There is no better place to enjoy fall than in Toronto’s official cottage country destination Muskoka. No, the good times do not end when the swimming comes to a close. Autumn could be even better with gorgeous fall colours and more cozy, foodie experiences.
Here are 10 amazing Muskoka experiences this weekend and throughout the fall season:
1. Go for a hike
Muskoka’s forests and exposed rock make for some of the most scenic hiking in Ontario, particularly in October.
One of our faves is the very easy Huckleberry Rock Lookout Trail near Port Carling. It is a short hike with a big payoff. The 2.5-kilometre loop crosses ancient Canadian Shield rock and leads to a lookout with a giant Muskoka chair and gorgeous views over Lake Muskoka and the surrounding forest.
For a similar, but still different perspective, head to the Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower, where you can take in a 360-degree view of the Muskoka landscape. Fall-colour viewing at the tower requires reservations during the autumn season, so check availability before making the drive.
And, of course, Hardy Lake Provincial Park will be filled with Instagram hikers looking to capture those perfect fall hiking snaps.
2. Take a scenic drive through Muskoka
One of the easiest ways to experience the fall colours is simply to get in the car and explore.
With the whole Sterling Point sensation settling down, it might be nice and now too crowded to drive up to Mortimer’s Point Marina, one of the main locations featured on the hit TV show. It’s a lovely drive and quite a scenic spot to stop for a coffee.
Another gorgeous drive runs from Port Carling to the small town of Rousseau through Minett. It will be lovely this time of year.
But Muskoka has a huge network of scenic roads connecting communities including Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, Bala, Port Carling and Dorset. Take your pick, or just wander.
3. See the fall colours from the water
For the quintessential Muskoka experience, get out on the water.
Muskoka Steamships operates from Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst and offers Thanksgiving colour cruises aboard its historic vessels.
Muskoka Cruises offers cruises from both Bracebridge and Port Carling, including river and lake options.
You can also take a Thanksgiving weekend cruise aboard the Peerless II on Lake Rosseau with Sunset Cruises, while the Island Queen offers a longer cruise through Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands.
4. Visit the cranberry marsh in Bala
Thanksgiving and cranberry season go hand in hand in Muskoka. This is what it is all about and the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery in Bala continues its Cranberry Harvest activities through the end of October, making it a fun stop during a Thanksgiving weekend getaway.
It will be very busy, so plan to arrive early on any of the Thanksgiving weekend days to avoid headaches.
Visitors can take part in activities including wagon tours, wine tasting, hiking and cranberry-related experiences while enjoying the surrounding fall scenery.
If cranberries are your thing, and you can’t make it up to Muskoka this weekend, then you’re in for a treat. The following weekend is the annual Cranberry Festival in Bala, Oct . 16-18. This fun event takes over the entire town with a street market, a ton of games and activities, live music, and much more.
5. Night sky delights
Muskoka is offering a series of affordable guided stargazing experiences from Oct. 16 to Nov. 7 as part of Muskoka: Home of the Stars, with 18 events taking place under some of Ontario’s darkest skies. Most cost just $10 and include beginner-friendly constellation tours, mythology and Indigenous sky stories, astrophotography workshops, and opportunities to learn how to photograph the night sky using a camera or smartphone. Events are happening at locations including Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve, Arrowhead Provincial Park, Wilson’s Falls, Deerhurst Resort and other spots around Muskoka, with programs ranging from hands-on photography sessions to a free planetarium-style Astronomy in Action show.
6. Autumn Festival & Market at Hale Muskoka
On Oct. 10, Hale Muskoka in Gravenhurst is hosting its In Autumn Festival & Market, a free event celebrating the flavours, makers and colours of the season. Surrounded by Muskoka’s fall scenery, the market will feature more than 25 local vendors, including Muskoka Brewery, Lemony Sweet, Muskoka Knits, Poised Me Jewelry, Sweetalicious Cakery, Mave & Chez, J Kwinter Gourmet Foods and mysTEAry.
There will also be live music, photo opportunities, a new retail boutique called Cabin and a kids’ zone with face painting, games and other activities.
And, it’s free!
7. Blue Rodeo at The Kee
Thanksgiving is a time of traditions in Muskoka, and one of the best ones is getting a chance to score a ticket to see Blue Rodeo live at the Kee to Bala.
The iconic Toronto band plays two nights Oct. 9 and 10 and it sells out very quickly, but there is always a chance someone will be unable to attend. It is always a memorable night, so pay close attention to Ticketmaster.
8. Check out Thanksgiving weekend events
Thanksgiving weekend is also a good time to explore Muskoka’s towns and villages.
October brings a variety of fall festivals, markets, harvest events and family activities to the region. On Oct. 9, the Muskoka Beatles perform at Bracebridge Hall, while Fleetwood Mac Mania is scheduled at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville.
9. Book a Muskoka Thanksgiving getaway
If you want to make more than a day trip of it, Thanksgiving is a good excuse to book a night or two in Muskoka.
Options include Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Bayview Wildwood Resort in Severn Bridge, Bondi Village Cottage Resort near Dwight, Rocky Crest Golf Resort near MacTier, Sherwood Inn in Port Carling, Sunnylea Resort in Port Severn and many more.
10. Have a Thanksgiving dinner in Muskoka
Of course, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a good meal.
Restaurants and resorts throughout Muskoka offer Thanksgiving brunch and dinner options over the holiday weekend.
For instance, one of the area’s top restaurants, Crossroads, is having a special Thanksgiving menu running the weekend and it sounds incredible.
If you’re planning to eat out on Thanksgiving Sunday or Monday, make a reservation well in advance.
Muskoka will be busy throughout the month, so if you don’t make it up this weekend, you still have time to enjoy all the fall splendour.