There are few better road trips than Northern Ontario in the fall. The forests put on a show, the highways are winding and every small town seems to have a bakery, brewery or family-run restaurant that’s been quietly perfecting its craft for decades.
The best part? You don’t have to choose between outdoor adventure and great food. In Northern Ontario they go hand in hand. Spend the morning hiking to a lookout or riding a chairlift above a sea of changing leaves, then reward yourself with homemade pie, fresh coffee or a bangin’ meal.
Start Planning Your Northern Escape
We’ve got three Northern Ontario destinations that deserve a spot on your fall bucket list. You’ll chase peak colours in Sault Ste. Marie, discover hidden culinary gems in Temiskaming Shores and finish your adventure in Sudbury. Along the way you’ll find locally raised bison, family-run restaurants, unforgettable views and a few stories that only locals know.
Explore by destination:
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Temiskaming Shores
- Sudbury
Sault Ste. Marie: Fall Colours, Coastal Views and Flavours Worth the Drive
If your perfect fall day includes spectacular scenery and eating every few hours (or more frequently), Sault Ste. Marie understands the assignment.
A Well-Fueled Morning
Start your morning at The Breakfast Pig, where bacon goes from farm to fork under the leadership of Chef Angela Caputo. Proudly Feast On® certified, destination this isn’t the place for a light breakfast. Order one of their famous eggs Benedict creations (try the Mother Clucker complete with mini waffles and triple-fried beer battered chicken) or perhaps a donut egg sandwich before hitting the road. You’re going to need the energy.
Before leaving town, swing by Kasdan Coffee Co. for something caffeinated or a cutsie matcha beverage. The locally roasted coffee makes an excellent road trip companion and the welcoming atmosphere makes it tempting to stay longer than planned. Grab a bag of beans while you’re there. Future you will be grateful.
A Touch of Fall Adventure
Now it’s time to head north to Searchmont Resort, where one of Northern Ontario’s best-kept fall secrets is waiting. Most people think of Searchmont as a winter destination but autumn might actually steal the show.
Ride the scenic chairlift and watch the rolling hills transform into a patchwork of fiery reds, golden yellows and deep oranges. On a clear day you can see for miles, making this one of the region’s most impressive viewpoints without breaking much of a sweat.
After soaking in the scenery, grab lunch at The Kiln Restaurant right at the resort. Refuel with elevated comfort food while overlooking the surrounding hills. It’s proof that mountain dining isn’t just for ski season. From local bison burgers to pan fried pickerel, the food is oh-so-comforting for chillier fall days.
From there, continue north toward Batchawana Bay, one of Lake Superior’s most beautiful stretches of shoreline. The drive alone deserves its own playlist. Towering trees line the highway before suddenly giving way to sweeping views of crystal-clear water that looks down right tropical.
Your destination is Voyageur’s Lodge & Cookhouse. Locals have been stopping here for decades and everyone will tell you the same thing. Order the apple fritter. Actually, order two (trust us).
These legendary fritters arrive warm in a paper bag, oversized and loaded with cinnamon apple goodness. They’re worth planning your entire route around and make the perfect reward after a morning of exploring.
End Around the Table
On your way back to Sault Ste. Marie, settle in for dinner at Ernie’s Coffee Shop. Don’t let the name fool you. This local favourite serves hearty comfort food that keeps people coming back year after year with a menu that changes day to day on the restaurants’ chalk board.
Think ricotta and mint ravioli, charred broccoli and their famous pressure-cooked chicken. Seriously, we still dream about our last meal at Ernie’s.
Hot Tip: If someone in the Soo offers you a tie plate, don’t expect railroad hardware. It’s the local name for an Italian pizzelle cookie. Early Italian immigrants adapted railway tie plates into cookie irons when traditional ones were hard to find, and the nickname has stuck ever since.
By the end of the day you’ll have ridden above the forest canopy, stood beside one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes and eaten an apple fritter you’ll probably still be talking about next week. That’s a pretty solid day by any standard.
Temiskaming Shores: Hidden Trails, Local Flavours and Plenty of Reasons to Stay Longer
Temiskaming Shores is a quiet surprise. Right next to the Quebec-Ontario border, its French culture is hard not to love…especially when it comes to food.
Come for the incredible lake views and outdoor adventures. Stay because every local seems to know another bakery, café or farm stop you absolutely can’t miss.
Start the Day Well Fed
Start your day slowly with a late brunch in nearby Cobalt at the charming Lavender Fox Tea Room. The cozy atmosphere feels tailor-made for crisp fall mornings. Whether you’re craving a warm tea to hold in your hands or a house-made cold brew paired up with a peach and basil chicken salad croissant (for example).
If you’re visiting before September 20, make time for Spring Bloom Acres Apiary. Their honey tastings offer a sweet introduction (get it?) to Northern Ontario’s floral flavours and you’ll leave with a new appreciation for local honey. Plus you can shop other farm products like eggs, duck and maple syrup. It’s also an easy souvenir that doesn’t take up much room in the car!
Hike Your Way to Fall Adventure
Next, lace up your hiking boots. The Nastawgan Trails offer two fantastic options during fall colour season. Devil’s Rock rewards hikers with dramatic views overlooking Lake Temiskaming while Triangle Hill delivers another excellent perspective of the surrounding forests. Neither viewpoint needs a filter this time of year.
After working up an appetite, head into Haileybury for lunch at Whiskey Jack Beer Company. The brewery pairs locally crafted beer with approachable comfort food and has become a favourite gathering place for locals and visitors alike.
Even if beer isn’t your thing, the welcoming atmosphere makes it worth the stop. We recommend grabbing an abitibi amber ale and pairing it up with beer-battered cheese curds or a slow smoked Ontario beef brisket burger. Ok, wipe the drool off your keyboard and keep reading.
Continue exploring along the waterfront before making your way into New Liskeard, where La Donna House offers a little retail therapy as well as gentle-care beauty treatments for those looking to indulge a little.
Refuel that Adventure
Ready to eat again? You’ve got options!
Need something quick before your next adventure? Patsy’s Grab and Go has you covered with fresh sandwiches and convenient made-from-scratch takeaway options that are perfect for an afternoon picnic beside the lake.
Perhaps you’re looking for dinner with a view? 28 on the Lake should be your go-to. Sitting right on the waterfront, you’ll keep getting distracted by the scenery between bites but trust us, that adds to the charm. Dive into Great Canadian Chicken Cheese Steak or a smash burger! Sunset over Lake Temiskaming is hard to ignore and honestly, you shouldn’t try.
Drive over to Gillis Truck Stop Restaurant for a unique dining experience. Yes, a truck stop made this list and yes, there’s a very good reason. The restaurant grows many of its own potatoes and turns them into what locals proudly call the best fries in town. Crispy, golden and served in generous portions, they’re exactly what road trips were made for.
Before leaving the region, make one final stop at Dida’s Restaurant in Earlton. As a Feast On® certified restaurant, Dida’s celebrates Ontario ingredients with dishes that reflect the region’s farming traditions. From maple sriracha burgers to Three Sisters bowls and their famous Bec’s Mac n’ Cheese, it’s a can’t-miss.
Head to the Farm
If your visit falls before September 5, don’t miss a tour at Bison du Nord. Walking among these impressive animals offers a completely different perspective on Northern Ontario agriculture. Even after tours wrap up for the season, the farm shop remains open, making it easy to bring home locally produced products.
ASK JAMES TO CHECK RIVERSIDE FARMERS’ MARKET.
Plan Around These Events
If you’re visiting in September, the New Liskeard Fall Fair from September 17 to 19 is worth adding to your itinerary. Expect agricultural exhibits, local food and plenty of community spirit.
Can’t make a fall trip happen?
Put Village de Noël, happening November 19 to 21, on next year’s calendar. This festive celebration transforms the community into a holiday destination filled with seasonal shopping, entertainment and plenty of small-town charm.
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