![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789609697_56_image.webp\")
\nPhotograph: Trust BeerSt Catharines Ontario
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What is the coolest neighbourhood in the world?<\/p>\n
Jongno 3-ga, Seoul, came in at No. 1 on Time Out\u2019s ranking of the world\u2019s coolest neighbourhoods<\/a> in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once known for century-old hanoks, themed caf\u00e9s and restaurants, Jongno 3-ga is getting a fresh after-dark buzz. Affordable pochas draw young locals to its narrow streets, while Seosulla-gil offers a quieter mix of craft workshops, jewellery studios and stylish bars. Balancing old and new, the neighbourhood continues to reinvent itself for a new generation.<\/p>\n Read: Why Montr\u00e9al\u2019s Plateau was one of the world\u2019s coolest neighbourhoods in 2025<\/a><\/p>\n What are the top 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world? Which Canadian neighbourhoods were ranked the coolest?<\/p>\n Two Canadian neighbourhoods made this coveted ranking, with Time Out putting Downtown St. Catharines at No. 9 globally, while Vancouver\u2019s Mount Pleasant comes in at No. 35.<\/p>\n Not to be confused with Downtown Montreal (ranked one of the world’s coolest streets<\/a>) or Ste. Catherine Street (Montreal’s main Downtown commercial artery, home to iconic landmarks like the Montreal Eaton Centre<\/a> and Time Out Market Montr\u00e9al<\/a>), Downtown St. Catharines is having a moment.<\/p>\n With its waterfront setting, creative arts scene, vintage boutiques, record shops and easy access to some of Niagara\u2019s best farms and wineries<\/a>, Downtown St. Catharines is emerging as one of Canada\u2019s coolest city escapes\u2014and quietly challenging Niagara-on-the-Lake for the region\u2019s cultural spotlight.<\/p>\n St. Catharines is also directly adjacent to Lake Ontario (you may have heard of it?<\/a>).<\/p>\n Check out: I ate and drank my way through Prince Edward County\u2014here’s my hotlist<\/a><\/p>\n At the heart of the historic downtown is St. Paul Street, a Brooklyn-esque main drag and one of Ontario\u2019s few curved main streets. More than 100 heritage buildings line the neighbourhood, some dating back to the early 19th century, now home to an exciting mix of independent shops, caf\u00e9s, bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n The neighbourhood also has plenty of green space. Montebello Park is one of the few Canadian landscapes designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary landscape architect behind New York City\u2019s Central Park. But St. Catharines\u2019 story stretches far beyond its architecture.\u00a0<\/p>\n Discover: Love Sterling Point? Where to experience the real-life Muskoka behind the series<\/a><\/p>\n The city played an important role in the Underground Railroad, with the downtown area still reflecting the legacy of the Black communities who helped shape its history. This year\u2019s Emancipation Day STC celebrations included a special downtown gathering marking the 175th anniversary of Harriet Tubman\u2019s arrival in St. Catharines, where she lived for nearly a decade.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s a perfect day in Downtown St. Catharines?<\/p>\n Start slowly with a warm cinnamon bun from Sugar + Butter Baking Co. or a Peach Cobbler doughnut from Beechwood Doughnuts, then spend the morning browsing indie vinyl at Mindbomb Records and digging through vintage treasures at Auds N Ends Boutique and Nac Studio Shop.<\/p>\n
When hunger strikes, take your haul to Montebello Park for a picnic, pairing a cherry cola and Luau Pig & Pineapple pie from Di\u2019s Pizza Pies with a box of pastries from Happy Snack. Trust us\u2014you\u2019ll find room.<\/p>\n
For a proper sit-down meal, choose from Michelin-recognized<\/a> Fat Rabbit (still thinking about that killer burger) and its younger sibling, Bar Les Incompetents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Or settle in for the refined yet playful cooking at Oddbird.<\/p>\n
In a hurry? Grab one of the epic chicken shawarmas from It\u2019s About Thyme or a crisp smashburger from Super! Burger & Fries.<\/p>\n As the afternoon winds down, explore Niagara\u2019s local wine scene over dinner at Twenty Kitchen and Bar, then keep the night going with a frosty pint at Merchant Ale House or Trust Beer Bar.<\/p>\n
When is a good time to visit Downtown St. Catharines?<\/p>\n September and October are an especially good time to visit, when autumn colour arrives alongside harvest season at the farms and wineries surrounding the city. Downtown\u2019s STC Farmers Market runs year-round, while fall brings seasonal vendors, including plenty of tempting local food, to the market.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre kicks into high gear with a full calendar of live music, performances and cultural programming\u2014giving you yet another reason to linger Downtown.<\/p>\n
Mount Pleasant, Vancouver<\/p>\n Coming in at No. 35, locals know Mount Pleasant for its colourful murals, bike-friendly streets and vibrant community scene.<\/p>\n New public spaces like the plaza at Main and 14th have added to its appeal, while its historic brewery scene continues to thrive.\u00a0<\/p>\n Music fans can browse places like Vancouver\u2019s oldest independent record store, while vintage hunters will find plenty to explore.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read more about Mount Pleasant’s cool factor here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Time Out Tip: Mount Pleasant is about a 12 minute drive from Vancouver\u2019s newest culinary hub at Oakridge Park<\/a>: Time Out Market Vancouver<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information about Time Out’s Global ranking, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED:
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\nJongno 3-ga \u2014 Seoul, South Korea
\nL\u2019Ocean District \u2014 Rabat, Morocco
\nNeos Kosmos \u2014 Athens, Greece
\nChinatown \u2014 Los Angeles, USA
\nGovanhill \u2014 Glasgow, UK
\nKitakagaya \u2014 Osaka, Japan
\nChapinero Alto \u2014 Bogot\u00e1, Colombia
\nKoenji \u2014 Tokyo, Japan
\nDowntown \u2014 St. Catharines, Canada
\nEsquilino \u2014 Rome, Italy
\nRussafa \u2014 Valencia, Spain
\nT\u00e2n \u0110\u1ecbnh \u2014 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
\nS\u00e3o Bento \u2014 Lisbon, Portugal
\nTalat Noi \u2014 Bangkok, Thailand
\nSlakthusomr\u00e5det \u2014 Stockholm, Sweden
\nHumayunpur \u2014 Delhi, India
\nLaranjeiras \u2014 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
\nWest Town \u2014 Chicago, USA
\nR\u00e1k\u00f3czi t\u00e9r \u2014 Budapest, Hungary
\nJalan Besar \u2014 Singapore
\nCrooswijk \u2014 Rotterdam, Netherlands
\nChacagiales \u2014 Buenos Aires, Argentina
\nBandra West \u2014 Mumbai, India
\nCathedral Quarter \u2014 Belfast, UK
\nRep\u00fablica \u2014 S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil
\nChangning \u2014 Shanghai, China
\nOost \u2014 Amsterdam, Netherlands
\nFinancial District \u2014 New York, USA
\nNew Farm \u2014 Brisbane, Australia
\nQuartier d\u2019Aligre \u2014 Paris, France
\nKalk Bay \u2014 Cape Town, South Africa
\nNorth Hobart \u2014 Hobart, Australia
\nNewington Green \u2014 London, UK
\nYulin \u2014 Chengdu, China
\nMount Pleasant \u2014 Vancouver, Canada
\nCentro Hist\u00f3rico \u2014 Lima, Peru
\nBoavista \u2014 Porto, Portugal
\nStarstreet Precinct \u2014 Hong Kong
\nSouth Melbourne \u2014 Melbourne, Australia
\nDistillery District \u2014 Lexington, USA
<\/p>\n![\"St.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789609697_403_image.webp\")
\nPhotograph: Shutterstock \/ JohnInNorthYorkDowntown St. Catharines Streetscape
<\/p>\n![\"St.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789609698_687_image.webp\")
\nPhotograph: Shutterstock \/ JohnInNorthYorkSt. Catharines, Ontario
<\/p>\n![\"St.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789609699_736_image.webp\")
\nPhotograph: Shutterstock \/ JohnInNorthYorkSt. Catharines, Ontario
<\/p>\n![\"St.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789609699_740_image.webp\")
\nPhotograph: Shutterstock \/ JohnInNorthYorkGazebo in Montebello Park, St. Catharines, Ontario
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\nPhotograph: Lucie Filipi \/ ShutterstockMount Pleasant, Vancouver
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Complete guide to the best restaurants in Montreal<\/a>
Best attractions in Montreal<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Canada is home to two of the world\u2019s coolest neighbourhoods right now. Over the past 6 years, the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":850436,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[2629,192,79,2628],"class_list":["post-850435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-environment","tag-categories-things-to-do","tag-environment","tag-science","tag-things-to-do"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/850435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=850435"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/850435\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/850436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=850435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=850435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=850435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}