Fall in Canada is one of the most beautiful seasons, if you ask me. The colours change from one day to the next, from gold to orange to yellow. It’s a feast for the eyes. A few days ago, I shared some fall activities to do in Toronto. Today, I’m taking you outside the city to discover new fall activities to do around Toronto that will allow you to fully enjoy this beautiful season in Ontario.
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Go hiking in Ontario’s parks
For this first fall activity outside Toronto, I suggest something simple and accessible: hiking in one of Ontario’s many parks. It’s a great opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and connect with nature. There are so many options, let me know if you want me to put together a list of my favorite parks. The only thing I would say is to make sure you book in advance. I’ve been caught out several times by showing up at a park without a reservation, and often you’re forced to turn around and go home. Reservations allow them to manage the number of people on site to preserve the area.
Apple picking
Another fall activity to try near Toronto is picking your own apples in the orchards. Be careful, though, and be realistic. It’s not a contest to see who can pick the most. Don’t do what I did and fill a big bag that you won’t have time to eat. Even though apples keep fairly well and for a long time, don’t follow my example and be reasonable. Sometimes farms even have a small shop where you can buy fresh eggs or a pie.
Watch the salmon run
I already mentioned this in my article on things to do in Toronto in the fall, but it really is a fun activity. And it’s especially seasonal. There are several popular spots not too far from Toronto, such as Bowmanville Creek Fish Ladder, Port Hope Fish Ladder, and around the Owen Sound area.
Visit Port Hope and the filming locations of IT
Port Hope is one of my favorite villages around Toronto. I went there two years ago and returned last year to collaborate with them. It’s a very cute little village that’s even more beautiful in the fall colours. With a small river running through the village, it’s easy to see why Port Hope has been used as a backdrop for movies and TV shows several times. To find out what to do there, check out my article on spending a day in Port Hope.
Go get a pumpkin
I know that not everyone reading this grew up outside of Canada, but for me, farms full of pumpkins are something I used to see in movies. And now, being able to go there myself, pick out a beautiful pumpkin, and take it home to cook it: that makes me happy. You can do this after a short hike, for example. Some farms even offer activities for children if you go with your family.
Getting lost in a corn maze
In the little corner of Ardèche where I grew up, we had a corn maze. I can’t tell you how many hours we spent playing there. It’s a really fun concept that will keep the little ones busy for a good while. Downey’s Farm has one, and this year’s theme is Back to the Future! They have three different games to make things more interesting. Have fun!
Getting scared in a haunted house
Ready to shiver? (Read this in a carnival voice, of course.) I’m taking you just under two hours from Toronto to discover a haunted house, complete with actors, special effects, and more. It’s sure to be a lot of fun… or not. You might come out terrified and hate me. The place is called Fear Farm, and they seem to really enjoy playing on our fears.
Relax in a Nordic spa
If you want to relax but forest walks aren’t really your thing, I have other options up my sleeve. How about a day at a Nordic spa? You could try Vettä Spa, Scandinave Blue Mountain, or Thermea Spa. I’ve only tried the last one, and I loved it. We went there for my boyfriend’s birthday last year. The setting is really nice. The big plus compared to the other options is that you can get there using Toronto’s public transportation. We took the GO Train to Whitby and then an Uber to the spa. We could have driven, of course, but we wanted to make the most of our relaxation time. And needless to say, traffic jams on the way back to Toronto tend to have the opposite effect.
Enjoy hot cider at a local farm or market
Décidément j’ai vraiment envie de vous faire passer du temps dans les fermes en Ontario. Mais est ce que vous pouvez vraiment m’en vouloir ? Niveau ambiance d’automne c’est les champions. Puis c’est reposant tout en soutenant les fermiers locaux. Par exemple vous pouvez aller à St. Jacobs market à Waterloo. Puis si vous cherchez plus de villes à visiter autour de Toronto j’ai un article complet là dessus.
Take a ride on the chairlift
I know what you’re thinking: for this last fall activity, she’s already switched to winter. Not at all. There are a few chairlifts like this that start operating earlier in the season so you can enjoy the fall colours. You see a lot of Calabogie Peaks on social media, but it’s not exactly next door to Toronto. Fortunately, there’s a closer option with the Halton chairlift.
I hope this list of fall activities to do around Toronto inspires you to explore the surrounding area. And above all, to have a great time with the people you take along on your adventure.
10 fall activities to do around Toronto
