10 Fantastic Fall Food Tours in Canada
Autumn brings the harvest of apples and pumpkins, squash and pears, and there are many tasty ways to enjoy the many flavours of fall. Take in the vibrant leaves and cooler weather with guided or self-guided tours, and sample some of the delicious fall bounty this country has to offer.
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Niagara-on-the-Lake Ultimate Foodie Tour (Niagara Falls, ON)
<p>This lovely three-and-a-half hour walking tour introduces visitors to the history of Old Town, its culture and fantastic local flavours. Guests on the tour will meet chefs and owners behind Niagara’s cuisine, and discover restaurants featuring farm-to-table dishes. The tour runs until November, but if you can't make it, be sure to check out their Ugly Sweater holiday food tour.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.niagaraculinarytours.com/tour/details/niagara-on-the-lake-ultimate-foodie-tour" target="_blank">Niagara-on-the-Lake Ultimate Foodie Tour</a></p> -
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Butter Tarts and Buggies Tour (Wellington County, ON)
<p>While butter tarts may be the highlight of this self-guided driving tour, it offers much, much more. The tour will take you to several farms, local bakeries, antique shops, butcher shops and a spot to go on a buggy ride. As is Mennonite tradition, some spots are not open Sundays, while other stops do not accept debit or credit cards, so plan accordingly.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.buttertartsandbuggies.com/" target="_blank">Butter Tarts and Buggies Tour</a></p> -
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Cape Race (St. John’s, NL)
<p>Fall might be one of the best times to take this self-guided driving tour. There's lots of sunshine, and the harvest is a bit later than in other parts of Canada. Berry picking is a popular attraction, and no foodie will go home hungry. Stops at Fogo Island Inn and Raymonds Restaurant are a must, and if you’re around mid-September, check out the delicious <a href="http://www.rootsrantsandroars.ca/" target="_blank">Roots, Rants and Roars Festival</a>, or the tasty <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromthisrock//" target="_blank">From This Rock</a>, which runs October 13th to November 3rd.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.caperace.com" target="_blank">The Cape Race</a></p> -
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Annapolis Valley Food and Wine Tour (Annapolis Valley, NS)
<p>Take a quick trip from Halifax to tour the Annapolis Valley, check out the Bay of Fundy and savour menus full of fresh fall pumpkin soups and cheesecakes. This driving tour takes you to you-pick farms, farmers’ markets and beautiful Luckett Vineyards. Be sure to stop at Dill Family Farm, where the Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkin variety was created.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.novascotia.com/explore/road-trips/annapolis-valley-food-wine" target="_blank">Annapolis Valley Food and Wine Tour</a></p> -
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Le Circuit du Paysan (Napierville, QC)
<p>Starting in Napierville, QC, Le Circuit du Paysan is a self-driving tour with 197 km of local attractions and fresh food. Situated in the foothills of the Adirondacks in Québec, the tour is all about feasting on local delicacies, like cheese, wine and fresh meat. Take in the brilliant fall colours while you discover the restaurants that make the most of local produce. </p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://lecircuitdupaysan.com/en/" target="_blank">Le Circuit du Paysan</a></p> -
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Round Table Food Tours (Montreal, QC)
<p>Fall flavours are a major focus in the restaurants along this Montreal tour, which only just started this past spring. “All of the stops focus on pairing with local in-season ingredients,” tour operator Melissa Simard says. Enjoy six glasses of wine and the advice of a sommelier guide to develop your tasting skills as you savour the fresh fall bounty.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.roundtablefoodtours.com/tours" target="_blank">Round Table Food Tours</a></p> -
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Brunch Around the Block (Winnipeg, MB)
<p>Winnipeg has a thriving food scene with fantastic options for a night out on the town. But why not shake up your routine and do brunch instead. This self-guided tour highlights the best of what the city’s Exchange District has to offer for that late breakfast/early lunch crowd. Mike Green of the city’s tourism department says his must-stop is Clementine. “The new menu is incredible — easily one of the best brunch spots in Canada.” Or try the cream cheese-stuffed cinnamon French toast at the Marion Street Eatery. Don’t forget the banana caramel peanut butter sauce!</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.pegcitygrub.com/winnipegs-best-breakfasts-brunches-secondish-edition/" target="_blank">Brunch Around the Block Tour</a></p> -
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Whistler Tasting Tour (Whistler, BC)
<p>Whistler Tasting Tours offers a few different options for guided tours, each a unique experience. The Finer Things Tour includes a visit to Bearfoot Bistro’s 15,000 bottle wine cellar and (for those brave enough) a lesson in sabering a bottle of wine. The Hidden Gem tour features a walking/tasting tour of four local restaurants, where you’ll enjoy a course at each.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.whistlertastingtours.com/" target="_blank">Whistler Tasting Tour</a></p> -
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Calgary Farmers’ Market (Calgary, AB)
<p>Enjoy a Sunday morning wine tasting and brunch before going on a chef-guided tour of the local food vendors with the freshest products at the Calgary Farmers’ Market. The tours start with fresh fruit, a gourmet breakfast flatbread, Fratello coffee and a wine tasting at J.Webb at The Market. Guests receive a meal plan and shopping list, and hit the market to meet the people who grow the food, including ranchers and farmers from southern British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://calgaryfoodtours.com/tours/chef-guided-tour-of-the-calgary-farmes-market/" target="_blank">Calgary Farmers’ Market</a></p> -
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Off the Eaten Path (Victoria, BC)
<p>Enjoy some rich treats and a slice of history on Off the Eaten Path’s Historic Tour of Victoria. Candied salmon, pumpkin spice macarons, cheese fritters, bao buns and locally roasted coffee, plus Kid Sister Ice Cream is always changing their flavours based on the season. You can expect to taste sweet, creamy treats with apples and pears, including their popular pear riesling paleta. They even paleta and sodas with locally grown concord grapes. <p>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.offtheeatentracktours.ca/victoria/" target="_blank">Off the Eaten Path’s Historic Tour of Victoria</a></p> <p><em>Kate Bueckert is a freelance journalist who believes in feeding her family homemade food and can't say no to a good butter tart.</em></p>