coast”, there are still plenty who have never made the journey west of Niagara Falls to the last lock in the system: Lock 8. If taking a drive to Port Colborne isn’t on your immediate list of things to do this summer, it should be! We guarantee a visit to our beautiful city is definitely worth it – plenty to do and see throughout the year.

There are several routes into Port Colborne depending on which direction you are coming from. If you are traveling in from the west you may want to follow historic Highway 3. A large segment of the route follows the Talbot Trail, a settlement road following the northern shore of Lake Erie constructed by Colonel Talbot in the early 1800s as part of a grand settlement plan along the lake front. East of Canborough, the road generally follows older settlement trails: Forks Road, connecting Dunnville with Wainfleet, portions of Sherk’s Road, through Port Colborne to Gasline, and the Garrison Road, a military road built west from Fort Erie. Along this route you will experience lush, green landscapes, meandering creeks, wildlife and lake vistas that make the drive one of the most scenic in the region. The other route is via the QEW/406/140 highways which takes you along the southern tip of Lake Ontario before diverting through St. Catherines following the  Welland Canal route south into the city.

Enjoy walking the downtown historic Canal District, taking in the ships as they traverse Lock 8 and pass under Bridge 21 (the last lift bridge before Lake Erie). Shop in our amazing boutiques, art galleries and storefronts, dine in our many delicious restaurants and cafes, explore the Historical & Marine Museum. Stroll quaint streets filled with pretty gardens and historic homes like the Roselawn (now a splendid summer theatre venue), browse our popular Farmers Market every Friday (6am-1pm) or wander one of our breath-taking beaches or hiking trails. After a gorgeous day in our port city, you can hop back in your car, discuss your adventure and make plans for another visit.