Many of Canada's most popular destinations for summer are just as beautiful - maybe even more so - in the fall. Camping, hiking, canoeing, and cycling are still options for those of you who are adventures. Natural scenery is enhanced by the fire-hued shades of the changing leaves from coast to coast. And when you look at the big picture, it may be cheaper getting to these places because you're traveling off-season.
Algonquin Park, Ontario.
Head east to Ontario, just north of Toronto, where you'll find eye popping display - the changing of the Sugar Maple leaves in Algonquin Provincial Park. The size, beauty and proximity to Toronto of this 7,725 square kilometre park make it one of the most popular parks in Ontario. The forests, lakes, and rivers that comprise Algonquin Park can only be explored by foot or canoe. Canoeists, in particular, enjoy Ontario's oldest park during autumn as it explodes into a colorful palate of burnt orange, sunny yellow and crimson red.
The Rocky Mountains, Alberta.
Not only are the Rocky Mountains beautiful in the winter months - fall is just as breathtaking. On the drive from Jasper to Banff, prepare to soak up one of the best views in the world at Icefields Parkways, with a plethora of fall colors from every vantage point. Of course, the evergreens don't change colour, but from late September through October, the Canadian Rocky Mountains National Parks are alive with gold aspen and spruce leaves. Try visiting accessible spots like Johnston's Canyon and Tunnel Mountain near Banff, or hike up to Lake Agnes from Lake Louise. For a birds-eye view, treat yourself to a gondola ride at the top of Sulphur Mountain, where you'll glide up over the treetops and have a glimpse of local wildlife.
Other must-see attractions in Ontario this fall include a quiet getaway in Sault Ste Marie, one of the oldest European settlements in Canada, and of course, Niagara Falls, where you can get up close and personal on the Maid-of-the-Mist tour - a truly exhilarating experience!
The Laurentian Mountain, Quebec.
The Laurentian Mountains have something for everyone, in every season. In the fall, Quebec is littered with flora that changes brilliantly in the autumn months, from sugar maples to birch trees. In what could very well be known as North America's greatest natural show, the Laurentian leaves offer a beautiful display of warm tones as the shorter days approach. Quebecers who live in and around Montreal usually take day trips to the Laurentians or the Eastern Townships to view the colors.
While Quebec City is a great destination through all four seasons, areas closer to the city like the Charlevoix region and Montmorency Falls are amazing fall getaway spots, only a short drive from Quebec City.
Set a weekend aside for a long-distance hike through the mountains, or have a meal to remember in the resort town of Mont Tremblant, just in time for their Symphony of Colours.
The Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.
Internationally recognized as one of the world's most scenic drivers on Cape Breton Island, the Cabot Trail boasts some of the most beautiful trees in North America, especially in the fall. As you travel along the coast with the Atlantic Ocean in site, you're sure to see some wildlife, and a few moose along the way. The scenery between Ingonish and Englishtown is a mix of sandy beaches, rugged headlands and lush valleys in the midst of orange, red and gold. If you have enough time on your trip, stop by the Celtic Music Centre in Judique for seafood dinners, concerts, and dancing.
The best time to plan a fall getaway to Cape Breton is in early October, when the colours reach their peak, the crowds are gone, and the temperature is just right.
Fundy Coastal Drive, New Brunswick.
Like the Cabot Trail, the Fundy Coastal Drive is another outstanding maritime journey. See some of the highest tides in the world and enjoy the vivacious reds and deep pumpkin oranges, which are at their best the first two weeks of October during Canada's Thanksgiving Weekend. Tree variety and colors are similar to New England's, yet crowds are minimal in New Brunswick by comparison. See a map of New Brunswick. Find out more about New Brunswick in the fall.
Prince Edward Island.
PEI forests have an exceptional range of colours in autumn. The warm waters of the Gulf of St.Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait give PEI a relatively moderate climate and help create one of the longest fall foliage periods in northeastern North America. In addition, PEI's forests are bear-free and there are no deer or moose, ensuring a safe, hunter-free environment.
It would really be nice to see the snow fall this time of year in Canada :)