Foodie Stop Three: Bright Cheese & Butter
Since Oxford County is the dairy capital of Canada, you MUST stop at a local cheese producer or two. Bright Cheese & Butter has fabulous specialty cheeses and is known for its high-quality cheese curds.
Foodie Stop Four: Thames River Melons
Take those beautiful country roads all the way to Thames River Melons and check out their on-farm market. They make their preserves from the fresh ingredients grown right there on the farm. While you are there, you should visit their Pick-Your-Own patch to pick seasonal vegetables including pumpkins.
Foodie Stop Five: Gunn’s Hill
Another local cheese producer along this route that you can’t miss is Gunn’s Hill. We recommend trying a sampler plate of 5 different Gunn’s Hill cheeses while sitting at a picnic table outside the store. This is the best way to enjoy both the cheeses and the beautiful fall colours.
Foodie Stop Six: Jakeman's Maple Products
It isn’t a Canadian foodie experience without maple syrup. Jakeman’s Maple Products are next on the trip of local food and fall country roads.
Foodie's Last Stop: Elm Hurst Inn & Spa
The perfect way to end this adventure is by visiting Elm Hurst Inn & Spa. It is a beautiful place to visit, especially in the fall. If you know that you’ll be in a food coma after dinner here, consider booking a room and resting up before the drive home.
2. The Cider Fan
Norfolk County (aka Ontario's Garden), with all its apple orchards, screams fall-time road trip. It is a perfect getaway for the road-tripper who loves craft cideries. Just make sure that you have a designated driver so that you can indulge in the cider scene safely. If you’re having a hard time locking down a designated driver, check out the guided tour options in Norfolk County by Ride the Bine and let them do the driving for you.
Cider Fans’ Option 1: Hounds of Erie Winery
This dog-friendly winery has many different cider options that can be sampled at their outdoor tastings station or enjoyed on a self-guided tour. They also have a retail store so the designated driver can buy some cider to enjoy later.
Cider Fans’ Option 2: Blueberry Hill Estates
Blueberry Hill Estates offers many different cider options. We recommend getting a tasting flight if you have a designated driver.
Cider Fans’ Option 3: Cider Keg Farm Market
The Cider Keg has a variety of non-alcoholic cider options from sparkling to still. Plus, their farm market is beautiful and well worth a visit for the aesthetics alone. Plan your road trip for a day that they are hosting a Farm Market Dinner Experience and you'll get to enjoy a 4-course meal on their farm using seasonal ingredients. Click here to pre-book your spots.
Cider Fans’ Option 4: New Limburg Restaurant & Brewery
You may be wondering what a restaurant/brewery is doing on a list for cider fans. Well, we think you may be looking for a bite to eat and this restaurant is one you won't want to miss. New Limburg Restaurant & Brewery has delicious food and is located in a charming repurposed schoolhouse. Plus, they have local ciders on their menu. So it totally fits the theme.
Cider Fans’ Option 5: Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery
The lavender season may be over, but you can still pick up some dried lavender or other lavender products when visiting Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery’s retail store. The Harvest Spice Folkin’ Hard Cider comes out during the fall and is a fan favourite! Also, they have a bed and breakfast at this location. Click here to book your stay.
Cider Fans’ Last Stop: Normandale Century Inn
If you or your designated driver bought cider from the retail stores throughout the road trip, you should consider staying at the Normandale Century Inn for the night. That way you can enjoy some cider in your cozy and comfortable room, and no one needs to drive anywhere!
3. The Art Appreciator
Elgin County is perfect for fall road trips. The back roads are exciting to drive and look amazing when the leaves change colour. Plus, any art appreciating friends you bring along will love the stops on this route so much, that they might even buy you lunch to thank you for suggesting this to them.
Art Appreciator Stop 1: Port Bruce Pierhead Lighthouse
The Port Bruce Pierhead Lighthouse is a scenic stop that any art enthusiast will appreciate. Head to Lake Erie for a quick photo opportunity and then on to the next stop!
Artist Appreciator Stop 2: Pinecroft
Next, grab lunch at Pinecroft's Green Frog Tearoom! This hidden gem is one of the stops along the Elgin Arts Trail and has beautiful cottage vibes.
Interested in taking a pottery class? Their pottery classes are offered on Sundays and Mondays and must be pre-booked. Click here for details.
If you plan to participate in a pottery class, you may wish to make this multiple-day trip to fit everything in!
Art Appreciator Stop 3: Boxcar Murals
Head to St. Thomas, to learn about the history of the town through their murals! The Boxcar Murals, pictured below, are painted by local artists and are truly mesmerizing! If you have time, we recommend visiting all of the murals in St. Thomas! Click here to find out where they all are.
Art Appreciator Stop 4: Seed Confections
Who doesn’t love when art and food are combined? The Seed Confections is the next stop on this road trip and is a great place to buy a few treats for the road. Try their beautiful, hand-crafted, artisan chocolates, cookies, and macarons.
Art Appreciator Stop 5: St. Thomas Elevated Park
Canada has exactly one elevated park, and this is it! It is an old railway bridge that you can walk across safely and enjoy the fall foliage. It is also lined with sculptures and art from local artists.
Art Appreciator Stop 6: Drift
The next stop is in the charming town of Port Stanley. Stretch your legs while you browse through the hand-made products at Drift. When shopping at Drift, you’ll find yourself surrounded by custom wood furniture and beach-inspired décor that was lovingly crafted by local artisans.
Art Appreciator Last Stop: Kettle Creek Inn
The last stop on the route is a showstopper anyway! Kettle Creek Inn is also located in the picturesque beach town of Port Stanley. It is the perfect place to rest for the night to make sure that you are ready for the drive back home.
4. The Wine Lover
Must-drive route number four is crafted especially with the wine-loving road trip enthusiast in mind. Ask your designated driver to head to Epic Wine Country where 15 wineries are located within the same scenic route along Lake Erie (Aleksander Estate Winery, Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW), Colio Estate Winery, Cooper's Hawk Vineyards, Dancing Swallows Vineyards, Mastronardi Estate Winery, Muscedere Vineyards, North 42 Degrees Estate Winery, Oxley Estate Winery, Paglione Estate Winery, Pelee Island Winery, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Viewpointe Estate Winery, Vin Winery, and Vivace Estate Winery). Since hitting all 15 isn’t possible, here are 5 options that would make a great fall road trip.
Purchase an EPIC Wine Country Tasting Pass to get a deal on tastings at select wineries in the area.
Keep in mind that if no one is interested in being the designated driver, you can enjoy a North Shore Wine Adventure with Grape Vine Tours. These tours include transportation to tastings at 3 wineries.
Wine Lover Option 1: Aleksander Estate Winery
Stop at Aleksander Estate Winery and enjoy the beauty of the vineyard in the fall. The Bemben family has been in the wine industry for over 30 years. It’s clear from their award-winning wines, that they know what they’re doing.
Wine Lover Option 2: Paglione Estate Winery
Feel like you’ve flown to Italy when you stop by Paglione Estate Winery. This winery shows beautiful attention to detail with a mural on the ceiling and a real stone oven that they use to make delicious pizzas.
Wine Lover Option 3: CREW - Colchester Ridge Estate Winery
The beautiful, raised patio is a fantastic spot to stop when on a fall road trip. This winery has a great vantage to view the vineyard with the fall forest in the background.
Wine Lover Option 4: Erie Shore Vineyard
Erie Shore Vineyard is another option to stop at as you make your way down the coast. They even have a drive-through, so you can grab a bottle to go, and continue your road trip.
Wine Lover Option 5: Vivace Estate Winery
The last winery along the route is Vivace Estate Winery. This winery is a wonderful place to finish the fall winery tour!
Wine Lover’s Last Stop: The Bondy House Bed and Breakfast
We get it, how can you possibly pick when there are so many great wineries to try? We suggest upgrading this day trip to a weekend getaway and staying at the Bondy House Bed and Breakfast.
5. The History Buff
Must-drive route number five is the history buff route. This route was designed for the road-trip enthusiast who wants to learn something new.
History Buff Stop 1: Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum
This museum is named after Wilson Pugsley MacDonald, a notable Canadian poet who went to school there. It highlights the history of rural education in Haldimand County and Canada.
History Buff Stop 2: Cottonwood Mansion
Have you visited a mansion lately? Well, this route includes two! The Holmes family built the Cottonwood Mansion between 1860-70. Learn about the history of the family and the mansion by booking a tour or fully immerse yourself in their Victorian House Guest Experience. You'll want to make sure that you book these ahead of time.
History Buff Stop 3: Caledonia Old Mill
The next stop on the road trip is to historical Caledonia Old Mill. It was built in 1852 and used to make flour for over 100 years. Now being used as an office complex, the mill was lovingly restored in 2020 and is a beautiful landmark on the Grand River.
History Buff Stop 4: Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre
Also in Caledonia, you'll find the former town hall and lock-up. Now over 150 years old, the Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre still has the original jail cell from when it was built in 1857.
History Buff Stop 5: Ruthven Park National Historic Site
Next, you'll head to Cayuga to visit a Greek Revival mansion built from 1845-47. This National Historic Site includes beautiful gardens, walking trails, and a mansion with guided tours that can be pre-booked.
History Buff Stop 6: Queen's Merritt Room
Since you must be hungry at this point, we recommend heading to Dunnville to the Queens Merritt Room for a bite to eat. Built in 1837, the Queen's Merrit Room was once a hotel (The Queen's Hotel) built by William Hamilton Merritt.
History Buff's Last Stop: Reeve Bed & Breakfast
If you want to take it easy before the drive home, make your way to the Reeve Bed & Breakfast for the night. It's just down the street from the Queen's Merrit Room.
6. The Farm Animal Fan
Be honest, have you ever "mooed" at cows as you've driven by? No judgment, you'll be among friends when you drive this rural route. This road trip is for anyone who feels more at peace when surrounded by animals than people.
The Farm Animal Fan Stop 1: Laughing Goat Yoga Studio
Start the day off right with some relaxing and hilarious goat yoga! You'll need a minimum of 4 people and must book in advance. So grab your 3 favourite people and start planning your road trip.
The Farm Animal Fan Stop 2: Stoneleigh Farm Alpacas
Next along the route is the Stoneleigh Farm. And yes, you can walk their alpacas! This is another experience that you'll need to book in advance so make sure to check out their website to see when they have availability before making the trip.
The Farm Animal Fan Stop 3: Kustermans Adventure Farm
Wind down to Kustermans Adventure Farm where you can find goats, cows, pigs, chickens, and more farm animals! They also have a pumpkin patch if you can tear yourself away from the animal area. They are open in September and October on weekends from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The Farm Animal Fan Stop 4: Circle R Ranch
During the fall, Circle R Ranch opens for horseback riding through the picturesque Dingman Creek Valley! Make sure to book your spot at least 24 hours before your arrival.
The Farm Animal Fan Stop 5: BJ's Country Market
After you've spent the day appreciating local farms, you'll likely be excited for a meal that supports local farmers. The homemade dishes at BJ's Country Market are exactly what you'll need to keep your energy levels going.
The Farm Animal Fan Stop 6: Jireh Hills Family Homestead
If you aren't ready to head home (and we wouldn't blame you if you weren't), we highly recommend staying in one of the Private Nature Lodges at Jireh Hills Family Homestead. These nature lodges are located on a 50-acre farm that's complete with goats, chickens, bunnies, ponies, alpacas, and more!
