Vancouver is the Perfect Fall Getaway

Crisp air, brightly coloured leaves, and a romantic atmosphere: that's Vancouver in the autumn. Plan a fall getaway to enjoy the changing leaves and local cuisine, while you stay in a cozy hotel or lodge.

Enjoy the Fall Colours

Vancouver is a verdant city with lots of huge evergreen trees. But it also has pockets of deciduous trees which light up in amber, gold, and crimson each autumn. Put on a cozy sweater, grab a cup of coffee, and head out on a fall foliage stroll.

You don't have to leave downtown to enjoy the autumn leaves. You can bask in the fall colours in Stanley Park with a walk around the seawall or along the sand at English Bay Beach. You can also explore neighbourhoods like Kitsilano and Commercial Drive to discover unique boutiques and cafes alongside vibrant leaves.

Eat Local

With the ocean on one side and the fertile farmland of the Fraser Valley on the other, Vancouver has a strong local food culture. Embrace the harvest in fall with a visit to one of seven farmers' markets across the city. Shop for local produce, baked goods, prepared foods like jams and pickles, handicrafts, and lots more.

Many local restaurants also offer seasonal menus that highlight regional specialties. The tasting menu at Michelin Guide-rated The Acorn features elevated vegetarian and vegan dishes designed to spotlight local, in-season produce. One Michelin starred Burdock & Co. bases its menu on the changing seasons, each one themed around a key local ingredient.

Vancouver is also a pumpkin spice crazy city: the world's first pumpkin spice latte was served here in 2003. Each fall, you can sample sweet fall-themed treats at coffee shops and cafes. Local favourites include mini pumpkin pies at The Pie Hole and pumpkin doughnuts from Lee's Donuts and Lucky's Doughnuts.

Celebrate the Autumn Harvest

With rich farmland along the Fraser River, autumn is harvest time near Vancouver. Visit local farms to indulge in the freshest produce and even pick some yourself.

Head to Taves Family Farms in Abbotsford to pick your own apples, plums, and goji berries or pick up apple-flavoured delicacies from The Apple Barn. The UBC Botanical Garden also hosts a legendary apple festival each October where you can sample dozens of varieties of local apples.

Nothing says quintessentially fall like a trip to one of Vancouver's pumpkin patches. In addition to U-pick pumpkins, you can also enjoy hayrides and lots of other family-friendly activities. Some farms also have corn mazes.

Did you know that Craisins come from Vancouver? Local cranberry farmers sell 97% of their crop to Ocean Spray Collective where they make dried cranberries, sold as craisins. You can experience the colourful cranberry harvest at The Bog Riverside Cranberry Farm or Hopcott Farms in Pitt Meadows.

Get Scared During Spooky Season

Vancouver embraces spooky season each fall with both family-friendly and truly terrifying Halloween events and attractions.

Don't miss Canyon Frights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The iconic suspension bridge and elevated walkways will be decked out in colourful lights and themed decorations. You are encouraged to come in costume.

The Stanley Park Train transforms into the Ghost Train, complete with supernatural surprises and theatrical performances. If you're travelling with little ones, book a matinee ride - it features a fright-free experience.

You can also learn about the gruesome past of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood on The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour with Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours. The two-hour tour includes dramatic and grisly retellings of local history.

Plan a Cozy Fall Stay

Soak up the fall vibes with a cozy stay at hotels and lodges around Vancouver.

The historic Sylvia Hotel has a great location on English Bay, so it is a perfect home base for autumn strolls in Stanley Park or exploring the cafes in the West End. However, the real highlight is Boston ivy that crawls up the building's exterior. Each fall it turns vibrant red and gold, which makes for great photo ops.

Book a stay at a cabin in the woods to unwind and connect with nature. Sunwolf Riverside Resort has cabins directly on the Cheakamus River near Squamish. The cabins don't have wifi or TVs - instead, enjoy the outdoor fire pit, grab brunch amongst the changing leaves at Fergie's Cafe, or head out for a hike at nearby Alice Lake Provincial Park.

Overnight in the heart of farm country at the Fraser River Lodge in Agassiz. It has incredible views of towering Mount Cheam and is an easy drive from apple picking, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes in nearby Chilliwack and Abbotsford.