Welcome to the communities of York Region. Autumn is a time when the area is alive with brilliant fall colour, scenic outdoor activities, wonderful culinary & winery experiences, and fantastic fall fairs and festivals.
We invite you to discover the region's unique landscape and quaint towns & heritage villages as you tour through our communities on your Autumn Escapade. The region is home to over 5,000 acres of forests and beautiful urban parks including the scenic Oak Ridges Moraine, the York Region Forest tracts, and numerous Conservation Areas.
Experience nature, just 15 minutes from Toronto ….Walk a trail, view the fall colours, go bird watching, stroll through quaint villages, take in a studio tour, or visit a fall festival or fair! Follow these driving routes as you explore our wonderful area attractions and take in the changing fall foliage. Enjoy!
YORK REGION FALL COLOUR ROUTE
The Fall Colour Route takes the intrepid daytripper through the picturesque valleys, rolling farmland and heritage towns of York Region. The entire route requires a full day's drive however shorter routes are illustrated to create circle tours around specific areas of the region, allowing you to abbreviate your drive at several intersections along the route. Click here for the Fall Colour Tour Map.
Begin the tour by heading north on Markham Rd. or Kennedy Rd. in the East or on Islington Ave. in the West. For more direct access to the northern part of the region, take Highway 404 or Highway 400 North from Highway 401 and exit at Highway 9/Davis Drive to join the northern east and west routes.
Markham-Stouffville Route
This circle route takes you through some of the area's most historic districts the towns of Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville and the heritage Village of Unionville with its 200 year old history and architecture. Follow Markham Rd. (Hwy. 48) to Markham Village or Kennedy Rd. north to the village of Unionville, accessing Main St. by heading west along Highway 7. From Unionville, head north following the route to McCowan Rd. north. A side trip along the Stouffville Rd. takes you into town for lunch or the Heritage Train in the east or to Bruce's Mill & Applewood Winery in the west. Continuing north takes you to Musselman's Lake and Charlinda Chocolates. On Hwy. 48 south of Aurora Rd. Burd's Fishing & Willow Springs Winery are worth a stop.
Suggested Stops
Unionville Varley Art Gallery Markham Village Farmers' Market (Sat.)
Markham Museum York Durham Heritage Railway (Stouffville station)
Oak Ridges Moraine Bruce's Mill Conservation Area Charlinda's Chocolates
Da Scoop Ice Cream Parlour (Stouffville Rd.& #48)
Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum
Willow Springs & Applewood Wineries Burd's Fishing
Aurora-Lake Simcoe Route 
This northern route winds up McCowan Rd. to the Lake Simcoe Trail along the shoreline. The towns of Baldwin & Sutton feature antique shops, bakeries & galleries. Plan a stop at the Georgina Arts Centre for lunch or Tea. Historical sites dot the shore road which features summer homes from Ontario's first 'cottage country' resort area. Heading south the Sharon Temple shouldn't be missed and the Thornton Bales Conservation Area, although a challenging hike, offers a great fall colour ravine walk. Complete the loop with a drive through Kettleby on Keele St. south and through King City in the heart of horse country. Lake Wilcox in Oak Ridges is great too!
Suggested Stops
Hillary House National Historic Site Elman W. Campbell Museum
Thornton Bales Conservation Area Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery (Sutton) Pathways to Perennials gardens
Sibbald Point Provincial Park & Eildon Hall Museum
St. Georges Church (Jackson's Point) The Briars Resort
Georgina Pioneer Museum The Cookshop & Marketplace
Sharon Temple National Historic Site
South West Route
Head west into the communities within Vaughan and King Township. Explore the lush Humber Valley enroute to historic Kleinburg. The Kortright Centre and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection are must see places and both offer walking trails through maple forests. Kleinburg is a great lunch n' shop stop & perhaps take time out after lunch for a weekend round of golf at the Golf Club. Continue north on Islington Ave. through the town of Nobleton and up the 10th Concession Road to Schomberg. The Old Mill in the village is worth a stop for Tea and shopping. Plan a side trip to the King Museum & tour Ontario's oldest railway station or visit the Silani Sweet Cheese factory along Highway 9 just east of Highway 27.
Suggested Stops
Vaughan Mills mall Kipling Gallery Kortright Centre for Conservation
Historic Kleinburg McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Chartreuse Restaurant (Kleinburg) Kleinburg Golf Club King Brewery
Magnotta Winery & Brewery Putting Edge Laser Quest
OTHER THINGS TO SEE AND DO!
Shopping at Vaughan Mills
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Varley Art Gallery
Kortright Centre for Conservation
York Durham Heritage Railway
Lake Simcoe
Oak Ridges Moraine
Bruce's Mill Conservation Area
Wineries
Markham Museum
Artisan Studio Tours
