Amazing Things to do in Vancouver in Fall

Pumpkin Season in Vancouver – The Ultimate List of Things to do

If you decide to visit Vancouver in the Fall, I recommend visiting from mid-September to mid-October. Once November hits, usually the rain follows so I recommend trying to get out before then, but some of the colours also peak around mid-October – early November so it’s not all bad.

1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Visiting a pumpkin patch is one of my favourite things to do in Fall in Vancouver. I love taking photos, trying delicious pumpkin treats and choosing my own pumpkin to carve at home. In this guide, I help you choose which out of 5 pumpkin patches near Vancouver is best for you.

You could even pair a pumpkin patch with a scary Halloween corn maze at Mann Farms. Dave and I have done this a couple of times now and it is a lot of fun but super SCARY! It’s a great experience to share with friends (safety in numbers 😅).

2. Wander through the Fall colours at Van Dusen Botanical Gardens

The Van Dusen Botanical Gardens have something for every season and in Fall they transform into hues of reds and oranges. Visiting these gardens is a really relaxing experience. You can get a coffee or a hot chocolate from the café and then stroll around at your own pace.

The gardens become EVEN more magical during the holidays, when they are lit up with thousands of fairy lights for their Festival of Lights.

3. Go leaf-peeping at Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park is absolutely gorgeous in the Fall. It is one of the best places to see the Fall colours in Vancouver. Head over to the arboretum and quarry garden for some of the best colours. There’s also an incredible viewpoint overlooking the whole city next to the Bloedel Conservatory that you shouldn’t miss.

4. Visit a cozy cafe with views of the water

If you are dreaming of a a day out during Fall in Vancouver at a cosy café, I’ve got you covered. There are some cafes that are so worth it like Seasons in the Park in Queen Elizabeth Park which has INCREDIBLE views!

There is also The Teahouse in Stanley Park which is great to go to if you are doing a ride or walk around Stanley Park.

Another place to definitely check out is Neverland Tea. They have whimsical décor and do themed high teas. They have done Madhatter’s, Wimbledon, The Coronation and Cherry Blossom.

5. Stroll or bike Stanley Park’s Seawall

I absolutely love to walk along Stanley Park’s Seawall. It’s a little bit of an issue in places with Winnie (our golden doodle) because she has a real thing for goose poop, but otherwise it’s one of the best things to do on a sunny evening.

There is parking around the Seawall but it does cost money, so instead you could catch the bus from Downtown or hire a bike from Spokes and ride there.

6. Catch a Fall sunset at Kitsilano or Jericho Beach

Sunsets at the beach are absolutely stunning during Fall in Vancouver. Bring along a picnic and some drinks and a camera and set up along the beach for the evening.

7. Go on a Fall hike (to see the colours)

You cannot see larches in Vancouver like you can in Banff, but there are still some stunning Fall colours that appear each year in Vancouver. Some great Fall hikes in and around Vancouver include:

• Hollyburn Peak, Cypress Mountain
• Bunzen Lake, Anmore
• Lindeman Lake, Chilliwack
• Golden Ears Canyon Loop, Maple Ridge
• Goldie Lake Loop, Mount Seymour Provincial Park
• Manning Park – Mount Frosty – a big hike and a 3 hour drive from Vancouver but this hike has larches!

8. Take a brewery tour

Vancouver is famous for its craft brewery scene and Fall is the perfect time to join a brewery tour. This 3 hour tour takes you to 3 different breweries and includes a behind the scenes tour of each brewery and tastings.

This is one of my favourite things to do in Vancouver and Dave would definitely agree.

9. Attend a Fall festival or event

There is a lot happening in Vancouver during fall. You could attend the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) or the UBC Apple Festival. There is also the Vancouver Writers Fest, for lovers of writing and reading.

10. Go paddle boarding while the weather is still warm

This is your last chance to go paddle boarding in Vancouver before the November rain. There are some lovely spots to go paddle boarding in Vancouver and they won’t be as busy in the Fall months as the Summer months which is always a bonus. Bring a picnic lunch and head out for the day to soak up that beautiful sun (hopefully)!

One of my favourite places is in Golden Ears Provincial Park, which is a little bit of a drive away from Downtown Vancouver but so beautiful.

11. Go on a Rainy Day Hike (if the weather’s not cooperating for you)

Fall weather in Vancouver can be unpredictable and there’s no worse feeling than when you are really excited about getting outside for the day and then it decides to rain. Luckily, just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you need to miss out on going hiking.

There are lots of lush forests and waterfalls in Vancouver that thrive on the rain and can even be more beautiful, especially with less crowds around. I hope you don’t need it but in case you do, here is my list of the best rainy day hikes in Vancouver.

12. Chase the Fall colours and get cute photos

Fall, like Spring is one of my favourite times for photos in Vancouver. In Spring, Vancouver is transformed into a pink and white wonderland by the Cherry Blossoms.

During Fall (from early October – early November), we are welcomed by hues of reds and oranges lining the roads and trails which make for some beautiful photos. Some spots I recommend visiting in Vancouver in Fall to get some instaworthy shots include:

• Stanley Park
• Queen Elizabeth Park
• University of British Columbia (UBC)
• Trout Lake
• Deer Lake, Burnaby
• Burnaby Lake Regional Park
• Burnaby Mountain

13. Visit one of Vancouver’s farmers markets

What better Fall activity that to visit a farmers market. There are lots of farmers markets around Vancouver where you can get locally grown produce and jams, baked goods, meat, seafood, and more.

14. Go to a Halloween event

If you like being scared, you should definitely book one of the Fright Night events like the PNE Fright Nights or The Scariest Corn Maze in Canada at Mann Farms. I haven’t been to the PNE Fright Nights but I’ve heard it’s TERRIFYING.

And I can confidently tell you that the Mann Farms Halloween event is absolutely terrifying. I have been twice and I think I’m done for a while but it’s a great thing to do with friends. You can even visit their pumpkin patch beforehand.

15. Visit Capilano Suspension Bridge Park’s Canyon Frights

Capilano’s festive lights start in October with their signature Canyon Frights lights for Halloween. The park is decorating with Halloween themed decorations and light up with thousands of lights. This is the beginning of my favourite time of year at Capilano, and one that I would 1000% say is worth the money.

You might also enjoy:

• How to Spend a Magical Christmas in Vancouver
• Is a Scenic Flight in Vancouver Worth it? A Local’s Perspective
• Amazing Things to do in Vancouver BC in Winter
• Incredible Waterfalls Near Vancouver That You Need to Visit
• Best Cherry Blossom Photo Spots in Vancouver: Ultimate Guide
• Where to Stay in Vancouver: A Local’s Guide to the Best Areas & Hotels
• Is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Worth It
• How to Spend One Day in Squamish – Itinerary
• An Epic 2 Day Vancouver Travel Itinerary: Breweries, Waterfalls, Sunsets

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