Discover the Harvest Season in the Central Counties

Tucked in between the towns and cities, the rolling hills of the Central Counties are home to farms and wineries waiting to be discovered this season. Here’s a few suggestions for your fall drive through York & Durham.

Make it a Wine Tour!

Did you know? York Region is home to to four vine/tree to bottle wineries. Start in the heart of the Holland Marsh you’ll find Holland Marsh Winery. Reserve a tour a head of time, or take a wander around the grounds, and check out gems like the vintage carriage in the vineyard.

A short drive away is Willow Springs Winery. Known for their Pinot Noir and Vidal Ice Wine, Willow Springs also offers regular special events. This Thanksgiving they’re hosting a harvest dinners, including a traditional turkey, pumpkin carving and wine tasting. See more here.

Just around the corner from Willow Springs is Applewood Farm Winery. All of their fruit wines are produced from fruits harvested on their farm. Autumn is the perfect time to visit Applewood. Enjoy a wine tasting, or pick your own apples in the orchard!

Want more? Try the Central Counties’ Harvest Wines and Ales Tasting Tour to explore all the wineries and breweries in the area.

Knox Pumpkin Farm – Hampton, Ontario

Part of the Central Counties “A Country Path” route, Knox Pumpkin Farm is tucked away in the countryside. They celebrate the season with endless fall activities, including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides, and pony rides. A hot spot on the weekends, stay up-to-date on what is on here.

Parkwood Estate – Oshawa, Ontario

In the heart of Oshawa you’ll discover one of the Central Counties best kept secrets – the beautifully preserved home of Robert Samuel McLaughlin, a pioneer of the auto industry and founder of GM Canada. Don’t miss the stunning grounds, particularly beautiful in autumn as the leaves change colour. If you feel like you are wandering through a movie set, you wouldn’t be far off the mark – the gardens & house have appeared in many films, including Billy Madison and X-Men.

Canadian Automotive Museum – Oshawa, Ontario
It’s fitting that since Oshawa’s Sam McLaughlin headed the Canadian automotive empire that became General Motors Canada, a one-of-a-kind collection of automotive history be located in downtown Oshawa. Wander through the two floors of history, and leave some extra time to discover the Canadian collection on the second floor, featuring cars made in Ontario from early 1900 to 1965. Want more auto history? Check out the Historical Automotive Trail for a full route.

Learn more about all of the Central Counties road trip routes here. Discover more about the region here. What is your favourite road trip destination in the fall?