by José Gonzalez
The summer is fading, but the crisp autumn weather means there's still time to enjoy the outdoors before breaking out the winter coat and boots. Here are a few ways to enjoy the colours and flavours of the season with several fun outdoor activities in Toronto running through the fall. [Photo courtesy of Brook’s Farm]
Look at the changing fall foliage
Nothing quite says autumn like the leaves changing colours, and the city is filled with plenty of leafy areas that give you a look at the vibrant red, yellow and orange that only show up once a year. High Park is always a popular spot for looking at the changing leaves, and the Kortright Conservation Area has a lengthy trail that lets you see all sorts of native Ontarian foliage. The colours are everywhere though, so you won't run out of options.
Check out Best Spots to View the Fall Foliage in Toronto
Apple picking
Apples are in season, and there are a number of orchards around the city you can visit to get your apples freshly picked from the tree, or pick your own. Many of the orchards offer apple-based goods, from apple pies to apple sauce.
Places to go apple picking in Toronto and the GTA
Pumpkin picking
Whether you need them for a pumpkin pie or a Jack O'Lantern, there are plenty of pumpkin patches in and around the GTA that have an ample crop for you to harvest. A number of farms also have fun activities for kids to take part in, and some fall foods for you to enjoy after a day of hunting for that perfect pumpkin.
Places to go pumpkin picking in Toronto and the GTA
Bike tours
With nature showing its fall colours, you might be tempted to see as much of it as you can, and there's no better way of doing that than hopping on a bike and touring the city. Whether it's a route of your own, or as part of an organized group, this gives you the best chance of exploring the city throughout the season.
Harvest festivals
This year's harvest is almost over, and locations both in and around the city are celebrating with festivals that include old fashioned fun and games, and some traditional food too. These events are all family friendly, so bring along any kids who might want some fun to undercut the back to school blues.
Click here for 40 fun fall festivals
Wabash Fall Festival
This west end festival includes local food, live music, and kid-friendly space with fun for the little ones. There are also a series of outdoor screenings of short Canadian films, one of the last outdoor screenings of the year, and a special pup show to find the neighbourhood's most talented dogs.
Farmers Markets
They've been around all spring and summer, but this is your last chance to enjoy most of the farmers markets around the city. Stock up on a few produce essentials, and maybe get a few apples or squash while they're in season.
Check out Shop local at Toronto’s Farmers Markets
Halloween Haunt and Screemers
You can celebrate fall with some Halloween scares, and these two frightening experiences will chill your bones even more than the cool autumn wind. Screemers is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year by introducing a new zombie prison. The Halloween Haunt returns to Canada's Wonderland, this year with a new show that's still shrouded in mystery.
Corn mazes
It's easy to get lost wandering corn fields, but these crops are cultivated to help you get lost on purpose as corn mazes around the GTA test your path-finding abilities. Each year farms outdo themselves with new designs and themes for their mazes, and some include scavenger hunts and puzzles to add some challenge to the farm-visit experience.
Check out 13 corn mazes to explore in Toronto and the GTA
Nuit Blanche
The biggest outdoor art exhibit of the year transforms Toronto into an art gallery, with installations throughout the downtown core. This year includes more than 110 art projects, and will be happening for one night only, so be prepared to move quickly if you're hoping to see them all.
Cask Days
The season for outdoor drinks on a patio may be over, but there's one last chance to enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two outside at this cask-themed festival. Held in an open-air old brick-making factory at Evergreen Brickworks, visitors can sample brews from unfiltered, unpasteurized, and naturally carbonated real ale. You can also buy some cask-conditioned ale equipment from vendors and learn about the many breweries on hand from around Ontario.
Bird watching
Toronto is a surprisingly good spot for spotting birds, with hundreds of species passing through on their migration south. Large birds such as osprey, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle are often spotted, and High Park has recorded up to 7000 hawks in a single day. Smaller birds including cedar waxwings, purple finches and goldfinches also pass through the region heading south.
Salmon watching
Birds aren't the only animals migrating during the fall, as the salmon of Lake Ontario head north through the city's rivers to reach their spawning ground. It's a thrill to watch them jumping out of the water as they go over barriers, and furiously swim upstream through rapids, all for the chance of creating some baby salmon for the next generation.
