Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Pen Centre
With more than 180 stores,
The Pen Centre
(221 Glendale Ave., St. Catharines, 905/
687-6622,
www.thepencentre.com
, 10am-9pm Mon.-Fri., 9am-6pm Sat., 11am-6pm Sun.)
isthisarea'slargestmall.AmongthemostpopularstoresareAeropostale,AmericanEagle,
Sears, and The Bay. The Pen also features four restaurants and a 10-screen multiplex.
Cycling
Cycling is growing in popularity in this region, and many adventurous cyclists are discov-
ering the
Greater Niagara Circle Route
(
www.regional.niagara.on.ca
), an 86-mile loop of
paved paths that join Lakes Erie and Ontario. The path is an amalgam of five trails along
the Niagara River to the shore of Lake Ontario. The route follows the Welland Canal and
then connects Port Colborne with Fort Erie.
There are 12 smaller bike loop routes within the region as well. Maps and descriptions
are online at the
Cycle Niagara
website (
www.cycleniagara.com
)
, which has excellent in-
formation on accommodations and bike repair shops near the loop routes.
The wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are increasingly becoming a top destination for
novice and veteran cyclists. Several retail tour operators offer escorted group tours through
wine country. For those who want to go at their own pace and customize a route, there's a
map and an app online (
www.niagararegion.ca
).
For bike rentals in Fort Erie, contact
Steve's Place Bicycle and Repair
(181 Niagara
Blvd.,FortErie,905/871-7517,
www.cycleman.com
,
noon-6pmTues.-Fri.,10am-3pmSat.,
$25/day).
For bike rentals in Thorold, contact
Canal City Cycle
(23 Front St. S., Thorold, 905/
964-8056,
www.canalcitycycle.com
, 8am-8pm daily, $30/day).
Horseback Riding
HorsePlay Niagara
(11061 Ellsworth Rd. N., Port Colborne, 905/834-2380,
www.horseplayniagara.com
,
daily by reservation only, $45/hr.) puts you in the saddle for
leisurely rides along nature trails near Port Colborne. More experienced riders can gallop
on the sands of a Lake Erie beach with their instructor ($60-$75).
