AUTUMN... A SECOND SUMMER, REALLY!
I’m all about road trips, adventures, and being a tourist in my own backyard. Nothing is better than a mini staycation. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure just off the 401, the Bay of Quinte is your ultimate road-trip destination. Small-town charm? Absolutely. Foodie scene? You bet. A community buzzing with innovation? Oh yeah, triple-check!
Fall around here is like a second summer: the weather is great, you can still go to the beach, golf is in full swing, and you get the bonus of harvest season. Cruising through scenic back roads is a pure delight—the perfect way to extend summer while admiring nature’s colourful transformation into fall.
So, buckle up and let the Bay of Quinte fall adventures begin!
This content was originally published in the Bay of Quinte Discovery Guide 10th Edition.
Written by Rosalyn Gambhir
Read time: 5 min
FIRST THINGS FIRST!
Before we kick off the adventure, we’ll need to book an overnight stay. Summer is peak season, so hotel availability really opens up in the fall, making it easier to find the room that best suits your need. There are plenty of hotels, motels, and short-term accommodations to choose from, conveniently located across the entire regiong.
BELLEVILLE
Belleville is a hot spot for the foodie in me. Some of my favourites include The Lark, for amazing dinner and cocktails, The Brake Room, for café coolness, Small Scale Bread, for the best sourdough and delectable treats, and The Local Social House, for elevated pub favourites. Enjoy cult-favourite croissants at L’Auberge de France, laid-back and really big bites at Flossie’s Sandwich Parlor, and authentic Indian cuisine at Royal Haveli. Get ready to indulge; it’s truly a tasty ride!
QUINTE WEST
Driving and exploring new places makes me hungry, and Wannamaker’s Bakeshop is the perfect pit stop for droolworthy sweet treats that’ll send you on a sugar high you won’t regret! And if you’re craving a caffeine fix, head to The Grind & Vine in downtown Trenton. They make my latte dreams come true.
Do you want to buy yourself flowers? Dahlia May Flower Farm has a stunning selection of cut dahlias, ranunculus, and more that will simply take your breath away. But save some time for Grills Orchards, an unmissable destination: their corn mazes and pumpkin patches have kept the local community falling for more than 100 years.
BRIGHTON
Fall is not complete without visiting local farms! But before we do, let’s grab a seasonal latte from Lolas Cafe on Main Street. Pumpkin spice, anyone? Cheer Farms, a family-owned and operated farm market is also a must. The air smells like fall, full of the sweet scents of maple, apples, and freshly baked goodies. The fun doesn’t end there though. Cricklewood Farm has an extensive corn maze spread across six acres of farmland: great for getting lost, finding your way, or simply enjoying the fall vibes.
GREATER NAPANEE
The perfect way to work up an appetite is to take a stroll along the Napanee Falls in Springside Park, where you can take in the view while soaking up the last rays of summer. Ready for more shopping shenanigans? Greater Napanee is home to some of my favourite shops. Black Barn Co. and Napanee Blooms put a little spring back into my step. Peckish again? Fool’s Kitchen is calling your name. They serve Asian fusion delights so flavourful that only fools would be disappointed. Catch the final days of patio season at the Waterfront River Pub & Terrace on the Napanee River. And remember to stock up on donuts from The Bakery and Bistro Spot before you leave downtown.
