By admin Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Fall is one of my favourite times of year. I love the cooler temperatures (although after this summer, we’ve had enough cool weather to last us), the gorgeous fall colours and exploring the beautiful outdoors before the winter sets in.  We’ve gathered some fantastic fall activities here – Enjoy!

Check out the Fall Colours

A great way to spend a fall day is to take a drive and marvel at the gorgeous fall colours. To see where the best fall colours are, check out the Fall Colour Report. The Report is updated on a regular basis and will tell you what the leaf colours are like at each of the Ontario Parks and where in the parks you can get the best views.

Spend the weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake (Niagara)

A weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake can be such a rejuvenating experience! Book a stay at a quaint bed & breakfast or at one of the many fabulous hotels & enjoy all that the city has to offer. There’s the renowned Shaw Festival, gourmet restaurants & world-class wineries. You can relax at a spa, enjoy a bike ride to Niagara Falls or just take a stroll through the picturesque town.

Spend a weekend at Blue Mountain (Central Ont)

Mere steps from the Blue Mountain Village is the Bruce Trail where you can enjoy some amazing hiking. Blue Mountain Village is also home to Ontario’s only open-air gondola – a unique way to view the fall colours. The Apple Harvest Festival (Oct. 11-13) is a fun Thanksgiving celebration with free family activities, live music, street performers & much more.

Go fishing in the Niagara Peninsula (Niagara)

The Niagara Peninsula is home to some beautiful fishing destinations. Check out Binbrook Conservation Area where you’ll find the Lake NIapenco reservoir, the largest inland lake in the Niagara Watershed. There’s also Balls Falls, Chippawa Creek and many more. Be sure to head out to the water soon, though, as the fall fishing season is almost over.

Catch the fall salmon migration in Owen Sound (Southwestern Ont)

The Owen Sound Salmon Tour is a self guided tour which begins at the town’s historic harbour & then takes you along the mighty Chinook salmon’s travels where you can watch the salmon spawning in streams & rushing rivers & then migrating upstream to lay their eggs in the shallow waters before winter begins. On October 4-5 & 11-13, guided tours of fish spawning channels will also be available.

Enjoy a Fall Festival at a Farm

The fall is always a great season to go and visit a farm.  In addition to picking your own produce, there are so many great fall festivals to choose from.  Check out Brooks Farm in the GTA, Saunders Farm in the Ottawa region, & Clovermead Fun Adventure Farm in southwestern Ontario, to name a few.

Now that fall is upon us, it’s the perfect time to head out into the crisp air and enjoy some uniquely fall activities. Of course, don’t forget apple picking, one of my personal favourite fall activities!

– Michelle Brandes, Summer Fun Guide newsletter editor. Michelle@SummerFunGuide.ca