Fall isn’t just a season in the Bay of Quinte: it’s also a time to get outdoors and celebrate life in the open air. With that in mind, it’s no surprise to discover that the top 9 things to do in the Bay of Quinte region in autumn revolve around appreciating nature – with a healthy dose of adventure!
1. Bustle Down To Side Hustle This Fall
If local, handmade, crafted and vintage items are your jam, then head to Downtown Belleville’s waterfront on the Bay of Quinte for the Fall Side Hustle Market! This new artisan street market runs throughout fall on Saturday mornings and features a rotating eclectic selection of local creatives. Stroll through the market, enjoy live music, meet the makers and find your newest treasure!
2. Harvest Hungry: Farmers Markets
In a region with a rich history in agriculture visitors can taste what the region has to offer. Harvest time in late summer and early fall is exciting in Bay of Quinte, as Farmers Markets are bursting with fresh produce. Chefs, locals and visitors flock to the market to take home some bounty from the boonies – with fresh apples, pumpkins and fall baked goodies with loads of cinnamon topping the list.
The Quinte West Farmers’ Market is located on Front Street along the Trent River waterfront in downtown Trenton and is held Wednesdays and Saturdays until the last weekend of October, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This rich agricultural region breeds delicious market fare, and whether it’s veggies or delicacies you’re after, you’ll be among fellow foodies and wine loves, and art collectors here.
The downtown Belleville Farmers Market has been running for nearly two centuries. Find everything from fresh honey and jewellery to natural health items and fruit and locally-roasted coffee at this historic market which is located in Market Square behind City Hall every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Groove to live music and visit with producers.
What’s popular as a skill hill in the winter months is also a perfect place to explore during autumn! Batawa’s 22-km of non-motorized trails make visitors fall in love with fall. Spend quality time outdoors going for a run, hike or bike in the Bay of Quinte region, surrounded by beautiful forests at the Batawa Trails. Download a trail map, lace-up and discover why it’s dubbed the small hill with a big heart. Make the most of the autumn and immerse yourself in the fall colour change!
4. Apple Orchards
Break out a cozy sweater and get ready to take a bite out of fall! The Bay of Quinte region boasts unique apple orchards with a range of experiences for the young and the young-at-heart! Keep an eye on the local orchards in September as everything turns sweeter as fall draws near. Whether it’s pick-your-own or fresh baked apple pies you’re craving, Bay of Quinte has you covered.
This orchard will soon be the apple of your eye as a visit guarantees fun for the whole family. Whether you have the kids in tow, or you’re simply stopping in for a cup of hot cider and a baked treat, Grills Orchards is a favourite fall tradition in the Bay of Quinte region. Pick some apples, hop on board a tractor ride and try not to get lost in the corn maze! Grills Orchards has been serving the Quinte region with produce for more than a century and now welcomes visitors to its shop to savour the bounty – featuring fresh homemade bread, pies, buns, turnovers, and its famous fudge. This all complements the star attraction: the apples! Several varieties are grown here so be sure to check in before picking as to which is ready.
READ ALSO: 15 Apple Orchards In South Eastern Ontario
5. Craft A Delicious One
The Bay of Quinte region is a haven for craft brewing. Witness the passion that goes into brewing and meet the makers before finding your favourite flavour at places like Signal Brewery or Wildcard Brewing.
Enjoy the heart of everyone’s favourite military town in the Bay of Quinte! Trenton will be hosting live entertainment, buskers, local food and business vendors and plenty of fun this October! Venture your way down Front Street in downtown Trenton to join in on the fun!
6. A Different Perspective At Sager Conservation Area
Pack your good camera, binoculars, and get ready to stair climb – you’ll be rewarded, we promise! If you’re looking for a perfect fall colour panorama, make a point of visiting Sager Conservation Area this season. Located near Quinte West, a short, steep hike brings visitors to a lookout tower and reveals amazing aerial views of the changing treetops and countryside stretching into the Trent Valley.
The 0.5 km hike to the tower takes about 15 minutes, and using a well-crafted staircase allows visitors to reach the top of the lookout. Be sure to read on-site information to give some context into the conservation area and what you’re looking at.
7. Reel In The Big One
Every year, anglers get hooked on fishing at the Bay of Quinte during fall. Trophy walleye are routinely caught here – in fact, it’s known as the walleye capital of the world. Celebrity anglers are often seen traversing the Bay waters each fall, like Bob Izumi, Ashley Rae, Big Jim and more. Don’t let the cooler fall weather deter you; it’s worth it! Round up a few friends or family members and set sail with a professional guide who knows the hot spots or a boat charter that offers group excursions. Local bait and tackle shops are ready to help prepare for your fishing tour – make a weekend of it and rent a cottage or indulge in a hotel room so you can enjoy maximum time on the water.
8. Take A Swing Into Fall
Fall is the perfect time for a round of golf – cooler weather, fewer bugs, peaceful fairways – time to focus on yourself and your game. Whether it’s sweeping vistas of one of the top 30 courses in the country at Black Bear Ridge Golf Course, or the living history of the Bay of Quinte Golf & Country Club, modelled after country clubs in Europe, golf in the Bay of Quinte is a great way to enjoy the outdoors before winter sets in. Find Trillium Wood Golf Club nestled expertly into more than 200 acres of scenic woodland, and take advantage of its premier driving ranges and teaching areas.
9. Pop Up to Get Down
Creative community commerce sports see wood fired pizza combine with colourful flowers, local art with food trucks and striking murals to create Pop Ups sites across the region in Quinte West and Belleville as summer winds down. It’s where entertainment meets eats and where artisans and adventure collide.
Edited & Updated By Lindsay Medeiros
