8 gorgeous small towns near Toronto that will whisk you away to an autumn dreamland

You'll feel like a Gilmore girl at these spots.

Lead Writer, Travel

Fall is upon us and there's no better time to take a trip to a cozy small town. There are so many beautiful villages around Toronto that transform into autumn dreamlands, so grab your pumpkin spice latte and get ready to explore.

From riverside gems to Hallmark-worthy communities, these destinations near the city are even more beautiful during the fall.

Here are eight small towns to visit near Toronto this autumn season.

Fergus

Address: Fergus, ON

Why You Need To Go: Tucked away along the banks of the Grand River, Fergus is like an autumn trip to Edinburgh. The enchanting Scottish town boasts a quaint Main Street and fall events like Ghost Walks.

Downtown Fergus Website

Unionville

Address: Unionville, ON

Why You Need To Go: Get ready for some major Gilmore Girls vibes! This little destination near Toronto served as the fictional town of Stars Hollow during the pilot episode of the show.

You can enjoy cozy cafes, a gazebo decked out in fall decor and a Gilmore Girls Tour.

Main Street Unionville Website

St. Jacobs Village

Address: St. Jacobs, ON

Why You Need To Go: This quaint harvest village is brimming with fall vibes. You can enjoy delicious bakeries, forested trails, autumn events and Canada's largest year-round farmers' market.

St. Jacobs Village Website

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Address: Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Why You Need To Go: Known for its 19th century charm, Niagara-on-the-Lake will whisk you away to Europe this fall. The leaf-filled streets and enchanting boutiques offer tons of cozy vibes. You can also take ghost tours around the town to explore some of the haunted areas.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Tourism

Dundas

Address: Dundas, ON

Why You Need To Go: Located just outside of Toronto, this charming small town makes for a lovely fall day trip. You can explore the many shops that line the Main Street and enjoy the foliage along one of the surrounding waterfall trails.

Downtown Dundas Website

Elora

Address: Elora, ON

Why You Need To Go: Dubbed "Ontario's most beautiful village," Elora is a stunning spot to visit year-round. Fall brings a new kind of enchantment to the town, when the trees transform with vibrant shades and the air becomes cool and crisp.

During October, the town fills with monster sculptures and spooky events and it's like visiting a real-life Halloween village.

Elora BIA Website

Port Perry

Address: Port Perry, ON

Why You Need To Go: This Hallmark-worthy town is just an hour away from Toronto and will have you feeling like a Gilmore girl.

Port Perry offers fall food and drinks, cute shops, gorgeous strolls and more to enjoy.

Port Perry Website

Blue Mountain Village


Address: 156 Jozo Weider Blvd., The Blue Mountains, ON

Why You Need To Go: This enchanting pedestrian village will have you feeling like you're in Switzerland this fall. There are endless autumn activities to enjoy, from colourful hikes to harvest festivals and a mountain coaster.

Blue Mountain Village 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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