Fun Fall Activities in Ontario
Fall Fun Activities in Ontario
Fall is such a wonderful time of year!
There are so many classically Canadian activities to do in the fall!
My plan is to inspire you to enjoy some of these fun fall activities in Ontario, Canada!
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Table of Contents
1. Fall Hike
I love hiking in autumn! The leaves crunching as you step on them and swooshing as you walk by them. The crisp feeling in the air with a light sweater and a pumpkin-spiced drink.
There are so many different hiking trails in Ontario to enjoy.
All of them have great colours and views!
There are many different levels of difficulty in terms of hiking.
One of the longest trails is the Bruce Trail. It goes across a big part of Ontario.
Here is a map in case you’re looking for your next adventure.
2. Apple Picking
Fall is a great time to pick apples!
There are quite a few apple picking orchards where you get to walk around the farm.
You get to take a bag or bucket and pick your own fresh apples.
You can pick them right off the tree or pick some of the apples that have already fallen off of the trees.
At the apple orchards that I have been to, they have signs labelling the type of apples that they have in each row of the orchard.
You can mix and match a bunch of different flavours and colours of apples in your bag.
One of the best parts is that they often have a bakery too!
You can find yummy stuff like apple pies, candy apples, apple crisp, and other baked goods and sweets.
Some of the orchards have other activities there too!
3. Enjoy the many Fall Fairs
Fall fairs are fun!
One of my favourite fall memories as a child was going to all the fall fairs.
It seems like there is a different fair every weekend!
The smells of cotton candy, french fries, fresh pretzels, and funnel cakes! 😋
Even more, there are fun carnival rides like ferris wheels, tilt-a-whirls, roller coasters, the Vortex, haunted houses, bouncy castles and much more!
Don’t forget the carnival games like popping the balloons with darts and other games to win over-sized stuffed toys.
There are often bands and other performances like smash-up derbies.
You can check out a schedule of Fall Fairs in Ontario here.
Most of the fairs happen in September and October.
4. Visit a Pumpkin patch
To me, going to the pumpkin patch is the epitome of fall!
Some of them have hay rides and outdoor activities like playgrounds, sports, corn mazes and more.
Others have petting zoos and gourd painting.
I went to one that has a pumpkin blaster where you get to shoot small pumpkins from a cannon at a target!
If you want to do that too, check out Corn Maze & Fall Farm in Ontario.
Of course, which ever pumpkin patch you go to, you get to pick out your own pumpkin or pumpkins.
5. Relax with a picnic
Whether you choose a park, a conservation area, or any area in nature, fall is a great time for a picnic.
Pack a thermos with warm hot pumpkin-spiced drinks or apple cider and some of your favourite fall food!
Personally, I like to sit by a river or forest with a warm apple cider and some sandwiches.
You can check out a list of some great Ontario Parks here.
6. Get lost in a corn maze
Corn mazes are another classic fall activity.
Corn mazes are made from a corn field that has already been harvested.
They are usually acres of land that are turned into a maze.
Some corn mazes have clues and little games or mysteries to solve as you go through the corn maze.
Others have fun outdoor games or activities.
There’s even more variety as some have a bakery with pumpkin products like pumpkin pies and breads.
A great examples of a corn maze is Corn Maze & Fall Farm in Ontario.
It’s the perfect timing to pick out your Halloween or Autumn pumpkin too!
7. Bask in a sunflower field
Don’t wait too long for this experience.
The sunflowers are usually in full bloom in late August to early September. Obviously, this depends on the year and the climate that year.
I know this is technically before the first day of fall, but it’s a great September activity!
These sunflower fields are great photo opportunities!
You can walk around and chill in the field.
Some sunflowers fields are turned into a huge maze.
The mazes are really beautiful and fun!
Some of the sunflower fields have photo props or special spots to pose for photos with the sunflowers.
8. Horse back riding
Another nice fall activity is horseback riding.
There are various farms where you can go along a trail on farm land or through the forest.
You can book your time to ride in advance. Of course, you can ride a horse at other times of the year, but during fall it is so colourful and beautiful.
It’s a great time for photos too!
You are usually provided with all the equipment you need like a helmet.
Even if you do not have experience, you’re usually given a mini-lesson and a guide while you ride.
If you’re looking for some where to go horseback riding, check out horseback riding in Ontario.
9. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is especially beautiful in autumn.
Truly, Niagara Falls is an awesome experience any time of year!
In the fall it is very beautiful with the fall leaves and the mist from the falls.
You can enjoy all the fun games, arcades, activities, entertainment and food on Clifton Hill.
I have featured some of the best things to do on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls- Clifton Hill Attractions.
Clifton Hill is just one part of Niagara Falls there are so many other activities to do all around Niagara Falls.
Ziplining is, to me, one of the most awesome activities that you can do in Niagara Falls.
Imagine the amazing views of the fall leaves as you zipline along the river with a view of the Niagara Falls!
Due to the amount of activities, I featured some great activities in 16 Epic Things To Do in Niagara Falls.
10. Enjoy the Fall Colours
If you have never experienced a fall in Ontario, you’re in for a treat!
The bright red maple leafs, the oranges, yellows, and, greens, purples, and browns.
The colours are fantastic. People go out driving, hiking, walking, picnicing, and more just to enjoy the fall colours!
The fall leaves become a tourist attractions. Check out the Fall Colours in Southern Ontario, Canada here.
11. Road Trip
Road trips are a very common activity in the fall, whether it be on a motorcycle or any other type of vehicle.
Going on scenic drives is a popular Sunday activity in autumn.
There are windy country roads lined with beautiful fall leaves and fall or Halloween decorations on people’s lawns and front porches.
There are so many great routes to take in Ontario.
One example is this short road trip near Toronto.
12. Enjoy a conservation area
There are so many great conservation areas in Ontario.
The conservation areas a great place to look for wildlife and birds and bask in the peace of autumn.
For people that are up for it, fall camping and canoeing are also great options.
Some other activities at some conservation areas are:
- geocaching
- leash free dog parks
- fishing
- cycling
- kayaking
If you’re looking to connect more with the Indigenous cultures, which are the original cultures of Canada, you can visit:
Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Longwoods Road Conservation Area
There are so many diverse activities at the conservation areas. It’s definitely worth checking out more than one!
If you want to check out some conservation areas, here is a map of all the Conservation areas in Ontario.
There are a lot, so happy travels!
13. Enjoy mingling at the Farmer's Markets
There are so many great farmer markets across Ontario.
Fall is a great time to visit them to get fall produce and fruit.
Although, there is much more than just vegetables and fruit. You will often find fresh breads, honey, desserts, little restaurants, skin care products, handmade jewelry, clothing and more!
I can’t forget the baked goods! There are often baked goods like butter tarts, pies, cookies, breads, muffins, cupcakes, brownies, and more.
There are usually some food vendors as well where you may be able to buy some lunch or a snack.
Here is a list of the Farmer’s Markets in Ontario.
Which one will you check out first?
14. Walk amongst the treetops
There are a few places where you can hike and walk up in the tree tops!
Imagine all those fall colours of the leaves right beside you!
There are sometimes suspension bridges, obstacle courses, ziplining and more fun tree top challenges.
You can enjoy your walk amongst the leaves at Heartlake Conservation Area, Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area, Binbrook Conservation Area.
You can also check out this map of all the Tree Top Trekking locations in Ontario.
…And a bonus, well I think it’s a bonus, some of them also have Ziplining!!
15. La Nuit Blanche
If you have never been to La Nuit Blanche, you are missing out!
La Nuit Blanche means ‘the white night’ in French.
It is usually at the end of September or beginning of October. It’s usually a Saturday night.
The event starts at 7:00pm and ends at 7:00am.
Many areas of Toronto are turned into huge exhibitions, displays, art installations, interactive activities and shows.
There are many bigger-than-life exhibits that go on for most of the night!
They give out maps of where the exhibitions are throughout the city of Toronto.
This all-night festival is spread throughout the city is one of the most epic events of the fall!
You can see this year’s not-to-be-missed entertainment and art at La Nuit Blanche-Toronto.
16. Check out some waterfalls
Because of the Niagara escarpment, there are so many waterfalls all around.
Actually, a lot of waterfalls are located within conservation areas.
Of course, the biggest waterfall is Niagara Falls.
The 2nd biggest waterfall is near Thunder Bay, and it’s called Kakabeka Falls. It is located inside Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park off of highway 11/17.
You can walk on a pedestrian bridge to get a great view of Kakabeka Falls.
The picture below on the left is Sherman Falls in Ancaster. You can get to these falls by following the Bruce Trail.
Another really unique waterfall is in the Devil’s Punch bowl. You can learn more about this place at The Best Natural Attractions in Ontario.
Hamilton, Ontario is well known as the “City of Waterfalls”. You can check out where the more than 100 waterfalls are at City of Waterfalls.
I personally recommend visiting Tews Falls, Webster Falls, and Devil’s Punch Bowl.
The reason that Hamilton has so many waterfalls is because of where it is within the Niagara Escarpment.
If you want to go to a waterfall, check out this full list of waterfalls at conservation areas in Ontario.
17. OktoberFest
Oktober fest is a festival that happens yearly in Kitchener-Waterloo.
This festival lasts for 9 days and starts at the end of September or beginning of October.
It’s based on the German Oktoberfest. This Oktoberfest in Kitchener-Waterloo is actually the 2nd largest in the world!
About 700,000 people attend the Oktoberfest wearing traditional clothing and drinking beer.
There are bands, fun events, street markets with vendors and more.
Also, there is a Thanksgiving parade every year too.
To see more of the events that happen at Oktoberfest check them out here: Oktober Fest
18. Winery tours
Ontario is home to so many different types of wineries.
In fact, there is an official wine route.
The wineries have tastings and a shop to buy the wines.
Some wineries have restaurants, special events, concerts and more.
Here you can check out the huge list of Wineries throughout Ontario.
Another great option it going to the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival.
This yearly festival has been happening since 1951!
Actually, it’s the largest wine celebration in all of Canada!
You can buy a ‘Discovery Pass’ that gets you into 6 wineries.
You can also just buy tickets. They have a ‘driver’s pass’ which gives driver’s non-alcoholic drinks too.
There are several concerts; also there is a parade in St. Catharines.
Montebello Park in St. Catharines hosts some fun events and shows for the Grape and Wine Festival.
What fun fall activities are your favourite?
With so many great options, which fun fall activities will you do this fall?
You can check some out here, and even book your tickets here with Viator!
Need a hotel to stay longer and enjoy?
You can use booking.com to look for and book your hotel so that you can do all of these fun activities!
Besides being a travel blogger, I am also a travel writer, Amazon author and an English teacher. Check out my services here!
