Put away the phones, laptops and iPads – explore nature; challenge yourself and appreciate your full potential, kill boredom or give in to your wild side. Your experience is just a click away… Here are 10 weekend secrets to having a totally awesome fall season in Southern Ontario.
1. Experience a new altitude on an underwater tour – HMCS Ojibwa. Mounted in a purpose-built floating drydock at Port Burwell, this showcase is hard to miss; At 5 stories high, the turns inside this decommissioned submarine illustrate life beneath the waves of the ocean. While you’re here, enjoy all the other spenders this place has to offer, too: sandy beaches, provincial park, historic lighthouse, and lakeside wind farm.
2. Treat the family at a fall fair. According to the Ontario Agricultural Society, there are more than 230 agricultural fairs and expositions throughout Ontario and one of the oldest is the 171st Norfolk County Horse Fair and Exposition, October 2-8. Musical entertainment in the stands and demolition derbies are crowd favorites, but there are plenty of agricultural exhibits, craft shows, food vendors, art shows, unique rides, and talent shows. A few tips: bring a light sweater or jacket, as a day at the fair can stretch into the night, dogs and other pets are not allowed, bring cash; debit is generally not accepted at the gate or at the games. Check websites for advance tickets at reduced rates.
3. Get off the beaten path. Get in touch with your inner green spirit at one of 38 conservation areas in Southern Ontario, home to 55 historic monuments and heritage sites. One of the poaching sites is in the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area. It is historic farmland adjacent to the Backus Heritage Conservation Area and is the site of the Long Point Region Conservation Authority’s Carolina Forest Regeneration Project begun in 1991. Experience an arboretum of tree species including oak red, silver maple, sycamore, white birch and green ash. it is also a control area for the scientific and educational study of natural regeneration and natural habitat succession in relation to the Carolina Forest and Backus Woods in particular.
4. Discover the hidden treasures in St. Jacobs Country – A favorite rural cultural experience in Southern Ontario featuring unique crafts, antiquing, horse-drawn trolley tours and regional cuisine that brings to light a rich Mennonite history and lively, especially at the local farmer’s market.
5. Get your Wild West spirit kicking in – see the spectacular colors of the countryside on horseback. Polish your boots, saddle up a stallion, and head out into the open country. Imagine picturesque landscapes surrounded by rolling hills and forests, or jog across a creek as you hike the trail. Experience an overnight adventure or camp out snuggled up by a cozy campfire. There are many walks available in length and length, what are you waiting for?
6. Climb to New Heights – Outdoor rock climbing. Challenge yourself on real 80 foot high cliffs. Visualize soaring vultures and breathtaking views as you ascend and rappel down jagged rocks: equalize anchors, belay and learn essential climbing knots under careful training from expert mentors. This vertical escape is an adrenaline rush; guaranteed.
7. Breathe in the euphoria: fly a plane. Take control in the pilot’s seat as you maneuver a plane above the ground. Vary your altitude, roll and bank as you soar with exhilarating speed taking stunning photos for your collection. Familiarize yourself with an extensive pre-flight safety check that includes aileron, flap and rudder function, suspension, airframe conditions, and fuel level gauges. Once the ground checks are done, you’ll taxi to your position, wait for the tower to be clear, and head out into the wild blue yonder.
8. Pedal along the Costa Dorada. The sun peeking over the horizon in divine shades of orange, scarlet, crimson and ginger yellow. Heading down a picturesque driveway lined with tall cornstalks on either side on the Water Front Trail on the southern coast of Ontario; the shores of Lake Erie in Norfolk County. Long known as the Gold Coast, looking to the right, you can catch glimpses of the lake from time to time as the sun rises calmly transcending bright rays across the sparkling water’s surface. Marvel at the modern and historic architectural delights of the houses and farms along the way.
9. Let yourself be carried away by a hot air balloon ride. Scroll slowly through beautiful country landscapes as you revel in the peace and quiet as you skim through the treetops and cornfields. Scroll gently, as there will be plenty of opportunities to snap sixteen incredible “bird’s-eye” photos and share in one of hot air ballooning’s oldest traditions: a champagne toast after your excursion.
10. Destroy self-doubt while walking through a Catalina forest. This amazing experience will leave an unforgettable memory for sure. The splendor that dominates a world biosphere will take your breath away, but nothing compares to the glow of moonlight in the forest for an unforgettable adventure. Hear the howl of a coyote or the hoot of an owl as you fly 8 zip lines, cross 2 high suspension bridges, 14 platforms and rappel 40 feet. Let the excitement begin.