Explore Bustling Burlington This Fall
Published: Sep 3, 2024
Looking for a new adventure outside Toronto? Consider Burlington, home to a vibrant waterfront, notable restaurants, Royal Botanical Gardens and much more! Experience the changing fall colours in the area by the Niagara Escarpment, as the forest is transformed with the hues of red and orange.
Take GO Transit to Burlington
Getting to Burlington with GO is easy too, with connections from Union Station to Burlington GO Station along the Lakeshore West line. If you’re heading over on a weekday with friends or family, take advantage of the GO Weekday Group Pass starting at $30. On weekends, you can enjoy unlimited one-day travel with the GO One-Day Weekend Pass for only $10! And remember, kids 12 and under ride free, so a family outing is hassle-free.
On your journey to Burlington, enjoy free GO Wi-Fi Plus across GO Transit so you can relax and unwind and leave the driving to us.
Looking for a family friendly outing or a couple’s date, there’s lots of exciting events and attractions taking place in Burlington this fall!
Get into the Halloween spirit at The Great Pumpkin Trail at Royal Botanical Gardens. Follow the candlelit glow of hundreds of jack-o-lanterns deep in the Hendrie Valley, along with live entertainment, pumpkin-themed activities and fall inspired treats.
Bring your kids to the Telling Tales Festival at the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), September 21-22, and engage with over 40 leading children’s authors, illustrators, and storytellers! The festival gives you free access to the RBG, access to book signings, live performers, interactive walks and more!
Buy fresh and seasonal produce, baked goods and meats at the Burlington Centre Lions Farmers Market. The market is open Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from Mid-May to Mid-October.
Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada’s largest botanical garden is spread over 1100 hectares and boasts of spectacular sanctuaries and breathtaking gardens. Visit during the fall to witness the changing colours amidst this charming landscape.
Biking enthusiasts can enjoy the 23-km scenic waterfront trail and see the fall colours in the numerous waterfront parks as they ride past. There’s also the Farm Fresh Bike Tour taking place September 28-29 – a relaxed tour of the Hamilton-Burlington loop. Access the start of the ride by taking the train to West Harbour GO Station.
Indulge your senses with a relaxing spa day at the Pearle Hotel. Burlington’s newest luxury hotel and spa located in downtown Burlington and is steps away from the shores of Lake Ontario.
Shop and dine in downtown Burlington
Burlington is also home to numerous dining spots for the gastronomically inclined visitor. Enjoy breathtaking views of the waterfront while you dine on fabulous food.
Spencer’s at the Waterfront is renowned for fresh market fish, mouth watering steak and exceptional seafood. You’ll get spectacular lake views from inside the glass-walled dining room or from the stunning patio.
The Martini House is located in downtown Burlington and is one of the few restaurants that incorporate fine dining with the coziness of down-home familiarity.
Russell Williams Family Restaurant is sure to please the whole family with its array of home cooked food that visitors have enjoyed since 1932.
Want a healthy bite before heading back? West Plains Bistro offers fresh and tasty ingredients for the calorie conscious eater with a variety of salads, soups and mains including fish, pasta and meats.
If you are more of a home cook and want to add some new cooking oils to your pantry, check out The Olive Oil Dispensary. They boast of over 60 different Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars.
Check out Joelle’s - the one stop shopping destination for all your fashion needs. They offer casual to dressy clothing options with a wide selection of shoes, accessories, and even maternity wear.
If you want even more options, don’t forget to stroll through Burlington’s downtown shopping district which features many high fashion boutiques, one-of-a-kind accessories and quaint gift shops.
Bye Bye Burlington – until next time!
That’s a pretty good day out in Burlington, isn’t it? As you stroll back to Burlington GO Station to catch the train home, enjoy a last look at the waterfront. It’s been a busy day and you are probably pretty tired, but it’s good to know you don’t have to deal with driving on the way home. Instead, enjoy free entertainment on GO Wi-Fi Plus or chat about your favourite part of the trip – rest assured your ride to and from Burlington will be hassle-free.