10 reasons to love the fall season in Ontario, Canada

But don’t wait to book, because the season is short, and you don’t want to miss it.

Ontario, Canada has four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. Fall, or autumn as its also called, is a short but spectacular season. It generally runs from early September to the end of October and even the start of November in the more southern areas.

As the temperatures dip, the leaves of deciduous trees like maple, birch, ash, tamarack, oak, sumac, willow and elm undergo pigmentation changes before they fall from the trees. The result is several weeks of fiery red, gold and amber fall foliage.

In addition, autumn weather in Ontario is the perfect balance between summer’s heat and winter’s chill. In September, kids head back to school after their summer holidays, so parks and attractions across the province are less busy.

Here are 10 reasons why you’ll fall in love with autumn in Ontario.

Gorgeous fall colours

Don’t miss the exciting opportunity to see nature’s dramatic show of vibrant fall colours. From downtown parks to forests and epic open spaces, people love to get outdoors and witness the beauty of the season.

Ontario provincial parks are great places for viewing fall colours. Check the Ontario Parks Fall Colour Guide to see when leaves peak colour. If you’re up for a hike, these scenic lookouts provide unique and breathtaking perspectives to see the fall colours, such as atop a granite ridge or from above a fire tower.

Here are some great urban parks to see the fall colours:

The Don River Valley Park

This Toronto forest and ravine system features excellent walking and biking trails alongside the Don River and connects to hot spots like Crothers Woods or Evergreen Brick Works. The top of the Lookout Path at the Brick Works offers a stellar view of the city skyline.
Location: Toronto

Rouge National Urban Park

At almost 80 square kilometres, this is North America's largest urban park with extensive trails that cross forests, creeks, watersheds and even stretch to Lake Ontario’s shore.
Location: Greater Toronto Area

The Dominion Arboretum

The Dominion Arboretum dates back to 1886, making it Canada’s oldest conservatory. Wander its paths and gardens and admire the variety of plant life, or take in Dow’s Lake’s gorgeous views to the northeast and the Rideau Canal looking south from designated lookout points.
Location: Ottawa

Harvest events and farmers’ markets

Ontario’s fall bounty is on full display at farmers’ markets and harvest events. Don’t miss:

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market

Canada’s largest year-round farmers’ market is located about an hour and a half drive west of Toronto in the heart of Southern Ontario’s Mennonite community. Fresh farm produce, local and homemade products including maple syrup, ready-to-eat foods and a vast antique market make this a full-day event.
Location: 878 Weber Street North, Woolwich

Kingston Public Market

Held behind the City Hall in downtown Kingston, the Kingston Public Market is the oldest market in Ontario. Shop for seasonal goodies and locally made artisan crafts.
Location: 216 Ontario Street, Kingston

Muskoka Lakes Winery 

Taste delicious and award-winning wines such as Blueberry Wine and Cranberry Wine and enjoy a scenic walk along the cranberry hiking trails. The winery is over a two-hour drive north of Toronto. Make it a road trip; follow the Cranberry Route to over 30 delicious cranberry-inspired products and experiences in the Muskoka region.
Location: 1074 Cranberry Road, Bala

Apple Pie Trail

This self-guided driving tour will lead you to farms, orchards, cideries and charming communities. Discover apple-inspired culinary delights and experiences.
Location: Southern Georgian Bay

Fun family festivals and events

From pumpkin carving and Halloween events to fall festivals and farm visits, there’s much for families to enjoy this season.

Halloween is a ghoulishly fun tradition celebrated on October 31 in North America with costume parties, trick-or-treating, haunted attractions and more families or adults can enjoy.

If you’re travelling with kids, fun activities include:

Pumpkinferno 

Fall is pumpkin season in Ontario. Families flock to local farms’ pumpkin patches to find the perfect pumpkin to carve. Carved pumpkins and pumpkin attractions are also popular, including this award-winning event at Upper Canada Village in Eastern Ontario, showcasing thousands of carved and illuminated pumpkins.
Location: 13740 Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry County Road 2, Morrisburg

Saunders Farm

Mazes are a fun farm attraction. Corn fields are transformed into elaborate mazes that kids love to explore and solve, like the epic mazes at Saunders Farm, just a 45-minute drive south of Ottawa.
Location: Saunders Farm, 7893 Bleeks Road, Ottawa

Chudleigh’s Farm and Downey’s Apple Farm 

Another popular pastime during the autumn season is visiting apple orchards to pick fresh and delicious apples and enjoy apple cider, apple pie and farm entertainment. Chudleigh’s and Downey’s are both within an hour's drive from Toronto.
Locations:
Chudleigh’s Farm, 9528 Regional Road 25, Milton
Downey’s Apple Farm, 13707 Heart Lake Road, Inglewood

World-class wine

Ontario has gained a global reputation for producing finely crafted cool climate wines, sparkling wines and some of the world’s best Icewine. The temperate weather, fall colour and food-focus of the season pair perfectly with wine tasting. You can even book an overnight stay at select wineries.

If you love wine, check out these top spots:

The Niagara wine region

The Niagara wine region is Canada’s largest and most concentrated winemaking destination. It is also home to top Icewine producers and the finest winery restaurants.

The region extends from the Niagara Benchlands into the picturesque vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula to the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The area is under a two-hour drive from Toronto.

Organized wine tours are a great way to explore the region’s wineries, such as:

Niagara Vintage Wine Tours

Select from group outings or arrange a private luxury ride for full or half-day wine tours. Add gourmet meals at the best restaurants and wine and cheese tours.
Location: 7500 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls

Grape Escape Wine Tours 

Offers fun daily bike tours for novice and experienced cyclists.
Location: 1627 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Popular Niagara wineries to visit include:

Two Sisters Vineyards 

Sip and sample award-winning wine on the open veranda that overlooks the extensive vineyard. Enjoy a meal at the winery’s restaurant, Kitchen76.
Location: 240 John Street East, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery

Owned by Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, this winery also produces beer and whiskey.
Location: 1219 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Peller Estates Winery & Restaurant 

Enjoy tours, tastings and a seasonal menu featuring farm-to-table options paired with Estate wine and local products.
Location: 290 John Street East, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Inniskillin Estate Winery 

Enniskillen is a top producer of Icewine; discover the best food pairings with signature Icewines.
Location: 1499 Line 3, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Prince Edward County wine region

One of Canada’s trendiest travel destinations is also one of its fast-growing wine regions.

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario, between Toronto and Ottawa (under a three-hour drive from each), Prince Edward County’s rural character and innovative wine and culinary scene make for a great fall getaway for wine and food lovers. Plan the perfect day of wine touring and tasting on a guided tour.

Wineries to visit in Prince Edward County include:

Grange of Prince Edward

A boutique winery with rustic charm. Wine tasting takes place in a historic barn.
Location: 990 Closson Road, Hillier

Karlo Estates 

Karlo is the first certified vegan wine in the world and continues to be recognized for its commitment to sustainable winemaking.
Location: 561 Danforth Road, Wellington

Huff Estate Winery and Inn 

Stay overnight in a luxurious suite at this gorgeous, state-of-the-art facility producing award-winning wine.
Location: 990 Closson Road, Hillier

Incredible hiking, biking and canoeing

A vast network of urban, rural and wilderness hiking and cycling trails and connected waterways, rivers and lakes create the perfect outdoor playground, made even better with the beautiful backdrop of fall colour.

Get all the information you need to plan a cycling vacation in Ontario, including equipment rentals, biking routes and organization tours from Ontario by Bike.

Find more adventure with:

Toronto Bicycle Tours 

Set out on a unique and informative guided cycling tour in and around Toronto.
Location: Downtown Toronto

Rent-a-Bike Ottawa 

Provides bicycle tours to local landmarks and natural sites in downtown Ottawa.
Location: 2 Rideau Street, Ottawa

Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals 

Fun, small-group day trips or multi-day bike tours with local guides.
Location: 65 Sparks Street, Ottawa

Algonquin Outfitters 

Plan your dream adventure in Ontario’s iconic Algonquin Provincial Park with gear, guiding and more.
Location: Algonquin

Voyageur Quest

Set out on guided hikes or multi-day canoe trips in Algonquin Park and enjoy accommodation in a rustic cabin.
Location: Algonquin

Killarney Outfitters

Get all the equipment and information needed to explore the unspoiled wilderness of Killarney Provincial Park, made famous by Canada’s esteemed artists, the Group of Seven.
Location: Killarney

Sightseeing rail, air and water tours

Capture the spectacular colours on a sightseeing plane, boat or train tour.

Great tours include:

Muskoka Steamships

Cruise the famed lakes of Muskoka surrounded by a spectrum of yellow, red and orange colour onboard the oldest steamships in Canada.
Location: 275 Steamship Bay Road, Gravenhurst

Ottawa Boat Cruises 

Tour the scenic Rideau Canal and Ottawa River with Ottawa’s urban landscape as a backdrop.
Location: 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa

Rockport Cruises and Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

In Southeastern Ontario, explore the historic St Lawrence River and the legendary 1000 Islands.
Locations:
Kingston 1000 Island Cruises, 248 Ontario Street, Kingston
Rockport Cruises, 20 Front Street, Rockport

Agawa Canyon Train Tour 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime, 10-hour rail adventure in Northern Ontario that travels deep into the Canadian Shield wilderness providing you with stunning views of lakes, forest and fall foliage.
Location: 87 Huron Street, Sault Ste. Marie

Relaxing destination spas

Treat yourself to yoga, meditation, luxurious body treatments and endless pampering at one of Ontario’s top spas and wellness retreats, including:

Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain

Outdoor hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, massages and forest bathing trails surrounded by stunning views and fall colour north of Toronto. Stay nearby at Blue Mountain Resort.
Location: 152 Grey Road 21, Blue Mountains

Vettä Nordic Spa 

Nordic inspired spa experience of warm and cool hydrotherapy and Finnish cuisine north of Toronto. Relax nearby at Horseshoe Resort.
Location: 3210 Line, 3 Line North, Oro-Medonte

St. Anne’s Spa 

Canada’s top all-inclusive destination spa resort east of Toronto provides luxurious accommodation, wellness programs and spa treatments in an idyllic country setting.
Location: 1009 Massey Road, Grafton

Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa

Experience the highest standards of hospitality and elegance at Ontario’s only Relais & Châteaux accommodation, surrounded by manicured lawns, gardens and Carolinian forest about an hour and a half drive west of Toronto.
Location: 1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge

Top film and theatre

Two of Ontario’s most famous theatre festivals run throughout the fall season, while North America’s most significant film festival draws moviemakers, celebrities and cinema buffs to Ontario in September.

Attend a critically acclaimed live theatre performance or be the first to see groundbreaking films at:

Stratford Festival 

Experience Shakespearean classics retold with a modern twist, as well as contemporary theatre in Southwestern Ontario.
Location: 55 Queen Street, Stratford

The Shaw Festival 

Enjoy entertaining performances in the heart of Niagara’s wine country and close to the world-famous Niagara Falls.
Location: 10 Queen's Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

The annual festival is one of the world’s influential cinematic events showcasing Oscar-worthy films and hosting glamourous galas. If you love movies, this is the place to be in mid-September.
Location: Downtown Toronto

Great golf

Ontario is home to professionally designed public golf courses with challenging, diverse layouts, superb facilities, scenic surroundings and in some cases, resort accommodations onsite or nearby.

Autumn is the perfect time to sink a few hole-in-ones at:

Marshes Golf Club

A popular and challenging course at Brookstreet Hotel in Ottawa.
Location: 525 Legget Drive, Kanata

Hockley Valley Resort 

The championship 18-hole course just outside Toronto was designed by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom.
Location: 793522 3rd Line EHS, Mono

Legends on The Niagara

A two-championship course and driving range with a stunning clubhouse.
Location: 9561 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls

Cozy resorts and cottages

The fall season in Ontario is also about getting warm and cozy with the ones you love.

Experience the finest fall comfort and tranquillity at these accommodations:

Elmhirst's Resort 

Lakeside cabins and cottages feature fireplaces and access to a host of great nature-based and culinary experiences.
Location: 1045 Settlers Line, Keene

Deerhurst Resort 

Based in Huntsville you have the best of both urban and nature worlds with access to local theatre, restaurants and breweries, and overlooking Lake Peninsula.
Location: 1235 Deerhurst Drive, Huntsville

JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa 

An upscale resort situated beside the peaceful Lake Rosseau in Muskoka.
Location: 1050 Paignton House Road, Minett

Blue Mountain Resort

Find outdoor adventure, dining, shopping and nightlife at its doorstep with comfortable rooms and suites.
Location: 156 Jozo Weider Boulevard, The Blue Mountains