Vancouver Fall Inspiration: The Ultimate Guide

October 9, 2020
DV
By Destination Vancouver
10 min read
People walking and biking along a curved stone wall by a body of water with trees showing autumn colors.

People walking and biking along a curved stone wall by a body of water with trees showing autumn colors.
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.

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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.

Two people playing in a park with autumn leaves, one giving the other a piggyback ride, both smiling.

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.

People and dogs gathered near a lake under autumn trees with yellow and orange leaves.

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.

Mountain river flowing through rocky shore with autumn trees and cloudy sky

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.

A person riding a bicycle through a sunlit park with large trees and fallen leaves.

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.

Sunlight shining through tall trees in a dense forest with a wooden walkway and railings.

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!

Spa room with massage table, orchid plant, bathtub, wooden sliding doors, and a white robe hanging on the wall.

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!

Table set with teapot, cups, plates with pastries, and a Ferris wheel-shaped food stand in the background.

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.

Glossy green apple dessert with a leaf and gold flakes on a black plate with white smoke around it.

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.

Bright orange mushroom growing among green moss and brown leaves on forest floor

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.

Three dishes on a dark surface: fried food with purple radish on a yellow plate, stir-fried noodles on a pink plate with a green leaf, and noodle soup with shrimp, egg, and chopsticks on a white bowl.

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.

A child crouching on a dirt path in a pumpkin patch, holding a large orange pumpkin.

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..

Rows of orange and white pumpkins on soil in a sunlit pumpkin patch during golden hour.

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.

Two children walking on a dirt path between tall green corn plants in a cornfield.
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