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.

Downtown Hamilton

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.

Ancaster Village

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.

Downtown 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.

Paris Riverfront

Looking to add on to your trip – explore available experiences, take advantage of special offers and discover the amazing events that will be taking place while you’re in town.

Travel Deals View All >>

Experiences & Tours View All >>

Now thru December 31

Introduction to Outdoor Rock Climbing

One Axe Pursuits

7200 Appleby Line, Milton, ON, L9T 2Y1

$1000 + HST, up to 4 participants Additional participants: $250 + HST per person Duration:...

Now thru December 16

Holiday Workshops with Oakville Galleries

Oakville Galleries

1306 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, ON, L6J 1L6

Date & Time: Dec 3rd & 16th, 1:00pm - 3:00pm Workshop Price: Members: $29.75 |...

December 18

Paint Nite: Turtles At Sunset

Paris Inn, 24 Mechanic Street, Paris ON

Date & Time: Dec 18th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm Price: $45.00 + Taxes Supplies are included

Now thru March 2

Movies and the Museum!

Joseph Brant Museum

1240 North Shore Boulevard East, Burlington, ON, L7S 1C5

Dates: Every Saturday, Dec 2nd, 2023 - Mar 2nd, 2024 Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm Ticket...

Now thru December 31

Collective Arts Hamilton Brewery Tour

Collective Arts Brewery

207 Burlington Street East, Hamilton, ON, L8L 4H2

45 Minutes Saturdays, hourly from 12-6PM, $25 per person for ages 19+, $415 for Private...

Now thru January 1

Woodland Cultural Centre – Self Guided Museum Tour

Woodland Cultural Centre

184 Mohawk Street, Brantford, ON, N3T 5V6

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 January 1

Woodland Cultural Centre – Virtual Museum Tour

Woodland Cultural Centre

184 Mohawk Street, Brantford, ON, N3T 5V6

Now thru December 16

Christmas Candlelight Celebration at Bell Homestead

Bell Homestead National Historic Site

94 Tutela Heights Road, Brantford, ON, N3T 1A1

Dates & Times: Dec 2nd, 9th, 16th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm Admission is by Donation

Now thru December 31

Cocktail Class

Manns Distillery

581 West Street Brantford, Ontario

Book on your own time

Now thru December 31

Memory Lane Tour

Downtown Hamilton BIA

20 Hughson Street South, Hamilton, ON, L8N 2A1

Free of charge

Now thru December 31

Half-Day Creative

studio k2

270 Sherman Ave N, Hamilton, ON L8L 6N4

Our experiences are offered in studio at The Cotton Factory in Hamilton, ON

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