Ah, the glory of autumn. Fall is the time of year when there is a delicious crispness to the air. Spicy, crunchy leaves are under foot, farm-fresh produce is abundant, and everything seems bathed in the scent of pumpkin spice. The official season of Sweater Weather, it’s no surprise that fall is the perfect time to curl up with a good book and a steaming mug of your favourite hot beverage.
This fall, make books your personal theme as you enjoy the vibrant hues and fragrances that define this beloved time of year. Think Rory Gilmore of The Gilmore Girls, with her nose buried in a book at Luke’s Diner, or Kathleen Kelly’s cozy Manhattan bookstore, The Shop Around the Corner, in You’ve Got Mail. Here in York Durham Headwaters we’ve got several bookstores which are just as cozy, and cafés that are just as perfect for getting lost in a good book as those in Stars Hollow. Spend a lovely autumn day with literature in your heart as you warm your soul with wonderfully bookish vibes.
Uxbridge
Did you know that Uxbridge in Durham Region is the official Trail Capital of Canada? In the fall, this picturesque town is bathed in fiery reds, oranges and yellows as a canopy of leaves don their autumn colours. It’s the perfect setting for Blue Heron Books, which is located in a historic building complete with wall-to-wall shelves of colourful books and creaky wood floors for a dash of charm.
Select a book or two (or as many as your book-loving heart desires) and pop into The Bridge Social next door, an adorable little coffee shop and clean body care store with some seriously cozy vibes. Enjoy organic coffee, delicious treats, loose leaf tea and more as you dive into a brand new world on the pages of your new book. Or, Slabtown Cider Co. is a quick ten minute drive down the road. Autumn is, after all, the best time for apples. This craft cidery and eatery pays homage to the region’s cider making heritage, and features a large, inviting patio where you can take in the stunning scenery of the surrounding Oak Ridges Moraine. Cider and stories—what could be more bookishly perfect?
Literary events in Uxbridge this fall
If that’s not enough of a reason to come to Uxbridge this autumn, then here are two more:
Back for another wildly successful year is the Book Drunkard Literary Festival. This popular festival, hosted by Blue Heron Books, runs from October 1 – November 10th. Former Leaskdale resident and celebrated Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery once famously quipped, “I am simply a book drunkard.” The Book Drunkard Festival captures the wonderment of the written word and its ability to intoxicate, transport, and transform.
The Fall 2026 Book Drunkard Festival lineup is one for the books, with events happening at exceptional local venues! This year’s lineup features the following authors:
- October 1-B.K. Borison, Natalie Sue, and Danielle McKechnie
- October 14-Amanda Peters
- October 19 – Emily St. John Mandel
- October 21 -Jody Wilson-Raybould in conversation with Jane Philpott
- October 22 -Mary Berg
- October 25 – Jackie Morris
- October 26 – Patrick DeWitt
- November 2 – Terry Fallis & Rod Carley
- November 5 – Lucy Foley & Linwood Barclay
- November 10 – Carol Off
Also, on September 21, at the Uxbridge Music Hall, you can enjoy a prelude to the Book
Drunkard Festival with Colin James and Rick Campanelli. The event will be featuring Colin
James’ memoir, Playing the Changes and Rick Campanelli’s memoir, Tempted, Interviewed by Jared Bland.
Orangeville
Nestled amongst Ontario’s prime rural landscapes, Orangeville is home to BookLore. This independent shop is so quaint, it’s a storybook setting all on its own. Orangeville is also home to Reader’s Choice. With a wide selection of used books as well as knew titles, you can spend an hour or two inhaling the soul-warming scent of pre-loved pages (we know you do it… ’cause so do we!).
Step into plant.ed (beside BookLore) to find a space where you can reconnect with others, whether it’s grabbing a smoothie on your way to yoga, fueling your adventure with a trail-ready meal, or sipping on a hand crafted latte that powers your brain while you tackle emails. Our offerings are designed to seamlessly integrate into your daily routines.
Take your newfound literary treasures to Mochaberry Coffee and Co. This cozy café and roastery in historic Downtown Orangeville offers in-house micro roasted coffee along with loads of atmosphere. The Greystones Café is another great destination to crack open your brand new book if you love all things history—the building was erected in 1852! Enjoy sweet and savoury treats baked in-house with a glass of craft beer or wine on the patio.
Want to extend your literary day out with an overnight stay? Try an elegant country escape at the historic Millcroft Inn and Spa. This quiet rural retreat surrounded by the rolling hills of Headwaters is practically begging you to spend hours reading away to you heart’s content. Or stay right in Downtown Orangeville at The Nest Suites, a cozy home away from home where you can make memories as you read late into the evening.
Port Perry
If you’re a fan of all those Hallmark Christmas movies filmed in Port Perry on the shores of Lake Scugog, then you’ll know that this town’s historic charm is unbeatable when it comes to cozy aesthetics. To satisfy your reading itch, browse a wide selection of new and used books at Books Galore, and then take your newfound treasure to Nexus Coffee Company to experience coffee at its finest. Sip on a perfectly roasted cup and enjoy pastries and sandwiches as you immerse yourself in a brand new story. If the weather’s nice, stop in at Hank’s Pastries, Port Perry’s iconic 100+ year old traditional bakery. Pick up a delicious treat and take it to the waterfront at Lake Scugog. Reading by the shores of an autumn lake sounds wonderfully literary to us.
Turn your day of bookish delights into an overnight stay at the George Stanley Inn and Piano
Café. This award-winning, historical boutique hotel reflects the building’s 200 year vintage with refurbished rooms that are sure to inspire cozy evenings reading the hours away. If you’re feeling adventurous, book a stay at Birchwood Luxury Camping. Experience a unique night in a glamorous private camping dome, surrounded by the fall foliage of the Oak Ridges Moraine. If reading in front of a campfire doesn’t epitomize the word cozy, then we don’t know what does.
Markham
For a touch of historical bookishness, visit historic Markham Village, which is home to Alfsen House Books. This adorable little shop specializes in used and out-of-print books (another great place to sniff those lovely old pages… jus’ sayin’). When you’re done browsing, bring your next favourite read over to the Old Curiosity Tea Shop. This traditional tea room invites you for a quiet, relaxing visit where you can enjoy a splash of true Victorian ambience as you turn page after page.
Leaskdale
This last suggestion is more of a bookish pilgrimage rather than a bookish shopping trip. York Durham Headwaters invites you to the village of Leaskdale, which was home to the late, great Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Celebrated writer and creator of the Anne of Green Gables series of books, Maud lived in the Leaskdale Manse for 14 years after she married. Today, the Lucy Maud Montgomery House is a national historic site that is open to the public. Come and do the Tea and Tour Experience, to savour the literary history of this iconic home. Don’t forget to stop by the Maud in the Garden statue to commemorate your visit.
In an age where social media dominates our time and life seems more and more fast-paced, it’s no wonder that so many of us are craving a moment to slow down, curl up with a good book, and reconnect with our own imaginations. We hope we’ve inspired you to have a bookish adventure of your own this fall. If you do, be sure to share your stories and photos with us. Tag us on Facebook and Instagram at @VisitYDH. We can’t wait to see what and where you’re reading.
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