A multicultural city, Toronto is one of the most beautiful places in Canada and excites visitors in every possible way. There are tons to do in Toronto in winter, spring, and summer, but fall is when the city truly comes alive. Street performers, camera-ready streets, food options, eye-catching cafes, and shops tease travelers to take photos and witness the many festivals happening here in the fall.
Toronto comes with the best combination of waterfalls, parks, galleries, mesmerizing nature, and the tall CN Tower. Although the city fascinates throughout the year, Toronto offers its best version in the fall. Here are some suggestions of things to do in Toronto in the fall for an unforgettable experience in the city.
Enjoy the most beautiful views of Toronto from CN Tower
This tower is one of the seven wonders of the modern world, rising more than 30 years ago with a height of 553.33 meters. Initially, the tower’s main purpose was broadcasting and communication, but now it is also open to visitors. Its stunning glass floor provides one of Toronto’s most amazing experiences.
For courageous travelers, the Edge Walk is enough to cause chills. If time is on the traveler’s side, you can also admire the spectacular Niagara Falls. Therefore, whether you spend a day or 10 days in this city, visiting CN Tower is one of the main activities in Toronto in the fall (or at any time of the year).
Tickets: Ticket booking is available online.
Timings: Arrival before 11 AM and after 7 PM is preferable.
Satisfy sweet cravings at the Toronto Chocolate Festival
One of Toronto’s best festivals in the fall, the Toronto Chocolate Festival is a must for those with a sweet tooth. It is a popular spot for chocolate lovers and attracts locals and visitors worldwide, even those not fond of chocolates.
So, if your inner child is still alive, do not miss the festival and try the variety of chocolates on offer. Visitors can also enjoy chocolate tastings and participate in chocolate-eating contests, exhibitions, and many other unique events organized at the festival.
Tickets: Prices depend on the eventers.
Timings: October 1 to November 5, 2023.
Participate in the Pumpkin Parades
Among the many exciting experiences in Toronto, the Pumpkin Parades are unique. It takes place the day after the Halloween party and is more of a natural extension of the party. People create their pumpkins into different shapes, draw and lighten them with candles, and put them into parks.
These candlelit pumpkins lighten up the entire streets, and they brighten up after 6 PM with the pumpkins.
Tickets: Free
Timings: Starts from November 1, 6 PM onwards
Visit Casa Loma
If visitors are interested in history, this place should be on their Toronto fall itinerary. While visiting Casa Loma is typically one of the most fantastic things to do in Toronto in the summer, it’s also worth visiting when fall sets in.
It is the only genuine castle in North America featured in movies and TV shows such as X-Men and Titans. This castle has secret passages and tunnels. Once named Humewood Castle, Casa Loma also served as a naval training center during World War I. Many events and programs are organized here, like castle photo tours, spooky ghost tours, school programs, etc.
Tickets: Different fare prices for different age groups – see the Casa Loma website for details
Timings: 9:30 AM to 5 PM (April to October) and 10 AM to 4 PM (November to March)
Apple picking at any of the orchards in Toronto
With the arrival of autumn comes the apple season. Toronto offers some of Canada’s best orchards for apple picking, which provides relief from the bustling city streets and an educational experience for children.
Visitors can find different varieties of apples like Ginger, Gold, Royal Gala, and many more in Toronto’s apple orchards. It usually works on a first come, first take policy.
There are many orchards in Toronto for picking apples, such as:
- Dixie orchards
- Watson orchards
- Albion orchards
- Pine Farms orchards
- Carl Laidlaw orchards
Tickets: Free entry
Timings: September to November
Attend a Halloween party in Toronto
Halloween is Canada’s second-largest commercially successful celebration, offering several fun things to do. There’s a saying that no one celebrates Halloween like Toronto. There are numerous Halloween parties in Toronto to attend, and many competitions are organized, such as Best Costume and Candy Decoration.
Some of the best Halloween events in Toronto range from haunted boat parties to nightclub events to street festivals and children’s parties, so there’s something for everyone.
- Ticket prices: Depend on the events.
- Timings: Around October 31 every year
Check out the Toronto International Film Festival
TIFF, which already has 48 editions, starts on Canada Labor Day. It screens between 300 and 400 films from around the globe. Every year, countless people from around the world come to Toronto to witness this festival.
There is always a high demand for tickets to this film festival, which may be booked in advance from August. If visitors are big cinema lovers, this festival should be on your list of things to do when they are in Toronto.
- Tickets: Online bookings start in August.
- Timings: In September.
Witness the most beautiful fall foliage in Toronto
Toronto gets picturesque with multiple colors in fall. Leaves turn red, orange, crimson, and golden from green. Gardens and parks paint themselves with autumn tones, transforming the city after summer’s end.
Between September and October, Toronto becomes magical, and for visitors, it’s a treat to the eyes. Some fall foliage spots in Toronto to check out are:
- Brickworks hiking trails
- High Park
Take a ferry ride to the Toronto Islands
The downtown area of Toronto has some of the best tourist spots, but visitors can escape the hustle and bustle and take a ferry ride to the Toronto Islands. It can’t be ignored by those looking for fun things to do in Toronto in the fall with the family.
The islands of Toronto are best for family picnics and day trips, featuring an amusement park for children and adults and multiple indoor and outdoor activities on offer. Beaches on the islands are also enough to take a few Instagrammable pictures. There are luxury hotels as well to make your stay comfortable. The best Toronto Islands worth a visit are:
- Ward’s Island
- Centre Island
- Algonquin Island
Explore Toronto’s museums
For visitors who are into history and want to explore Canada’s cultural vividness and investigate its artifacts, a visit to one of Toronto’s many museums should be on their bucket list. In addition, museums are an ideal place for children to instigate their curiosity.
Some of the best museums in Toronto to visit during a fall trip include:
- Museum of Illusion
- Museum of Railway
- Museum of Toronto
Fall sporting events
Toronto’s epic sports calendar is packed with action this season and cheering on one of the city’s teams is among the top things to do in Toronto in the fall. Whether you’re in one of the best sports bars in town or you’re lucky enough to get tickets to attend in person, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to show off your fan spirit this season:
- Feel the buzz of the crowd at a Toronto Raptors home game
- Follow the Toronto Maple Leafs on the ice at Scotiabank Arena
- Catch all the fall baseball as the Blue Jays take over the newly renovated Rogers Centre
- Bundle up for an Argonauts football game at open-air BMO Field
