With fall’s magic in the air—forests glowing in brilliant hues of orange and red, crisp breezes that call for cozy sweaters, and warm drinks that make the season feel extra special—it’s the perfect time for a road trip. One of the best fall road trips in Ontario can be found in Durham Region along A Country Path.
A Country Path is a curated collection of local small businesses in the Clarington area, featuring everything from a winery to a pumpkin patch. It’s an ideal day trip from Toronto, or you can turn it into a getaway with a stay at Our Valley View Bed & Breakfast. What makes this route especially perfect in the fall is that you can stock up on everything you need for Thanksgiving: fresh, local food and drinks to create a true farm to table feast, plus thoughtful gifts to bring along if you’re visiting friends or family for the holiday.
So, wrap yourself in your coziest sweater, pack a cooler in the car, and grab your loved ones for a fall road trip that not only celebrates the season but also helps you celebrate Thanksgiving with local flavour and charm.
Road Trip Stops
Stop 1
Make your first stop at Tyrone Mills for a coffee or hot apple cider and some of their famous fresh apple cider donuts to help fuel your fall adventure. Built in 1846, this historic mill is one of the last water-powered mills in Ontario. You can even tour the mill to see all the inner workings, like on the second floor, and marvel at how it works. Plus, it’s the perfect stop on A Country Path to grab some flour for your Thanksgiving baked goods, like a pie.
Stop 2
Next, head to Archibald Orchards & Winery. Here, in the apple picking capital of Canada you can pick your own apples. Imagine telling your guests that your homemade pie was made with fresh local apples you picked yourself! Home to over a dozen different varieties of apples, ranging from McIntosh to Honey Crisp, Archibald’s is a great stop for families with kids and adults alike. There’s a fun, farm-inspired playground as well complimentary award-winning fruit wine tastings. Whether you’re hosting or looking for the perfect gift for who is, you’ll find an assortment of options to choose from. Grab a bottle of one of their dessert wines or non-alcoholic ciders for dinner, or pick up one of their beautiful gift baskets full of goodies like a bottle of wine, local preserves, treats, and more.
Stop 3
Show how much you care for your loved ones with a few tokens of appreciation from Timeless Essentials. This charming wellness shop in the heart of Enniskillen sells an array of products crafted by a Herbologist. Harvesting berries and herbs from her own garden along with other natural ingredients, products range from soaps to lavender room sprays.
Stop 4
For your next stop on A Country Path head to Sargent Family Dairy. Inside their brilliant blue farm shop, you’ll find some of the best milk in the region made from their family of Jersey milk cows. Whether you want to try one of their flavoured milks or can’t resist some cheese curds, this is a great stop to stock up on milk and butter for your Thanksgiving baking. And if you’re looking for something different than turkey this year, pick up one of their roasts or steaks.
Stop 5
Down a scenic country drive, you’ll find three stops in one—starting with Our Valley View Bed & Breakfast, a cozy retreat offering dreamy fall views that make you want to linger. Tucked inside their historic barn are two unique shops worth exploring. At 3beez.buzz, you’ll discover incredible honey that’s a delicious alternative to sugar in your fall baking or your evening tea. Their handcrafted beeswax candles also make thoughtful hostess gifts for Thanksgiving. And for the four-legged family members, Chosen Raw Pet Foods is right onsite, offering natural dog food and treats made with locally sourced ingredients—so even your pup can enjoy something special from the trip.
Stop 6
From treats to meats to gifts, round out your farm to table Thanksgiving feast with vegetables from Open Skies Farm. This adorable roadside farm stand and small shop is the best place to get your vegetables. The farmstand has tomatoes, peppers, beans, garlic and eggs from their free-range chickens. Plus, don’t miss out on their delectable jams and preserves.
Stop 7
Take a break from shopping and soak up one of the season’s best traditions at Knox’s Pumpkin Farm. This 200-acre farm is filled with all the authentic autumn vibes your family could want. Climb aboard for a wagon ride that takes you out to the sprawling pumpkin patch, where you can pick the perfect gourd to carve or decorate for Thanksgiving. Before you head back on the road, be sure to stop by the barnyard to say hello to the friendly farm animals—it’s the perfect dose of fall fun.
Stop 8
Finish your journey on a crisp, refreshing note at Geissberger Farmhouse Cider. This family-run farm has been crafting apple cider for over 50 years—it’s truly in their roots. Start with a tasting to sample their wide range, from hard ciders to non-alcoholic varieties, then browse the shop for bottles to take home. Whether you’re looking for the perfect drink to serve at your Thanksgiving table or something to sip while you cozy up on a cool fall evening, their cider makes the season taste even better.
From pumpkin patches to farm-fresh cider and unique local gifts, A Country Path brings together all the best parts of the season in one unforgettable road trip. It’s not just about the scenic country roads, cozy sweaters, and autumn adventures—it’s also about filling your cooler with local food, drinks, and goodies that will make your Thanksgiving table truly special. Whether you’re hosting the holiday or bringing a thoughtful gift to share, every stop along the path offers something meaningful.
So, this fall, skip the big-box store run and trade it for a day (or weekend) of exploring, tasting, and shopping local. A Country Path is the perfect fall road trip—one that makes getting ready for Thanksgiving just as fun as the celebration itself.
Savoury Thanksgiving Recipe: Mini Beef & Roasted Pumpkin Hand Pies
Ingredients (sourced along A Country Path):
- 1 lb ground beef (Sargent Family Dairy)
- 2 cups flour (Tyrone Mills)
- ½ cup milk (Sargent Family Dairy)
- ½ cup cream (Sargent Family Dairy)
- 1 small pumpkin, peeled, seeded & cubed (Knox’s Pumpkin Farm)
- 1 small onion, diced (Open Skies Farm)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (Open Skies Farm)
- 3 tbsp oil or butter
- 1 egg (Open Skies Farm)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme or sage
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Roast pumpkin cubes: toss with oil, salt, pepper, and bake 20 minutes until tender.
- Make pastry: In a bowl, combine flour, ½ tsp salt, and 3 tbsp oil/butter. Add milk gradually until dough comes together. Chill 20 minutes.
- For filling: cook beef with onion and garlic until browned. Stir in roasted pumpkin cubes, cream, and herbs. Season to taste.
- Roll dough into circles (4–5 inches wide). Place spoonful of filling in center, fold over, and crimp edges with a fork.
- Brush tops with beaten egg. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden.
Serving Tip: These hand pies are rustic, hearty, and perfect for sharing — a cozy appetizer or side that celebrates the best of A Country Path.
Sweet Thanksgiving Recipe: Honey Apple Bread Pudding
Ingredients (sourced along A Country Path):
- 5 cups day-old bread cubes (Tyrone Mills)
- 2 cups milk (Sargent Family Dairy)
- 1 cup cream (Sargent Family Dairy)
- ½ cup honey (3Beez.Buzz)
- 2 apples, peeled and chopped (Archibald’s Orchards)
- 3 eggs (Open Skies Farm)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: handful of raisins or nuts (grocer/farm market)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking dish.
- Spread bread cubes and chopped apples evenly in the dish.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, honey, vanilla, and spices until smooth.
- Pour custard mixture over bread and apples, pressing lightly to soak.
- Let sit 10 minutes, then bake 40–45 minutes until golden and set.
- Serve warm, drizzled with extra honey or a splash of apple cider from Archibald’s or Geissberger Cider.
This recipe is rustic, comforting, and an easy way to showcase local honey, apples, and dairy — a sweet finish to any Thanksgiving meal.
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