Pumpkin spice and everything nice

Fall into a bounty of fun this season.

Stunning foliage, harvest dinners and spooky fun – for many Canadians, fall is the best time of year. With so many activities to choose from, there is something for everyone. Get out (safely) and enjoy the season!

Honey crisp, anyone? 

There are apple orchards in almost every corner of Canada, from British Columbia’s Willow View Farms to Boates Farm in Nova Scotia, and everywhere in between. Take a day trip if you can and discover the myriad varieties at your local orchard. All that fresh air will no doubt put a rosy glow in your cheeks! Home with your bounty, it’s time to get cooking. Try pies, cobblers, caramel apples and hot spiced ciders. And if you don’t feel like being the chef, most orchards and farmers’ markets offer these autumn treats ready-made.

Spooktacular fun

It wouldn’t be fall without Halloween. Each October, people across the country prepare a fun night of spooky decorations, kooky costumes and yummy goodies, not to mention plenty of creative jack-o-lanterns (more on that below). Other ways to enjoy the holiday could include a virtual visit to a haunted house, watching scary movies, setting up a spooky scavenger hunt in the neighbourhood or baking some Halloween-themed treats (mmm, monster cookies). 

Pumpkin bling

Who doesn’t love a hand-carved, glowing jack-o-lantern at Halloween? But there’s a whole new take on this classic: instead of just carving, try new ways to decorate. Pick a pumpkin or two from a patch (or store) near you. Paint on a funny face or go with gold or silver for a glam look. Try adding inexpensive items such as pipe cleaners, paper eyeballs and beads to give your pumpkin a whole new persona. Have fun getting creative! 

Fun fact: The world’s heaviest pumpkin weighed more than 1,190 kilograms (2,624 pounds).[1]

Buckle up 

No matter which province you live in, a road trip through spectacular foliage is always a popular fall activity. Whether by car or motorbike, some of Canada’s most cherished routes include Ontario’s Caledon County, Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail and British Columbia’s Kootenay Circle Loop.[2] With winding roads and forests of vibrant colours, these stunning drives will make you feel like you are living in a calendar. Grab some snacks, a blanket and your favourite road-tripping music to help you enjoy the beauty of the season.

Interactive hikes

There may be no better way to enjoy the fall season than lacing up your hiking boots and hitting the trail. The next time you head out, try to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the fall landscape. Listen to the leaves crunching under your feet, jump in a leaf pile, inhale the musty tang of dried leaves and watch squirrels and birds prepare for the winter. Bring home some simple souvenirs by gathering the most colourful leaves you see and pressing them into an album. Or collect pinecones to display in a glass bowl for a beautiful fall centrepiece.

From coast to coast, Canada has lots of spectacular places to spend some time in nature. Explore the Fundy Trail, one of North America’s last remaining east coast wilderness areas.[3] Just make sure you wear good shoes and layer up, because it gets chilly along the coast. Other great hikes include the Wascana Trails in Saskatchewan and Kinney Lake Trail in British Columbia. City dwellers don’t need to travel too far to find a trail in their neighbourhood, from the Mount Royal Park loop in Montreal or the Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto, to the Bow River Pathway in Calgary and the trails of Stanley Park in Vancouver. 

No matter where you live, there is a fun way to enjoy fall near you. Throw on your favourite sweater, breathe in the crisp air, get close to nature and enjoy the bounty of the harvest and explosions of autumn colour.

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[1] www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/heaviest-pumpkin