Autumn leaves and pumpkins, please! While the days are getting shorter, there is no shortage of things to do in the fall across southwestern Ontario. From local farms to hiking trails, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out some of our favourite fall family activities and guess what — many of these are free or cheap!
Apple Orchards Galore
Southwestern Ontario is full of orchards featuring the ultimate fall activity – apple picking! Many orchards offer other activities like wagon rides, corn mazes, visits with farm animals, and even bouncy houses. This is an excellent day trip for families with children of all ages. Ontario’s beautiful apple orchards are also the perfect spot if you’re looking for the ultimate Instagram moment.
Check out Thiessen’s Orchard in Leamington or Great Lake Farms in St. Thomas.
Colourful Hikes
Breathe in the fresh air, slip on some extra layers, and enjoy the beautiful hiking trails and parks across southwestern Ontario. A park you may have walked through many times before will transform to an autumn masterpiece as the leaves change. A feast for the eyes!
View the Parks Canada Colour Report to find hiking trails near you and to see when the fall colours are at their peak.
Feeling Spooky
There are plenty of Halloween-themed farms, events, and tours across southwestern Ontario that are perfect for the kid in all of us!
For spooky (but not too spooky!) fun, head to Halloween in the Village on Saturday, October 26 along Wortley Road in London. This is a free family-friendly event complete with trick or treating, a carnival, costume parade and more.
Families can also take part in the Stratford Lantern Festival on Saturday, October 19. Explore the Forest of Dreams art installation, join in the lantern parade and at the end of the evening you can enjoy music, dance and juggling performances.
Don’t forget to carve your jack-o-lantern! Pick out that perfect pumpkin at one of many pumpkin patches in southwestern Ontario such as Allsop Farm Pumpkins and More in Kingsville (pictured above).
Feeling brave? After dark, many apple orchards, pumpkin patches, local farms, and corn mazes in southwestern Ontario turn haunted! Check out Kustermans After Dark in Mount Brydges and Snyder’s Fear Farm in Bright.
