Lennox & Addington is a nature lover’s dream – especially as the region ushers in autumn. Appreciating the outdoors is a no-brainer in a place with lakes in abundance, lush forests, beautiful trails and natural family memory-makers. Here’s a guide to the top 11 ways to go wild this fall in Lennox & Addington.
1. Discover Fall By Pedal Power
Lennox and Addington has put together cycling route trails which encompass the county and invite further exploration of the back roads that showcase authentic South Eastern Ontario landscapes.
2. Do You Dare Go Underground?
A narrow ladder disappearing below ground between several rocks seems unassuming – but it’s what lies beneath where adventure begins. Hell Holes Nature Trails, Caves and Ravines let visitors explore more than seven metres underground, into the Devil’s Horsestable Cave. As if that name wasn’t cool enough, there are also opportunities to explore a cavern along the trail and experience walking along a natural stone bridge that takes visitors through a gorge with overhanging ledges, grottos, sinkholes and more.
3. Nature’s Thirst Quenchers
History is brewing in Lennox & Addington! Local vineyards and breweries share taste and tradition in an area that has been known for its agriculture for centuries. The MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company does exactly that – using hops, wheat and barley grown on the family farm near Bath, Ontario that has more than 200 years of farming heritage under its belt. A renovated chicken coop provides a unique site for a retail store – or pre-book a guided tour and tasting! Be sure to stop by Hard Way Cider, where hard work and innovation is reflected in every cider they produce.
The Napanee Beer Company is another must-taste in the Lennox & Addington area. Stop by this trendy microbrewery to sample award-winning craft beer and chat with brewmaster, Geordan Saunders. Which will be your new favourite – Complicated, Sour Cherry Black Belgian Ale; Mayday, Belgian Pale Ale; Blacklist, German Black Lager; or, Deadline, their Premium Lager?
Bergeron Estate Winery on the Loyalist Parkway is another stop to enjoy award-winning wines that use its own grapes and locally-sourced apples for its wines and cider. Bring your appetite to Bergeron because Nonna’s Pizzeria on site is beyond delicious with crusts made from scratch and local-ingredient toppings.
4. Look Up, Way Up
The fall night sky comes alive in Land O Lakes. Experience stargazing at the Lennox-Addington County Dark Sky Viewing Area, an awe-inspiring place where blankets of stars seem at your fingertips. Bundle up and bring a lawn chair – no special equipment is needed here. The area is well known in astronomy circles, as the most southerly dark sky viewing area in Ontario, for providing an unobstructed view of the sky with no artificial light sources.
5. Step Back In Time This Fall
Fall is a busy time at the Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives – from mask-making to music events and even a Tuesday night speaker series, the museum provides a window to Land O’Lakes past, while also celebrating local culture. Explore items found here from prehistoric times to the first tire produced at the Goodyear plant in 1990 and beyond. The Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives is home to incredible collections from the Lennox and Addington Historical Society – its artifact inventory tops 10,000 items! The rich local history in unveiled through furniture, textiles, clothing and toys, ceramics, household collectables and more.
Do you have what it takes to take on a night of spooky stories and dark history? Join your pals for a walk in downtown Napanee for the History and Hauntings Ghost Tour, where you will hear the sordid history of the old buildings, walk through the darkest alleys and hopefully spot a spirit or two.
6. Real-Life Treasure Hunting This Fall
Discover what’s hiding in Lennox & Addington County this fall! With about 1500 geocaches waiting to be discovered, this is one of the premiere geocaching destinations in all of Canada. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game, played by adventure seekers using GPS devices or smartphones. Geocaches can be found anywhere and take many different forms – as small as a dime and as big as a toolbox. Thousands of geocachers descend on L&A County every year from around the world to find the unique caches and discover places they’ve never been before! What an intriguing way to enjoy fall outdoors.
7. Go Golfing
Golf courses in Lennox & Addington are worthy of a hole in one! With meticulously maintained greens and fairways, stunning scenic views and course designs that cater to all skill levels, hitting the links has never been so enjoyable. Try out Loyalist Golf and Country Club offering the best-conditioned course in the region with five sets of tee blocks offering challenging play to beginners or pros.
There’s always time for nine at the Napanee Golf and Country Club, which has the designation of being the second oldest nine-hole course in Canada. It has continued to be beautifully manicured and remains both challenging and beautiful with mature trees, rolling hills and water hazards.
Camden Braes Golf & Country Club boasts gorgeous sculpted greens along a challenging 18-hole course in Loyalist Township – with a panoramic view from the on-site restaurant or balcony! Amherstview Golf Club offers 18 holes of golf on this par 72 course. The gentle terrain at Amherstview is walking-friendly for golfers of all ages.
8. Visit Local Farms
Looking for a unique rural experience? In Lennox & Addington, meeting goats and sheep, learning about beekeeping or relaxing in a vineyard is attainable without waking up with the roosters! Special farm experiences abound in L&A, so get ready to make friends with an alpaca or help shear a sheep. Late summer is the perfect time to get back to the farm. Fun fact: Amherst Island is known for its dry stone walls – be sure to see the one built at Topsy Farms!
Do you love wooly sheep? So do we! Topsy Farms is a picturesque multi-generational farm that prides itself on their beautiful wool blankets sourced right at the farm from their herd of 600 sheep. Enjoy fresh produce while you enjoy spending time with sweet and loveable sheep and cows (aww)! Why not expand your stay and rent out their Yurt for the night!
9. Wander the Orchards
This place is a-maze-ing! Can you say themed corn maze?! This year, the creative folks at Wynn Farms have their visitors diving deep, learning about underwater creatures, on a submarine and exploring shipwrecks in their Under the Sea corn maze! Fun for the whole family. Be sure to check out the Moonlight Corn Maze for an after-dark experience. There is also an incredible pumpkin patch here, as well as pick your own apples and much more. It’s basically your one stop fall spot with lots of activities for making memories. Don’t forget to enjoy a caramel apple!
This pick your own is the real deal with lots of favourite varieties, like Honey Crisp, Cortlands, Macs and more! Come hungry, because a few local favs at Spring Meadow Orchards are the apple donuts, cider, and candy apples – all made with fresh apples directly from the farm. There’s also a free corn maze here for the whole family! Pick your pumpkins and be fall porch ready with these locally-grown beauties of all sizes. Family fun at its best.
10. Go to the Market
Shop ‘til you drop just in time for the holidays this year. Don’t wait until the last minute to find unique gifts made locally at the annual Holiday Market hosted by Mackinnon Brothers Brewing!
Enjoy the beautiful town of Newburgh valley in L&A while supporting local artists, farmers and craftspeople at the Hollow Square Evening Market. With a unique time to attend and a warm welcome from the locals you will be sure to find something special.
11. Take a Driving Tour
Hop in the car and hit the open road with six driving tour itineraries across L&A County! Experience rural countryside, stunning water views, history and intrigue along six pre-planned routes on well-maintained roads. Lush nature, shorelines, farms, and friendly small communities bursting with charm and history are waiting to be discovered. Whether in your custom car, motorcycle or good ol’ family vehicle, these itineraries provide detailed maps and extras that allow visitors to set their own pace while discovering L&A County!
Edited & Updated By Lindsay Medeiros
