Take your pick: adrenaline packed or slow and contemplative?
Published on Aug 26, 2024
September is one of our favourite times to visit the Eastern Townships. Think warm sunny days, cool crisp nights, and flamboyant fall foliage as far as the eye can see. And there’s plenty of fun for everyone, from vineyard tours and apple picking to mountain hiking and gravel biking.
Consider this our open invite to all you foodies, families, fitness buffs, and fall-loving couples out there in Montreal, Northern New England and beyond: just a short drive away awaits a rich cornucopia of exciting discoveries. Come spend the day, the weekend or an entire week!
September is peak harvest season in the Eastern Townships. Take your pick of our many fall gastronomic events scattered across the region, such as the Fête des Vendanges in Magog, featuring wineries, microbreweries, distilleries, agri-food products, as well as artisans and artists. There’s also our Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route, with over 30 vineyards to visit. Sample local wines in picture-postcard settings!
Our tip for a successful wine tour? Plan your itinerary so that your last stop is at one of these vineyards offering overnight stays.
Fruit is always tastiest when freshly picked with your own hands. Fruit picking is also a great all-ages activity that families can enjoy at their own pace. Fill your basket with all sorts of apple varieties (including these lesser-known apple varieties), and stock up on ciders and other apple-based products at these popular Eastern Townships apple picking orchards.
Did you know? Apples aren’t the only fall fruit grown in the Eastern Townships. You can also pick pears, plums, strawberries and raspberries at these Townships fall harvest u-pick farms.
The Eastern Townships region is cherished for its historical villages and bucolic countryside. Throw in our fabulous fall foliage and a warm cinnamon-spiced apple cider, and you’ve got the makings for a great romantic country getaway that’s close to home. Here are 5 reasons to visit the Townships this fall, along with our top spots to enjoy the fall colours.
Want to stay a little longer? Here’s our ideal itinerary for a 2-day fall getaway.
Enjoy cycling? Pack an extra bag because you may never want to leave the Eastern Townships. We’ve got low-traffic gravel bike routes family-friendly to thrilling terrain… along with countless other ways to explore our region on two wheels.
Check out our top picks for fall cycling in the Townships. Or explore all your options on our main Eastern Townships cycling page.
If you love summer, then you’ll be thrilled to know that some Eastern Townships summer activities run well into October, like the Foresta Lumina nocturnal path in the Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook, and the gastronomical cruises on Lake Memphremagog. Before heading out, be sure to check websites for hours and to see if reservations are required.
Looking for specific ideas? These links may help:
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
32 Activities for Couples This Autumn in the Townships
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
Magnificent Places for Autumn Picnics
Nature, sports and outdoor activities
Fall Colour Evolution in the Eastern Townships
