Vancouver Fall Inspiration: The Ultimate Guide

October 9, 2020
DV
By Destination Vancouver
10 min read

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

As the city turns from fresh, wholesome greens to crispy warm oranges and yellows, it’s time for an epic round-up of fall inspiration. From the photogenic spots to areas of outdoor beauty, foodie foraging to seasonal plates, we’ve got a whole round-up of fall in Vancouver.

Nature and Outdoors

Fall in Vancouver is spectacular as pumpkin patches open, botanical gardens transition to autumn colours, and trees all over the city light up in hundreds of shades of yellow, orange, and red. If you want to capture the magic, head to one of these incredibly Instagrammable fall locations around Vancouver. Discover all our favourite locations.

View this post on Instagram

Walking is a great way to improve your health and fitness while also getting to know Vancouver a bit better. From parks to gardens to beaches to architecture, there is so much to see while exploring on foot. Here are our picks for 10 beautiful places to take a walk around Vancouver.

A couple enjoys fallen leaves at a Vancouver Park

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Autumn is a spectacular time in Vancouver as the weather cools down and the leaves change colour. The bold pockets of red, orange and yellow leaves stand out against the blanket of evergreen trees. Here are our picks for the best places to see fall colours around Vancouver. Get the low down on all the best spots.

Fall colours at Trout Lake in Vancouver

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

While Vancouver is a fairly green city, with lots of coniferous trees, each fall pockets of the region light up in yellow, gold, and crimson as their leaves change. Hiking is a great way to experience the changing of the seasons. Last year we published a list of seven Vancouver-area hikes where you can experience fall colours. This year we’re back with seven more fall hikes brimming with colour and the crunch of leaves underfoot. Get your fall hike inpo here.

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Loop Trail in Squamish near Vancouver, BC

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Each autumn, Vancouver’s tree-lined streets explode into yellows, golds, and reds. Why not enjoy it by bike? There are plenty of great fall photo ops as you cruise along quiet bike paths. If the weather gets too chilly, stop for a pumpkin spice latte break.

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Spend some time learning about the natural world or volunteering to restore the environment this fall. Remove invasive species, learn about the ocean, go bird watching, or gaze at the stars. With lots of online and in-person ecology events happening in the Vancouver area, there’s something for everyone. Browse events and activities.

Nature's Edge Boardwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Wellness

With autumn in full swing, treat yourself to a spa retreat! Several spas at Vancouver hotels have reopened with COVID-19 protocols in place to offer modified treatments and services to Vancouverites and BC visitors. It’s time for some pampering!

Vancouver spa retreats

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Food and Dining

Pinkies up! Take fall to new levels of sophistication with the Harvest Afternoon Tea at H Tasting Lounge. The menu includes locally-sourced sweet and savoury delicacies, each served atop a stunning golden carousel and complemented by the signature cotton candy bonsai tree!

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Autumn dining in Vancouver goes well beyond sipping on pumpkin spice lattes; rather, fall eating and drinking is about a shift in the palate toward deeper, more robust flavours and the celebration of harvested local ingredients. At this time of year, the farmer’s markets showcase an array of produce, like beets, squashes, Brussels sprouts, and apples, which also creatively appear on the menus of restaurants across the city. Gorge on all our recommendations here.

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Is it us, or is fall all about food? BC comes into its own with seasonal foods, from squash and pumpkin to apples and pears, each being found in bounty throughout Vancouver. There is one overlooked seasonal food we don’t often talk about during fall… Mushrooms! Book your tour here.

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Even in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vancouver’s restaurateurs have soldiered on, intrepidly opening establishments that further the vibrancy of this city’s eating and imbibing scene. The breadth of the new offerings attests to the diverse expertise and backgrounds of the teams behind these ventures. Here are some new places to add to your must-try list.

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Family-Fun

It’s easy to celebrate the changing of the season with your family in Vancouver. Each fall, there are lots of ways to entertain kids of any age. Autumn in Vancouver brings seasonal events, delicious food, outdoor sports, and more. Here are some ideas for family-friendly fall activities around Vancouver.

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Does anything say “fall” more than a big orange pumpkin? And what could be more fun than picking out your own at one of Vancouver’s pumpkin patches? Many local farms have embraced the season by adding tons of family-friendly fall activities to their pumpkin patches like hayrides, corn mazes, and petting zoos. Here are 15 Vancouver-area pumpkin patches to add to your fall bucket list..

Pumpkins at a pumpkin patch

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Finding your way through a corn maze is a fun fall activity for all ages. In 2020, six Vancouver-area farms have corn mazes you can explore. There’s something for everyone including mini-mazes for kids, scary haunted mazes for brave adults, and mystery mazes full of clues. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting a corn maze near Vancouver this fall.

Children walk through a corn maze at Laity Pumpkin Patch South near Vancouver

Fall colours along the Four Lakes Trail in Squamish. Photo credit: Taryn Eyton happiestoutdoors.ca

Vancouver fall
fall inspiration
photogenic spots
outdoor beauty
foodie foraging
seasonal plates
autumn activities