Best Places to see Fall Colours in Canada - Part 1

Fall is a favourite time of year here in Canada; we return to routine and some semblance of order, the weather cools and the leaves change into vibrant hues of red, orange and gold. We celebrate family and togetherness over harvest foods aplenty atop our Thanksgiving table.

It’s also a lovely time to be out in nature, before the snow hits and the cold keeps us indoors, huddled around heaters in hockey arenas or fires in our living room. And with those vibrant fall colours, it’s also a visually appealing time to be out in nature.

Where can you go to see the best of Canada’s fall beauty? It was hard to narrow our list down to just 7 (and undoubtedly you will want to pitch in your favourite location), but here is the first half our list of best places to see fall Canadian colours. Stay tuned for part 2!

Muskoka, Ontario

The Muskoka region is located in Central Ontario, approximately 2-hours north by car from Toronto. It is also referred to as “cottage country” because annually it draws over 2.1 million visitors who come to escape urban bustle for the quieter sounds of the wind in the trees, or water lapping the shores of Georgian Bay. With so much foliage and forest, the Muskoka region is also bright and alive in the fall season. And as the summer crowds have thinned you can more easily walk the charming streets of the small towns and farming communities that make up this region.

The Rocky Mountains, Alberta

Fall weather in Alberta might be an eclectic mix of the extremes, but there is no doubt that when the fall colours hit the rocky mountains it’s a breathtaking sight. Find numerous hiking trails in Banff and Lake Louise, and plenty of restaurants and cafés to rest your tired feet in afterwards. It’s all about being outdoors as much as you can before the weather turns icy (which we know can be any day in Alberta)!

Niagara Parkway, Ontario

Fall is such a beautiful season when experienced in Ontario’s wine country. It is so beautiful there as the leaves turn it is a wonder why summer sees the greatest influx of tourists! Coast along the Niagara Parkway, which stretches along the Niagara River connecting the quintessential charm of downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake with the natural wonder of Niagara Falls (and on to Fort Erie) and you can see fall in two countries. New York state is so close to Canada here that one glance across the river and you can see our American friends, waving!

A pathway lines the parkway so you can also bike and walk, although at 55km total you probably want to commit to a section only.

Stay tuned for the remaining 4 picks in this series. Tell us, where do you think offers the best in fall beauty?