The city has been traditionally known as the place where rails and water meet, referring to the railways from Buffalo to Toronto and southwestern Ontario,

and the waterways of Welland Canal and Welland River, which played a great role in the city's development. The railway was originally chartered in 1884 by the Ontario Legislative Assembly to run from Toronto to the International Railway Bridge, connecting with local lines to Buffalo.

The days of wine and roses are not far off in Welland. In late September upwards of 60,000 visitors swell the reservation books of the city's restaurants during the Niagara Food Festival. Food and the fruit of local vineyards are everywhere, accompanied by a street life chiming with tunes from buskers and the sound of children's games. In the month of June the fresh bloom of roses takes over during the Welland Rose Festival when parades and a lobsterfest accompany summer's start. In early May French culture is on show during Francofest, a film festival showing the best of French cinematography. Location of Welland in the Niagara Region The city is notable for its large francophone population. Welland is one of few communities in southern Ontario where the percentage of Franco-Ontarians exceeds the overall provincial average.One attraction a visitor will be hard pressed to miss is Welland's murals. Some reach three storeys high and 8 m (25 ft) across. There are more than two dozen murals decorating the city's streetscape. Welland is conveniently located only 77 km (48 mi) from the Greater Toronto Area.

To beautify the city, Welland commissioned artists from across Canada to paint murals on the sides of buildings. More than two dozen permanent, colourful murals depicting historical themes of the region now grace the city, adding a rich visual element to the urban landscape. Started in 1986, this is an ongoing project with new murals being added periodically.

If you're visiting Niagara, you've probably discovered that all roads lead to St. Catharines the Garden City of Niagara. Our region is known for its waterfalls and wineries, but as you'll discover there's a whole world of vibrant culture, outstanding beauty and world-class recreation awaiting you in St. Catharines – all of which makes our city the place to visit when you need a little Niagara! A Niagara Falls Bed and Breakfast, Bala Place B&B in St. Catharines is your home away from home, Bala Place B&B is just 1 mile from Old Port Dalhousie and St. Catharines Marina
plus just a short 10 to 15 minutes drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls, Welland Canal Museum & Lock 3 and over 40 wineries.

St.Catharines the lovely "Garden City" is situated in the heart of the Niagara Fruit belt. The city is home to the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and to the popular Niagara Grape and Wine Festival and much more. Whether it's your destination of choice or the home base for your Niagara getaway, St. Catharines is right where you want to be.
St. Catharines is a city with a rich past, exciting future and a spirit of wonder in the present. Lying between the shores of Lake Ontario and the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, St. Catharines is surrounded by vineyards, orchards and all that Niagara has to offer, whether a destination of choice or a home base to an Niagara Adventure, Ontario's Garden City is right where you want to be.

In St. Catharines you'll find a wide variety of excellent accommodations from economy motels and family inns to major hotels and quaint Bed and Breakfasts like Bala Place. From your comfortable accommodations or lodging you can explore the city at your leisure or take a short country drive around Niagara to Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Grimsby, or Long Beach.

Travel time from Toronto international airport is only an hour and 45 minutes, from Hamilton or Buffalo airports only 45 minutes to one hour by airport bus or rental car.