6 Amazing Autumn Drives

Don’t let high gas prices cut road trip fun short this fall. Instead, find a closer-to-home destination filled with activities that will make you feel like you’re a million miles away.

The six perfect autumn drive destinations that follow are just a quick trip away from most of southern Ontario. Each article has helpful links to sensational suggestions for outdoor fun, unexpected attractions, nearby farm finds, cool local shops, craft breweries and cideries in the area, buzzed-about restaurants, and neighbouring towns you can add to your day trip.

Fancy a leisurely fall afternoon exploring unique shops and a fabulous fall cycle followed by an over-the-top meal? Point your vehicle toward the charming towns of DUNDAS and ANCASTER.

Prefer some hip urban exploring with a tasty restaurant row, a farmer’s market that gives St. Lawrence Market a run for its money and a network of waterfalls, underground caves and streams that you have to see to believe? Head to HAMILTON.

If a perfect fall day for you involves digging into the beauty of Canada’s largest botanical garden, setting out on a walking tour filled with historic buildings, scoring a stylish new autumn outfit and then resting your feet on a picture-perfect patio, BURLINGTON beckons.

Add sparkly Lake Ontario views, a fun game of disc golf when it’s time to stretch your legs, and sensational specialty food shops to the menu if you make time for an afternoon of exploring in OAKVILLE.

Stunning Niagara Escarpment vistas, the home of one of Canada’s most beloved authors, incredible outlet shopping and farm-to-table fun that features some of the country’s best baking are in store for you and your crew when you set out for a day of exploring in and around HALTON HILLS.

A road trip through GRAND RIVER COUNTRY offers unexpected finds around every twist and turn, like a lazy paddle along a Canadian heritage river, the chance to spot rare birds, shopping for incredible handmade Indigenous items, and a meal that will make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to France.


Autumn is the perfect time to Travel True in Hamilton Halton Brant and create new memories with your favourite people. From incredible natural landscapes for outdoor adventures, like the Niagara Escarpment, Grand River and scenic Lake Ontario shorelines, to fascinating sites that celebrate our country’s past, fun fall festivals and events, and immersive experiences and tours that put you in the heart of all the action, discover the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable autumn escape.

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Experiences & Tours View All >>

Now thru December 31

Private Date Night Painting for 2

studio k2

The Cotton Factory, DyeWorks Building, 9 Landsdowne Avenue, Hamilton

Whenever Date Night is! Event Price: $165.00 + hst per couple.

November 30 - January 5

Escarpment Train Exhibit

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON, L7T 4H4

Saturdays and Sundays and Dec 27, Jan 2, 3 Time:10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Garden...

November 30 - January 5

Botanical Train Display

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON, L7T 4H4

Mondays to Wednesdays: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., (last RBG Centre admission 4...

December 5 - January 5

Ride the RBG Express

Royal Botanical Gardens

680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON, L7T 4H4

Dates: Available December 5, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Date exceptions: December 25, 26, January...

Now thru December 13

Art Crawl on James North

James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L2, Canada

Dates & Times: Second Friday of Every Month, 5:00pm till 8:00pm Free Event

Now thru December 31

‘To Market We Go’ – Brantford & Brant

Tasty Road Trips Food Tours

Paris, Ontario

Tour Details: This Tasty Road Trips Tour is a full-day trip experience with a customized...

Now thru December 31

Music Bingo at Flux

Flux Brewing Company

185 Oakland Rd, Scotland, ON N0E 1R0

Date & Time: January 17th (1st bingo night of the year) $5 cover to join

Now thru December 7

Oakville Museum Guided Tour

Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate

8 Navy Street, Oakville, ON, L6J 2Y5

Tuesday to Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. General admission by donation (Suggested $7 per...

Now thru December 15

Afternoon Tea at Arlington Hotel

Arlington Hotel

106 Grand River Street North, Paris, ON, N3L 2M5

Dates and Times: every 3rd Sunday from 11:00am to 3:00pm Price: $35 per person, $19...

December 1

Ukrainian Christmas Evening Tour

Dundurn Castle – National Historic Site

610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, ON, L8R 3H1

Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Ages: All Cost: $45 per person. Pre-registration is required.

Now thru December 31

Introductory Flight Lesson

Brantford Flight Centre

110 Aviation Ave. Brantford, ON N3T 5L7, Canada

Dates: All year round Cost: $152.55 including HST

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