There’s something about fall in Ontario that makes every sip taste a little better. Maybe it’s the crisp air after a sweltering summer, the changing leaves or the simple fact that harvest season fills every glass and every plate with the freshest flavours of the year.
If you’re planning a fall getaway, skip the usual pumpkin spice routine. Instead, spend your days exploring orchards, browsing farmers’ markets, tasting locally crafted cider, enjoying farm-fresh meals and sipping award-winning Ontario wines. Begin along the Ontario Craft Cider Trail, discover Niagara-on-the-Lake‘s vibrant culinary scene and finish your adventure at Niagara Parks, where exceptional local wines and unforgettable views create the perfect pairing.
Whether you consider yourself a seasoned wine enthusiast, a curious cider drinker or someone who simply loves discovering local flavours, these harvest experiences belong on your fall bucket list.
Psst! Don’t forget to enjoy responsibly and arrange your designated driver before setting out.
Start Planning Your Harvest Getaway
Whether you’re craving crisp craft cider, farm-fresh flavours or award-winning Ontario wines, these three harvest experiences showcase some of the province’s best places to eat, sip and explore this fall.
Ready to start planning? Click below to jump to the experience that interests you most.
Explore by experience:
Discover Why Ontario Craft Cider Deserves the Spotlight
Let’s address the elephant in the orchard: if your idea of cider still involves something syrupy and one-dimensional, you’re overdue for an upgrade.
Made with 100% Ontario-grown apples, Ontario Craft Cider has quietly become one of the province’s most exciting food and drink stories. Ontario’s local cider producers offer crisp, complex and wildly creative ciders shaped by the province’s unique climate and perfect for every kind of palate, from dry and sparkling to fruit-forward and refreshing.
It all starts in the orchard. Every Drink ON Apples cidery produces cider made from 100% Ontario-grown apples grown in their own orchard or from nearby growers, allowing them to shape every bottle from blossom to pour. And apples are only the beginning! Ontario ciders can be fruit or botanical infused, barrel aged or fortified, still or sparkling.
Just as importantly, every glass supports Ontario apple growers, independent cider makers and rural communities across the province. It’s local agriculture you can literally taste.
Explore the Ontario Craft Cider Trail
The best way to discover Ontario Craft Cider? Hit the road.
The Ontario Craft Cider Trail connects cideries across the province, making it easy to build a road trip around orchard views, small-batch pours and unforgettable local food experiences. Every stop has its own personality, meaning no two visits feel the same.
At West Avenue Cider House, heritage apple varieties take centre stage. Grown and pressed on the farm, their award-winning ciders celebrate traditional orchards while showcasing just how complex Ontario apples can be. Guided orchard tours run Saturdays and Sundays from September through November at 1 p.m.
Visit Spirit Tree Estate Cidery in the fall to pick your own apples, or stop by September 19–20 for the Handcrafted with Love Artisan Market, featuring local makers, artisan goods and live music.
At Shale Ridge in Thedford, a farm-to-table tasting experience meets a Nordic-inspired thermal retreat, bringing together cider, nature and relaxation.
Celebrate Ontario Craft Cider Week
As harvest season begins, cideries across Ontario celebrate with special events that bring orchards and tasting rooms to life. If there’s one week to circle on your calendar, it’s Ontario Craft Cider Week, running September 19–26. With over 50 craft cideries to explore, no two cider adventures are the same. Keep an eye out for the Ontario Craft Cider Can Van as it pops up with games, prizes and interactive activities.
Kick things off September 18 at Thornbury Craft Co.’s Orchard Untold, an immersive four-course dinner inside the cidery with dishes paired with signature ciders by the cidermaker and chef.
In Ottawa, Farmgate Cider offers a chance to experience harvest, crushing and pressing at its working orchard. One-hour tours include an orchard walk, insight from the orchardist and cidermaker and samples of four different ciders.
Ottawa-area residents can also sample more than 50 Ontario craft ciders at Ottawa’s Craft Cider Celebration at the Britannia Yacht Club. Whether you’re cider-curious or already a devoted fan, it’s a chance to sip new ciders, meet the makers and purchase favourites on the spot.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a scenic day trip or simply looking for your next favourite local drink, Ontario Craft Cider offers countless ways to experience the province one glass at a time. From orchard to bottle, every sip tells the story of Ontario’s growers, makers and communities.
Ready to start exploring? Visit DrinkONApples.com to learn more about Ontario Craft Cider Week, and plan your adventure along the Ontario Craft Cider Trail.
Experience Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Farm-to-Table Harvest
After exploring Ontario’s orchards, continue your harvest journey in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where fertile farmland, award-winning wineries and passionate local producers have shaped one of Canada’s most celebrated culinary destinations.
While the region is renowned for its vineyards, its food story begins long before the grapes are harvested. Fresh produce, artisan goods, locally crafted beverages and seasonal menus showcase the incredible bounty grown throughout Niagara, creating experiences that connect visitors directly with the people who grow, make and serve the region’s flavours.
One of the things that makes Niagara-on-the-Lake so special is how effortlessly every stop feels connected. Vineyards neighbour orchards, roadside farm stands overflow with seasonal produce and chefs build menus around ingredients harvested just kilometres away. Whether you’re wandering the farmers’ market, sipping wine overlooking the vines or settling in for a locally inspired meal, it’s the kind of destination that invites you to slow down and savour the season.
Start at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Farmers’ Market
One of the best ways to experience Niagara-on-the-Lake is by spending a Saturday morning at the The Market at The Village at Clayfield Commons.
Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., local farmers, bakers, food producers and artisans gather to showcase the very best of the season. Wander the market with a coffee in hand, chat with growers about what’s in season, sample local products and discover handcrafted goods before heading out to explore the region.
It’s a simple but meaningful reminder that every memorable meal starts with great local ingredients.
Savour Niagara-on-the-Lake
From the market, continue exploring the town’s exceptional culinary scene.
Book a table at Reve Restaurant, where thoughtfully prepared seasonal dishes celebrate Niagara’s agricultural bounty with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
No visit would be complete without experiencing one of the area’s renowned wineries. At Konzelmann Estate Winery, guided tastings invite visitors to discover cool-climate wines while overlooking vineyards stretching toward Lake Ontario. It’s the perfect place to slow down, learn about Niagara’s unique terroir and toast the harvest season.
Prefer craft beer? Head to Silversmith Brewing Co.’s Camp Kitchen, where locally inspired comfort food and small-batch brews make for a relaxed afternoon. The welcoming atmosphere encourages lingering over another pint while sharing dishes made with regional ingredients.
Finish your culinary tour at 1067 Kitchen, where seasonal Ontario flavours, locally sourced ingredients and beautiful lakeside surroundings create an unforgettable dining experience that perfectly captures the spirit of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Whether you’re browsing a farmers’ market, enjoying a winery tasting or lingering over dinner, every stop offers another opportunity to discover why Niagara-on-the-Lake has become one of Ontario’s premier culinary destinations.
Continue Your Culinary Journey at Niagara Parks
Just a short drive away, Niagara Parks offers another unforgettable way to celebrate Ontario’s harvest.
While millions visit Niagara Falls every year for its iconic views, food lovers know the area’s culinary scene deserves just as much attention. Niagara Parks proudly showcases Ontario-grown ingredients through restaurants that pair seasonal menus with wines produced exclusively in Niagara and across Ontario.
Rather than filling wine lists with international labels, Niagara Parks shines a spotlight on local wineries, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the remarkable diversity of Ontario wine while supporting one of Canada’s premier wine regions.
Raise a Glass at Table Rock House Restaurant
Few restaurants offer a dining experience quite like Table Rock House Restaurant.
Perched beside the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, the restaurant pairs breathtaking views with seasonal menus inspired by Ontario’s agricultural bounty. Every plate reflects the flavours of the region, making local wine the perfect companion.
The exclusively Ontario-focused wine program invites guests to experience crisp whites, elegant sparkling wines, expressive rosés and beautifully balanced reds produced just minutes away.
One of the best ways to discover those wines is by ordering a Niagara wine flight.
Wine flights allow you to compare several wines side by side while learning about Niagara’s unique grape varieties, growing conditions and winemaking styles in a relaxed, approachable setting.
Pair those wines with seasonal dishes such as Ontario AAA braised short rib alongside a Cabernet Sauvignon from Ravine Vineyard or Mediterranean falafel with smoked paprika ratatouille paired with a semi-dry Riesling from Vineland Estates, and you’ve got a meal that celebrates everything harvest season represents.
Settle In at Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar
Looking for something a little more casual? Table Rock Bistro + Wine Bar delivers spectacular views alongside an exclusively Ontario wine list.
Watch the mist rise from Niagara Falls while sampling wines by the glass or through curated tasting flights featuring some of Niagara’s most celebrated producers.
Compare vibrant Rieslings with expressive Chardonnays or discover elegant Pinot Noir alongside fuller-bodied reds that showcase the region’s remarkable growing conditions.
Don’t worry about memorizing tasting notes or pretending you’re a sommelier. Great wine should feel approachable. Ask questions, experiment with different styles and enjoy discovering new favourites.
After all, some of the best travel memories begin with ordering something you’ve never tried before.
Celebrate 75 Years of the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival
If you’re visiting this fall, time your trip with the 75th anniversary of the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival from September 24–27.
Celebrate the season with live music, grape stomping and opportunities to taste your way through Niagara’s renowned wineries while experiencing the excitement of harvest firsthand.
Pair a day exploring the festival with lunch or dinner at Niagara Parks and you’ll experience Ontario wine from multiple perspectives—from vineyard to glass, all within one unforgettable destination.
Three Stops, One Incredible Ontario Harvest Adventure
Ontario’s harvest season offers no shortage of reasons to hit the road, support local producers and discover incredible flavours.
Start among the orchards with Ontario Craft Cider, where every sip celebrates Ontario-grown apples and the passionate makers behind them. Continue to Niagara-on-the-Lake, where farmers’ markets, wineries, breweries and farm-to-table restaurants bring the region’s agricultural roots to life. Then finish at Niagara Parks, where breathtaking views and exceptional Ontario wines provide the perfect finale.
This fall, skip the ordinary. Follow the orchard, wander the vineyard, browse the farmers’ market and raise a glass to the growers, makers and chefs who make Ontario one of Canada’s most delicious places to explore.
