History
The area is currently home to one full service hospital, as well as an urgent care centre and several walk in clinics. A brand new facility is currently being constructed in the West End of the city. This facility will also include a cancer centre, bringing cancer treatment to the area as an alternative to driving to Hamilton.
Connections are available in St. Catharines for air, rail, car and bus. The St. Catharines airport has been recently upgrade, and can handle small jets. Rail service is provided several times a day, with connections to Toronto and New York City. GO bus service is available year round, and train service is being trailed on summer weekends and holidays. Intercity coach service is provided by several lines including Greyhound and Coach Canada.
Local bus service is provided by the city, which operates dozens of routes seven days a week. This service includes a number of fully accessible routes. Many city buses are kneeling buses with low floors. Evenings and weekends, most routes are fully accessible. Para transit service is offered by the region. Taxi service is available throughout the city from several different companies. Highway access is provided by the QEW, which provides connections to Toronto, Niagara Falls, For Erie, Buffalo, and Hamilton. The 406 serves for quick trips across the city and to neighbouring Welland.
Current Life
Niagara Falls today has come a long way from its historic roots. Niagara Falls now boasts over 80,000 residents, with over a million more passing through the city each year as visitors. The city is governed by an elected council of 8 members, plus a Mayor. The are elected once every 4 years in November.
The economic activity in much of the region has shifted in recent decades. While Niagara Falls was once and industrial powerhouse, most industry has now left the city. Instead, tourism and services account for the vast majority of activity in the area. Many area residents owe their livelihoods to the extensive tourist trade, and many more make use of the varied entertainment options that such high volume supports.
A big influence in the local area comes from the two casinos located in the city. These two Casinos, coupled with the Clifton Hills tourist area and Lundy's Lane, employ many and entertain many more.
The City is connected to the rest of the region by the QEW. Transit time to America over the Rainbow Bridge near the downtown area can be as little as 5-10 minutes. It also has one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The Niagara Parkway, which follows the Niagara Gorge and connects Niagara Falls to Niagara on the Lake, has been described by royalty as the most scenic Parkway in the world.
Niagara Falls also hosts one of the regions full service hospitals. Greater Niagara General Hospital services residents of the city and surrounding area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It also boasts a full compliment of retirement communities, assisted living, and nursing homes.
Entertainment
Due in large part to its tourists, Niagara Falls boasts extensive entertainment options for a city of its size. Tourist attractions account for many of these, including the two casinos, the Niagara Parks system, and the Clifton Hill tourist options. The has multiple indoor water parks and an amusement/wildlife park as well. Throughout the summer and fall, free fireworks shows are put on by the Niagara Parks Commission.
Options also include shopping, with a large outlet mall and the Niagara Square mall both offering options for shoppers. A mallwalking program is in place at the Niagara Square. There is also a new stadium seating movie theatre, as well as many familiar big box stores in the city.
Hockey is an important sport for many Canadians, and Niagara Falls does not disappoint. The city has a local Junior B team, the Canucks, as well as being within a 20 minute drive of the St. Catharines OHL Icedogs and about 40 minutes from the Buffalo Sabres. There is also extensive ice available both in Niagara Falls and the surrounding region for games or recreational skating.
Relatively new to the city is the Queen Street Arts District. The old downtime area of the city, centred on Queen Street, is undergoing extensive renovation and rebranding. There are now dining options, art studios, and various services and sights to see in this historic area.
Dining
Dining out can be an exciting affair in Niagara Falls. Various buffets operate throughout the city, giving affordable variety to visitors and residents alike. The large variety of visitors has resulted in a large variety of options in the city, from fine dining to various fast food restaurants. Due to the high number of American tourists, Niagara Falls is also the only place in Canada at which some of the large American chains can be tried and enjoyed.
