This riverside town in Ontario has little cafes and storybook streets draped in fall magic

It's like a scene from a Hallmark film.

A historic building surrounded by fall colours. Right: A person sitting by a river.

A small town in Ontario during the fall.

Lead Writer, Travel

Cozy cafes, a winding river, vibrant leaves, and storybook shops come together to create the perfect recipe for a magical fall day. You can find all this and more in this charming Ontario town, and it's like an autumn dream come to life.

Nestled along the banks of a scenic river, this majestic town transforms into a fall wonderland, with golden foliage and Hallmark-level charm.

If you're looking for a cozy fall day trip, it's worth keeping this enchanting village on your radar.

Almonte is a former mill town perched along the shores of the Mississippi River, just under an hour from Ottawa.

The town is known for its charm and has even been dubbed the "Hallmark Capital" due to the many Christmas movies that have been filmed there.

The Christmas season isn't the only magical time to visit this spot. Fall offers its own kind of charm, with leaf-covered streets and cozy cafes straight out of a fairy tale.

You can spend your time wandering along Mill Street, where you'll find cute storefronts draped in autumn decor.

The town is also home to several cozy cafes, such as North Market Almonte, Ottawa Valley Coffee, Hummingbird Chocolate, and Equator Coffee Roasters, where you can grab a pumpkin spice latte or specialty drink that will put you in the fall mood.

The Almonte Riverwalk is known for its scenic views and leads around landmarks like Thoburn Mill and the Victoria Woollen Mill, surrounded by vibrant foliage.

If you're looking for more beautiful fall views, the Mill of Kintail Conservation Area is the place to be. The destination boasts dreamy forested trails and canopies of red and orange leaves.

On September 25, you can enjoy the Almonte Fall Night Market, which celebrates all things autumn and includes treats, games and more.

With cozy autumn vibes and scenic views, this quaint village is a magical place to enjoy the season.

Almonte 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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