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🌊 If you love… Cozy & Colourful Coastal Cruising: Sarnia-Lambton
A fall drive along Ontario’s Blue Coast is an invitation to explore new flavours, meet passionate local producers, and discover the whole other world that’s waiting to welcome visitors. Whether sipping on award-winning cider made from just-picked apples, biting into a bison burger with meat sourced from a farm less than five miles up the road, or chatting with passionate craft beer makers about the tricks of their trade, little moments on a Sarnia-Lambton road trip have a way of leaving a big impression.
That strong sense of pride also shines through in experiences from talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
Fall colours seem even brighter alongside a sparkling Lake Huron or St. Clair River shoreline, and Sarnia-Lambton has beautiful walking and cycling trails for taking in amazing autumn views and jaw-dropping sunsets. Paved paths, like those along the downtown Sarnia waterfront and in Cantara Park, make for easy strolling, or rent a ride from Great Lakes Bicycles to cover even more ground! Those seeking a colourful vantage point that’s a little more off the beaten path can find beautiful views at Highland Glen Park and Rock Glen Conservation Area.
Calling it a night in Sarnia-Lambton allows visitors to easily match their accommodations to the vibe of their road trip.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: There’s no need to browse the shelves at multiple shops and galleries to find a unique handmade art piece to take home as a memory of your trip! Lake Life Studio Artisan Boutique has a carefully curated selection of handcrafted items from over 25 local and Canadian artists, including fused glass creations, pottery, jewelry, painting, woodwork, candles, and more.
🍂If you love… Stops That Invite You To Step Right Into The Story: Haldimand County
A fascinating story unfolds on every fall road trip through Haldimand County thanks to the passionate locals you’ll meet along the way. As you enjoy ingredients in your farm-to-table dinner plucked from a garden just steps away from the restaurant, experience high tea in a historic Victorian mansion, or watch as birds are carefully banded to track their continent-crossing travels, you’ll experience the kind of hospitality that makes Haldimand County quickly feel like a home away from home. Be sure to check out Twisted Lemon’s Experiential Getaway Partnerships for curated packages that highlight local flavours and charm. For more fall trip ideas and inspiration, visit tourismhaldimand.ca’s fall colours page.
That strong sense of pride also shines through in experiences from talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
Each fall, Haldimand County’s tree-lined roadways and dense forests offer some next-level leaf peeping! You’ll find glorious views along Cayuga’s Grand Vista Trail, which features a restored rail bridge across the Grand River with viewing platforms on the east and west sides. Ruthven Park Historic Site also has beautiful walking trails. With the exception of Mondays and Fridays from September 1 through November 7, bird banding takes place at Ruthven each morning. Contact the Master Bander (banding@ruthvenpark.ca) in advance if you’d like to watch this important work.
Booking a luxe lakeside vacation rental, a friendly family-run bed and breakfast, or a cozy cottage is the perfect way to round out your Haldimand County road trip.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: Every fall road trip should have a signature selfie. Head to Dunnville and smile for the camera with the beloved town mascot, Muddy The Mudcat, a 50-foot-long and 27-foot-high fish! Afterward, head down the road to Hagersville for a sweet treat at Hewitt’s Dairy Bar, where they’ve been making ice cream and scooping up cones since the '60s, or My Sweet Sweet World, for artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate.
🍷 If you love… A Beautiful Blend of Urban Energy & Wine Country Charm: Windsor-Essex
All roads lead to Windsor-Essex for road trippers seeking a fun fall route that balances big-city buzz with relaxed, backroad touring. This area’s passion for craft beverage production, which dates back to 1858 when Detroit businessman Hiram Walker built Ontario’s first distillery here, is evident at craft breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries dotted throughout the region. Tasting passes and touring programs offer the perfect trip tool to navigate your way to a selection of both urban and rural stops. Wine bars and bottle shops are another excellent option for one-stop sipping.
That strong sense of pride also shines through in experiences from talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
Windsor-Essex boasts a diverse collection of walking trails with a mix of interesting urban landscapes and scenic escapes outside the city. Public art installations, including the Windsor International Film Festival Alley murals and the city’s extensive downtown Sculpture Park, offer an interesting contrast to more natural spaces, such as the Ojibway Nature Centre and Parks System, which is Ontario’s largest protected tallgrass prairie and oak savannah. Malden Park’s high hills offer a perfect perch to take in the fall colours and spot migrating birds. Point Pelee National Park, the southernmost point of mainland Canada, invites visitors to experience an unforgettable eco-adventure.
Accommodation options in Windsor-Essex reflect the interplay between big city and small towns that make this area so unique.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: No fall road trip to Windsor-Essex is complete without a stop at a roadside produce stand or market. The Fruit Wagon in Harrow is a local favourite that has been sharing its fresh fruits and vegetables, including apples grown in Canada’s southernmost orchard, for over 40 years and also features the newly opened Carolinia Cider Co., using their apples grown on site.
🌿 If you love… Autumn Harvest Splendor: Norfolk County
A secret autumn paradise awaits in Norfolk County. It unfolds like a living postcard where crimson maples frame centuries-old farmsteads, and the sweet scent of apple cider mingles with wood smoke on crisp October mornings.
This isn't your typical leaf-peeping destination. Here, Lake Erie's gentle influence and some of Canada's richest soil have earned the region its nickname as Ontario's Garden - and one bite of a just-picked apple or a slice of warm pumpkin pie proves why.
Visit family farms where you can pick apples straight from the tree or choose pumpkins right from the field. Local bakeries turn today's harvest into warm apple pies and fresh cider donuts. But there's more than farm food here. Try spicy Indian curry, authentic Jamaican dishes, or hearty pub meals that show off the area's diverse community.
Stop at cozy wineries and craft breweries tucked into the countryside. (One winery even encourages dogs, so bring your furry friend along.) Between tastings, you can hike or cycle historic community trails surrounded by bright red, orange, and gold trees. The Lynn Valley Trail is perfect for working up an appetite for your next stop.
Download the Visit Norfolk app at ExperienceNorfolk.ca to plan your route through this harvest paradise. Your autumn adventure starts right here:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
To work up an appetite for all of Norfolk County’s fabulous food options, consider a fall hike or cycle exploring the area’s extensive trail network, including the Pedal Through Paradise garden routes. A visit to the Birds Canada Headquarters, which offers free admission and parking, is another fun fall activity. Over 400 bird species have been recorded at this renowned research station and conservation centre within Long Point's UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Consider extending your stay to enjoy charming accommodation options in the area, like a recently restored boutique hotel in the beach town of Port Dover, glamping or a luxurious vineyard farmhouse.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: Apple cider donuts from The Apple Place have achieved legendary status around here for good reason. Set your alarm early because once that fresh morning batch hits the counter, they vanish quicker than parking spots at the fall fair.
🌽 If you love… Sweet, Spirited, and Colourful Country Fun: Chatham-Kent
As Halloween approaches, Chatham-Kent comes to life with gorgeous fall colours and good, old-fashioned fresh-air fun around every corner. Road trippers looking for a route with plenty of tasty stops along the way can follow thoughtfully curated trails that will take them straight to the source of favourite local bakers and craft beverage makers.
That strong sense of pride also shines through in experiences from talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
With the harvest behind them, proud Chatham-Kent farmers inject some fun into their farms by creating intricate corn mazes in their fields at attractions like the 10-acre Thamesville iMaze, and UMILAND, a corn maze with an extraterrestrial virtual reality twist.
With so much to see and do, an overnight stay is a good idea for visitors looking to slow down and really take in this beautiful corner of Canada. Thoughtfully curated stays offer visitors ready-to-book, beautiful accommodation options with fun activities in the area.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: Rondeau Provincial Park, located on the shores of Lake Erie, is a popular gathering place for migrating birds and butterflies as they prepare for their long journey south. Small birds, such as vireos, warblers, and thrushes, tend to gather here from mid-August through October, while shorebirds arrive in September. Waterfowl, including Canada Geese, are present from September to November. Visit in late October or early November to catch the fall colours, which turn a bit later in Chatham-Kent, at their peak.
🚂 If you love… Sensational Street Art & Sky-High Autumn Views: St. Thomas
Road trippers rolling into Canada’s “Railway City” will have no problem finding proof that they have arrived in a community that is still proudly connected to its roots in steam and steel. From a massive monument honouring Jumbo The Elephant, who met a tragic death on the town’s train tracks in 1885, to an acclaimed craft brewery with a name that is a nod to the town’s past, the love for trains felt in St. Thomas is very apparent. Embarking on a scenic treasure hunt to discover St. Thomas’s impressive collection of over 50 street murals is a fun way to learn even more about the town’s rich past.
The heart of St. Thomas is best seen through the passion of its talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
St. Thomas Elevated Park, Canada’s only elevated park, is a perfect place to take in the area’s incredible fall colours. This wheelchair-accessible and dog-friendly park was once a busy bridge, carrying up to 50 trains a day over Kettle Creek during its peak. Stroll across the bridge and enjoy art installations and plantings, and if you’d like to stroll a little farther, follow The Western Trail, which runs four kilometres between King St. in St. Thomas to Lyle Rd in Southwold.
Treat yourself to a little extra time enjoying the charming shops and restaurants of St. Thomas by booking an overnight stay at an area hotel, vacation rental, or bed and breakfast.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: No trip to St. Thomas would be complete without stopping in for a browse at Jancat Art Café. This funky, artist-owned gift shop and café boasts a lovingly curated and locally made collection of cat-themed stickers, keychains, accessories, and embroidered clothing. It also serves incredible bubble tea, ramen, unique treats, and tasty lunch specials.
🌾 If you love… Crisp Lakeside Strolls Paired With Harvest Flavours: Elgin County
Road trippers wanting a route that allows them to slow down, explore, and really savour the season will find plenty to love about Elgin County. Home to an excellent collection of scenic trails, charming small towns, and tasty farm-to-table experiences, this stretch of land along the Lake Erie shore overflows with options for picture-perfect autumn adventures.
That strong sense of pride also shines through in experiences from talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
When it’s time to stretch your legs, the 200+-acre Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area is the perfect scenic spot for a colourful fall wander. Follow the Wetland Trail and watch for waterfowl or take the Catfish Creek Loop for incredible Carolinian forest views.
Experience Elgin County’s signature small-town hospitality by enjoying an overnight stay at a historic area inn or luxurious bed and breakfast.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: Meander along quiet country backroads to find your way to Mistyglen Creamery. This small-batch cheese and yogurt producer has a rich local history dating all the way back to 1816! Stock up on squeaky-fresh cheese curds, and for the ultimate farm-to-table experience, mingle with the Creamery’s cows on a Moo Tour!
🍁If you love… Crafted Fall Flavours & Off-the-Path Adventures: Middlesex County
Take your foot off the gas! Middlesex County’s relaxed rural vibe and vibrant autumn views will quickly convince curious road trippers that it’s the perfect time to shift into slow gear. Friendly local producers welcome visitors onto their farms to pick crisp apples, browse fresh produce, and savour homemade treats that make fall unforgettable. You can also dive into old-school country fun, from wagon rides to corn mazes. Artisanal craft beverage makers and a new distiller in the area pride themselves as locally made and tap into farm-fresh crops to create unique ciders, meads, craft beers, and spirits that they’re eager to share with you.
That strong sense of pride also shines through in experiences from talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
Taking in the view of fall foliage at Parkhill Scenic Lookout is a must on any colour cruise in the area. Other fun ways to experience autumn in Middlesex County include guided horseback trail rides hosted by Willow and Water and exploring Longwoods Conservation Area, which is also home to the Skah-Nah-Doht Village, a recreated Indigenous longhouse settlement. A wheelchair-friendly boardwalk makes the amazing autumn view here accessible for all.
Booking accommodations in Middlesex County lets you stay at a place with an interesting story! Choose from an eco lodge that offers optional homesteading lessons, a Victorian suite in a historic clock tower, or a luxurious overnight in the home of two award-winning chefs.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: Taste why Middlesex County is the ultimate place to indulge a sweet tooth with an authentic Portuguese pastry at Arte’s Bakery, a handcrafted gelato flight made with the farm’s own milk at Proof Line Farm, or a work-of-art sugar cookie from The Cookie Nook.
🌆If you love… A Big-City Dining Scene With A Side of Fresh-Air Fun: London
Affectionately referred to as “The Forest City,” London is a natural choice for road trippers looking to enjoy Canada’s spectacular autumn colours in a vibrant and deliciously diverse urban setting. Thanks to its distance from other large urban centres, London has a surprisingly big city feel for a community of less than 500,000 people. London boasts a red-hot culinary scene, interesting historic sites, and outstanding live arts venues that have helped it earn its status as Canada’s first UNESCO City of Music. Food-themed trails and special food events offer a scrumptious way to explore the city.
That strong sense of pride also shines through in experiences from talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
For the ultimate autumn adrenaline rush, head to Boler Mountain and explore the Treetop Adventure Park & Ziplines. This outdoor park is situated within a natural Carolinian forest, and offers three different course levels, plus a kids’ course, and a zipline-only course boasting six consecutive zips. End your adventure flying through the sky on Southern Ontario’s longest zipline, which takes riders from the top of the hill back to the chalet.
From hip, new big-brand hotels to beautifully updated heritage buildings just steps from the city’s downtown dining and music scene, London offers a diverse range of accommodation options for road trippers looking to relax for the night.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: Westminster Ponds is a gorgeous, nearly 500-acre greenspace that is home to miles of managed trails winding past six ponds and a variety of other natural habitats. This off-the-radar, environmentally significant area is the perfect place to take in the colours on a leisurely fall stroll.
🧀 If you love… Artisanal Cheese & Rolling Rural Views: Oxford County
Just a 2-hour drive from 3 US border crossings, you will find Oxford County, the Dairy Capital of Canada. Exploring this culinary region is made easy using The Oxford County Cheese Trail, a self-guided driving route visiting 30 stops celebrating Oxford’s dairy past and present. Visit local cheesemakers, breweries, chocolatiers, farms, restaurants, museums, and artisans where you can taste, tour, and take home a piece of Oxford County.
Oxford County is a popular destination for couples looking to escape for great food, unique hands-on experiences, and relaxation. Embrace our rural routes during fall colours visiting farms and hiking trails. Pair a visit to a maple farm with a maple forest hike. Make your own 1800s baseball or charcuterie board to swap stories over at home. Make your own chocolate bark featuring local ingredients (bacon and strawberries – yes please). Slow down in the pasture with horses, alpacas, or miniature highland cows. Take the plunge at one of two Nordic Spas. Visit www.TourismOxford.ca for itineraries, maps, and to request a custom itinerary from Oxford County’s concierge team.
That strong sense of pride also shines through in experiences from talented locals:
🍃 Nature & Natural Attractions
The Trillium Woods Trail is home to maple trees that put on a spectacular show each fall. Stroll the wide, well-maintained trail that loops through a mature maple sugar bush. Jakeman’s Maple Farm, located right across the road from the trail, is the perfect place to stop for a sweet treat to taste the magic that happens from within these majestic maples! Visit the northern part of Oxford County to find even more fabulous forest views, as well as rolling hills and meandering waterways.
With so much to see and do, an overnight stay is a good idea for visitors looking to slow down and really take in this beautiful corner of Canada. Thoughtfully curated getaway packages offer visitors ready-to-book adventures that blend beautiful accommodation options with fun activities in the area.
💡 Locals Know Best Tip: Score vintage finds at favourite local haunts, like One Of A Kind Antique Mall, which is Canada’s largest antique mall, or smaller local shops filled with pre-loved perfection, including Groove Decor and Modern Hipster Vintage.
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