Autumn is here, and it is time for you to plan a trip to South Georgian Bay with the whole family! We’ve created the ultimate fall weekend itinerary for you to make lasting memories with your loved ones. Keep reading to discover the top fall accommodations, restaurants, and activities SGB has to offer you and your family.
Friday Afternoon
First, arrive in Collingwood and check into your accommodation at Living Water Resort. This is the only waterfront resort in Collingwood and the Blue Mountains area and will be a comfortable, inviting stay for you and the family. Living Water Resort is kid-friendly, with amenities including an indoor pool with a kid’s splash area, two hot tubs (indoor & outdoor), along with a fitness centre and fitness studio with family-friendly classes.
Start your weekend getaway by taking a stroll with the family through the network of trails in Collingwood. Visit Harbourview Park and start your journey at the Collingwood Arboretum. Breathe in the fresh crisp air and admire the breathtaking colours of scarlet, orange, and gold throughout this botanical park as you follow along both paved and natural walking trails.
Friday Evening
For dinner, we recommend you check out Black Bellows Brewing Company. Located in Downtown Collingwood, Black Bellows is a great place to spend your evening with the family as you sip on their vast menu of beers and indulge in their creative and seasonal brewpub menu. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and a separate food menu for the kiddies!
Saturday Morning
To begin your Saturday adventure, make your way over to Thornbury and start your morning with a light and tasty breakfast from Thornbury Bakery Cafe. There’s plenty here to enjoy from coffee and bakery items to full meals on their all-day breakfast menu. We can’t think of a better way to fuel up for your fall festivities than with a delicious breakfast at this quaint cafe on the Main Street of beautiful Thornbury!
Next, head over to the Farmer’s Pantry only a short drive from downtown Thornbury. Here, you can discover fun for the whole family including a variety of fall activities throughout the orchard such as U-pick apples, a petting zoo, hay bale and cedar mazes, and even 10 holes of mini-golf! Shop inside the farm’s barn market and discover local, in-season produce as well as giftware and toys for the little ones. Browse their selection of homemade preserves, jams, honey, maple syrup, and so much more!
Saturday Afternoon
After your visit, make your way to Meaford for even more fall fun. Head west along Hw 26 to Meaford. On your way there, stop into Grandma Lambe’s and check out this festive, old-fashioned country market. Shop a wide selection of homemade baked goods, seasonal grocery items, and even fall giftware. Take in the gorgeous view of over 130 acres of apple orchards on-site, and discover their wide variety of apples for sale. We recommend you take a peek at their tasty pies – a family recipe, and they are some of the best in the region!
From Grandma Lambe’s, enter the heart of downtown Meaford where you’ll experience the Scarecrow Invasion. This fall tradition has been a part of the community for over 25 years, where businesses and residents of Meaford decorate their properties and storefronts with creative fall décor. Observe this unique experience as you stroll downtown and discover the scarecrows on display in the various shops. Walk over to Fred Raper Park, only minutes away from Meaford’s Downtown Heritage District, and take in the breathtaking waterfront views from a seat at one of the many benches, picnic tables, or the gazebo. Check out the Big Red Chair and snap a picture of the family!
Saturday Evening
End your perfect fall Saturday in South Georgian Bay with a short trip to the Blue Mountain Village on your way back into Collingwood. For dinner try out Rusty’s at Blue, located right at the base of the mountain. They are known for their award-winning barbecue and live music in the evenings. For the vegans and vegetarians out there, they also offer a selection of plant-based meals. Admire the beauty of the colourful mountain view from your seat as you dine inside, or outside on the patio (weather dependent).
Venture back to your stay at Living Water Resort to rest after a fulfilling day in South Georgian Bay. Make sure to get plenty of sleep, as you and the family will need it for another day of fall adventuring tomorrow!
Sunday Morning
After waking up and checking out of your stay at Living Water Resort, start your Sunday with the family at Espresso Post. Located in Downtown Collingwood, here you can find your morning coffee – or smoothie, along with pastries, other baked goods, and sandwiches. Choose to dine inside the cafe, or grab takeout as you make your way to you first activity of the day.
Sunday Afternoon
First stop after breakfast is Morrison Pumpkin Farm. We hope you brought your flannels because this is the perfect family photo opportunity! There are rows upon rows of pumpkins, gourds, and squashes for you to load up your wagon for the ultimate fall photoshoot. The corn stalks and sunflowers provide a beautiful background, along with the hay bails which make for a great festive picture. Don’t forget to pose inside the Morrison Pumpkin Farm picture frame to catch these wholesome moments on camera!
Leave Morrison Pumpkin Farm and head over to Scenic Caves Nature Adventures. Here you and the family can experience the marvellous panoramic views of the Niagara Escarpment from Southern Ontario’s longest Suspension Footbridge! This is the perfect way to soak up all the fall colours from an incredible vantage point. Make sure you and the family have your sneakers on, as they are required for access into the grounds. Spend your afternoon immersed in the nature of the caves and caverns, as well as the network of trails and lookout points throughout the hiking areas. For more casual activities, there is a children’s playground along with mini-golf and gemstone mining.
Sunday Evening
We hope you’re hungry! Before hitting the road and heading home, we want you to end this perfect weekend with a delicious meal from Gustav’s Chophouse & Bar. Gustav’s offers a wide variety of menu items from their classic chophouse fare styled menu that is always being reinvented with the seasons. Pair your meal with a glass of hand selected wine, local craft brews, or an innovative cocktail to settle down after a long day of exploring! There are also plenty of zero-alcohol drink options as well as a yum-filled kids menu that will surely satisfy their taste buds.
That wraps up your fall family weekend itinerary in South Georgian Bay! We wish you safe travels home and hope to welcome you back again sometime soon!
We hope you have a fun and safe time exploring South Georgian Bay! Share your memories with us by tagging @SGeorgianBay on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
Planning to visit South Georgian Bay in the near future? Please contact individual businesses to confirm method and hours of operation and plan ahead by making reservations when possible. Visit our “Know Before You Go” page by clicking here.
