This $20 train from Toronto takes you to a riverside town with little cafes and quaint shops
It's a charming spot for a weekend escape.
You don't need a car to travel to a charming small town. This cute Ontario village is just a train ride away from Toronto, and it has "fall outing" written all over it.
With riverside views, a historic main street, quaint shops and little cafes, it's the perfect place to put on your coziest sweater, grab a pumpkin spice latte, and breathe in the crisp fall air.
Port Hope is a dreamy small town on the shores of Lake Ontario, just an hour from Toronto.
According to Northumberland Tourism, it's "one of Ontario’s cutest small towns" and is home to the "best-preserved heritage main street" in the province.
It's only about an hour's train ride away from Toronto with VIA Rail. It's ideal for a weekend escape or longer, with trains departing Toronto in the evenings and returning in the afternoon or evening.
The train station is just steps from downtown, so you don't have to go far to find stores, restaurants, and more.
You can stroll through the storybook downtown, popping into bookshops, sipping on seasonal lattes, and biting into baked goods.
Some local eateries worth checking out include The Pulse Cafe & Eatery, The Main, Cafe Lviv, Milly's Market, and Happenstance Bakery & Coffee Roastery.
If you want a super cute cafe experience, make a stop at Toe Beans Cat Cafe, where you can visit with adorable cats while enjoying a drink.
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail is a dreamy spot for a late-autumn stroll. The scenic trail winds along the Ganaraska River, boasting picturesque views and peaceful scenery.
If you're in the mood for something spooky this Halloween season, Port Hope is the place to be.
Despite its charm, it has served as the backdrop for several horror films and a mystery series, making Halloween the ideal time to explore this destination.
One of the most famous horror films shot in Port Hope is IT, which saw the town transform into Derry, Maine, the fictional home of the terrifying, shape-shifting clown.
If you're brave enough, you can follow the IT Walking Tour to explore filming locations from both IT and IT: Chapter Two.
The self-guided tour includes stops at Memorial Park, where the giant Paul Bunyan statue appeared, and a laneway off Walton Street beside the Quality Meats shop featured in the films.
Other horror and mystery productions filmed in Port Hope include Orphan, Murdoch Mysteries and Our House.
Port Hope has no shortage of fall activities, from a Pumpkin Parade to trick-or-treating and more. You can check out the website for a full list of things to do.
If you're planning a longer visit, there are several boutique hotels and B&Bs where you can stay, such as the Hotel Carlyle & Restaurant and the Plantation House Bed & Breakfast.
With its charming shops and historic main street, Port Hope is a beautiful small-town escape near the city.
This Ontario village with little shops and rolling hills is like a cozy Hallmark scene
It's the perfect spot for a late-autumn outing. 🍂
Cozy small towns with quaint shops and charming streets don't just exist on screen. This Ontario village looks like it was plucked from an autumn Hallmark film, and it's only a road trip away from Toronto.
Tucked amid rolling hills and vibrant leaves, the destination is a magical place to explore in late fall.
Creemore is a picture-perfect village tucked into the scenic Niagara Escarpment, about 2 hours from Toronto.
According to the website, it is known as "the little village with the big heart," and the historic Main Street will whisk you away to a "simpler time."
You can stroll through the town, popping into cozy bookshops and local boutiques along the way.
Since autumn is all about spiced lattes and sweet treats, you'll want to stop by these charming cafes dotted throughout the area.
You can grab a baked good and seasonal drink from The Creemore Bakery, Bank Café or Good Grief Coffee Roasters.
Or enjoy a crisp local beer from the Creemore Springs Brewery.
There's more to Creemore than its quaint shops and charming main street.
The village is also home to some attractions, including North America's Smallest Jail, a tiny building dating back to the 1800s with just three cells.
If you're hoping to do some last-minute leaf-peeping, Creemore is close to several scenic fall hiking spots.
Devil's Glen Provincial Park is a must-visit, with forested trails and a boardwalk offering beautiful views of the valley below.
Nottawasaga Lookout is another beautiful place to take in the views, with sweeping vistas of the Niagara Escarpment framed by vibrant shades of red, orange and gold.
You can also explore the Bruce Trail, which passes through sections of the Niagara Escarpment and offers more opportunities to admire the autumn scenery.
Creemore is located just a short drive from Collingwood, another charming town with a lively main street, shops, and eateries. You can also pop over to Blue Mountain Village while in the area, a charming pedestrian village with outdoor attractions and more.
With its beautiful scenery and Hallmark-worthy charm, Creemore is an idyllic destination for a last-minute autumn getaway.
BC SPCA urges election candidates to commit to pet-friendly housing laws
As British Columbia chooses a new provincial government on Saturday, the SPCA has launched its own campaign urging voters to call on election candidates to commit to changing laws so that families with pets will have equal access to housing.
The plea comes after Erin Hayman's family spent months hunting for a place to live with their pets when they lost their home in the Bald Range wildfire, which destroyed about 150 structures in the district of Summerland, B.C. in August.
A statement from the BC SPCA says Hayman's family was determined to keep their whole family together, including their two dogs and four cats, after flames destroyed their home this summer, but housing limitations made it "impossible."
Hayman's four cats, Peaches, Miso, Gauntlett and Calamari, have been staying at the SPCA's emergency boarding program since the fire, and they found temporary housing that accepted their dogs.
But a statement from the SPCA says it has taken the family about three months to find pet-friendly, long-term housing that will allow them to reunite with their cats in November.
Hayman says it has been "incredibly difficult" for his daughters, as they are dealing with the pain of losing everything in the fire, and fearing at one point that they might have to give their cats away.
Sarah Herring with the BC SPCA says they are seeing too many families being forced to surrender or rehome pets they love because they can't find pet-friendly housing.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.