When the leaves change colour and the air turns crisp, people are wanting to get out of the busy city centres and into the countryside, where rural charm and the bounty of harvest season are abundant. Gather your friends, family and loved ones into your vehicle, because this fall, we invite you to get off the beaten path and explore the rural charm of Clarington. Less than an hour east of the Greater Toronto Area, this quaint, beautiful municipality is a world of its own. Here, time slows down so you can enjoy the wholesome things you can’t find in the big cities: home-grown hospitality, farm-fresh food and serious, small-town vibes. Plan your fall road trip in Clarington with these stops, shops, eateries and experiences.
Farm fresh flavours
If you follow Liberty St. off the 401 as far north as it will go, you’ll happen upon Tyrone Mills. This traditional water-powered mill was built in 1846, and is today an historical landmark. Its warm, inviting atmosphere invites you to slow down as you browse local food and artisan goods surrounded by the rolling countryside and a scenic millpond. Locals love Tyrone Mills’ fresh-made cider donuts and wood-fired pizza. Heading back south past Concession 6, you will want to make a stop at Archibald’s Orchards and Estate Winery. Since 1967, this family farm has been growing apples, and today offers you-pick fun, and an on-farm market with pre-picked apples, local goods and fresh-baked treats. Don’t forget to sample award-winning fruit wines and hard ciders from the estate winery.
For pumpkins, produce and plenty of farm fun, visit historic Knox Pumpkin Farm on Enfield Road. Take a wagon ride out to the field and pick your own pumpkin. Romp in the corn maze or take a tour of the historic barn and visit with Knox’s gentle animals. Browse the farm store and sample delicious homemade goods. Don’t forget to grab a bag of Knox’s famous homemade kettle corn! On the subject of picking your own, have you tried you-pick potatoes? Bragg Farms is a 200-acre farm in full operation and open to the public year-round. Get some dirt under your fingernails with a dig-your-own potato and sweet potato experience, and tour the farm store for local goods, including Bragg’s proprietary aronia berry jam.
Clarington is home to A Country Path. This rural initiative is the result of local farmers and business owners working together to bring you, guests and visitors, to the very best of what Clarington has to offer. Take a wander down a country path (with your very own ACP map available at many shops and locations in the area) and find local honey at 3bees.buzz, sample farm-fresh cider from Geissberger Farmhouse Cider, fresh dairy products from Sargent Family Dairy, and so much more!
Historic downtowns
Bowmanville is the heart of the Municipality of Clarington. A stroll down its historic downtown streets is like being wrapped in a warm hug of charm. For an ever-changing menu of delicious café treats, soups and sandwiches, and other lunch options, make a stop at The Toasted Walnut, where fresh homemade goods are made using locally sustained products. For fresh food and crafted cocktails, venture over to The Yardbird. Here, great food starts with great ingredients grown locally to produce a menu that changes with the seasons.
For unique shopping, stroll your way over to Paisley’s The Wee British Shoppe. The best in British cheeses, preserves, teas and beverages, breads and pies are waiting for you to take them home. Markets Ontario is close by as well. This boutique multi-vendor marketplace brings you the best of Ontario’s handmade products, artisanal home goods, food, clothing and more from over 150 local vendors.
A short drive east from Bowmanville is the historic town of Newcastle. This adorable town is the home of Walsh’s Snug. Full of old-world pub charm and character, The Snug offers a wide menu of traditional pub fare with an Irish flavour, and live music three nights a week. This is a don’t miss stop: The Snug was designated the number one in Irish food in all of Ontario by TripAdvisor!
Head north on the 115 from Newcastle, and you’ll find yourself in the quiet village of Orono, famous for the Orono Fall Fair. Here you will find a variety of shops, parks, entertainment and dining experiences. If you love all things vintage, then you’ll be pleased with not one, but two antique markets. The Main Thru Church Antique Mall on Main St. hosts approximately 30 vendors, and the Orono Antique Market is a 7,000 square-foot treasure hunter’s paradise with plenty of ambience—the market is located inside the historic Orono Armoury.
Overnight and plan-ahead experiences
If you love the idea of spending a day off the beaten path in Clarington, why not make it a weekend? The Bowmanville Applefest is coming soon. Saturday, October 17th in historic Downtown Bowmanville, this super-popular street festival celebrates all things apple—and offers both free admission and free parking! Enjoy the atmosphere as Bowmanville showcases its many local apple growers, and offers fresh picked apples, baked goods, fresh-pressed ciders and more. Don’t forget to leave room for Applefest’s famous fresh, hot apple fritters.
Book a stay for this, or any weekend at Our Valley View B&B. This cozy, quaint paradise is located in the midst of the Enniskillen Valley. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and a breakfast home cooked from scratch every morning, with only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. For something a little more exotic, check out Jungle Cat World. This wildlife park in Orono has been offering visitors the unique opportunity to see and experience wild species since 1983. Since then, they’ve expanded to offer two exciting lodging experiences: the Tiger Suite and the Lion’s Den. After the park closes, it’s yours to explore. Then, fall asleep to the roar of lions and the howl of wolves!
For a more rustic overnight stay, you’ll want to book a campsite at Darlington Provincial Park. Fall camping is a wonderful experience that we can’t recommend highly enough—especially when you’re surrounded by gentle hills formed by a terminal moraine deposited by glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age. Enjoy activities on the waterfront beach if the days are still warm enough, or explore the hiking trails which, at this time of year, are ablaze with fall colours.
For more ideas and places to explore off the beaten path in Clarington, be sure to visit our YDH Road Trip Planner. Don’t forget to tag us at @VisitYDH in your photos and posts on social media.
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