The most colourful destinations in Canada this autumn

Canada really comes alive in autumn as the incredible landscape dances in red, yellow and orange leaves for several weeks each fall. It is a wonderful time to appreciate the season and explore the country on a crisp autumn day. Find beautiful splashes of colour across Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver and the province of Ontario. The conditions are perfect for leaf peeping tours, hiking, bird watching and other outdoor adventures. From late night food markets to refreshing walks in inspiring landscapes, there are many scenic places to soak up Canada’s beauty. Have an adventurous autumn day out exploring, before heading into the warmth of one of Canada’s welcoming eateries and indulging in a pecan pie.

Quebec

The City of Quebec glimmers in the autumn light, which highlights it at its best. You can admire the city’s stunning surroundings by taking a horse drawn carriage through the Historic District of Old Quebec, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. This unique way to discover the city is best in the early evening because the amazing architecture of the city is highlighted by the glow of the setting sun. To enjoy some of your favourite outdoor activities, head to the Jacques-Cartier National Park, just north of Quebec City. Home to some of Quebec’s most popular lakes, you can canoe, kayak, fish and camp in the valley surrounded by forest.

The province of Quebec continuously hosts a variety of fun excursions for visitors. Trips can be taken to the Montmorency Falls, Île d’Orléans and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine. Whether you would rather view the astonishing waterfall on the Montmorency River by walking along suspension bridges or see where agriculture and handicrafts thrive year-round at Île d’Orléans, each itinerary is unique and will provide you with a wealth of Quebec’s culture. Others may rather visit the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré where miracles are believed to have taken place.

Toronto

Famous for its array of cultures, the many neighbourhoods of Toronto will bring you an assortment of flavours, sights and sounds in the autumnal months. You can really appreciate Toronto’s culture at this time as the International Film Festival takes places from 8th – 18th September. Here you can spend an incredible ten days attending screenings, panels and parties that involve hundreds of different film genres.

Running for one night only each year, Nuit Blanche is a free contemporary art event that showcases some of the best talent Canada has to offer. From sunset to sunrise on October 1st, Toronto will be transformed by hundreds of artists. Wrap up warm and head out into the night to soak up the sleepless city.

For something a little different that the kids will love, head to Sorauren Park on November 1st for a spooky Halloween highlight. For the last 10 years, the Pumpkin Parade has filled the park with elaborately carved pumpkins, now reaching around 2000 ghoulish carvings on display each year. From familiar witches and cats to witty political satire, the artful pumpkins represent the fun-loving spirit of Canada’s brightest city.

Vancouver

Wrap up warm and take a stroll in Stanley Park where you can view stunning trails, mountains and wildlife from its famous Seawall. As one of Canada’s largest urban parks, it really is a must-see if you are visiting Vancouver, particularly at this autumnal time of year.

For a wacky and original way to view art, do not miss the Eastside Culture Crawl between 17th – 20th November. This is Vancouver’s largest art crawl which consists of a four day festival of visual arts, design and crafts. Buzzing with energy and excitement, more than 20,000 will visit artists in their studios located by Main Street and Victoria Drive.

Vancouver is also one of the greatest places to explore by night, as every building is lit up with all sorts of colourful signs and lights. One of our favourite things to do in the evening is explore the various mouth-watering cuisines that make up the Richmond Night Market, located within easy access of the Canada Line’s Bridgeport Station. Running until 10th October, the annual gathering offers hundreds of things to eat and drink as well as providing some fantastic live entertainment and merchandise stalls. Make sure you get there early and bring plenty of cash so you can indulge in the mouth-watering food and enjoy the ambiance!

Ontario

Canada is famous for its picturesque landscapes during autumn and, of course, Ontario is no exception. The rich foliage and stunning scenery of Ontario’s oldest park, Algonquin Park, makes it a top spot to enjoy the beauty of autumn as it boasts 7,725 square kilometres of forests. The park is famous for its aspens, red oaks and maple trees which are certainly seen at their best in September and October.

Take a one-day train tour into the depths of the northern Ontario wilderness for a real glimpse of those fabled fall colours. The Agawa Canyon train tour runs north from Sault Ste. Marie in northern Ontario, and trust us when we say that the journey is breath-taking. The excursion takes you on a scenic route through untouched wilderness that comprises of deep river valleys and shimmering northern lakes. As you travel through ancient granite rock formations, you will see the vast forests of the Canadian Shield which is alive with colour during September and October.

From 10th – 25th September, the Niagara Wine Festival takes place at Montebello Park in St Catharine’s on the Niagara Peninsula. It is a fantastic place to admire the elegant park while tasting the best food and wine the region has to offer, particularly Niagara’s famous Ice Wine.

With a buzzing atmosphere full of colourful sights, Canada really is one of the best places to visit in autumn. Guaranteed to give you a magical time with family and friends, you can explore all the great events and activities on offer over the autumnal months.

Image credit: Dhinakaran Gajavarathan (flickr.com), Trevor Hunter (flickr.com), Sam Javanrouh (flickr.com), Taavi Burns (flickr.com), popejon2 (flickr.com), JoshNV (flickr.com)