This Tiny Village In Ontario Will Make You Feel Like You're On An Autumn Trip To Vermont
Cue the fall vibes! This little town in Ontario will whisk you away to the tree-lined hills of Vermont, and the best part is, you don't need to pack a suitcase.
Dorset, known as "the community with a view," is located just north of Toronto in the Muskoka region.
Boasting lush forests, water views, and scenic landscapes, it's a magical place to enjoy the fall season.
The community itself is very small, but there is still lots to do. You can visit several art studios, enjoy the shops, explore the trails, and more.
The Dorset Heritage Trail is a marked path that leads you up and down Tower Hill. The entire distance is about 1.5 kilometres so you can enjoy a short, easy hike without breaking too much of a sweat.
Beginning at the Dorset Heritage Museum, the loop features 21 notable places throughout the village that will "immerse [you] in the rich heritage of the community."
One beautiful activity to enjoy during the fall is the Lake of Bays Scenic Drive. The route features magnificent autumn colours and takes you past lakes and rugged rocks.
The 80 kilometre loop around the lake has stops in charming villages like Baysville, Dwight and, of course, Dorset. You'll have a chance to explore local shops, dine at restaurants, enjoy the range of art throughout the villages and more.
The Bigwin Steamship is another incredible Dorset attraction, which offers public cruises during early fall.
You can also head to Algonquin Provincial Park, located about 30 minutes away from Dorset. The park is known for its breathtaking fall colours and vibrant trails.
One of Dorset's main attractions is the Dorset Scenic Lookout Tower. Situated just north of the village, the sky-high tower boasts incredible views of the foliage below.
The tower stretches over 100 feet into the air and attracts more than 60,000 visitors per year. Autumn is a popular time to visit the tower, and the landmark sometimes draws more than 600 vehicles a day.
The observation deck offers beautiful views of Lake of Bays as well as the fiery treetops. There are also ground-level lookouts if you're not up for the climb.
As the park is busy during the fall, you'll need to make a reservation in advance during weekends until October 15 to secure your spot.
If you're dreaming of Vermont-worthy autumn views, this spot is worth a road trip.
You can plan an actual trip to the charming small town of Stowe, Vermont as well, which is located just a few hours from the Ontario border. It features a charming main street and leaf-covered mountains.
Dorset
Address: Dorset, ON
Why You Need To Go: Experience all the fall vibes at this scenic spot in Ontario.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on October 13, 2021.
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