Some of Ontario’s best fall adventures happen far from the city. They’re found down scenic country roads, at bustling farm markets, in pumpkin patches and apple orchards, and around tables filled with food grown just steps away.
Whether you’re wandering through sunflower fields, sampling fresh honey, picking the perfect pumpkin or discovering a charming rural café, these countryside destinations invite you to slow down and savour the season.
This fall, explore three regions where local food, harvest traditions and unforgettable rural experiences come together. From Wellington County’s farm gates and bakeries to Northumberland’s unique agritourism attractions and the Ottawa Valley’s scenic landscapes, every stop offers another reason to take the long way home.
Explore by destination:
Ottawa Valley (Pembroke): Scenic Drives & Harvest Discoveries
When fall arrives, Ontario gets very good at showing off. Few places do it quite like Pembroke, tucked along the Ottawa River with colourful scenery at every turn. Spend the day exploring small cafés, spotting colourful heritage murals and finding plenty of places to enjoy a delicious bite.
Add in a scenic river view and you have all the ingredients for a relaxed fall food adventure. Bring your appetite, leave some room for a coffee or sweet treat and let Pembroke set the pace. Additionally, read on for a few spots we think you shouldn’t miss!
Nomada Tacos
Where: 205 Church St, Pembroke, ON (View Map)
For a mix of bright flavours (and decor), street-style eats and yes, some of the best damn tacos you’ll have in Ontario (we said it), you need to check out Nomada Tacos. Moreover, run by musician-turned-chef and Ottawa Valley native Jordan, this spot has it all. From the juicy and tangy pork carnitas to overstuffed quesadillas and of course, warm churros to finish it all of, we can’t say enough good things about this feel good spot.
The Butcher’s Wife
Where: 218 Pembroke St W, Pembroke, ON (View Map)
Looking to ditch the casual vibes in place of something slightly more elevated? The Butcher’s Wife boasts a menu that takes its cues from European bistros and brasseries so you’ll get all of the polish and none of the pretentiousness. As fall rolls around and the weather starts to turn (sorry to bring that up), you’ll find cozy comfort dishes that feel like home cooking.
Think slow braised short rib, duck confit panzotti and a line up of unforgettable cocktails to pair up with your choice! Royal Orchard Sour, anyone?
Farmhouse Cheese and Gelateria
Where: 2545 Greenwood Rd, Pembroke, ON (View Map)
Fancy a little farm feasting? Run by the Petermann family who immigrated to Canada in the 1980s from Switzerland to dairy farm, this is a can’t miss stop. Do a little shopping for local Ontario goods like Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese, homemade maple syrup from the Petermann farm and honey from Whitewater Honey Co.
On warm fall days, dive into some of the farm’s delicious, homemade gelato. Crafted by Fiona Petermann who studied gelato-making in Italy, you won’t get this type of treat just anywhere so really savour it!
The Nook Creperie
Where: 26 Pembroke St W, Pembroke, ON (View Map)
Whether you’re craving sweet or savoury, The Nook Creperie has you covered. Dive into a menu of feel-good eats from chicken caesar crepe wraps and strawberry french toast crepes to daily quiche specials and scratch made soups. Pair up your meal with a craft brew from nearby Whitewater Brewing Co. or a specialty coffee and enjoy on the patio on warm days or in the rustic creperie on cooler ones. Oui, chef!
SOPA
Where: 20 Pembroke St W, Pembroke, ON (View Map)
One of the newer kids on the block in Ottawa Valley, SOPA boasts a delectable menu of Portuguese and Angolan dishes to savour. if you’re travelling in a group, tapas is a perfect way to wind down a crisp fall day of outdoor adventure! Sip wine and indulge in crispy, pan-fried polenta squares and Portuguese cod fritters.
Not into sharing? No worries, we get it. From piri piri chicken on Portuguese bread to slow roasted lamb and braised beef tongue stroganoff, be sure to pack your appetite.
Pembroke proves you don’t need to travel far to find plenty of flavour. Come hungry, take the scenic route and leave a little extra time to explore everything this Ottawa Valley city has to offer.
Northumberland County: Farm Animals, Honey & Harvest Traditions
There’s something charming around every corner in Northumberland County during the fall. Spend the morning stretching into a yoga class at a vegan farm stay, wander through sunflower fields, meet alpacas and rescued donkeys, discover honey harvested just down the road and finish the day at a harvest festival or country fair.
Bed Yoga Breakfast
Where: 1969 Burnbrae Rd E, Campbellford, ON (View Map)
Tucked into beautiful Trent Hills, Bed Yoga Breakfast is part BnB, part animal sanctuary and a whole lot of peace. Enjoy a fully vegan stay without sacrificing flavour, with many of the ingredients sourced right from the farm’s own garden.
Ready to explore? Yoga is on deck each morning and BYB is also home to Promised Land Animal Sanctuary. You can stroll the grounds and surrounding forest with one of their rescued friends like a donkey or dog as you hit the reset button.
The Bee Works
Where: 5029 County Rd 2 Unit 1, Port Hope, ON (View Map)
A delightfully fall experience awaits you at The Bee Works in Port Hope! All about showcasing what makes bees worth the buzz, The Bee Works offers everything from pure and creamed honeys to specialty flavours like apple creamed pie honey and sunflower honey made from bees that pollinate sunflower fields.
Their bee tours and experiences are what really set them apart. The Me and the Bees experience will have you holding a bee frame, learning about hive politics, seeing a smoker demo and talking about the importance of bees with the in-house beekeeper. This fall, you can also check out their lineup of workshops, with experiences like charcuterie and honey pairing, mead making and honey kombucha (jun tea).
Cheer Farms
Where: 365 Main St, Brighton, ON (View Map)
For classic fall farm fun, don’t sleep on Cheer Farms in Brighton. When fall rolls around, you can stock up on all your fresh autumn favs like squash, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and loads of apple varieties. Of course, their on-site bakery also puts that produce to good use with fresh pies, loaves, crisps and squares all made from scratch.
Haute Goat
Where: 1166 5th line, Newtonville, ON (View Map)
Haute Goat is well known for their agritourism experiences in Ontario and for good reason! This fall, go for a scenic walk with the resident alpacas, do a little yoga with the goats or meet all your farm friend favs.
Perhaps you want to add some eats to your agritourism meet and greet? Consider booking the Meet Goats and Make Goat Cheese experience. You’ll meet the farm’s lovely Nigerian dwarf goats, known for their high butterfat, then make fresh mozzarella with a cheesemaker to bring home! Add in a stop to the on-site Screaming Goat Café and we can’t think of a better way to spend a fall day!
Old Mill Alpacas
Where: 13557 Little Lake Rd, Colborne, ON (View Map)
Fall in Northumberland County comes with plenty of reasons to slow down, but few are as adorable as a visit to Old Mill Alpacas. Just south of the 401 near Colborne, this working farm is home to a herd of more than 50 alpacas. Book a farm tour or alpaca trek to meet the herd, learn about these curious camelids and even stroll alongside one of them.
There’s more to Old Mill than the cute factor. The farm processes its own alpaca fleece in an on-site mill, turning the harvest into yarn and other fibre products. Pop into the farm shop for alpaca wool socks, hand-knits, felted goods and other cozy finds.
PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary
Where: 1296 Bowmanton Rd, Alnwick/Haldimand, ON (View Map)
If your idea of a fall outing involves meeting an animal with a big personality and an even bigger set of ears, add PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary to the list. Located in Roseneath, this registered Canadian charity rescues and rehabilitates abused, neglected and unwanted donkeys, mules and hinnies. Visitors can meet the residents during public visiting hours, chat with volunteers and learn more about the animals in their care.
For a deeper look, book a private tour and get the stories behind the sanctuary’s residents while learning about donkey care and the sanctuary’s work. You can also book one of the sanctuary’s afternoon teas for a decidedly charming way to spend an afternoon, complete with tea, treats and plenty of donkey company.
Burnham Family Farm Market
Where: 7760 County Rd 2, Cobourg, ON (View Map)
Make Burnham Family Farm Market a stop on your Northumberland County fall road trip. This family-run market is packed with fresh local produce, seasonal favourites and farm-fresh finds that are perfect for taking home. A staple in Northumberland County since 1994, it’s an easy place to stock up on the flavours of the season.
Pick up ingredients for dinner, grab something for the road or simply see what’s looking good. It’s an easy way to taste the season and support a local family farm along the way.
Seasonal Events
Of course, there are plenty of seasonal events to add to your fall road trip in Northumberland County! Check these ones out if you’re in the area at the right time OR plan your road trip around them:
- Brighton Applefest | September 24-27: Celebrate the height of apple season with local apple farmers and all the apple treats you can dream of!
- Cultivate Festival | September 25-27: Join the folks at Haute Goat farm for a weekend of music, art and of course, great local food.
- Fall Fairs: Is there anything better than a rural Ontario fall fair? We think not! Check them out in Port Hope (September 17-20), Warkworth (September 11-13) and Roseneath (October 2-4)!
Wellington County: Harvest Season at Its Best
Wellington County and harvest season have always gone hand in hand. Once the leaves begin to turn, the region’s scenic back roads lead to fall fairs, farm stands, orchards, sunflower fields and bakeries serving up some seriously good reasons to make a countryside detour.
Spend the day picking apples straight from the orchard, wandering through a corn maze, tracking down an excellent butter tart or meeting the farmers and makers behind the region’s food. Add in a few classic fall traditions — pumpkins, pies and even a little spooky-season fun — and you’ve got the makings of a pretty delicious autumn road trip.
So, what are our can’t-miss Wellington County stops this fall? Read on!
Fall Rural Romp
Want to experience Wellington County’s farm and food scene all in one day? Mark September 26 on your calendar for the Fall Rural Romp.
This annual self-guided tour takes you through the countryside to working farms, markets, orchards and local food businesses celebrating the harvest season. Meet the people behind your food, see what’s growing, stock up on seasonal goodies and discover a few new favourite stops along the way. With stops spread throughout the County, the Romp is also a pretty great excuse to explore communities you might otherwise drive right past. Come hungry, bring a cooler and leave some room in the trunk — you never know what farm-fresh finds you’ll be bringing home.
The best part? You can build your own route and explore at your own pace, leaving plenty of time for those unexpected farm-gate finds.
Follow the Butter Tart Map
Few things improve a country drive quite like a butter tart. Luckily, Wellington County has an entire Butter Tart Map dedicated to helping you find one. Better yet, turn the map into your own sweet little road trip and see how many stops you can squeeze into an afternoon.
Follow it to bakeries, cafés and markets across the County serving everything from tried-and-true classics to creative twists on this iconic Canadian treat. Keep Belwood Country Market on your radar for a sweet stop along the way — and maybe grab an extra for the road. We won’t judge.
Orchards, Pumpkins & Sunflowers
If your perfect fall day involves fields, farms and something freshly picked, you’ve come to the right place.
Start at The Fieldstone Barn, where towering sunflowers and a corn maze make for a quintessential late-summer and early-fall outing. Wander the fields, get a little lost in the maze and snap a few photos before hitting the road again.
Next up: apples. During Apple Orchard Days at McLean Crest Farm & Orchard, you can pick your own straight from the trees and spend some time wandering the orchard. There’s something about biting into a freshly picked apple that just tastes like fall, right?
Then make your way to Strom’s Farm & Bakery for another autumn essential: pumpkins. Find the perfect one to take home, enjoy the farm’s seasonal activities and be sure to leave room for something from the bakery. Pumpkin picking and fresh-baked pie in the same afternoon? That’s a fall day well spent.
Fall Fairs & Spooky Season
The harvest celebrations don’t stop at the farm gate. Wellington County’s fall fairs bring agricultural traditions, local food, livestock shows, live entertainment and midway rides together for some classic small-town fall fun. These are the kinds of fall weekends made for wandering the midway with something delicious in hand, checking out the livestock and exhibits and getting a taste of the agricultural traditions that have shaped these communities for generations.
Check out the Fergus Fall Fair or Erin Fall Fair and spend the day celebrating the people, traditions and agricultural roots that make this region special.
Come October, things get a little spookier in Elora during Monster Month. This month-long celebration fills the village with eerie experiences, festive events and plenty of local flavour. Check out the Twilight Zoo, wander through Elora to see what’s lurking around town and cap off your adventure with a pint at Elora Brewing Company.
Whether you come for the farm gates, butter tarts, apple orchards or fall festivities, Wellington County makes a pretty convincing case for taking the long way home.
Take the Long Way Home
Whether you’re sipping fresh cider after an afternoon in the orchard, wandering a country fair, or discovering a family-run farm tucked along a scenic back road, these Ontario destinations remind us that some of the best fall memories are made at a slower pace.
So roll down the windows, follow the harvest signs, and let Ontario’s countryside lead you to your next delicious adventure.
