Ontario is gorgeous year-round, but fall is especially spectacular. From the shimmering golden leaves of birch and poplar trees to the riotous reds of the sugar maples, Ontario’s forests come alive with fall color. Whether you are in the mood for a Sunday drive or planning a Lake Superior Circle Tour, Ontario is the place to be in fall.
1. Algonquin Park Corridor (Highway 60)
- Route: Huntsville to Whitney via Hwy 60
- Highlights: Renowned for its vibrant fall foliage, this route offers numerous opportunities for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Algonquin Visitor Centre: Provides information on the park’s natural history and offers exhibits on local wildlife.
- Lake of Two Rivers: A picturesque spot perfect for a picnic or a leisurely walk.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Lookout Trail: A short hike leading to a panoramic view of the surrounding forest.
- Highway 60 Corridor Lookouts: Multiple pull-offs along the highway offer stunning views of the autumn landscape.
- Hiking:
- Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail: An easy trail that meanders through a peat bog, showcasing unique plant life.
- Mizzy Lake Trail: A more challenging hike known for wildlife sightings and diverse ecosystems.
- Dining:
- The Mad Musher (Whitney): A cozy spot offering hearty meals and local specialties.
- Algonquin Café & Deli (Huntsville): Known for its sandwiches and baked goods.
2. Muskoka Lakes Loop
- Route: Bracebridge – Bala – Port Carling – Gravenhurst to Bracebridge
- Highlights: This route showcases the quintessential beauty of Ontario’s cottage country, with pristine lakes and charming towns. In fact, HuffPost named the Muskoka Lakes area as one of the best places in Canada to see fall color.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Bala Falls: A scenic waterfall located in the heart of Bala.
- Muskoka Lakes Museum (Port Carling): Offers insights into the region’s boating history.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Dorset Lookout Tower: Provides a fantastic 360-degree view of the surrounding area, especially vibrant during fall. I have a thing for live web cams and geeked out seeing this one here.
- Hiking:
- Muskoka Lakes Trail: A network of trails offering varying levels of difficulty and scenic views.
- Dining:
- The Oar & Paddle (Port Carling): A lakeside restaurant known for its seafood dishes.
- The Griffin Gastropub (Bracebridge): Offers a mix of traditional and contemporary cuisine.
3. Niagara Parkway
- Route: Take Niagara Parkway from Niagara-on-the-Lake south to Fort Erie; or go in reverse
- Highlights: Follows the Niagara River, offering picturesque views and historic sites.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Niagara-on-the-Lake: A charming town with boutique shops and historic buildings.
- Fort George National Historic Site: A military base from the War of 1812 offering guided tours.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Queenston Heights Park: Offers a panoramic view of the Niagara River and the surrounding area.
- Hiking:
- Niagara Glen Nature Reserve: Features trails through Carolinian forest with views of the Niagara Whirlpool.
- Dining:
- The Old Winery Restaurant (Niagara-on-the-Lake): Known for its wine selection and Mediterranean-inspired menu.
- Queenston Heights Restaurant: Offers a fine dining experience with views of the river.
4. Kawartha Lakes Scenic Drive
- Route: Bobcaygeon – Fenelon Falls – Lindsay to Sturgeon Point Loop
- Highlights: This route offers a mix of lakeside views, charming towns, and rich history.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Kawartha Settlers’ Village (Bobcaygeon): An open-air museum showcasing pioneer life.
- Fenelon Falls: A picturesque town with a beautiful waterfall.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Sturgeon Point: Offers views of Sturgeon Lake and the surrounding areas.
- Hiking:
- Victoria Rail Trail: A multi-use trail suitable for walking and cycling.
- Dining:
- The Bobcaygeon Inn: Offers classic pub fare with views of the lake.
- The Cow & Sow (Fenelon Falls): Known for its farm-to-table dishes.
5. Georgian Bay Coastal Route
- Route: Midland – Parry Sound – Killarney to Manitoulin Island. You can access the island via a vehicle ferry or a swing bridge.
- Highlights: This route offers dramatic landscapes, including a rugged coastline and clear blue waters.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre (Midland): Offers boardwalks and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Parry Sound: Known for its deep-water port and as the birthplace of hockey legend Bobby Orr.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Lookout Point (Killarney): Provides stunning views of the surrounding area.
- Hiking:
- Killarney Provincial Park: Features trails with views of the La Cloche Mountains. This area is known as a ‘hidden gem’ in Ontario.
- Dining:
- The Boathouse Eatery (Parry Sound): Offers seafood dishes with views of the harbor.
- Killarney Mountain Lodge: Known for its fine dining and rustic atmosphere.
6. Ottawa Valley Tour (Madawaska Highlands)
- Route: Barry’s Bay – Combermere – Wilno to Calabogie
- Highlights: Another of Ontario’s “best kept secrets,” this route offers a mix of forested landscapes, lakes, and more of that classic, small-town charm.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Bonnechere Caves (Eganville): Offers guided tours of limestone caves.
- Calabogie Peaks: The highest vertical drop among public ski hills in Ontario, offering panoramic views, especially during the fall.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Foley Mountain Conservation Area (Westport): Features the Spy Rock Lookout, one of the best fall views of Upper Rideau Lake.
- Hiking:
- Cataraqui Trail: A 104 km multi-use trail that passes through wooded areas and farmlands between Smiths Falls and Strathcona.
- Dining:
- The Cove Country Inn (Westport): A historic inn with great local fare and live music.
- Tangled Garden Café (Kingston): Known for its creative dishes and cozy ambiance.
- The Goose & Gridiron (Merrickville): A rustic pub with hearty Canadian dishes.
- Perth Pie Co. (Perth): Don’t miss their seasonal apple and pumpkin pies!
7. Bruce Peninsula Drive
- Route: Owen Sound → Tobermory via Hwy 6
- Highlights: This route offers dramatic landscapes, including the rugged coastline and clear blue waters.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Big Tub Lighthouse (Tobermory): An active lighthouse built in 1885, offering scenic views and historical significance.
- Bruce Peninsula National Park: Known for its turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Grotto (Bruce Peninsula National Park): A picturesque sea cave with clear blue waters.
- Hiking:
- Bruce Trail: Ontario’s oldest and longest marked footpath, offering stunning views of the Niagara Escarpment.
- Dining:
- The Fish & Chip Place (Tobermory): A local favorite for seafood dishes.
- The Green Door Café (Tobermory): Offers vegetarian and vegan options with a cozy atmosphere.Wikipedia
8. Thousand Islands Parkway
- Route: Gananoque → Brockville
- Highlights: This route offers views of the St. Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands region.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- 1000 Islands History Museum (Gananoque): Interprets the history and ecology of the area.
- Thousand Islands Bridge: Connects Canada and the U.S., offering panoramic views of the river.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- 1000 Islands Tower: Offers a 360-degree view of the Thousand Islands region.
- Hiking:
- Wolfe Island: Accessible by ferry, offering trails and birdwatching opportunities.
- Dining:
- The Ivy Restaurant (Gananoque): Known for its fine dining and historic setting.
- The Mill Restaurant (Brockville): Offers waterfront dining with a variety of dishes.
9. Lake Superior North Shore Drive
- Route: Sault Ste. Marie – Wawa – Terrace Bay to Thunder Bay (via Hwy 17)
- Highlights: Part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour, this section of the route offers views of Lake Superior’s rugged, breathtaking coastline and unique boreal forests.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Aguasabon Falls (Terrace Bay): A stunning waterfall located near the town.
- Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park: Features a suspension bridge offering views of the canyon floor.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Mount McKay (Thunder Bay): Offers panoramic views of the city and Lake Superior.
- Hiking:
- Sleeping Giant Provincial Park: Offers trails with views of the “Sleeping Giant” rock formation.
- Dining:
- The Hoito Restaurant (Thunder Bay): A historic Finnish restaurant known for its pancakes.
- The Marina Restaurant (Thunder Bay): Offers seafood dishes with lake views.
10. Prince Edward County Wine Route
- Route: Picton – Bloomfield to Wellington Loop
- Highlights: With over 40 wineries, this route offers views of vineyards, lakeshores, and charming towns.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Sandbanks Provincial Park: Known for its sandy beaches and dunes.
- Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park: Offers views of the surrounding countryside.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Merrill House (Picton): Offers views of the town and surrounding area.
- Hiking:
- Millennium Trail: A multi-use trail passing through forests and farmland.
- Dining:
- The County Canteen (Picton): Known for its craft beer selection and pub fare.
- The Drake Devonshire (Wellington): Offers upscale dining with lake views.
11. Rideau Heritage Route
- Route: Kingston – Perth – Smiths Falls – Merrickville through to Ottawa
- Highlights: This route follows the historic Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It weaves through quaint towns, rolling countryside, and beautiful waterways, all of which glow with autumn colours.
- Places to Stop & Sightsee:
- Fort Henry (Kingston): A National Historic Site offering historic military reenactments and panoramic views of Lake Ontario.
- Jones Falls Lockstation: A photogenic set of locks along the Rideau Canal, surrounded by fall foliage.
- Perth: Known for heritage stone buildings, boutique shops, and the scenic Tay River.
- Merrickville: Dubbed “Canada’s Most Beautiful Village,” it’s packed with artisanal shops and historic charm.
- Smiths Falls: Home to the Heritage House Museum and part of the Rideau Canal Waterway.
- Scenic Overlooks:
- Chaffey’s Lock Lookout: Views of the lock system and forested shoreline.
- Rideau River Provincial Park (near Kemptville): Beautiful riverside vistas ideal for a picnic or short walk.
- Hiking:
- Cataraqui Trail: A 104 km multi-use trail that passes through wooded areas and farmlands between Smiths Falls and Strathcona.
- Foley Mountain Conservation Area (Westport): Features some of the best fall views of Upper Rideau Lake.
- Dining:
- The Cove Country Inn (Westport): A historic inn with great local fare and live music.
- Tangled Garden Café (Kingston): Known for its creative dishes and cozy ambiance.
- The Goose & Gridiron (Merrickville): A rustic pub with hearty Canadian dishes.
- Perth Pie Co. (Perth): Don’t miss their seasonal apple and pumpkin pies!
