Ontario is not just a land of pristine lakes and vibrant cities; it’s also home to some of the country’s most uniquely designed and visually stunning golf courses. From scenic views to challenging layouts, Ontario has something for every golfer to enjoy. In this article, we’ll explore the top golf courses in Ontario that you should add to your must-play list, each offering a distinctive golfing experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, these courses will tick all your boxes.

Whirlpool Golf Course – Niagara Falls

Nestled along the Niagara River, Whirlpool Golf Course is a masterpiece designed by Stanley Thompson, one of Canada’s revered golf course architects. With its strategic elevation changes, this par 72, 6,900-yard course winds through rugged terrain, providing golfers with stunning views at every turn. Precisely placed hazards and immaculate greens demand both precision and strategy. The signature 6th hole, overlooking the swirling Niagara River, is a sight to behold. Whirlpool Golf Course has hosted various tournaments, making it a favorite among golf enthusiasts.

While playing at Whirlpool, don’t forget to enjoy the delicious pub-style food and local beer or wine at the Whirlpool Restaurant, offering panoramic views of the 18th Hole and Niagara Parkway.

Bigwin Island – Muskoka

For a luxurious and private golf experience, head to Bigwin Island in Muskoka. Accessible only by boat, this 18-hole par 72 course spans 7,166 yards from the back tees, yet remains playable for all skill levels. Originally designed by Stanley Thompson and later revamped by Doug Carrick, it features wide fairways, bold bunkers, and tabletop greens. The secluded island setting offers a unique golfing escape, with accommodations in luxury cabins just steps from the course.

Bigwin Island boasts three dining options: The Marine Dining Room, offering contemporary cuisine, the Dockside Lounge, for casual lakeside dining, and The Halfway House, serving quick bites during your round. While typically a private club, Bigwin welcomes public golfers during the Spring and Fall shoulder seasons, through its Stay & Play program..

Tarandowah Golfers Club – London, Ontario

Tarandowah Golfers Club, near London, Ontario, ranks 75th on SCOREGolf’s list of top Canadian courses. Designed by Martin Hawtree, this links-style course replicates the conditions of classic Irish and Scottish courses, with strong winds, pot bunkers, and fescue-lined fairways. Set on 163 acres of old farmland, Tarandowah offers great value and an authentic links golf experience.

This course, often praised for its windswept terrain, can be combined with other nearby courses like Firerock and Echo Valley in a stay-and-play package in London, Ontario.

Black Bear Ridge – Belleville

Black Bear Ridge, ranked 63rd in Canada by SCOREGolf, is a captivating course that has elevated Belleville as a top golf destination in Ontario. Designed by owner and architect Brian Magee, this par 72, 7,000-yard course challenges golfers with its natural contours, dense forests, bunkers, and water hazards. Located on nearly 900 acres of natural land, Black Bear Ridge offers a wide range of outdoor activities beyond golf. The course is part of the Black Bear Ridge Resort, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a complete hospitality experience.

Bond Head – Barrie

The Club at Bond Head in Barrie offers two remarkable courses, each with a distinct design. The South Course, inspired by British links-style courses, features wide fairways, well-placed bunkers, and fescue roughs. The North Course, a parkland-style layout, offers dramatic elevation changes, scenic vistas, and undulating greens. Both courses, designed by Hurdzan-Fry, provide quality and variety for golf enthusiasts.

The Club at Bond Head is not just about golf; it also offers dining, events, weddings, and more, making it a versatile destination for all.

Seguin Valley – Parry Sound

Located near Parry Sound, Seguin Valley is a par 71 course that has earned a place among Canada’s top 100 golf courses. Spanning nearly 400 acres, it cuts through diverse landscapes, including wetlands, forests, granite cliffs, and lakes. The course’s unique layout ensures no parallel fairways, providing golfers with an immersive experience in Muskoka’s wilderness. Expect elevation changes, scenic vistas, and the chance to spot local wildlife like deer, moose, and foxes.

With its on-site restaurant, Seguin Valley’s Bar and Grill, serving delectable beer-battered fish and chips, this course offers a memorable golfing and dining experience.

The Marshes – Ottawa

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he Marshes Golf Club in Ottawa, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Robert Trent Jones Sr., offers a unique golfing experience set against meadows, hardwood forests, and wetlands. This par 72 championship course incorporates the natural elements, creating a strategic yet environmentally friendly design. The course has hosted many prestigious tournaments and is a highlight of Ottawa’s golf scene.

Consider a stay-and-play golf package in Ottawa to fully enjoy this course and its picturesque surroundings.

Discover the Top Golf Courses in Ontario

Ontario is undeniably a golfer’s paradise, offering a diverse range of golf courses that cater to every skill level and preference. The stunning landscapes, challenging layouts, and impeccable hospitality make Ontario a top golfing destination. To make the most of your golfing adventure, consider booking a stay-and-play golf package in Ontario, allowing you to experience the best of Ontario’s golf courses while enjoying the local amenities and natural beauty. Whether you’re seeking solitude on a private island or the excitement of a bustling golf resort, Ontario has it all for golf enthusiasts.

Magical Light Festivals to Brighten Your Holiday Season 

And some to help you bring in the new year! 

Annual light festival events near you or worth the drive have long been a tradition of the holiday season for people in Ontario. 

If you’re lucky, it’s a snowy winter wonderland, making the twinkling colourful lights sure to put the Christmas spirit into any Scrooge or Grinch. 

‘To Do’ List: Magical Light Shows In Ontario

This year there will be holiday drives and walk-thru displays, with music, Santa and the whole nine yards. Come make special memories this year and perhaps start new holiday traditions. 

SPECIAL HOLIDAY SEASON THINGS TO DO

Outdoor light festivals, tree lightings and creative new walking and drive-thru experiences will be lighting up the holiday season all over Ontario. Demand will be high so buy your tickets and book your times early. 

If you’re looking to make special holiday memories this year, here are a few holiday nights of lights to check out. Again, if we can give any advice, it’s buy your ticket nice and early to avoid disappointment.

Holiday Magic at Blue

Where: The Blue Mountains
When: November 18, 2023 – January 7, 2024

By day the Village sparkles with festive décor, holiday music and fires to warm by.  Starting at dusk, follow the one kilometer Holiday Light Trail through the Village to discover enchanting and interactive light displays. On week-ends, enjoy live holiday music, street performers, warming stations and a horse drawn carriage with Santa roaming the Village. 

A Journey into Enchantment
Where: Pickering or Halton Hills, Ontario
When: December 1, 2023 – January 7, 2024

A Drive-Thru Light Show in Oro-Medonte Produced by The Oro-Medonte Chamber of Commerce.

A Journey into Enchantment
Where: Pickering or Halton Hills, Ontario
When: December 1, 2023 – January 7, 2024

Experience a magical Christmas and holiday season like never before! Take a 2km drive through a breathtaking display. See Santa and his reindeer, happy elves, and more. It will fill your heart with joy and wonder. And that’s not all! Drive through a tunnel of sparkling lights and enter a dreamy world where lights twinkle all around, making it a special experience you’ve never had before. The lights will dance to holiday music, adding even more enchantment to the show. Get your tickets for A Journey into Enchantment in Toronto!

Winter Festival of Lights
Where: Niagara Falls, Ontario
When: November 18, 2023 – January 7, 2024

The most enchanting of Niagara Falls attractions, the annual Winter Festival of Lights is Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival. Experience the spectacular displays with millions of lights and larger than life displays across the tourism districts.

Ripley’s 4D Moving Theater, Niagara Falls Canada – BUY TICKETS ONLINE AND SAVE!

Make it a Niagara Falls Getaway. Places to stay:

Cavalcade of Lights
Where: Nathan Philips Square Toronto
When: November 25, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Since 1967, Toronto announces the arrival of the holiday season with the Cavalcade of Lights. This glittering festival captures Canada’s winter spirit and transforms Nathan Phillips Square, easily accessible by the TTC Queen streetcar or the subway via the Yonge and University lines. The plaza is filled with over half a million LED lights, ice skating and Toronto’s official Christmas tree—typically a spruce tree around 18 m high.

Casa Loma Holiday Lights Tour
Where: Toronto
When: Select Dates in December 2023 and January 2024
Each December experience the magic of the season at Casa Loma’s spectacular Holiday Lights Tour. Wander through a dazzling lighting display in the gardens and tunnels, all decorated for the festive season. Designed as a self-guided walk, guests stroll through the property’s grounds while enjoying the spectacular decorations, outdoor lighting displays and live performances.

Glow
Where: Toronto
When: TBA 2023
‘Around the World’ light display theme will take you on a magical journey through six countries.

Mystical Lights
Where: Oro-Medonte
When: TBA 2023
Mystical Lights, a magical drive-thru event for families to enjoy this holiday season.

A Gift of Lights at Bingemans & Jingle Bell Rock at Bingemans
Where: Kitchener
When: November 16, 2023 – January 6, 2024
Experience the magic and wonder of the region’s most spectacular and dazzling light displays this holiday season. Bask in the beauty and wonderment of Gift of Lights; a drive through experience, featuring over 300 animated and static light displays and light tunnels. Continue the magic at the fully immersive Jingle Bell Rock; a walking wonder of giant light sculptures, musical animations and a truly breathtaking 40 foot twinkly tree centerpiece.

Holiday Night of Lights
Where: Vaughan
When: December 1, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Holiday Nights of Lights is an immersive walk-through experience featuring more than 1.5 million LED lights. 

Canada’s Wonderland Winterfest
Where: Vaughan
When: November 17, 2023 – January 6, 2024
Canada’s Wonderland transforms into a magical, winter wonderland for WinterFest – an immersive holiday experience for the whole family. This event features ice-skating on Snow Flake Lake, more than a dozen live shows and holiday entertainment, exciting rides, millions of spectacular lights, and hundreds of beautiful Christmas trees throughout the park, including two 50-foot Christmas trees on International Street. 

Burlington Lakeside Festival of Lights
Where: Burlington
When: November 24, 2023 – January 8, 2024
The Festival of Lights illuminates Burlington’s waterfront through December to early January each year. 

Christmas Lights Across Canada
Where: Ottawa
When: December 2023 TBA
The Christmas Lights Across Canada program is being transformed for its 37th edition. 

Winter Wonder at Royal Botanical Gardens
Where: Burlington
When: November 23, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Trusty elves have created ‘Winter Wonders’, featuring twinkling displays along an outdoor pathway at Hendrie Park. Thursdays – Sundays. 

Festival of Lights
Where: Belleville
When: TBA 2023
This year’s Festival of Lights is a driving event to enjoy the holiday magic in Belleville and the Downtown District from the comfort of your vehicle. 

Magic of Lights
Where: 3 Ontario locations
When: TBA 2023
Magic of Lights, a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience with more than a mile of spectacular light displays. 

Lights On
Where: Stratford
When: December 15, 2023 – January 13, 2024
With the City itself as a dramatic stage, Lights On Stratford winter festival of lights will transform the downtown core with luminous art and interactive light installations.

Eclipse Walk with Light
Where: Huntsville
When: TBA 2023
With the City itself as a dramatic stage, Lights On Stratford winter festival of lights will transform the downtown core with luminous art and interactive light installations.

First Light 
Where: Midland
When: November 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 & December 1, 2, 2023
Rediscover the historic site aglow from tranquil candlelight, as a beautiful amber glow illuminates the famous 17th-century mission. 

Illumi Mississauga
Where: Mississauga
When: TBA 2023
illumi ignites the night with more than 20 million brilliant lights in 13 magical universes on a 600,000 square foot site, the equivalent of 10 football fields.

Make it an Ontario Holiday Getaway to Remember

Best of the holiday season to the ToDoOntario fans and community!

Looking For A Christmas or New Year’s Eve Getaway Package?

Use the buttons below to find current vacation packages to celebrate the holiday season in Ontario. 

Want to add your event or business? Contact ToDoOntario.com today.

Things To Do For Halloween 2023 in Ontario

Adults and children alike enjoy a treat of candies and snacks and exciting games on this popular holiday. Halloween activities and organized events near you bring the entire neighborhood community together no matter the ages. Adorning spooky, creative, and funny costumes designed exclusively for this day is the norm. 

Halloween, which means “hallowed evening” marks the beginning of winter and the close of the harvest season. Each year, celebrating it on Oct 31 is a tradition, and a host of fun Halloween events 2023 await you. 

You can indulge in trick-or-treating, wear unique costumes, carve jack-o-lanterns, and make the most of festive gatherings.

From among the Ontario Halloween events in the pipeline, be a part of those that most excite you. These are the most popular (and Halloweenie) of our website calendar Halloween events. 

Hallowalk @ Friday Harbour Resort
Innisfil

• Enjoy a chilling night of fun!
• The Hallowalk will take visitors on a journey through the many wonders of Halloween in the Nature Preserve.
• Travel through the woods along a lit path with spooky décor and themed zones
• Hallowalk returns for it’s second year, taking visitors along a new, terrifying path.
• Day of fun on October 28^th with Trick or Treat on the Promenade. Crafts, costume contests and of course candy!
• Vampires Ball at Lake Club and After Dark at Beach Club for the older crew also on Oct 28^th

Date: Opens Friday the 13. Open Oct 13-15, 20-22 and 27-30 from 6pm to 9pm

Halloween @ Wye Marsh
Midland, Ontario

Calling all Ghosts, Goblins, Fairies, and creatures of the night! Put on your Halloween finery. Teleport to Wye Marsh. Explore the trails. All things spooky, silly, and sparkly are invited in costume to celebrate Halloween in the marsh! Collect stamps in your Halloween passport. Show your passport for a sweet treat at the Visitors’ Centre! 

Date: October 29, 2023

Stalking Dead
Otonabee, Ontario

Last year we thought we found the cure to the corn farmer zombie virus. There were many examples of prevention of zombie turns and we thought we were on the road to recovery from this zombie outbreak. This year the new data is telling us a very different story. Now we are discovering that it’s no longer the zombie contact that is leading the zombie apocalypse.

New zombies are appearing where no zombie contact was made and the new host did not die first. Puzzled scientists from around the world have returned to ground zero to research this new phenomenon under the guidance of the governing enterprise, Human Advancement Research Medicine. Once again, a call has been made for volunteers to help scientists with their very important work.

This experiences opens September 30th. 

Dark Waters @ Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Toronto, Ontario

There is something lurking in the deep this Halloween at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. On October 27, 2023, spend the evening under the sea with creatures from the deep as you explore the depths of the aquarium. Make sure to dress for the occasion with our costume contest, sip on a drink while you dance the night away with our live entertainment and discover what lies beneath.

Age 19+ event.

Pumpkins after Dark
Milton, Ontario

Prepare to be entranced by Pumpkins After Dark, Canada’s largest and most acclaimed outdoor Halloween event, where jack-o’-lanterns come alive at night.

Sample tantalizing fall treats while you embark on a 1 km walkthrough adorned with hand-carved pumpkins, spooky sculptures and live pumpkin carvings. Look for the escaped pumpkin twins for a chance to win a weekly prize.

This experience opens September 21, 2023. 

Pumpkin Mania
Elmvale, Ontario

Bring your family and join Rounds Ranch for pumpkin fun this fall. Enjoy ranch land fun including crazy pumpkin games such as, pie eating contest, pumpkin toss, pumpkin sack races and more. Take a tractor rides out to the pumpkin patch to pick your own FREE any size pumpkin to take home. Pumpkin Mania happens on the weekends ONLY & Thanksgiving Monday.

This experience opens September 16, 2023. 

Flashlight Cornmaze
Elmvale, Ontario

Can you solve the interactive maze puzzle to find the secret…in the dark? Bring your flashlight and try to navigate your way through the twists and turns. Try not to get lost! The Flashlight Corn Maze package also includes a Campfire. Come early to enjoy a wagon ride out to the patch and PYO pumpkin ANY size.

Date: In October the event is open on Saturdays from 6pm to 10pm.

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Hamilton

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Hamilton. Get your tickets now to discover Halloween-inspired music at The Cotton Factory under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Date: October 25, 2023

Candlelight: Friday the 13th Special – Favorite Halloween Movie Themes
Hamilton

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Hamilton. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Friday the 13th at The Cotton Factory under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Date: October 13, 2023

Halloween Spooktacular
Midland

 

It’s the debut of a side-splitting Halloween production, guaranteed to fill your night with fright and laughter!  Get ready for an unforgettable evening of improvised skits at this spooktacular play/comedy show. There’s no better way to get into the Halloween spirit!  General admission tickets are available now at the spooktacular price of only $20 + taxes and fees! Don’t miss out on this hauntingly hilarious night.

Grab your tickets before they vanish into thin air!

Happy Howl-O-Ween
Haliburton

Head to Haliburton Forest for alternative Howl-o-ween fun at Haliburton Forest. Start the evening with a delicious dinner at The Cookhouse featuring some ghoulish themed foods.

Wear your best costumes (a great way to dress up your required mask mask/face covering), for a chance to win our costume contest and a special dessert! Bring your flashlights – after dinner our staff will guide you on a haunted hike to the Wolf Centre, with some spooks and scares along the way. Inside the centre, use your flashlights to hunt for individually wrapped, peanut-free treats and sweets to take home while still following physical distancing practices! Last but not least, to end off the evening, howl alongside our staff in hopes of getting a reply from our resident wolf pack.

2023 TBA

Port Elgin Pumpkinfest

Saugeen Shores Award Winning Port Elgin Pumpkinfest. Welcome to Port Elgin Pumpkinfest! One of Ontario’s most unique events. Featuring two GIANT Vegetable Weigh Offs, one of Ontario’s LARGEST two day outdoor Car Shows, craft & marketplace vendors for all your Shopping needs and tons of FAMILY FUN Attractions, Port Elgin Pumpkinfest is THE place to be! Held in downtown Port Elgin.

Kreepy Kortright

This outdoor event is organized by the Kortright Centre for Conservation from October 21 – 28, 2023. To celebrate the spirit of the festival, get set for scary Halloween events from 8:30 pm onwards.

A haunted house tour and a frightening forest walk with live owls are some of the store’s activities for you. Families with children can together enjoy this creepy experience.

Howling Hootenanny

Black Creek Pioneer Village is planning a spooktacular fun treat in October. They are taking measures to limit visitors’ flow in one go so you can have an intimate family outing.

While in this historic village, you can treat yourself to a wacky science show, and brave the haunted maze. Challenge your family members by competing against each other in a pumpkin bowling competition. 

Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland

This fall, Halloween Haunt returns to Canada’s Wonderland on select nights September 22 to October 29 with a sinister transformation, turning the theme park into a scream park filled with Halloween attractions that offer unforgettable thrills and unspeakable horror.

Charity Halloween Events in Ontario

Looking to have some Halloween fun while giving back to the community or to a local charity? The following events are Halloween themed events that are not-for-profit or are fundraising for charities. 

Grosvenor’s Haunted Lodge
London, Ontario

Grosvenor’s Haunted Lodge in London Ontario is an annual fundraising event run the last 2 weekends in October for adults and student over 12 years of age. The event allows guests to see how the historical home can be transformed for a Halloween haunt, with this year’s theme of ‘Waking Nightmares”. All proceeds go to Heritage London Foundation (HLF, an innovative charitable organization founded that advocates for the preservation of significant heritage properties. HLF now provides viable contemporary uses for two beautiful houses, the Elsie Perrin Williams Estate and Grosvenor Lodge, to preserve, protect and promote London’s built heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Charity: Heritage London Foundation
Also accepting donations for the Western University Student Food Bank.

More information: https://www.grosvenorshauntedlodge.ca/

Attractions & Activities in Ontario with Spectacular Fall Colour Views 

It’s a proven fact that Ontario is beautiful in all four seasons. However, if you’re looking for a time when Mother Nature is showing off, Fall is your season. Leaf colour change can be seen all over Ontario making any road trip ‘easy on the eyes’. 

Use the list below and the Fall Colour Report as your Ontario Fall Guide. These two tools will help you plan a fun fall colour road trip at the most beautiful time of the year. 

Your Ultimate Ontario Fall Colour Guide

Besides hiking Ontario’s picturesque parks and trails, there are attractions and other experiences that offer something ‘to do’ that is both exciting and fun. We’ve compiled a list for you of places to visit that will offer equally amazing fall colour views. 

No matter if you’re active or chill, there is something for you to do. There are things to do for families, couples and groups of friends. The following activities are perfect for any day trip or fall weekend getaway. 

The only items essentials to bring are your sense of adventure and a camera. 

Best Attractions & Experiences with Stunning Views

Where: Midland

Georgian Bay Driving Food Tour

 

 

 

 

 

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Enjoy the delicious flexibility of this scenic self-guided driving tour. Take in the rural fall colour views as you drive around Midland, Coldwater and Tiny Township. From cute downtowns to sweeping farmscapes, the views on this delicious tour are worth the drive. 

Where: The Blue Mountains

Blue Mountain Resort / Blue Mountain Village

 

 

 

 

 

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Apples, Adventure, Après…all things you do can at Blue Mountain Resort and Blue Mountain Village this fall. Golf, mountaintop tours, Apple Pie Trail, a private beach and beautiful walking Village provide endless options for adventure without stepping foot off the Resort. 

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ON NOW FOR 2023

AGORA: PATH OF LIGHT

AGORA is an unusual and magical space inspired by storytellers and cycles of life in nature. As participants walk this circular path, they will encounter a series of interactive lighting installations based on the five elements of air, space, earth, water and fire. 

Take a gondola ride or park at the top of the hill at Blue Mountain Resort and take in the fall colours and view of Georgian Bay or Collingwood. 

Where: The Blue Mountains

Scenic Caves Nature Adventures

 

 

 

 

 

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Adventure lies in the heart of nature at the top of the Niagara Escarpment. Scenic Caves Nature Adventures is home to a centuries old series of caves and caverns, carved by glacial ice, Southern Ontario’s longest suspension footbridge, all offer stunning fall colour vistas and views. 

Where: Muskoka (Bala)

Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery

 

 

 

 

 

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Cranberry harvest is the most exciting time of the year in Bala. You can plunge into a small lake full of cranberries and finish off with spectacular views from the restaurant patio. 

Where: Barrie Brampton, Ganaraska, Hamilton, Huntsville, Stouffville

Treetop Trekking

 

 

 

 

 

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Treetop Trekking has 7 zip line and aerial game parks in Ontario to take you into the fall leaves. Furthermore, it is Ontario’s original and most exciting tree top zip line adventure. Treetop Trekking is the perfect outing for adventurous families, groups of friends and couples.

Where: Haliburton

Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve

 

 

 

 

 

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Wilderness adventure activities, forest and wildlife education in stunning forest surroundings. Ride through the forest by bike or take to the treetop canopy tour that includes a canoe paddle through a private lake.

Where: Minett

Hydrospa Muskoka

 

 

 

 

 

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This 4 season hydrospa is set on a granite bluff overlooking tranquil Lake Rosseau in Muskoka. If you have never seen Muskoka in full fall leaf colour glory, this is your sign.

Where: Parry Sound

Island Queen Cruises

 

 

 

 

 

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These award winning Georgian Bay cruises will have you relaxed and amazed at the beauty of Georgian Bay. If it can inspire painters from the Group of Seven, it’s worth putting on your fall to-do list. 

Where: Port Carling

Sunset Cruises

 

 

 

 

 

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This year Sunset Cruises is providing helpful and timely updates on the colour changes. Stay tuned to their Instagram account and fall cruise schedule announcements and take a tour on one of Muskoka’s most popular lake cruises. 

Where: Various

Ontario’s Beautiful Golf Courses

Golf courses across Ontario not only offer stunning fall colour leaf views but some are even award winning. Here are five golf courses that have rolling hills with valleys, lake views and of course restaurants and clubhouses with patios. 

Nottawasaga Golf Course
Hockley Valley Resort
Deerhurst Resort
Eganridge Resort, Country Club & Spa
Monterra Golf
Cobble Beach

No matter your activity this fall, we hope you enjoy the leaf colour change from wherever you are. 

When is the best time to see fall colours in Ontario? The first few weeks of October are generally the peak time for many regions in Ontario. Depending on weather, heavy rains can bring the leaves down quickly. Pay attention to our fall colour report to book your experience. 

If you’re looking for more fall fun events and activities, check out the following pages on ToDoOntario.com:

Best Halloween Events
Best Fall Activities
Treetop Adventures

When the summer heat subsides and the leaves change their color, it’s a great time to have fun outdoors. Ontario has some of the best activities for you to make the most out of this season. Here are things to do in the fall 2023.

Couple these ideas with the ToDoOntario Fall Leaf Colour Progression Report to help plan your activity, and your views and photography plans! 

Hit up an Ontario Golf Course

Ontario has no shortage of beautiful golf courses for any level of golfer. Whether it’s a familiar course near you or you’re up for a fall colour road trip adventure to check out a new course, our blog of Ontario Golf Courses has every thing you need to plan a fun adventure on the links. So surprise your partner, or plan ahead for a fun weekend away with friends and read the blog to find the perfect golf course or golf vacation package to help you save.

Go On a Hike

Photo: Huskey Hike at Haliburton Forest Wildlife Reserve

Hiking is one of the best outdoor fall activities you can enjoy. Get lost in nature and explore the abundance of fantastic trails Ontario has to offer. The picturesque aerial view waiting for you at the top is surely worth the hike. On the right trail, you’re apt to find a spectacular lookout spot too! 

Places ‘To Do Hiking’ (click on the partner links below to visit their website for more details and to book)

Haliburton Forest Wildlife Reserve, Hiking Trails | Haliburton Highlands Trails | Muskoka Lakes Cranberry Farm and Winery | Orillia & Lake Country Trails | Algonquin Highlands Trails | Scenic Caves Natures Adventures | Blue Mountain Resort | Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre

Try Treetop Aerial Walking

If you’re in for some adventure-filled fall activities, treetop aerial walking may be for you! Surround yourself in nature and enjoy its spectacular views. Whether you’re with family or friends, this is an unforgettable experience for everyone.

Places ‘To Do Treetop Walking’ (click on the partner links below to visit their website for more details)

Treetop Trekking Adventure Park Locations:
1000 Islands, Barrie, Brampton, Ganaraska, Hamilton, Huntsville, Stouffville

Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Canopy Tour |Scenic Caves Nature Adventures (Suspension Bridge) | Blue Mountain Resort Timber Challenge High Ropes

Chase Waterfalls

Chasing waterfalls is a fun thing to do, especially in the fall. Ontario is home to the world-renowned Niagara Falls, the most powerful waterfall in North America. It is the perfect time to visit these pristine waterfalls and see the stunning colors of the season.

Places ‘To Do’ Waterfalls (click on the partner links below to visit their website for more details and to book)

Click here to read the Finding Waterfalls of Ontario blog. 

Experience Cranberry Harvest

Fall is an exciting time for cranberry harvesting and there are lots of activities you can try to celebrate a fruitful harvest. Make the most out of this by doing all things cranberry, from wagon tours and trying fresh cranberries to experiencing the famous cranberry plunge.

Cranberry Harvest Season begins September 23, 2023.

Places ‘To Do’ Cranberry Activities (click on the partner links below to visit their website for more details and to book)

Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery

Enroll in a Painting Class

Unleash your inner artist by taking a painting class. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter, this activity will take your skills to the next level. It’s time to take out your paintbrush and get your creativity flowing this season.

Places ‘To Do’ Painting Activities (click on the partner links below to visit their website for more details and to book)

Yours Outdoors Painting With Wolves 

Enjoy a Boat Cruise

Thinking of fall activities for couples? Boat cruises are a romantic way to spend time with your partner while taking in the natural scenery. You can explore Ontario through its myriad of waterways and rivers. From short boat trips to luxury cruises, there are plenty of options for you.

Places ‘To Do’ Cruises (click on the partner links below to visit their website for more details and to book)

Island Queen – Parry Sound
Sunset Cruises – Bracebridge

Join a Winery or Microbrew Tour

There are many reasons why you should visit vineyards and brewhouses during the fall. Aside from fewer crowds, you have a gorgeous autumn backdrop while enjoying a glass of wine or sampling a flight of beers. Ontario has great wineries and craft breweries that offer wine, beer and cider tasting and delicious food pairings. If you’re new to the craft beer scene, read the 5 Tips on Visiting Microbreweries blog for some help.

Places ‘To Do’ Winery Tours (click on the partner links below to visit their website for more details and to book)

Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery
Adamo Estates Winery
Yours Outdoors

Go Kayaking or Canoeing

Kayaking and canoeing are not just for the summer; they are two of the best fall activities in Ontario. Discover some of Ontario’s endless waterways through self-guided adventures or guided tours. When planning your next getaway, kayaking or canoeing is definitely a must!

Places ‘To Do’ Kayaking & Canoeing (click on the partner links below to visit their website for more details and to book)

Yours Outdoors Canoe Like a Canadian Experience
Yours Outdoors Path of the Paddle

Click here for Kayaking & Canoeing Getaway Packages

Take a Fall Road Trip

During this leaf-peeping season, road trips are great fall activities for families. There are several parks or conservation areas in Ontario that are perfect for family excursions and day trips.

Visit Fall Fairs & Fall Harvest Festivals

Ontario has a multitude of fairs and festivals to celebrate the season. These fairs are held by the region’s agricultural societies. You can take advantage of the freshest produce, pick up some artisan products, and enjoy various amusement rides.

Stay tuned to the Fall Fairs page for fair dates and announcements. 

Explore Ontario Today

No matter what you’re looking for, Ontario has many scenic views and fun things in store for you.

In case the activities above aren’t for you, golf, biking and fishing weren’t mentioned above but are three great ways to be outdoors doing something and enjoying the fall leaf colours as your backdrop. 

Places ‘To Do’ golfing, biking or fishing

Deerhurst Resort golf course
Rocky Crest Golf Resort
Blue Mountain Resort Golfing
Blue Mountain Resort Biking

Fishing Getaway Packages

In the event you’re looking for something completely new and different, consider one of these experiences:

Mill Pond Activity Centre @ Blue Mountain Resort

Haliburton Sculpture Forest Guided Tour @ Yours Outdoors

Pumpkin Mania @ Rounds Ranch

Check our website to discover more about Ontario. Thank you!

The Best Ontario Late-Summer ToDo List 

Frank Sinatra said it best in his song Summer Winds, “Like painted kites, those days and nights they went flyin’ by”.  Summer is probably the quickest season in Ontario. For that reason, we don’t want you to waste time trying to find the best things to do near you or when planning an Ontario staycation road trip. We want you to learn what are the best things to do and just get right ‘to-doing’ them.  

Furthermore, while the kids are still home from school for a little bit longer, you might want to think about planning things to do in late-July or August. There are so many great things to do in summer in our great province that we’ve created a short ToDo list to help make it easier for you. The list is an essential part in planning weekend and summer vacations for couples, families or groups of friends. 

What should you do in Ontario this summer? Where should go in Ontario this summer?

These are some of the top events, activities and experiences on our website that you’ll want to consider knocking off your fun-list before the summer is over. Using this list, you’ll find things to do in Elmvale, Parry Sound, Algonquin Park, Port Carling, Toronto, Midland and other great cities and towns in Ontario. 

Fun Things ToDo in Ontario Before Summer Ends

Flower Fields and Kids Fun @ Rounds Ranch

Where: Elmvale

Family and kids ranch fun all day long. Enjoy over 25 activities to keep you and your family entertained for hours. 
Sunflower Experience: August 1 – September 4 Enjoy a safe, outdoor farm experience in the midst of stunning sunflowers and gorgeous cut flowers.
Sunset Sunflower Experience: (same dates) – Hop on a tractor ride and journey to a breathtaking 10-acre sunflower field, where you can capture stunning photos during sunset and even pick your favourite bloom to take home.

Learn more: https://roundsranch.com/

Experience Georgian Bay with Island Queen Adventures

Where: Parry Sound

Relax and enjoy a sightseeing Georgian Bay adventure on a cruise. Or adventure experience to Huckleberry Island or Henry’s Fish and Chips. There are several great ways to take to the fresh waters of Georgian Bay on this Parry Sound cruise line. 

Learn more: https://islandqueencruise.com/

Nature Activities at Algonquin Park South Gate

Where: Harcourt

Far removed from the bustling East and West gates we like to think of our local access as being a much more relaxing experience. Local partners are ready to accommodate you and invite you to stay, eat and play in the South Gate. Enjoy hiking, paddling, horseback riding and more fun activities for the whole family or your group of friends. 

Learn more: https://www.algonquinsouthgate.com/

Learn About Muskoka History with Sunset Cruises

Where: Port Carling

Muskoka’s shimmering blue waters, its majestic green pines, its spectacular scenery all await your discovery aboard the Sunset Cruises-Peerless II. Choose from several cruises and start times and learn more about the history of Muskoka cottaging. 

Learn more: http://www.sunsetcruises.ca/

Immerse Yourself at Immersive Disney Animation

Where: Toronto

Step into the art and legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios and celebrate the music, artistry and animation from the creators of Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Big Hero 6 and many more.

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Stay Cool in the Trees at Treetop Trekking

Where: Brampton, 1000 Islands, Barrie, Huntsville, Hamilton, Ganaraska, Stouffville

Plan an epic day at any of Treetop Trekking’s seven locations across Ontario. You can choose any fun adventure from Zipline & Aerial Game Treks, Discovery Kids courses, Treewalk Villages, UPLA and even Night Treks. 

Learn more: https://treetoptrekking.com/

Learn Something New with a Wye Marsh Adventure or Workshop

Where: Midland

Wye Marsh offers a variety of guided programming, both drop-in & pre-registered, from guided walks to nature workshops. Bring you pups (on leash) for a nice trail walk. The Wye Marsh is family and child friendly. Be sure to check out the Birds of Prey exhibit. 

Learn more: https://www.wyemarsh.com/Summer-Events

Taste the Region with Midland Food Tours

Where: Midland

Join the hundreds of Simcoe County residents, Toronto day-trippers and international visitors who have discovered the area’s history, culture, architecture and delicious food hotspots. You can enjoy a guided walking tour downtown Midland, a self guided 

Learn more: 

There is always some ToDo at Blue

Where: The Blue Mountains

Whether you’re strolling, shopping and eating your way through Blue Mountain Village, or enjoying the trails and mountain activities, Blue has something ToDo all the time, for all kinds of people. August events includes weekly Subary Movie Under the Stars and Mountain Music Series. Discover the hottest musical performances all Summer long with over 100 concert dates, two stages, and both new and returning artists, experience the Village vibe, only at Blue Mountain.  

Learn more: https://bluemountainvillage.ca/

Discover the Best of Toronto on a Black Lab Tour

Where: Toronto

Join your Toronto knowledge-filled guide to discover some of the most amazing and amusing stories of Canada’s largest city

Learn more: https://blacklabtours.com/

Of course these are just a few suggestions of things to do near you this summer. You can find more ideas in our events and activities suggestions section of the website. 

All these fun things to do are great for day trips, but if you’re looking to stretch things out, check out some of these great Ontario getaway packages and make it a last minute summer vacation filled with wonderful memories.