We're blogging about what we know best. What to do, where to do it and where to stay 'north' of Toronto. It's a well and little known fact that within an hour of the big city of Toronto, Ontario offers the most amazing and special places to find culture, history, entertainment, nature and recreation. Follow our blog for information and news about events, attractions and activities for the perfect day trip or getaway 'north' of Toronto.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Algonquin Hardwood Trail
Algonquin Park. One of the ways to find out about the hardwood forest and the change of the fall colours is to hike up the short trail for a view over the
Smoke Lake Basin. For more Algonquin Fall drives or suggested tours please see http://www.400eleven.com/colour-report-algonquin-park.html
Haliburton Village-Head Lake Sept. 28-08
to haliburton Village. SEE Fall Colour (color) Drives north of Toronto
http://www.400eleven.com/colour-report.html#haliburton
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Ontario Studio Artist Tours, Art Galleries, Fall Colour Road Trips
Fall in Ontario would not be complete without a visit to one of the many artists participating in the many Fall Studio Art Tours north of Toronto. Many of the artist tours are within close proximity to Toronto, however there are many exceptional artists and tours further north. Here is a sample list of the many tours. One of the long sustaining fall art tours takes place on Thanksgiving weekend-The Studio Images Tour in Simcoe County celebrates 25 years of artistic spirit, this year's tour features over 40 artists at 24 unique stops.
Studio Tours for This Weekend on Sat and Sunday September 27, 28.
- Deer Trail Studio Tour, Elliot Lake region
- Bancroft and Area Autumn Studio Tour
- Purple Hills Fall Studio Tour (Creemore region south of Collingwood)
- The 22nd Annual Elora, Fergus Studio Tour
- 20th Annual Hills of Erin Studio Tour (Erin and Hillsburgh area)
- Merrickville Artists Guild Studio Tour
- 4th Temiskaming Studio Tour, New Liskeard area
- Norfolk Studio Tour (Norfolk Country area including the community of Simcoe)
- 24th Annual Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour
- North of 89 Studio Tour (Shelburne area)
- Sudbury Arts Tour
- Apples and Art Studio Tour (Cornwall area)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Fall Along the Highway 60 Corridor-Algonquin Park
Robin Tapley is reporting from the Algonquin area with changes being a bit slower this year, however there are a number of spots where fall colours are more prominent. Tapley reminds us that not all fall colours are bright and red, and the dark hues of an Algonquin Moose will always raise the hairs on the back of your neck. There are lots of berries usually in hues of reds this year. Tapley lives in the Dwight area near Huntsville and is the Naturalist at the new Red Leaves in north East Muskoka. See suggested Algonquin Fall Drives and Road Trips.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Fall Colour Route To Ansuka B & B
Ansaku B&B sits on 120acres of beautiful mature forest and rolling fields.
The Bruce Trail runs
adjacent to our property. Come and enjoyhiking,canoeing,fishing,skiing,golfing,and water sports.Read a book on the
porch or relax in our sauna,hot tub or swimming pond. We offer a lot of privacy.
Each guest suite and one self contained apartment features an en-suite bathroom
and a separate guest entrance.We are located between Felsherton and Thornbury,
just 5-10 min.from the Ski hills.Collingwood and Blue Mountain are just 30min. away.
The colour route from Collingwood is:
Hwy 26west towards Thornbury turn left onto Grey 40 then turn left
onto grey 13 (Beaver Valley road) turn right onto Grey 4 , turn right
onto east back line (Hoggs Falls) turn right onto Grey 32 stay
straight on 7th line. turn right onto sideroad 13, turn left onto grey
7 all the way to Meaford turn right onto hwy 26 back to Collingwood.
Fall Colours from the Beaver Valley
There are two great ways to enjoy the fall colours in Beaver Valley. If you enjoy hiking one of the best places to see the fall colours is on top of Old Baldy, part of the Bruce Trail. Driving or cycling along the back roads of Beaver Valley is also a great way to see the coloured leaves. Come enjoy fall at Cedars Cottage Resort. Cedars Cottage Resort 1-800-747-7014
Carolyn Lilleyman
Cedars Cottage Resort
www.cedarsresort.com
Monday, September 15, 2008
Muskoka Cavalcade of Colours
Muskoka Fall Colour (Color) Road Trips
Muskoka Ontario is renowned for the 'Cavalcade of Fall Colours' and the many fall touring routes available between charming towns and villages from Gravenhurst in the South to Huntsville and Lake of Bays to the north and East. Bala and Port Carling to the West. A variety of accommodation awaits including historic lodges, country inns, golf resorts, and waterfront cottages. Fall is the best time of year for a canoe or hike or a quick trip over to the Algonquin Park Area along the Highway 60 corridor. See Muskoka Fall Colour Road Trips
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fall National & International Events North of Toronto
The 2008 Georgian College Auto Show on September 19, 20, 21, is showcasing technological advances in the automotive industry and their direct impact on the environment. The slogan for this year (Renew, unite, evolve) also has an environmental or “green” focus.
The second major event is the 2008 International Plowing Match in Teeswater , Bruce County Ontario September 16th to the 20th... The focus is to highlight the many aspects of agriculture, rural life and down home hospitality. Experience
The third main event is the change of the fall colours and views of the magnificent hardwood forests of Sugar maple, Striped Maple, Yellow birch, Beech, and Black Cherry trees north of
More than 25 fall colour routes and road trips are suggested for your travel north in
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Art and Decor and Ontario's Fall Colours
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Food Festivals, Farmers' Markets, Fall Fairs, Wine Tasting North of Toronto
Ontario Food Festivals, Fall Fairs, Culinary Events 2008
North of Toronto: September 2008: There are more than just the leaves showing their colours north of Toronto. A number of culinary events and harvest celebrations are taking place in many of the traditional resort destinations north of Toronto. Destinations holding food and wine festivals include Hillsburgh Bobcaygeon in the Kawartha Lakes area, Green Belt Cycling Tours of the Rouge Park Loop, and the Newmarket to Lake Simcoe Route. Serious foodies will be in their element as they can combine one of the culinary events with a fall colour road trip, or fall festival or country fairs.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Doors Open Barrie Features Harbour View Inn
One of Barrie Ontario's historic downtown buildings is being featured in Doors Open Ontario this fall on September 28. Built in 1885, this is a Gothic Revival building at the corner of Berczy and Dunlop Streets and offers a panoramic view of Lakes Simcoe's Kempenfelt Bay. See Harbour View Inn and book a room .
Additional Barrie area hotels and resorts . Book Barrie Hotels on-line.
Additional locations offering free admission include the Maclaren Art Centre, a building built as the Carnagie Library in 1917 has been transformed into a modern and contemporary art gallery while maintaining the classical structure of the original building. Free admission is also available at the Simcoe County Museum on highway 26 just outside of the downtown area.
More information on Doors Open Ontario.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Maple Leafs or Maple Leaves
At the beginning of each fall colour season we often receive requests to view the best Maple Leafs, when it should really be the Maple Leaves. The Maple Leafs are a sports team (Toronto Maple Leafs) and the leaves are blue in colour, where the maple leaves are various colours of reds, yellows, mauves, and oranges. An excellent discussion about the two spellings can be found at Maple Leaves Forever website.
Actually the major colour changes are a mix of the leaves from the trees found in the hardwood forest, the Sugar Maple, the Red Maple, Striped Maple, Black Cherry, Yellow Birch, and Beech.
One of Algonquin Parks more interesting trails and autumn views is simply called the Hardwood Lookout Trail, just off the Highway 60 corridor through the Park. We suggest a good understanding of the ecology of Hardwood Forest can be found in the guide at the beginning of the trail for a mere .50 cents, you can take one home with you.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Lake of Bays Fall Colours--Bondi Village Resort
Nancy Tapley sent two photos from Bondi Village Resort. Peak season view below from 2007.with just of hint of colour at right taken Sept1, 2008.