Fall is a beautiful, fleeting season in the Greater Toronto Area. Between the hot, sticky days of summer and the biting cold of our long winters, autumn is the best season to get outdoors and enjoy the perfect sweater weather.
There are so many great activities do in the fall, from pumpkin picking to cider sipping to enjoying breezy hikes with breathtaking views of the changing leaves. Whether you’ve just moved into one of our new North York townhouses, or are a seasoned local, enjoy our top 5 favourite Toronto-area fall attractions and getaways to enjoy this season:
#1: Go Apple Picking
Apple picking is fun, festive and COVID-friendly. There are many farms and orchards in the Greater Toronto Area that offer pick-your-own apple adventures.
Some great options are Downey’s Strawberry and Apple Farm in Caledon (a beautiful drive!), Dixie Orchards in Inglewood (you can also get pumpkins here!), and Carl Laidlaw Orchards in Brampton, which also features apple picking, wagon rides, and a quaint barn market.
Once you’ve stocked up on apples, you can bake an apple pie or make some spiced apple sauce or apple cider – after all, there’s nothing that says fall like the smell of warm apples and cinnamon.
#2: Enjoy a Fall Hike
Toronto is renowned for its beautiful parks and green spaces, and fall is the perfect time to enjoy a hike in nature. The leaves are changing and the red, orange, and yellow foliage is absolutely beautiful to enjoy up close. Best of all, fall is the perfect temperature for hiking – and you can warm up afterward with a hot apple cider!
Some great places to enjoy a hike in Toronto are High Park, Rouge Park, Scarborough Bluffs, and Leslie Street Spit. You can also take a drive out of the city to see the leaves up north in Muskoka – what a breathtaking show!
#3: Take a Wine Tour
Driving or biking through wine country and stopping at all the different wineries along the way is an enjoyable fall activity. Harvest, or “crush”, is in full swing in the fall, so you may even get to see the grapes being crushed – a unique experience!
Niagara-on-the-Lake is perhaps Ontario’s most renowned wine region. If you haven’t visited yet, it’s definitely worth the trip. The town is picturesque and charming with its flower-filled, tree-lined old town featuring 19th-century buildings. Often referred to as the prettiest town in Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake is the heart of Ontario Wine Country, with a wide variety of wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Another great option is Prince Edward County, which boasts several wineries and delightful restaurants. Vineland, near St. Catharines, is another excellent option that’s a bit closer to the Greater Toronto Area and less crowded.
#4: Go Camping
Camping isn’t just a summertime activity – camping is also a perfect way to spend a fall weekend! Head to Algonquin Park – Ontario’s most famous provincial park – for a classic camping experience, or take a trip out to Tobermory to explore the famous Bruce Trail and discover the stunning Flower Pot Island. You can book a camp site or rent a cabin or a yurt, which will be more cozy and comfortable than a tent. Who said you have to rough it when camping?
#5: Try Mountain Biking
If you’ve never been mountain biking before, fall is the perfect season to try it – and there are many great hills and bike rental spots close to the Greater Toronto Area. One particularly great place to try mountain biking is at Blue Mountain, where you can enjoy the fun downhill trails all the way until Thanksgiving weekend. Get ready for a rush of adrenaline!
We wish everyone a beautiful fall and hope you enjoy this special season!
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