Pumpkins, Paddling, Parks, and Pie: Best things to do on a Fall Road Trip to Perth, Ontario
Fall is a great time to hit the road and explore small towns in rural Ontario! Located only an hour from Ottawa and Kingston in Lanark County, Perth has a wide range of amazing autumn activities to enjoy. Take a fall paddle on the Tay River, pick your perfect pumpkin at a local farm, hike to scenic lookouts, roam local parks to view the fall colours, or take a stroll in Perth’s quaint downtown with a pumpkin spice latte in hand. Plan your perfect fall visit with some of our favourite things to do in Perth this fall!
Pick your Perfect Pumpkin
Scotch Line Farms is the place to go for fall farm fun! Family-owned for over nine generations, the Ferrier family, headed by Jim and Brenda Ferrier, have created the ultimate destination for those looking to enjoy family-friendly harvest-themed activities, just minutes from downtown Perth.
Fill your wagon with pumpkins in a wide range of sizes, colours and varieties, from the classic giant orange rounds, to yellow, white and green pumpkins, and uniquely shaped gourds. They even have exotic varieties like the green and white striped Silver Edge pumpkin (known as the Mexican pumpkin) that contains large silver-striped seeds perfect for roasting.
If you’re visiting with the kids, don’t miss the winding corn maze, wagon rides to the pumpkin fields, and some kid-friendly games, including pumpkin ring toss! Hand-knitted pumpkin hats for the little ones, and beautiful burlap pumpkin creations are also available to take home. Plus, don’t miss the delicious homemade pumpkin pie, available whole or by the slice, and harvest-themed cookies.
Roam Downtown and take in the Fall Colours
One of the best ways to enjoy the fall season is to explore Perth’s historic downtown on foot. Start at the Mammoth Cheese beside the Crystal Garden and take the pathway along the Tay River to Weatherhead Brew Co. This beautiful pathway is covered in a multi-coloured fall canopy, and is a favourite of locals and visitors alike. Don’t forget to stop for a pint or a quick bite on the Weatherhead Brew Co. patio, under their giant orange maple tree.
Just beside Stewart Park, Code’s Mill’s historic stone architecture is enhanced each fall with lovely scarlet vines snaking around this historic building. Devour lunch on the patio at Fiddleheads Bar and Grill, or head inside to pick up some treats from Perth Chocolate Works, donuts from BlackFly GrubHub, or shop for fall décor and festive flowers at Kelly’s Flowers and Gifts.
Paddle and Putt on the Tay River
There’s no better way to experience the fall colours than on the water! Launch your own boat at one of the many public docks, or head to Perth ‘Major’ Outfitters, rent a canoe, kayak, or paddle board, and embark on a fall trip down the Tay River. Paddle your way down this peaceful winding waterway into downtown Perth, admire the beautiful fall colours lining the shoreline, and enjoy a sightseeing adventure by boat. The Tay River is an easy paddle with little to no current, so it’s perfect for those with limited paddling experience and ideal for an afternoon on a paddleboard.
After an excursion on the river, head back to shore for a round of mini golf on Perth ‘Major’ Outfitters’ 12-hole mini-putt course, which is one of the only courses with a hole over water! If you’re looking to get your heart pumping, they also offer self-propelled Pedal go-karts. Race your friends through the windy trail through the forest under the colourful fall canopy.
Indulge in Harvest Season Food and Drink
The best part of the harvest season is fall food, and Perth has many ways to satisfy those fall cravings.
Nothing says fall like a home-baked pie! Perth Pie Co., owned by local baker Kassy Boulay, is the go-to place to pick up an autumn treat. Choose from the classic apple, pecan or pumpkin pies or pick up a box of flaky butter tarts, maple cream cookies or ginger molasses cookies. If you’re looking for a hearty fall dinner, opt for one of their savoury pies like chicken pot pie or Guinness beef pot pie.
Have you even experienced the fall without a pumpkin spice latte? Coutts Coffee, located at the heart of downtown Perth, is the place to go for a cup of hot harvest goodness. Grab a latte to-go and head out for a fall stroll, or enjoy a java with a pumpkin butter tart on their beautiful outdoor patio along the Tay.
If you have a sweet tooth, you don’t want to miss the tasty and inventive doughnut creations at BlackFly GrubHub! With seasonal flavours like apple pie and butter tart, they make a perfect mid-afternoon snack and a great take-home treat.
The Perth Farmer’s Market is the place to go to grab some farm-fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables. From beets and squash to ground cherries and orchard-picked apples, you’ll find everything you need for a fall harvest dinner. Create your own fall centrepiece with fresh flowers from a local flower farm, and pick up some local kombucha, cider, jams and baked goods.
Perth has no shortage of local producers, and for those who love craft beer or unique liqueurs, there are some fall must-haves in town. While known for their Last Duel Lager, Perth Brewery also has an amazing cranberry radler, Crandemonium, the perfect accompaniment to a Thanksgiving feast. For cocktail aficionados seeking some inventive and uniquely-distilled liquors, stop by Top Shelf Distillers for butter tart or apple pie Reunion moonshine, or whip up your own custom-made cocktail with their Top Shelf Northern Harvest Spiced Cranberry Bitters.
If you’re spending Thanksgiving weekend in Perth, there are several options available, so you don’t miss out on that traditional turkey dinner. Michael’s Table is a family-run business in downtown Perth, owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Penny and Dawn. Their Thanksgiving fare includes several choices, such as a pre-prepped “Heat and Eat” option ready to serve with all the trimmings, as well as the traditional turkey dinner for dine-in or takeout. There is also a vegetarian Thanksgiving option with a tasty stuffed acorn squash for those veggie-centric diners.
Family-owned since 1958, the Red Fox is a mainstay in Perth, serving delicious comfort food and pub classics. Make a reservation and enjoy their Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings in their cozy dining room, or grab a festive meal for home.
Hike to the Blueberry Mountain Lookout
Hiking is a great way to enjoy the autumn season, and Perth has a great selection of trails nearby, ranging in difficulty from easy walks through the vibrant woodlands of Lanark County, to more challenging treks to scenic lookout points.
Located 45 min north of Perth in the heart of Lanark County is one of the best fall hikes in the region, Blueberry Mountain. Considered one of the “Seven Wonders” of Lanark County, this 5 km hike takes you down a beautiful multi-coloured pathway through a mixed forest, past beaver ponds and marshland with interpretive panels explaining the flora and fauna of the region along the way. After a steep final climb, the pathway takes you up to the highest scenic lookout in Lanark County where you’ll get panoramic views of the surrounding Lanark Highlands and the Madawaska Highlands ablaze with colour. On a clear day you can see up to 30 km away, and even spot the chairlifts of Calabogie Peak Resort to the north.
The trail is located on private land owned by the Clifford Family, and is under a conservation easement with the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust, allowing public access to the trail system. There is a small parking lot at the trailhead and washrooms located a few minutes down the trail. Known for its maple sugarbushes, the drive through Lanark County to the trailhead is an experience in itself, and we recommend leaving time to enjoy the lovely fall scenery along the way.
Enjoy a Fall Picnic in a Park
Perth has some amazing outdoor parks to enjoy a scenic fall picnic. Stewart Park, with its mature deciduous trees, becomes a landscape of vibrant fall colours in the fall and the perfect place to enjoy a quick bite, or an afternoon picnic under the autumn sun. Snag one of the many picnic tables or benches dotted throughout the park, or bring a blanket to lay out your perfect picnic spread.
Last Duel Park, located along the Tay River, is the scene of the famous last fatal duel in Upper Canada in 1893, which saw Robert Lyon and John Wilson square off in an old fashioned duel over dame Elizabeth Hughes. This wide-open park has plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic lunch, and is a great place to spend a fall afternoon.
If you’re looking to fill your picnic basket with local foods, Perth has no shortage of great spots to create an epic picnic spread. Stop by the Perth Cheese shop for local and international cheese and charcuterie, jams, and preserves, and then grab a fresh loaf of bread and decadent sweet treats from nearby Sunflower Bake Shop. Another great option is to pick up a fresh salad or sandwich to go from Picnic Perth, or try one of their amazing bowl creations for those with a bigger appetite.
To find more information, or to plan your trip, visit Perth Tourism.
*Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours or activities due to covid-19. Please check hours of operation before visiting.
Some activities in the above were provided by Perth Tourism, although all recommendations are our own.
