Crunchy leaf season is a great time for a little weekend escape to discover somewhere new. Nothing says rest and relaxation like leaving the hustle and bustle of the city and driving into the charming Ontario countryside.
Less than two hours from Toronto, Perth County serves up warm hospitality and beautiful scenery for every type of adventurer.
It's the perfect backdrop for fall photos, memorable experiences, antique shopping, and falling in love with the local history and culture.
Picture waking up to a crisp autumn morning surrounded by stunning fall foliage as you start planning out your day. First stop, a classic diner breakfast before a stroll back in time down the Victorian streets of Listowel, followed by an afternoon craft beer at the Shakespeare Brewing Company. Finish the day off right with an evening stroll on the G2G Rail Trail and dinner with a view at River Valley. You could squeeze all that in one busy day, but you'll want to book a weekend to enjoy everything that Perth County has to offer.
Discover more with an outdoor adventure! The stunning landscapes throughout Perth County boast tons of hiking spots and stunning views. Visit the Wildwood Conservation Area in Perth South to admire gorgeous fall colours; plus, if you're up for a little cool-weather camping, there's even a campground on-site and backcountry camping! Lace-up your hiking boots for the 13.5-mile Wildwood Lake Trail or check out the shorter West Perth Thames Nature Trail.
Afterwards, treat yourself to some tasty cheese — locally made, of course — at Stonetown Cheese or Millbank Cheese.
Getting in touch with nature (literally) is possible at some of Perth County's interactive farms. Feed the goats and alpacas at Goats on 86, or check out the West Perth Animal Park and hang out with fallow deer, a llama, donkeys, goats, and birds.
The cute doesn't stop at farm animals — the county is full of adorable inns, motels, and more. Whether you're looking for a rustic getaway or a modern country escape, there's no shortage of quaint options.
Getting some quality rest and relaxation is about more than just a good night's sleep. You can restore your inner calm with a local spa experience, like a well-deserved hot stone massage at A Calm Retreat, or even a facial at Orchard Valley Spa.
Perth County takes serious pride in its local food. Discover everything from farms tours, maple syrup tours, and beehive tours, or get in the seasonal spirit at the Fall Harvest Festival and Christmas Festival. Enjoy a day of picking flowers at Black Creek Flower Farm and choosing pumpkins at Smelski Pumpkin Farm.
Something about farm-fresh local produce just makes everyone all the more excited to eat vegetables. Get your veggies without commercial pesticides from one of Perth County's organic farms, like Organic Oasis or Lynn River Farm Store.
Grab your best foodie friend and hit up Anna Mae's Restaurant & Bakery for their renowned Mennonite cooking. Make sure to try a homemade pie (if you can get one before they sell out). They're famous in these parts, and it's a Perth County tradition to head to Anna Mae's on a Friday for one of their 18+ fresh-baked pies.
Make pie the theme of the day (or the whole weekend) by heading to Shakespeare Pizza, whose Instagram account boasts mouthwatering melted-cheese photos mixed with appetizing and amusing pizza memes. If you still have room for another slice, Shakespeare Pies is a must. In fact, Perth County has more incredible bakeries than you can count on two hands, like Impressions Bakery, Fresh Start Bakery, and The Sugar Maple Restaurant — just to name a few.
If you need to work off all the sweet treats, head out for a round of golf on one of Perth County’s gorgeous golf courses!
With something for every weekend warrior, Perth County is an incredible fall road trip for you and your loved ones. It's also the perfect getaway for a little romance and cute photo ops with your partner.
The best part? This hidden gem has all of these memorable experiences to offer without the crowds. You'll want to get in on the Perth County secret before the word gets out. You deserve a weekend free from the hustle and bustle of city life and full of rustic charm in the heart of rural Ontario.