This train ride near Toronto takes you to tiny villages and a market draped in fall colours

It's a magical autumn adventure.

A train driving through fall colours. Right: A person standing on a street.

A scenic train in Ontario. Right: A small town in Ontario.

Lead Writer, Travel

All aboard! This scenic train ride near Toronto takes you to cozy small towns and a quaint market, and it's even more beautiful during the fall.

You can ride past rolling hills, fall foliage, and more, soaking up the beautiful views and enjoying the magic of the season.

The Waterloo Central Railway's Heritage Hopper train ride is a scenic experience located about an hour and a half away from Toronto.

According to the website, you can "marvel at the fall colours and travel back in time for an authentic heritage train ride through Woolwich Township and Waterloo Regions' famous Mennonite farm country" on a rail line that dates back to the 1880s.

The train whisks you past beautiful rolling countryside blanketed in orange and crimson leaves.

With the Heritage Hopper day pass, you can hop on and off the train at various stations. It's a chance to explore quaint little towns and shop for harvest goods at the farmers' market.

St. Jacobs Village is one of the most charming spots to explore along the route. The town is lined with quaint shops, cozy cafes, and cute bakeries, making it feel like a scene from an autumn postcard.

Another small town you can stop by is Elmira. It's a 30-minute walk from the station to the town, where you can explore the local shops and dig into some food at the eateries.

You'll definitely want to visit the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market — the largest year-round farmers' market in Canada. The destination features all sorts of goods, from artwork to baked treats and more.

You can choose between two car options: the coach car or the first-class lounge, where you'll find plush upholstered chairs.

If you're looking for a fun fall adventure, this scenic train ride near Toronto offers stunning views and charming small towns.

Heritage Hopper

Price: 24.99 + per adult

When: Thursdays and Saturdays

Address: 330 Farmers Market Rd., St.Jacobs, ON

Waterloo Central Railway Website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Lead Writer

    Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

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