24 THINGS TO DO IN THE BAY OF QUINTE THIS FALL
Fun in the Bay of Quinte doesn’t wrap up when summer ends. Fall brings crisp mornings, colourful leaves, and all things apple and pumpkin. Hit the trails for fall colours, take in some local history at a museum, or warm up at a cozy cafe. Our Fall Bucket List has 24 ways to make the season memorable, with things to do across Greater Napanee, Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory), Belleville, Quinte West and Brighton.
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Go Apple Picking at an Orchard
The Bay of Quinte region is full of apple orchards where you can get that crunchy, sweet fall fix. Many of them offer pick-your-own apples, just be sure to check in to see what’s available before your visit.
Pick the Perfect Pumpkin From the Patch
Speaking of pick-your-own fall festivities, BoQ also has some great pumpkin patches (catch the Charlie Brown reference?). The classic fall décor awaits you at one of these farms. Happy Carving!
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
You can’t visit one of these orchards without taking part in this favourite fall activity! Don’t miss the Australian Outback Adventure themed corn mazes at Wynn Farms this year (yes, two mazes with one at the main orchard and one at the flower farm down the road) with puzzles to solve along the way.
Festivals, Live Music and Events
From festivals to artisan markets, live music to cultural events and everything in between, our events calendar is your go-to guide for what’s happening in the BoQ all summer long. A few big standout events include:
- Brighton Applefest
- Greater Napanee Connect’s Guitars N’ Cars
- Downtown Belleville’s Savour the Flavour
- Downtown Trenton’s Roper Romp
Click the button below to access our events calendar.
Take a Hike to View Fall Colours
If you only get out to one this season, we recommend going to Sager Conservation Area in Quinte West for the ultimate panoramic view of the fall colours from the 30 foot-tall lookout tower, as pictured.
Shop for Locally Grown Produce at a Farmers' Market
If you’re looking for some fresh fall produce or baked goods, you’re in the right region. Stock up on squash, sweet potato, and pumpkin to make some delish seasonal dishes or get busy making soup to last you through the winter. Please check individual market operating hours/season through the links below.
Farms Visits With Alpacas
Connect with these cozy, gentle animals and learn about how their wool is used. Fall foliage adds the picture-perfect backdrop to a farm visit.
Hickory Lane Alpacas in Greater Napanee is open for farm visits 11 am–3 pm Wednesday to Sunday, by appointment only and by donation. They also have a whole crew of farm animals beyond the alpacas! Give them a call at 613-354-1480 to book your visit.
Go on a Guided Horseback Trail Ride
Go on a guided horseback trail ride through the forest at one of these locations in Quinte West. They can accommodate beginner and novice riders as they will take the time to get you comfortable with your horse and teach you how to start, stop and steer.
Observe the Fall Bird Migration at Presqu'ile Provincial Park
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Feed Goats on the Roof at Loyalist Trading Co.
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Golf
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Learn Something New at a Museum
The return of fall inevitably leads to some cooler, rainier days that aren’t always as enjoyable outdoors. When the weather is dreary and we’re looking for something to do, we turn to one of our local museums for a day spent warm and dry learning new things.
Need more rainy day activities? Click here for our full guide.
Check Out Local Art Galleries
The BoQ is bursting with talented artists, and we’re lucky to be able to admire their work at local galleries, many of which change their exhibits seasonally. Presqu’ile Waddling Arts Centre even has regular workshops so you can create your own piece of art.
Cheer on a BoQ Hockey Team
Grab your favourite team jersey and get ready for a good ol’ hockey game when the season returns!
Explore the Bay of Quinte by Bike
The cooler mornings and warm, sunny days that come with fall are ideal for exploring the BoQ by bike. Take a leisurely cruise along waterfront trails within city limits, or get adventurous on gravel routes from bayofquinte.bike and mountain bike trails at Batawa Ski Hill.
Homestead Adventure Park
Homestead Adventure Park is located just off Highway 401 in Quinte West, offering a high ropes course, mini golf and remote control boats. Stop by Curley’s Fries and Ice Cream for a treat before you leave!
Try Geocaching: A Real-Life Treasure Hunt
Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt where you use GPS to find hidden containers, sign the logbook, and maybe swap a trinket. It’s a fun way to explore the Bay of Quinte—and we’ve added five new BoQ geocaches to the mix of plenty already hidden across the region.
Get Cozy at a Cafe
Our local cafes serve up a variety of hot beverages from drip coffee to herbal teas and pumpkin spices lattes to accompany the crisp chill in the air. Sweater weather, here we come!
Use our Digital Discovery Map and click on the “Cozy Cafes” itinerary under Bay of Quinte Recommends at the top.
Sample Local Craft Beer
Meyers Creek Brewing Company is a small-batch craft brewery just outside downtown Belleville with beers that pay homage to the local community. Sit outside on their spacious patio or in the cozy taproom.
Signal Brewery sits on the Moira River in Corbyville, a neighbourhood in the north end of Belleville. Watch the wildlife from their patio along the river on a nice day, or hang out inside the red brick building that was once the distillery for J.P. Wisers.
Signal has a full kitchen offering lunch and dinner, and both breweries them often have live music.
Downtown Shopping and Dining
Visit the downtowns across the BoQ, where historic buildings line the streets alongside a unique mix of locally owned shops and restaurants.
Best of the Bay
This year’s Best of the Bay winners highlight the standout businesses, makers, flavours, and experiences that make our region unforgettable. Explore the top picks across every community and discover the local legends worth celebrating, like Best Specialty Grocer in Brighton, Northumberland Fine Food, Best Food Truck in Greater Napanee, Bath Burgers, or the Mohawk’s of the Bay of Quinte’s Best Gift Shop, Native Renaissance.
Categories include Food & Drink, Shop or Service, Art & Culture and Regionscape.
Read the Bay of Quinte Discovery Guide
Flip to pages 46-47 of our Bay of Quinte Discovery Guide 12th Edition to read all about the tiny pollinators that play an oversized role in keeping the region’s ecosystems vibrant and productive. They help sustain everything from birds and mammals to soil health and water quality. Keep this in mind as you visit our parks and trails this summer and see which ones you can spot!
PS – Did you know we have 9 Discovery Guides you can read online? Click the link below to access our Discovery Guide library.
