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Summary

8 Enchanting Small Towns Around Toronto That Are Like Stepping Into An Autumn Dream

These spots pair perfectly with a PSL.

Woman eating a meal at a restaurant with string lights. Right: Community of Galt, Ontario.

Woman eating a meal at a restaurant with string lights. Right: Community of Galt, Ontario.

Lead Writer, Travel

There is something so magical about small towns during autumn, and these places around Toronto make for enchanting day trips. You can shop at local boutiques, sip pumpkin spice lattes at cozy cafes, and visit vibrant forests along hiking trails for a beautiful autumn day.

Located around Toronto, these villages will whisk you away to an autumn dream, so put on your plaid and get ready to explore.

Kleinburg Village

Address: Kleinburg, ON

Why You Need To Go: Located just outside of Toronto, this little village is filled with European-style cafes and quaint boutiques. You can attend The Pumpkin Harvest Festival and indulge in fall-themed treats as you enjoy the small town charm.

Website

Elora

Address: Elora, ON

Why You Need To Go: Dubbed "Ontario's most beautiful village," Elora is a stunning place to visit year-round, and it gets extra cozy during the fall. The quaint cobblestone streets and little cafes are surrounded by vibrant colours, and you can even discover monsters taking over the town during spooky season.

Website

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Address: Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Why You Need To Go: This enchanting town is surrounded by wineries, and you can enjoy local shops, delicious food, and boozy adventures. During the fall, you can expect some cozy events at wineries, food tours, and, if you're feeling brave, haunted tours.

Website

Galt

Address: Galt, ON

Why You Need To Go: This historic spot is considered a community, but it has all those small-town vibes. The old houses, towering maple trees, and flowing river will make you feel like you've stepped into a fall Hallmark film.

Website

Unionville

Address: Unionville, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can actually spend an autumn day in Stars Hollow by heading to this town near Toronto. The village was featured in the pilot episode of Gilmore Girls, and you can even take a tour based on the series while visiting this spot.

Website

Picton

Address: Picton, ON

Why You Need To Go: From cute farms to scenic drives, this little town is worth a road trip. You can explore local shops, visit wineries, and even go to a fall fair.

Website

Dundas

Address: Dundas, ON

Why You Need To Go: Not only can you enjoy small town vibes at this spot, you can also find some stunning waterfalls surrounded by fall scenery along the hiking trails.

Website

St. Jacobs

Address: St. Jacobs, ON

Why You Need To Go: This dreamy village has cozy bakeries, little shops, and all the autumn feels. You can stop by the massive market to shop for local and seasonal goods.

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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