Fall in Ontario is ripe with fun family-friendly activities! With leaves beginning to change colour, the scent of pumpkin spice lingering in the air, and Casper knocking on your door, it’s the perfect time to plan some quality time exploring with family. And the best place to find fun fall activities for the whole family is across York Durham Headwaters!
Across the region you’ll find plenty of places to pack in all the top fall adventures like picking your own pumpkin and friendly ghost encounters. So, gather your family, young and the young at heart, and plan a festive fall road trip where you’ll make memories that will last beyond the season.
UPLA Trampoline Park
Whitchurch-Stouffville
On the edge of the GTA, in York region, is where families should flock this fall! At Treetop Trekking in Stouffville, you’ll find UPLÅ. This latest attraction brings you up and into the trees for a truly uplifting experience! Among the towering trees are a series of nets that offer access to the forest canopy. These nets let you bounce around with the family and soar through the brilliant fall foliage.
Stardust Drive-In Theatre
East Gwillimbury
Make a new tradition this autumn and take the family to the Stardust Drive-In Theatre in Newmarket. Enjoy all the latest fall features in the comfort of your car. This budget-friendly activity is perfect for families looking to see the latest movies. Grab some popcorn or burgers and their famous poutine as you enjoy dinner and a couple of films.
Halloween Haunt and Camp Spooky
Vaughan
If you dare, grab the teens and head to Canada’s Wonderland for their Halloween Haunt! It’s Canada’s largest Halloween event and features a long list of thrilling experiences. Hold your family tight as you wander the seven different mazes and run from hundreds of monsters. Canada’s Wonderland also has a fun Halloween treat for the wee ones. Camp Spooky offers a number of exciting activities for the kids to enjoy during the day. Grab your kids, don your costumes and go trick-or-treating at the park, decorate a pumpkin, and check out a variety of Halloween themed live shows. Plus, the kids will love taking part in the costume parade.
York Durham Heritage Railway
Uxbridge
Throughout the Durham region, families can reap the rewards of some unique experiences. In the charming small town of Uxbridge is a special train station. The York Durham Heritage Railway hosts a few fabulous fall train excursions that are a must! Climb aboard for a scenic train ride to go leaf peeping or indulge in a High Tea experience while the fall colours breeze by your window. Foodie families will love the Fall Harvest Lunch Train. It includes a three-course menu that showcases the flavours of the harvest.
Pingle’s Farm & Market
Clarington
Just outside Oshawa is one of the coolest farms in the region! At Pingle’s Harvest Festival there’s something for every generation to feast on. For the young ones, there’s a mini corn maze, playland, animals, and wagon rides. Test your skills at the larger, 6.5-acre corn maze, enjoy live music and feast on their fantastic fall menu. The farm also offers a wide variety of pick your own items like apples, pumpkins and corn.
Coopers CSA Farm
Uxbridge
Durham is home to one of the best corn mazes in Canada! Along the rural roads, just west of Uxbridge, is Cooper’s Farm. This nearly 200-year-old farm is the ideal place to test your family’s skills in the famous Coopers Corn Maze. Covering 10 acres, the epic maze changes every year with varying themes that can be seen from the air. Along with the maze, the farm has more fun fall activities like wagon rides, pumpkin picking, a play area, and even mini mazes for the kids.
Pickering Museum Village
Pickering
Another fun place to test your skills at working together as a family is at the Pickering Museum Village’s Escape the Cabin. This living history museum features interactive exhibits and heritage buildings in a scenic setting. But if you’re looking for a challenge this fall with a twist, take a spin at escaping the cabin. Step back in time as you enter a log cabin and realize you’re trapped. Thankfully you’ll have the whole family to try and work your way out and escape.
Credit Valley Conservation – Cheltenham Badlands
Caledon
The Headwaters region boasts endless rural fall adventures fit for kids through grandparents! For active outdoor families looking for a unique hike, head to Cheltenham Badlands. Located northwest of Brampton, this natural landmark is made up of rolling red rock. Learn about the unusual sight on a hike that includes a boardwalk over this Mars-like landscape. We encourage you to book your reservation in advance as the space in the park is limited and is based on first come first serve if you do not have a reservation.
Credit Valley Conservation – Island Lake Conservation Area
Orangeville
Another park to visit this fall is Island Lake Conservation Area in Orangeville. This sprawling park offers a boat load of fun things to do with the family. Take a hike or bike along the various trails through a kaleidoscope of reds, orange and yellow leaves. Or enjoy some fishing in the picturesque lake. You can fish by boat or from one of the piers.
Dixie Orchards
Inglewood
Take the family to Dixie Orchards to enjoy the rich bounty they offer during the harvest season. This working farm in Caledon has a long list of cool things that you and the kids can pick. Along with pick your own pumpkins and apples, they are also one of Ontario’s only places to pick your own Hazelnuts! Talk about a unique family experience. After you jump aboard for a wagon ride into the fields, wander through the corn maze and visit the farm animals.
Downey’s Farm Market
Caledon
Made famous on Instagram for their massive lawn full of thousands of perfectly plump pumpkins, Downey’s Farm is a great spot to enjoy farm fun this fall! This Caledon farm is home to one of the coolest playgrounds. Farmyard Play Area has over 25 different activities like ziplines, pedal carts, a huge pirate ship, and so much more. Kids and adults alike will love feeding the animals in the barn. Plus, don’t forget to pop into their sweet bakery and grab some of their signature pumpkin doughnuts. As the best fall doughnuts in the region, make sure to share!
Whether you’re looking for unique experiences or classic fall traditions, York Durham Headwaters is packed with things to do with the family. Picking a pumpkin, running from ghouls, and soaking in the brilliant foliage will all lead to a bounty of fantastic fall memories your family will cherish for a lifetime.
