Weekend Getaways from Toronto: Fall Fun in Cottage Country

Summer may be fleeting in Toronto, but there’s still plenty of time to squeeze in some family fun before the snow flies. Ontario’s unique climate offers a chance to experience all four seasons, and fall is an ideal time to explore the beauty of cottage country near Toronto. With the summer crowds gone and the vibrant autumn colors starting to show, it’s a perfect opportunity for weekend getaways from Toronto or a day trip. This article explores some of the best spots to enjoy fall family activities, all within driving distance from the city.

• Fall Hikes at the Horsehoe Resort

1101 Horseshoe Valley Road West, Barrie

Toronto summers are fantastic, but there’s a special kind of magic in autumn. Fewer crowds, beautiful colours, and crisp fall air make it the perfect time to explore Horseshoe Resort. Located just north of Toronto, Horseshoe Resort offers a variety of fall activities that are ideal for a weekend getaway or a day trip. While we love the summer activities at the Horseshoe Resort––like Treetop Trekking and Beach Volleyball––we recommend taking in the stunning fall foliage on a hike through Copeland Forest. With fewer bugs than summer and perfect fall breezes, it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

• Summer Sundown at Blue Mountain Village for Labour Day Weekend

Location: Village Events Plaza

Date: Friday, 30 Aug 2024 – Monday, 2 Sep 2024

Blue Mountain Village’s Summer Sundown is both the perfect ode to summer and a warm welcome to autumn. With some great concerts––featuring headliners The Carpet Frogs & Cory Hotline––plus engaging family activities like scavenger hunts, this is a great way to spend time with your loved ones in the final dog days of summer.

• Hike Haliburton Festival

September 19-22, 2024

Registration opens mid-August 2024

Experience the signature hiking event of the year: Canada’s largest hiking festival! With over over 20 public hiking & walking trails, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Guided hikes are typically available, and themed for all ages and abilities, so you can bring the whole family along. Check out My Haliburton Highlands’ fun colour update guide based on 2023, so you know where and when to see the sugar maples in all their glory. They suggest that the peak maple fall colours run for about two weeks, from October 1 to October 12––don’t miss them!

• Experience Haliburton

Find the best events and adventures in Haliburton from My Haliburton Highlands. There is plenty to do and see in one of the most scenic and beautiful places in Ontario! From galleries and museums to kayaking any one of 600 lakes, Haliburton is a fantastic Canadian adventure for families. We recommend checking out the Incredible Haliburton County Farmers’ Market Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm until October 8, 2024. 

• Tap your foot to the beat at Midland Cultural Centre

333 King Street, Midland

From open mic nights to tributes to some of your favourite eras of music (check out the Tribute to Grease on September 15, 2024), there is certainly no shortage of entertainment at the Midland Cultural Centre. The programming for 2024 is fantastic–check out their events page for more family fun!

• Get Creative and Fun(gi) at the Wye Marsh Nature Centre

16160 Highway 12 East, Midland

September 19, 2024

Art in the Marsh at the Wye Marsh Nature Centre is a fantastic way to embrace your creative side––while getting the kids outside! Our favourite this year is the introductory session on acrylics, but there are plenty of mediums to choose from. These events don’t require any previous experience and all materials are provided, but the acrylics session is designed for those 14+.

We also recommend taking part in the workshop “Poison Pie, Other  Fungi, & Parasitic Plants,” where you take part in a guided tour around the marsh on the lookout for deadly sac fungi, jelly fungi, gilled mushrooms, slime molds and parasitic plants. And, there’s a unique souvenir: by the end of the process, you’ll have made your very own “spore print” to commemorate the experience. Recommended for ages 10 and up. 

Explore Ontario’s Highlands: From Artistry to Agriculture, Fall Festivities Await!

Explore Local Art in Ontario’s Highlands

• Bancroft & Area Autumn Studio Tour

September 21–22 and 28–29, 2024

10am to 5pm

The Autumn Studio Tour is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows you to drive through the autumn foliage route and visit 25 local artists at their studios in north Hastings. Join photographers, realist painters, jewelry makers, and more in their spaces––admire their works and possibly leave with prints or ceramics that are available for purchase. Head to their website to plan your route!

Celebrate Agriculture and Family Fun in Ontario’s Lake Country

• Oro World’s Fair

September 13th & 14th, 2024

80 Sideroad 15 & 16 E, Oro Station

The Oro World’s Fair is located in the heart of Oro Medonte, between Barrie and Orillia and attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Oro World’s Fair showcases and celebrates agriculture and rural living. Hundreds of exhibits, dog agility shows, a midway, a demolition derby, a tractor pull and great food make the Oro World’s Fair fun for the entire family.

• Ramona Annual Agricultural World Fair

September 13 & 14, 2024

Ramona Hall (2212 Fairgrounds Road, Washago)

Since 1890, the Ramona Annual Agricultural World Fair has been putting on a show for the whole family! Head to the fair for games, delicious food, exhibit hall, lots of prizes, vendors, lumberjack competition, bouncy castle, heavy and light horse pulls, and a beverage tent. Need we say more?

Explore Culinary Treats in Ottawa Valley

• Get a Taste Of The Valley-Petawawa

September 28, 2024

16 Civic Center Rd, Petawawa

This fall, experience a hidden gem of the Ontario culinary scene at the Taste of the Valley in Petawawa. With plenty of food stalls with a huge variety of eats, you’ll experience a sense of community you didn’t know you were missing. 

Celebrate the Arrival of Autumn in Tweed

• Welcome Autumn with the Tweed Harvest Festival

The Municipality of Tweed is located halfway between Toronto and Ottawa. Known for being the gateway to both the Bay of Quinte and Land O’ Lakes Tourist region, we have an abundance of outdoor experiences right here in Our Backyard. This summer, check out the Tweed Harvest Festival––with a Car Show, Touch A Truck, barbecue, kids games, a pumpkin patch, and of course a harvest dinner, you won’t want to miss out.

Whether you’re looking for scenic hikes, lively festivals, artistic adventures, or tasty local treats, cottage country near Toronto is the perfect destination for fall family activities and weekend getaways. Take advantage of the cooler weather and vibrant colors before winter rolls in. Grab your family, pack up the car, and enjoy some unforgettable experiences just a short drive from the city. There’s plenty of fun waiting for you in Ontario’s beautiful autumn landscapes! We also recommend visiting any––or maybe all of––our Featured Farmers’ Markets and Farms, Family Fun Attractions, and Family Fun Activities.