As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, Ontario’s fall harvest season beckons with warm baked goods, scenic drives and farm-fresh feasts. But you don’t have to go far to soak in the best of autumn’s bounty. Within just two hours of the GTA, you’ll find unforgettable fall flavours across menus and markets in Guelph-Wellington and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Whether you’re wandering pumpkin patches, sipping seasonal beers and wines or biting into ginger cookie ice cream sandwiches, these destinations serve up everything to celebrate the season.
Want to skip ahead by destination? No worries!
Harvest Fun and Tasty Treats in Guelph-Wellington
Spanning city and countryside, Guelph-Wellington sits on some of the province’s most fertile farmland. It’s no surprise that you’ll find loads of farm markets brimming with seasonal produce, the smell of seasonal baked goods wafting in the air and loads of spots to meet up with friends for a fall-inspired craft brew.
Farm Fun in Guelph-Wellington
Local farms in Guelph-Wellington are buzzing with festive activities this time of year, inviting you to dig into the harvest and experience the joy of rural life. From interactive farm adventures to cozy countryside moments, here are some not-to-miss stops.
Fall Rural Romp
Celebrate the season with the Fall Rural Romp, a self-guided farm and food tour through Wellington County that has become beloved by visitors and locals alike. On Saturday, September 27th, families and food lovers can explore pumpkin patches, get up close with farm animals and taste their way through the region’s harvest bounty. Stops this year promise to be extra fun with chances to see a cider press in action, get lost in corn mazes and even try sunflower honey!
You can get all the details about the fall rural romp here.
Erin Hill Acres
Where: 5837 3 Line, Erin, ON (View Map)
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Run by seventh-generation Ontario farmers, Erin Hill Acres knows how to do fall right! Take a colourful walk on their farm trails, stroll through the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect one or try your hands in a corn maze! Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head into their barn market to indulge in a seasonal treat or two like pizza topped with their farm fresh honey, warm apple cider or a seasonal cookie.
Mapleton’s Organic
Where: 8548 Wellington Rd 7, Moorefield, ON (View Map)
Start your seasonal adventure at Mapleton’s Organic Dairy, where wholesome fun meets mouthwatering indulgence. Their free wagon rides (on select dates) offer a scenic tour of the farm’s bounty. After wandering through the pumpkin patch, treat yourself to a cinnamon roll crowned with a scoop of their homemade maple ice cream or a cone of pumpkin pie ice cream. The goats love a visit, and don’t miss the milk-on-tap station or the chance to pick up raw honey that came straight from the farm’s hives.
Strom’s Farm and Bakery
Where: 5089 Wellington Rd 32, Guelph, ON (View Map)
Open for just six short weeks in the fall, Strom’s Farm and Bakery is where fall feels like a must-visit. The bakery’s legendary pumpkin and harvest apple pies make a strong case for pie being the official food of autumn, while their haskap and pumpkin tarts and Kawartha Dairy ice cream sandwiches add a playful twist to warm days.
Feeling like some farm fun? Thought you’d never ask! Their corn maze is an institution and if you’re up for a little nighttime magic, join their “Mazing in the Moonlight” events to navigate the maze under the stars.
The Fieldstone Barn
Where: 7450 Middlebrook Rd, Elora, ON (View Map)
The Fieldstone Barn is a beautifully-curated fall wonderland. Perfect for an outting with friends, this spot boasts a gorgeous sunflower field in the late summer/early fall complete with photo opps, a corn maze and loads of pumpkins to choose from!
During the fall, Fieldstone Barn hosts an artisan market complete with seasonal preserves, handcrafted jewelery, candles, fresh donuts, skincare and again, loads of cute photo opps to remember your day.
Fall Inspired Craft Beverages
Guelph-Wellington’s local makers are raising the bar on fall sipping. These craft beverage producers are infusing the season’s best ingredients into every glass, can and bottle. Each stop offers a unique way to toast to autumn.
Heartwood Farm and Cidery
Where: 5438 Second Line Erin, Acton, ON(View Map)
In Erin, Feast On® certified Heartwood Farm and Cidery crafts hard and sparkling ciders from their own apples, letting the natural sweetness of the fruit shine. We love their Eve Goes Badass cider which features farm-grown cayenne peppers and honey for that sweet n’ spicy vibe.
Park Eatery
Where: 294 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON (View Map)
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Park Eatery in Guelph delivers with their over-the-top milkshakes: Pumpkin Spice or Caramel Apple Pie, take your pick. This Feast On® certified stop also has a great fall menu that changes as the seasons do so keep an eye on their social media for that!
Cox Creek Cellars
Where: 7687 Wellington 22, Guelph, ON (View Map)
If mulled wine is more your style, Cox Creek Cellars has just the thing. Their Spiced Russet Mulled Wine is as comforting as a knit sweater and pairs beautifully with a crisp afternoon walk or perhaps picking apples on one of the days Cox Creek allows it! Want a little extra somethin’ somethin’? Book a wine tasting and fire pit and pair it up with a charcuterie spread, wood-fired pizza or both!
Silver Fox Distillery
Where: 7999 Wellington County Rd 109, Arthur, ON (View Map)
At Silver Fox Distillery in Arthur, their fall lineup reads like a dessert menu with a kick. Think Pumpkin Pie Liqueur, Apple Pie Moonshine and Cranberry Apple Gin; smooth, spiced and guaranteed to warm you up on a brisk day.
Elora Distilling Company
Where: 102 Metcalfe St Unit 4, Elora, ON (View Map)
In Elora, the Elora Distilling Company takes things to the next level with a Pumpkin Chai Liqueur that’s rich, aromatic and perfectly spiced.
Revel Cider
Where: 62 Dawson Rd, Guelph, ON (View Map)
Guelph is also home to Revel Cider, where innovation meets fermentation. Their wild-crafted ciders capture the funk, freshness and fruitiness of fall in every bottle. We’re big fans of their flagship Time and Place cider made from aged crab apple pommace but keep an eye out for new varieties hitting the shop.
Dixon’s Distilled Spirits
Where: 355 Elmira Rd N Unit 106, Guelph, ON (View Map)
Don’t miss Dixon’s Distilled Spirits, serving up their own Pumpkin Spice Liqueur and an Apple Cranberry Cooler that’s as refreshing as it is festive.
Visit the Bakeries
If there’s a time of year to indulge in flaky pastries, gooey butter tarts and hearty pies, it’s fall. Three bakeries in Guelph-Wellington are overflowing with reasons to treat yourself.
Polestar Hearth
Where: 535 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON (View Map)
At Polestar Hearth in Guelph, fall shows up in their wood-fired ovens in the form of butternut, cranberry and sage sourdough: a perfect companion for autumn soup dipping. In the mood for a sweet treat? Their sourdough coffee cake and pumpkin ginger cookie ice cream sandwiches hit the sweet spot between nostalgic and inventive.
Elora Bread Trading Co.
Where: 73 Metcalfe St, Elora, ON (View Map)
In nearby Elora, Elora Bread Trading Co. draws visitors from across the region for their pillowy cinnamon pecan knots, crusty jalapeño cheddar pan loaves and brown butter chocolate chip cookies. Their use of seasonal ingredients in sourdoughs is a true testament to fall baking at its finest and new menu items are popping up all the time.
With the Grain Bakery
Where: 295 Woolwich St, Guelph, ON (View Map)
Over at With the Grain Bakery, the glass cases brim with rotating fall favourites like pumpkin swirl bread, chocolate babka and pumpkin spice cupcakes. Everything is lovingly made, from doughnuts to granola, and it all tastes like home.
Harvest in a Glass and on the plate in Niagara-on-the-Lake
While Guelph-Wellington invites you to connect with the land through pumpkins and pies, Niagara-on-the-Lake is where the fall harvest gets poured into a glass. Here, September and October are synonymous with grape harvest season, when vines bend heavy with fruit and the entire town seems to swirl with the scent of crushed berries and fermenting juice. It’s a time when the wineries open their cellars (although many do that year-round) and the restaurants lean into the bounty of Niagara’s orchards, fields and vineyards.
Sip and Savour at Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries
As the leaves begin to blush gold and crimson across the Niagara Escarpment, local wineries come alive with the energy of the grape harvest. This is the best time to sip, swirl and savour not just the wine, but the stories behind every bottle.
Peller Estates Winery + BarrelHead
Where: 290 John St E, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
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At Feast On® certified Peller Estates Winery, harvest season is a full-sensory experience. Between the winery’s grand tasting room and the rustic charm of BarrelHead, their open-air eatery nestled beside the vineyards, fall takes centre stage.
Guests can sip bold reds and crisp whites fresh from the crush pad while noshing on wood-fired pizzas topped with autumnal ingredients (think roasted squash, caramelized onions and the winery’s own hot honey) all under a canopy of golden grapevines. Paired up with one of their signature ice wine cocktails, it’s the best way to celebrate the winding down of warmer weather.
Strewn Winery
Where: 1339 Lakeshore Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
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Just under ten minutes away, another Feast On® certified beauty awaits! Strewn Winery brings together terroir and technique in every bottle. Their boutique vibe is warm and welcoming, perfect for those looking to dive deeper into small-lot winemaking. Visit during harvest and you might catch a glimpse of grapes arriving from the vineyard, heading straight into production.
Sip a glass of their signature Merlot or award-winning Chardonnay while looking out over the vineyard rows dressed in fall colours. If the weather is still warm enough, we suggest doing a tasting out on the patio to get to know the wines a little better!
Southbrook Vineyards
Where: 581 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
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Southbrook Vineyards is Canada’s first biodynamic winery and fall is when their philosophy of harmony with nature truly shines. The newest Feast On® certified stop in NOTL, it’s a can’t-miss. Surrounded by sheep-dotted fields and organic gardens, tastings here feel more like meditative experiences.
Their orange wine and wild yeast-fermented offerings reflect both the season and their commitment to sustainability, best enjoyed while gazing out at the vines in their autumn splendour. We definitely recommend pairing a tasting up with their famous polenta fries!
Marynissen Estates
Where: 1208 Concession 1 Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake (View Map)
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A visit to Marynissen Estates (also a Feast On® certified beauty) delivers a more intimate experience. Family-owned and full of charm, this winery is known for its old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon and its approachable tasting room staff. During fall, their patio becomes a haven for slow sipping and relaxed chats, paired perfectly with the scent of harvest in the air. Whether you’re enjoying a tasting or in September, slurping on wine and fruit freezies which make their debut each summer, you’re sure to have fun.
What’s extra cool? It’s also home to some of the oldest commercial vines in the whole country! So you know with every sip you’re having a little taste of history (and damn, it tastes good). Plus, if you’re travelling with a pupper in tow (we love that) be sure to order them a Pawesome Pup Flight. This dog-friendly winery is full of charm!
Ravine Vineyards
Where: 1366 York Rd, St. Davids, ON (View Map)
And then there’s Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, where rustic elegance meets farm-to-table flair. Nestled among organic gardens and heritage buildings, Ravine’s fall wine tastings often include seasonal canapés or artisanal snacks. Their dry Rieslings and structured Bordeaux-style reds are the perfect companions to the changing season, and their hospitality makes every guest feel like part of the family.
Want to really embrace autumn? Check out their Wines & Vines Tour (advance booking only necessary for groups of 8+ or Wine Club members) to go for a guided stroll through the vineyard and top it all off with a tasting!
Taste Farm Fresh at Niagara-on-the-Lake Restaurants
After a day of swirling and sipping, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s dining scene offers the perfect place to settle in and savour fall’s finest ingredients. Local chefs know that the harvest is more than a time, it’s a palette. The region’s produce, meats, herbs and cheeses shine brightest this time of year, and these restaurants bring them all together with grace and creativity.
Treadwell Cuisine
Where: 114 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
At Treadwell Cuisine, every dish reads like an ode to Niagara’s farmers. Found by Stephen and James Treadwell, the restaurant is known for their fierce commitment to local sourcing and seasonal cooking while crafting European-inspired dishes. With a constantly-eveolving menu, fall brings harvest delights.
We’re not the only ones recommending this spot! Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants, OpenTBale, TripAdvisor and more have all awarded Treadwell Cuisine.
So what can you expect in the fall? Well, part of the fun of an ever-evolving menu is that we really don’t know! If we had to guess though? Roasted root vegetables, duck confit, squash purée and pears poached in VQA wine just for starters. Last year, some standout dishes included butterut squash soup with pumpkin seed and togarashi, slow roasted pork belly with char souop glaze, green onion and radish and beef tartare with black garlic mayonnaise!
Noble Restaurant
Where: 6 Picton St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
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Inside the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, Noble Restaurant combines refined dining with the richness of the season. With its crystal chandeliers and garden views, the space feels timeless, while the menu leans into the now. Fall dishes might include braised short rib with parsnip purée, pumpkin gnocchi tossed in sage brown butter or a dessert featuring Niagara apples and caramel.
The Garrison House
Where: 111C Garrison Village Dr, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (View Map)
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A little more casual but equally flavourful, The Garrison House strikes the perfect balance between comfort and culinary craft. This cozy gastropub sources fresh, local ingredients and transforms them into seasonal plates that hit the spot. Expect warm smashed potato salad, beer-battered haddock, gourmet burgers made with Ontario beef from Cumbrae Farms and rotating specials that nod to what’s freshest from nearby farms and vineyards.
Enjoy Your Trip
Whether you choose farm fun in Guelph-Wellington or sipping and savouring your way through Niagara-on-the-Lake, you’re sure to leave happy and satisfied!
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