Things to Do in St. Catharines

A vintage photo of Mallwitz’s Island Lanes, presumably from the 1980s, shows a much different alley than the one that stands today. Its patrons are dressed and coiffed for the times, bright yellows and reds flash across the walls, and strikes and spares are scrawled by hand. A modern-day snapshot illustrates the transformation that has occurred since the center's 1980 opening: 24 lanes feature computerized scoring systems and freshly oiled surfaces that glisten in the muted glow of black lights like a newborn’s head after his first waxing. Other contemporary touches include a full bar, complete with a food menu headlined by popular wings.

At Peaks Indoor Rock Climbing, seasoned instructors introduce bipeds to the world of vertical crawling during lessons on more than 60 textured walls. During each session, tutors impart the basic techniques of climbing and belaying while also covering safety tips and the mental benefits of the sport’s myriad challenges. Membership packages grant access to rental harnesses for use of the facility's rugged walls, cracks, overhands, and climbing caves. In order to ensure everyone’s safety, introductory lessons are mandatory for all beginning climbers, whether or not they were raised by a trip of mountain goats.

eSkoot Niagara equips day-trippers and prospective buyers with environmentally friendly electric choppers from Emmo, enhancing sightseeing with safe and efficient transportation. Each two-wheeled wonder thrives off a sophisticated lithium battery capable of going up to 70 kilometres on a single charge, allowing riders to take in the idyllic charm of the Niagara region’s shops, wineries, and lakefront without worrying about gassing up or shovelling coal into the engine’s furnace. Every vehicle in the store’s impressive fleet, from the heavy-duty GT5 scooter to the speedy, lightweight Mount 7 bike, operates under the same laws as bicycles, allowing passengers to enjoy open-air rides without the need for drivers’ licences or insurance.

In 2005, Thanh Tran took a risk when she left her job in the medical field to focus on her longtime passion, Pilates. She dove headfirst into the therapeutic practice of Stott Pilates, garnering certifications in basic matwork, Reformer training, and injury and post-rehabilitation Pilates. With her extensive Pilates knowledge, Tran founded PilatesCircle and stocked her studio with Stott Reformers, barrels, and chairs to enhance her students' practice. The studio's mat and Reformer classes—which are limited to small class sizes—incorporate Stott principles to benefit beginners and aficionados alike, and include a session for children age 10–12. When practiced regularly, Pilates can help students increase their mobility, strength, flexibility, and body awareness, and specialized regimens target specific muscles to help golfers, runners, and full-contact ping-pong players prevent injury. Those looking for an even more personal Pilates experience can schedule a private solo, tandem, or trio session.

For all its might, Niagara Falls remains one of the world's youngest geological formations, carved by the melting of glaciers a mere 12,300 years ago. Its thunder power has fascinated humanity for the extent of documented North American history, from the Native Americans who lived in the region to the French priest Louis Hennepin, the first European to behold the cascade. That power also drew early captains of industry, who sought to harness the ferocious rush of liquid with water wheels, an idea so common it threatened to ruin the area's natural beauty. In 1885, some of the earliest ecological crusaders changed history—successfully pressuring the state government into designating the Falls and its surrounding lands as one of the United State's oldest State Parks.

Today, the Park serves as a popular destination for tourists in search of natural wonder, wedding parties and honeymooners seeking an unforgettable backdrop, and coopers seeking to market their barrels as recreational vehicles.

At Parkway Lanes, bowlers hurl balls down 40 lanes, reducing triangular formations to a pile of plastic rubble and tallying up victories with automatic scoring systems rather than sacks of beans. The lanes flare to life on Rock 'N Bowl nights, and a game room with pool tables buzzes with competition every night of the week. After games and between frames, athletes can replenish energy reserves with food and drinks doled out on site.