Top 10 Late Summer and Fall Family Experiences North of Toronto

For many, the best time to get out and enjoy the abundant natural, cultural and historic treasures north of Toronto occurs in the late summer and fall.

Here, one can enjoy a leisurely spin around the region without combatting the peak summer crowds that seek out this area’s cornucopia of riches throughout late June and July.

Natural wonders and small-town attractions and activities can be a great focal point for a day trip, quick weekend getaway or an even longer stay.

1. Embrace those last days of summer. The coming weeks offers some of the best weather on the calendar for getting outside. And with two long weekends in the offing, there are plenty of places to explore. Labour Day and Thanksgiving provide ample opportunity to check out someplace new or return to a familiar, much-loved haunt.

* Labour Day Weekend Events
* Thanksgiving Weekend Events
* Events Calendar

2. Take in a festival. There are still plenty of chances to take in a family-friendly weekend event. Blue Mountain Village, for example, features a number of special events throughout the coming weeks. On August 15 and 16, the village hosts Mountain Music, a festival devoted to all things country. A couple of weekends later, the village mixes it up with Funkengruven, a fun festival featuring high-energy music, interactive drumming, groove dancing and even hula hooping.

Festivals include:

Sainte Marie among the Hurons Harvest Festival
Summer Sundown & Fireworks
Apple Harvest Festival

3. Brush up on your history. Whether one’s history bent relishes the story of early French missionaries or those protecting our land during the War of 1812, Huronia Historical Parks offers two must-see destinations. Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Midland features Franco-Ontarian Day on September 25 to celebrate French culture and heritage with special displays and activities followed on October 10 and 11 with the site’s popular Thanksgiving Harvest Festival. The family favourite features pumpkin decorating, seasonal displays, and dozens of artisans. A few kilometres away on the shores of Georgian Bay, Discovery Harbour returns with its popular Haunted Harbour October 22, 23 and 24. The evening event promises a fun and spooky time for the whole family as visitors walk along a candlelit path between the site’s historic properties and meet a range of costumed characters.

Museums & Galleries

Huronia Museum | Dave Beckett Gallery | MacLaren Art Centre

4. Pack up the tent for a fun weekend of camping under the stars. There’s no better time than late August and September to explore Ontario’s most famous park. Algonquin, which also features workshops at its Wildlife Research Station, and other provincial parks throughout the region offers great family-friendly experiences with camping, hiking and wildlife-viewing opportunities.

5. Learn about animals and other species at a wildlife centre. Families will love checking out facilities like the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre near Midland. Throughout the summer, the centre’s open late on Saturdays, which marketing and development coordinator Laura Thomas points out is the best time to view wildlife at its most active. The Marsh also boasts one-hour guided canoe and kayak tours led by a naturalist and more than 25 kilometre of trails, including its spectacular boardwalk that reaches out into the heart of the action where kids will get a kick out of using a drip net to see what kinds of little creatures inhabit the area. “There are ample opportunities to view wildlife from the majestic trumpeter swans to the playful river otters,” Thomas says, noting that throughout the summer the facility is hosting the popular Bats of Ontario Exhibit, on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum.

6. Head to the beach. With so many lakes and rivers on offer, the region north of Toronto features a plethora of great swimming, canoeing and kayaking possibilities. From collecting rocks and shells along the sandy beaches of Georgian Bay to paddling down a pristine river, there are just so many water-based activities to enjoy.

7. Celebrate the country’s First Nations. The Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre holds its 15^th annual POW WOW September 12 and 13. Presented just east of Midland in Sainte-Marie Park, the POW WOW features all types of Native dancers and drummers as well as intertribal dances where everyone is invited to participate in the dance circle. There are also plenty of fun and colourful activities throughout the weekend as well as more than 35 vendors and artisans selling their crafts, jewellery, and foods. 

8. Thank a farmer. Late summer and fall is harvest season for many Ontario fruits and vegetables. What could be more fun than heading to a farmers' market on a cool sunny day and picking out your own pumpkin for decorating or making a delicious pie? Many pumpkin patches also offer hayrides and corn mazes that are sure to delight both the young and young-at-heart. The region also features plenty of apple orchards where visitors can pick an assortment of available homegrown varieties.

9. Head to a resort. Besides several well-known resorts dotting the area, the region features dozens of top-notch resorts offering a wide array of services designed to suit every taste. From the rustic to the luxurious, the area offers sublime getaways with a generous range of activities. Besides an array of water-based activities, many resorts also offer full dining plans along with a bevy of entertainment, sports and leisure activities.

10. Take in nature’s glory at its finest. This could easily be number one on the list since there are few things more spectacular than the vibrant orange, yellow and red hues that envelop the region when the nights become colder and leaves begin to change colour. But whether by bicycle, motorbike or car, there are plenty of backroads that can serve as not only a wonderful way to enjoy the many small towns and villages that dot the landscape, but also to breathe in the fresh air and let one’s eyes capture one of nature’s greatest gifts.

Excited to knock things off this list? Visit our website to find:

Events & Festivals

Fall Leaf Colour Progression Report and Road Trip Ideas

August Getaways & September Getaways & October Getaways

Attactions, Activities & Things To Do

Article written by: A Philips for 400eleven.com

Franco Ontario Day at Sainte Marie Among the Hurons, Midland Ontario - September 25

"Wearing my shirt and ready to go!"

*note this blog was written following attendance to the 2012 festivities*

2015 Franco Ontario Day is Friday September 25.

This day celebrates French culture and traditions in Ontario. Francophone or not, this is a day to embrace and support the culture and bring about awareness of the large francophone community in Ontario.

According to the 2006 Canadian census, there were 488,815 self declared francophones in Ontario (declaring one mother tongue), comprising 4.1 per cent of the province's total population. *from Wikipedia

The French method of transportation
The Voyageur Canoe - which was quickly
adapted from watching and learning from
the native birch bark canoe.

Ontario’s first European Community, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron Wendat people. In 1639, the Jesuits, along with French lay workers, began construction of a fenced community that included barracks, a church, workshops, residences, and a sheltered area for Native visitors.

By 1648, Sainte-Marie was a wilderness home to 66 French men, representing one-fifth of the entire population of New France. Sainte-Marie's brief history ended in 1649, when members of the mission community were forced to abandon and burn their home of nearly 10 years.

French style construction deep in
Native territory

After extensive archaeological and historical research, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is now recreated on its original site, where the mission’s compelling story is brought to life.

Today at Sainte Marie among the Huron's special Fanco Ontario Day celebrations we heard the local story of the Loup de Lafontaine. The story was quaintly told in the smoky long house. We enjoyed this very much - especially since it was told with puppets! A perfect visual aid for my 3 year old son.

C'est bon le violon!!

We were serenaded by violin players. The violin has long been an instrument played by francophones.

French style shoes  ~1640

We visited the blacksmith shop and were shown many influencial items that the French brought into the area for the the very first time. For example, iron and the art of blacksmithing, various fabrics and materials and clothes items made with them.

Blacksmith shop items - iron was
introduced by the French to the area.
Things like hinges, nails and knives were
made here. No horseshoes. Horses
were not yet in this part of Ontario.

Franco Day Celebrations or not, it is well worth taking your family to Sainte Marie among the Hurons. It is rich in history and told in a child friendly way. Kids can see history come alive with costumed interpreters, artifacts and wonderful story telling. Their hands on approach on site is an interactive way for children to learn and become interested in their history. All the staff is friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about educating the next generation about the history of Ontario and how it came to be.




Featured Midland Accommodations:

Best Western Plus Highland Inn and Conference Centre

Midland Tourism

...and they had CAKE! :-)