(The Niagara Escarpment, Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge-St Jacobs, The Muskokas, Algonquin Park, The Kawarthas) or even specific drives
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The central region is offering just small pockets of colour change at this time. TheParry Sound area is reporting just the odd tree changing with a 20% colour change. Dominant colours are dull orange with the odd maple tree offering bright red. A great way to enjoy the fall colour season in this area of the province is aboard the 30,000 Island Cruise. We are starting to see some nice pockets of colour in the Muskokaarea and across to Haliburton. The colour change ranges from 20 to 30%. Ideal viewing locations over the next couple of weeks are the fire tower lookout in Dorsetand Lion’s Lookout in Huntsville. Highways 60, 35, 117 and 118 always offer outstanding fall colour. The Midland south to the Barrie area is reporting just the odd tree starting to turn at this time. The Horseshoe Valley region is a great place for fall colour viewing and hiking. The Collingwood area is reporting some small pockets of colour and a 10 to 20% change. The apple harvest is well under way in the region. The view from the top of Blue Mountain from Scenic Caves is always outstanding but especially beautiful in the fall. The Kawartha Lakes region is reporting just a splash of colour here and there and a 10% change at this time. Highway 45 from Norland to Kinmount will provide some nice colour during the fall colour season.
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Birchmount drive between Vic Park to Leslie - I know i'm driving through a housing area - but it's actually kind of soothing.
That and the drive along Elgin Mills East to West - you're driving through Farmland - but it reminds me of the days when Bayview & Major Mac was will well - Farmland.
The Village parkway on the way to Historic Unionville isn't bad either.
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Twyn Rivers to be the best driving road in GTA.
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Lakeshore
Its not much of a drive but more of a nice scenic walk, with multiple quick stops in various Parks
Niagara on the lake
- Niagara Parkway (Fort Erie to Niagara Falls to Niagara on the Lake)
niagara-on-the-lake is wonderful, absolutely beautiful in the summer (view of waterfront, grape farms, sunny blue sky, what more can you ask for?
)
Things to Do: Canadian Warplane Museum, displaying aircraft from WWII planes to jets;Whitehern Historic House and Garden, an outstanding intact historic house; the Royal Botanical Gardens, which has the largest lilac collection and 30-kilometres of trails .
Distance from Downtown Toronto: 70 km / 43 miles (about a 1 hr drive). See map & directions.
Things to Do: Ski Blue Mountain, Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
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Scarborough bluffs
Mississauga part of lakeshore
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- Forks of the Credit (NW of Toronto)But beware! It's haunted at night because there have been lots of accidents of people racing there.
1) Belfountain (100 km): From Toronto, head north on Hwy. 10 for about 20 km past Brampton and then, before Caledon, turn west on the Forks of the Credit Rd. This is a 10 km stretch of winding road that runs alongside the shallow Credit River for a while; in the fall, it’s chock-a-block with minivans for the fabulous colours. Stop for an ice cream in Belfountain, or continue to Erin for a wider choice of country stores.
drive is up Mississauga Rd into Belfountain and then along the Forks of the Credit to Hwy 10, just south ofOrangeville
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If you like curves, try 507
Brass Rail on Yonge Street and Whiskey
- Lakeshore Road (Oakville to Mississauga - only if you like looking at nice houses)
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Also really enjoyed a recent visit to Picton, Bloomfield and other parts of Prince Edward County- would think that is also a nice place to visit in the fall!
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W rd (High Park) - Colborne Lodge - Queensway - Ellis - Bloor - South Kingsway - Riverside
Military trail
Mississauga road
Valleywood road - Brookbanks dr
Bayview - Rosedale Valley
Twyn Rivers
Poplar Plains
Russell Hill - Boulton
Lakeshore E (Oakville)
Unwin ave.
Convair drive
Military trail
Mississauga road
Valleywood road - Brookbanks dr
Bayview - Rosedale Valley
Twyn Rivers
Poplar Plains
Russell Hill - Boulton
Lakeshore E (Oakville)
Unwin ave.
Convair drive
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We are starting to get a good list of Fall Colour Studio Tours. These tours allow you the opportunity to
enjoy the beautiful fall colour throughout Ontario’s countryside while perhaps visiting the many artist and
artisan studios. These are self guided, well signed driving tours that start and finish where you like.
The following tours take place over the weekend of September 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
24th Annual Hills of Erin Studio Tour, Erin/Hillsburgh area, Sept. 22nd and 23rd
Prince Edward County Studio Tour, Sept. 21st, 22nd and 23rd
Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour, Sept. 22nd and 23rd
12th Annual Norfolk Studio Tour, Sept 22nd and 23rd (Simcoe, Port Dover areas)
34th Annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour 22nd and 23rd and 29th and 30th
Elora Fergus Studio Tour Sept. 22nd and 23rd and 29th and 30th
Creemore Festival of the Arts and Tour, Sept. 22nd and 23rd
Cambridge Studio Tour, Sept. 22nd and 23rd
Caledon Hills Studio Tour, Sept. 22nd and 23rd
Bancroft and Area Autumn Studio Tour, Sept. 22nd and 23rd
******************************************
The central region is offering just small pockets of colour change at this time. TheParry Sound area is reporting just the odd tree changing with a 20% colour change. Dominant colours are dull orange with the odd maple tree offering bright red. A great way to enjoy the fall colour season in this area of the province is aboard the 30,000 Island Cruise. We are starting to see some nice pockets of colour in the Muskokaarea and across to Haliburton. The colour change ranges from 20 to 30%. Ideal viewing locations over the next couple of weeks are the fire tower lookout in Dorsetand Lion’s Lookout in Huntsville. Highways 60, 35, 117 and 118 always offer outstanding fall colour. The Midland south to the Barrie area is reporting just the odd tree starting to turn at this time. The Horseshoe Valley region is a great place for fall colour viewing and hiking. The Collingwood area is reporting some small pockets of colour and a 10 to 20% change. The apple harvest is well under way in the region. The view from the top of Blue Mountain from Scenic Caves is always outstanding but especially beautiful in the fall. The Kawartha Lakes region is reporting just a splash of colour here and there and a 10% change at this time. Highway 45 from Norland to Kinmount will provide some nice colour during the fall colour season.
*************
Birchmount drive between Vic Park to Leslie - I know i'm driving through a housing area - but it's actually kind of soothing.
That and the drive along Elgin Mills East to West - you're driving through Farmland - but it reminds me of the days when Bayview & Major Mac was will well - Farmland.
The Village parkway on the way to Historic Unionville isn't bad either.
********
Twyn Rivers to be the best driving road in GTA.
************************************
Lakeshore
Its not much of a drive but more of a nice scenic walk, with multiple quick stops in various Parks
Niagara on the lake
- Niagara Parkway (Fort Erie to Niagara Falls to Niagara on the Lake)
niagara-on-the-lake is wonderful, absolutely beautiful in the summer (view of waterfront, grape farms, sunny blue sky, what more can you ask for?
)Jordan & the Niagara Wine Region
Photo courtesy Niagara Vintage Wine Tours
Overview: In addition to dozens of wineries, the Niagara Region offers visitors spectacular natural surroundings, including the Bruce Trail.Jordan is only one chaming town amongst many in the area.
Things to Do: Take a wine tour, by bike, car or airbus, visit Cave Spring Cellars - a scenic winery with a restaurant, spa, resort and shopping.
Distance from Downtown Toronto: 110 km / 68 miles (about an hour's drive)
Things to Do: Take a wine tour, by bike, car or airbus, visit Cave Spring Cellars - a scenic winery with a restaurant, spa, resort and shopping.
Distance from Downtown Toronto: 110 km / 68 miles (about an hour's drive)
Fun Things to do with Kids in Niagara
) Niagara Peninsula (200 km). Try to avoid just driving to the Peninsula over the Burlington Skyway, and instead stay on the 403 to exit north at Hwy. 6. If you can exit beforehand at Brant St. so that you get to Hwy. 5, then you can wiggle south on Snake Rd., all the better. This is a very winding road that has caught out more than its fair share of speeding motorcyclists.
From Hwy. 6, go back up to Hwy. 5 and head west for a few kilometres before turning south for Dundas on Brock Rd. Look for Mineral Springs and Sulphur Springs Rd. before leaving this area to bypass Hamilton on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway, then pick up Ridge Road east along the edge of the rise (Hwy. 425, then Hwy 79) all the way to Grimsby.
If you’re up for a bit more driving past some picturesque vineyards, stay south of the QEW on King St. (Hwy. 81), which will take you to the expressway for home at St. Catharines. And if you really want to make a day of it, go up to Niagara-on-the-Lake and then wind down slowly on the manicured Niagara River Parkway to Niagara or all the way to Fort Erie, waving at all the Americans on the other side of the wide river.
2. Toronto to Niagara Falls
The route: The QEW is nigh unavoidable up until Hamilton. Get off at Steeltown and take the 8/81 through Grimsby, Beamsville, Jordan and St. Catharines before heading up to Highway 87, where it’s one vineyard after another. Enjoy the undulations of what is arguably the most picturesque road in southern Ontario.
Driving time: Three and a half hours.
Roadside attractions: After Hamilton, you’ll need a treat. Stop in at the Beamsville Bakery & Patisserie (4966 King St., 905-563-4533) for an old-fashioned apple fritter. Carry on along 81 until you reach Ball’s Falls Conservation Area (6th Ave., Louth, 905-788-3135), a 615-acre park with two breathtaking waterfalls. Soon after, you’ll hit your first major wine outpost: Jordan. High rollers will make a beeline to the gourmet restaurant On the Twenty (3845 Main St., 905-562-5336); the budget-conscious will go across the street to Zooma Zooma (3836 Main St., 905-562-6280), which makes a mean Reuben sandwich. Take 81 through St. Catharines and north to 87. You’re now on the official Wine Route. For proof, take a quick detour off 87 and visit the Stratus Winery (2059 Niagara Stone Rd., 905-468-1806), a postmodern slab that looks more like a library than a vineyard (the wine is as innovative as the architecture). Carry on along 87 into Niagara-on-the-Lake, a Pleasantville-like hub that’s a photographer’s dream.
The route: The QEW is nigh unavoidable up until Hamilton. Get off at Steeltown and take the 8/81 through Grimsby, Beamsville, Jordan and St. Catharines before heading up to Highway 87, where it’s one vineyard after another. Enjoy the undulations of what is arguably the most picturesque road in southern Ontario.
Driving time: Three and a half hours.
Roadside attractions: After Hamilton, you’ll need a treat. Stop in at the Beamsville Bakery & Patisserie (4966 King St., 905-563-4533) for an old-fashioned apple fritter. Carry on along 81 until you reach Ball’s Falls Conservation Area (6th Ave., Louth, 905-788-3135), a 615-acre park with two breathtaking waterfalls. Soon after, you’ll hit your first major wine outpost: Jordan. High rollers will make a beeline to the gourmet restaurant On the Twenty (3845 Main St., 905-562-5336); the budget-conscious will go across the street to Zooma Zooma (3836 Main St., 905-562-6280), which makes a mean Reuben sandwich. Take 81 through St. Catharines and north to 87. You’re now on the official Wine Route. For proof, take a quick detour off 87 and visit the Stratus Winery (2059 Niagara Stone Rd., 905-468-1806), a postmodern slab that looks more like a library than a vineyard (the wine is as innovative as the architecture). Carry on along 87 into Niagara-on-the-Lake, a Pleasantville-like hub that’s a photographer’s dream.
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3. Toronto to Waterloo
The route: Take the 401 to Brampton, then resume your westward journey on Highway 7. Don’t be frightened off by the monotonous subdivisions; suburban sprawl soon gives way to small-town quaint, as 7 winds through Georgetown, Acton, Rockwood and Guelph.
Driving time: Three hours.
Roadside attractions: Georgetown’s historic strip has recently been refurbished; the highlight is McMaster Meats and Deli (110 Main St., 905-702-1274), which is not only a stellar butcher, but also has an improbably exotic frozen foods section (butter chicken, vindaloo). A trip through Rockwood is incomplete without stopping at Saunders’ Bakery (104 Main St., 519-856-9561); opened in 1914, its specialty is old-fashioned sugar doughnuts. Once back on 7, take Wellington Road 44 south to the Streetcar and Electric Railway Museum (13629 Guelph Line, Milton, 519-856-9802), which features vintage trains and trolleys galore. Moving along Highway 7, take Highway 29 north for five kilometres to Knapp’s Country Market (8066 Wellington County Rd. 124, RR 1, 519-824-4222), which offers an assortment of fresh produce, organic meats, homemade preserves and superlative cinnamon buns. If you only have time for one stop in Guelph, make it the Book Shelf (41 Quebec St., 519-821-3311), a bookstore–slash–café– slash–rep theatre and all-around hipster haunt.
The route: Take the 401 to Brampton, then resume your westward journey on Highway 7. Don’t be frightened off by the monotonous subdivisions; suburban sprawl soon gives way to small-town quaint, as 7 winds through Georgetown, Acton, Rockwood and Guelph.
Driving time: Three hours.
Roadside attractions: Georgetown’s historic strip has recently been refurbished; the highlight is McMaster Meats and Deli (110 Main St., 905-702-1274), which is not only a stellar butcher, but also has an improbably exotic frozen foods section (butter chicken, vindaloo). A trip through Rockwood is incomplete without stopping at Saunders’ Bakery (104 Main St., 519-856-9561); opened in 1914, its specialty is old-fashioned sugar doughnuts. Once back on 7, take Wellington Road 44 south to the Streetcar and Electric Railway Museum (13629 Guelph Line, Milton, 519-856-9802), which features vintage trains and trolleys galore. Moving along Highway 7, take Highway 29 north for five kilometres to Knapp’s Country Market (8066 Wellington County Rd. 124, RR 1, 519-824-4222), which offers an assortment of fresh produce, organic meats, homemade preserves and superlative cinnamon buns. If you only have time for one stop in Guelph, make it the Book Shelf (41 Quebec St., 519-821-3311), a bookstore–slash–café– slash–rep theatre and all-around hipster haunt.
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1. Toronto to Belleville
The route: If you’re driving to Belleville or Prince Edward County, forgo the monotony of the 401 and jump on Highway 2 at Port Hope. This meandering road, which offers a survey of 19th-century homes and flirts with Lake Ontario, takes you directly into downtown Belleville.
Driving time: Three hours.
Roadside attractions: Your detour begins in Port Hope, a haven for discerning antique hunters. In Cobourg, stop in at the Human Bean café (80 King St. W., 905-377-1755), which serves an expert latte and sumptuous lunches (salads, panini, samosas). In the quaint town of Colborne, the Colborne Art Gallery (51 King St. E., 905-355-1798) exhibits everything from native art to abstract canvases. Highway 2 is known as the Apple Route; before Brighton, you’ll find Cricklewood Farm (27 Grandview Rd., RR 4, 613-475-4293), where you can pick eight varieties of apples and get lost in a corn maze. The town of Brighton has a small but splendid retail strip with a couple of old-timey furniture shops: Borchert Furniture (19 Main St., 613-475-2315) and Main Street Antique Market (13 Main St., 613-475-0003). Before heading on to Trenton and Belleville, make a short detour to Presqu’ile Provincial Park (RR 4, 613-475-4324), which features hiking trails, a long beach and a historic lighthouse
The route: If you’re driving to Belleville or Prince Edward County, forgo the monotony of the 401 and jump on Highway 2 at Port Hope. This meandering road, which offers a survey of 19th-century homes and flirts with Lake Ontario, takes you directly into downtown Belleville.
Driving time: Three hours.
Roadside attractions: Your detour begins in Port Hope, a haven for discerning antique hunters. In Cobourg, stop in at the Human Bean café (80 King St. W., 905-377-1755), which serves an expert latte and sumptuous lunches (salads, panini, samosas). In the quaint town of Colborne, the Colborne Art Gallery (51 King St. E., 905-355-1798) exhibits everything from native art to abstract canvases. Highway 2 is known as the Apple Route; before Brighton, you’ll find Cricklewood Farm (27 Grandview Rd., RR 4, 613-475-4293), where you can pick eight varieties of apples and get lost in a corn maze. The town of Brighton has a small but splendid retail strip with a couple of old-timey furniture shops: Borchert Furniture (19 Main St., 613-475-2315) and Main Street Antique Market (13 Main St., 613-475-0003). Before heading on to Trenton and Belleville, make a short detour to Presqu’ile Provincial Park (RR 4, 613-475-4324), which features hiking trails, a long beach and a historic lighthouse
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5. Hamilton
Overview: Known foremost as a steel town, Hamilton also has a rich cultural side, including historical museums and fine art galleries.Things to Do: Canadian Warplane Museum, displaying aircraft from WWII planes to jets;Whitehern Historic House and Garden, an outstanding intact historic house; the Royal Botanical Gardens, which has the largest lilac collection and 30-kilometres of trails .
Distance from Downtown Toronto: 70 km / 43 miles (about a 1 hr drive). See map & directions.
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Collingwood / Wasaga Beach
Overview: Located on Georgian Bay, Collingwood underwent a major restoration in the late 90s. Today it is popular year-round, with skiing in the winter and hiking, biking, golfing, and boating in the summer. Lovers of the outdoors will especially enjoy the Collingwood area. Nearby Wasaga has the longest freshwater beach in the world.Things to Do: Ski Blue Mountain, Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
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Scarborough bluffs
Mississauga part of lakeshore
**********************************
- Forks of the Credit (NW of Toronto)But beware! It's haunted at night because there have been lots of accidents of people racing there.
1) Belfountain (100 km): From Toronto, head north on Hwy. 10 for about 20 km past Brampton and then, before Caledon, turn west on the Forks of the Credit Rd. This is a 10 km stretch of winding road that runs alongside the shallow Credit River for a while; in the fall, it’s chock-a-block with minivans for the fabulous colours. Stop for an ice cream in Belfountain, or continue to Erin for a wider choice of country stores.
drive is up Mississauga Rd into Belfountain and then along the Forks of the Credit to Hwy 10, just south ofOrangeville
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Just two hours north of Toronto is Grey County, Ontario. Known for its spectacular fall colours and great drives, its a perfect day or weekend trip.
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If you like curves, try 507
Brass Rail on Yonge Street and Whiskey
- Lakeshore Road (Oakville to Mississauga - only if you like looking at nice houses)
********************
8) Picton ferry (400 km). Head east from Toronto and maybe cut south along the way to pick up 5) above though Port Britain and Cobourg. If so, stay to the south along Hwy. 2 to Brighton, but otherwise, just follow the 401 out to the Brighton exit. From Brighton, cut through to Carrying Place and then onto the Loyalist Parkway to Wellington and Bloomfield and Picton. The fields are broad and flat, but when the orchards are in bloom and the grapes are on the vines, this is a gorgeous cruising road.
At Picton, don’t cross right away on the ferry but instead, climb the hill just before the ferry on Route 7 and pause for a break at the Lake on the Mountain, and take some time to explore this area. You won’t get lost — all roads in Prince Edward County eventually end up back at Picton.
Cross back to the mainland on the Glenora car ferry then up to Napanee and home, but be warned: it’s just a little farther east to Kingston and a romantic weekend away.
9) Muskoka cottage country (400 km). Where to begin exploring the rocky Great Canadian Shield? I usually take Hwy 400 past Orillia and then turn east to Bala on the curving Hwy. 38, which is good practice for the much tighter cottage roads around Lakes Rosseau and Joseph. Once at Bala, head for Port Carling and Rosseau, then either up to Parry Sound or back down to Bracebridge. These roads are all full of relaxed vacationers, though — keep your speed down, despite the temptations of every twist and turn.
10) Bancroft and Rte. 509 (500 km). I’ve saved the best for last. I like to take this northern route when I have an entire day to get to Ottawa, but it can make for a great loop, too.
Basically, get to Bancroft, preferably on Hwy. 28 through Peterborough and Apsley, then head east on the wide curves down to Denbigh. The Swiss restaurant there serves great food and gets the Star so you can read Wheels. Go south from there on Hwy. 41, but turn off on the Buckshot Lake Rd. to the southeast and follow it all the way down to Plevna. This is the fabled Hwy. 509, which twists and winds east and then south through Ompah and Snow Road Station until it finally re-emerges at Hwy. 7 west of Lanark and Perth. Warning: Sportbikes sometimes come here to ride very fast. This will get you to within a couple of hours of Ottawa (another romantic weekend), or just a three-hour trip home again to the GTA. Your choice, but after a drive like this, if the weather is good, it won’t be an easy one.
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