If there’s one place in Ontario that feels made for fall, it’s Muskoka. A few years ago I spent a fall night in Muskoka on a Momcation and ever since, we’ve been itching to return. On top of that, my mom’s been wanting to do the cranberry plunge and we finally made it happen for her this October! We decided to make the most of the short but spectacular fall season with a multigenerational fall road trip in Ontario. We packed the kids, my parents and ourselves into a 2026 Honda Odyssey on a Friday evening and headed to a HomeExchange cabin in Muskoka.
Things to do in Muskoka with Teens and Grandparents
It has been a busy season for my parents who spent the entire summer and early fall hosting guests at their Niagara on the Lake Bed and Breakfast so I thought a quick getaway around the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend was a good idea. I find that Muskoka has a way of slowing everyone down. I didn’t really plan for much because I wanted everyone to take it slow and enjoy being a bit lazy. We ended up having a very chill weekend in Muskoka but also did a bunch of fun things that were grandparent friendly and tween/teen approved.
Here’s more Muskoka ideas for younger kids!
The Drive: Toronto to Muskoka in the 2026 Honda Odyssey
The trip from Toronto to Bala takes about 2.5 hours. This was just long enough to feel like an adventure, but short enough to avoid too many “are we there yet?” moments but not to worry, my mom came prepared with snacks to last a 10 hour drive! For this Ontario road trip we were test driving a new vehicle from Honda.
As we loaded up the 2026 Honda Odyssey, my parents immediately appreciated the low step-in height and wide sliding doors, while the kids made themselves at home in the rear zone. We didn’t think we were minivan folks but now we’re trying to convince my dad that he should make this 8 seater his next vehicle!
We left Toronto after the rush hour traffic died out a bit and nightfall had kicked in, which meant that we didn’t get to enjoy the fall foliage along Highway 400. Though we did notice that it was quite pretty on our return drive! It was a tunnel of burnt orange and crimson leaves that made the adults smile with glee. The kids didn’t really care!
I really wanted to play with the seat configuration because it was easy to move the second row of seats and it seemed like we could sit facing the 3rd row-but no one else was up to the experiment so I’ll definitely have to give this vehicle another test drive this winter. The seats were very comfortable and I enjoyed the extra legroom and storage space in the main cabin area.
Despite using all three rows of seats, we had plenty of room for 2 XL suitcases, all our shopping, huge bag of pillows and linens and the beer!
Our Home for the Weekend: A Cozy Cabin by the Lake
During our previous Muskoka visits we’ve stayed at the Beer Spa but for this trip, I wanted something different. Luckily I was able to find a cute cabin with water access on HomeExchange. As you know, we’re huge fans of HomeExchange and I was shocked to realize that the cabin we booked would have cost us $3,000 if we booked it on Airbnb!!! Crazy hey?
Instead of a hotel room or resort, we got a real Muskoka cabin experience with a wood-burning outdoor pit, big windows overlooking the lake and plenty of cozy corners for reading and board games.
The kids had their own room (bunk beds, of course) and all three rooms were on the main floor with no need to battle any stairs. You could even access the water without having to climb many stairs!
This was our first HomeExchange where we had to bring our own linen but we found everything else we needed at the cabin.
Tip: If you’re traveling with grandparents, consider a cabin or home exchange property with a main-floor bedroom and easy parking access. It makes unpacking and morning coffee runs that much smoother.
If you’re looking to do the Cranberry Route, this article has all the tips!
Cranberry Magic in Bala
No fall trip to Muskoka is complete without visiting the Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery which is home to the famous Cranberry Plunge. This is what my mom and the kids came to Muskoka for! So, while Chris worked at the cabin, the rest of us spent two hours at the Cranberry farm in Ontario. I knew the place gets busy on the weekends which is why we made the most of the PA day Friday and bought tickets for my mom, the kids and I to do the plunge on a Friday morning. We lucked out because there were only 2 others in the marsh with us!!
I know I shared tips during my previous visit but I will mention them again here because we’ve now experienced it with kids. In fact, one kid even had a broken arm in a cast! I just wrapped Apollo’s cast in a garbage bag (similar to when he showered at home) and that did the trick because you’re only waist deep in the flooded field.
Definitely arrive early, I gave ourselves 30 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the plunge area which meant that my mom could walk slowly (there are some steep areas but even with knee issues, she was able to tackle them). It also gave us enough time to get dressed in the waders that are included with the experience (it’s all part of the ticket you purchase). Wear pants that aren’t too baggy when you visit the cranberry farm and bring a thick pair of socks because the wader have boots built in!
We stepped right into the cranberry marsh for the ultimate fall experience and took some amazing photos!
My dad watched from the side lines whilst my mom quickly learned that the Ocean Spray commercials failed to tell her that cranberry plunges have a strong sulphur odour. She thought it would be like a McDonald’s ball pit! HAH!
The kids had a great time and quickly discovered that cranberry water is colder than it looks.
The experience is equal parts fun, silly and iconic. ABSOLUTELY my kinda fun! Though I think it was a one and done for my germ-a-phobe mom!
Afterward, we warmed up with cranberry cider, cranberry pulled pork sandwiches and cranberry chilli.
The on-site market was filled with local treats — from cranberry chocolate bark to cranberry candles! We didn’t do a wine tasting but I always enjoy visiting Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery because they have loads of lounge areas and casual activities that are great, whether you’re visiting Muskoka with family or friends!
Tip: Bring a change of socks and wear layers if you’re doing the plunge. Buy tickets in advance (especially for weekend visits) and if you can, visit during the week days.
I have a full article on things to do in Bracebridge!!
Santa’s Village, Bracebridge
Even though it wasn’t Christmas season, Santa’s Village was still open for fall fun. I’ve always wanted to see Santa in July and this place makes it a possibility! During our October visit, Santa’s Village in Bracebridge was decked out for Halloween AND Christmas. Talk about being my ultimate happy place!!!
For those unfamiliar, Santa’s Village is a whimsical, Christmas-themed amusement park that’s been delighting families for over 65 years. It’s got just the right mix of rides, shows and playgrounds to keep kids entertained for hours without overwhelming grandparents. I will mention that most rides are suitable for the under 12 crowd but our older kids did find a ride that they went back on repeat! It also meant that the grandparents could join in on many of the rides.
If you’re used to the Toronto lines at amusement parks, you’ll be delighted to hear that the longest we waited in line was 10 minutes for the popular rollercoaster!
We missed this during our visit but know that if you’re visiting in October, the slip of paper the kids get upon entry is a scavenger hunt and they can get random prizes by visiting each of the places around the park! The trick or treat add-ons were a nice touch for sure.
Tip: Bring reusable water bottles and a picnic if you want to save on food costs. You can also save $3 off the ticket price by using an Attractions Ontario coupon! Check out the full list of coupons they have for other places you might visit!
Hale Muskoka Pit Stop
At some point during your road trip, you’ll find yourself near Hale Muskoka. This a community gathering space in the town of Gravenhurst, that was designed for locals, cottagers and tourists seeking authentic, memorable experiences. It was our luck that the day we were passing through happened to be a special fall themed pop up market. You could tell there were many locals catching up with friends and supporting local businesses.
Akira and Apollo made a beeline for the baked goods – there was a pumpkin pie competition and everyone was invited to judge! My parents browsed the market’s local goods section and found a bunch of items they purchased. And as for me, I bumped into a friend who had created a fun line of travel themed candles!
We lucked out with the market happening during our fall drive because while they have weekly activations in the summer time, the fall and winter markets are more spread out. So be sure to check their Instagram page for updates.
Bakeries, Coffee and Pub Stops
When I think about the food scene in Muskoka, it’s mostly bakeries and pubs that come to mind. My favourite place to eat in Muskoka is The Pearl but they are only open late spring into late summer. So your options are pretty limited or basic during a fall visit. You will still find some cozy bites though, so don’t worry!
This was our first visit to Don’s Bakery but it came highly recommended by our HomeExchange hosts and our local friends. You definitely need to head here early because many of their freshly baked goods disappear within a few hours! Their cranberry loaves are definitely a good choice during a fall visit! Double check their hours before your visit because they usually close up from the end of fall to early spring.
Grab coffee from Jack and Stella in Port Carling. This coffee shop-slash-lifestyle store sits right on the water, making it an easy favorite for both caffeine lovers and Instagrammers.
Next door to this coffeeshop is the popular Bala Falls Pub. If you want a hearty meal, this is a solid option. We met some friends here for dinner one evening and everyone enjoyed their meal. Get the fish and chips here – it’s solid!
Easy Hardy Lake Hike
If your crew is up for a little adventure, the Hardy Lake Provincial Park is home to one of Muskoka’s most rewarding fall hikes. The loop winds through towering pines, rocky Canadian Shield outcrops and quiet sections of forest that feel totally untouched. It was a relatively easy trail even for my mom and her limited mobility.
The highlight was a series of wooden boardwalks that take you right over the water. Just bring sturdy shoes and be ready to stop often… the views demand it. Oh, also, even though this is an easy trail, there are different loops and we made the error of letting my dad and the kids walk ahead on the return journey – they missed the exit and kept going! So be warned!
Our mid-October Muskoka getaway was cozy and relaxing. What made this trip so special wasn’t just the destinations, it was also the pace. Traveling with grandparents reminded us to slow down and linger longer. The real gift of a multigenerational getaway is connection and this quick getaway certainly delivered many opportunities for that. Between the cranberry plunge, Santa’s Village, nature walks and lazy cabin mornings, it reminded us that fall doesn’t have to be busy to be beautiful. Sometimes, it’s just about piling into the car, chasing the colours north and making space for everyone.
