Crystal Beach
Crystal Beach is a lakefront community in the city of Fort Erie on the shores of Lake Erie. It is also known as Bay Beach and is open to the general public during the summer months.
Beachgoers travel from all over Ontario as well as New York State to visit, since Buffalo is only a short 30-minute drive away. Waterfront properties are very popular and feature gorgeous views of the blue waters of Lake Erie.
Crystal Beach’s popularity began with the Crystal Beach Amusement Park, which drew visitors for fun and entertainment over the course of 100 years up until it closed its gates in 1989. This, in conjunction with the beach becoming public in the 1920’s, established the community as a destination with a reputation for summer fun for people in the surrounding area and beyond. Although the amusement park is long since gone, hotels, restaurants and of course the beautiful beach have continued to attract visitors who want a taste of beach life right here in southern Ontario.
Water sports like sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking and jet skiing, as well as beach volleyball—and of course relaxing on a beach towel—are some of the most popular activities at Crystal Beach. For shoppers there are small boutiques nearby and fun dining options for the whole family within walking distance.
Several golf courses are a short drive away, including the prestigious Cherry Hill Club, founded in 1922 and ranked as one of the top 20 private golf courses in Canada.
The neighborhood near the beach features many vacation cottages and single-family homes that are walking distance to the beach.
Although many enjoy this community primarily in the summer season, it is a great place to live year-round, as it is very accessible to the larger cities of St. Catharines (about a 40-minute drive away) and Niagara Falls (only about 30 minutes away).
The lovely views of the water and prime location near the beach make this a great choice for home buyers looking to enjoy a fun lifestyle with a slower pace than that offered in a big city.