Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity for harvest-themed outings. Despite COVID-19 there are lots of family excursions in and around Vancouver this holiday long weekend. We’ve put together a few of our fave picks.
8 fun Thanksgiving activities
Visit Fort Langley
Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to head to Langley for an infusion of fall feels. Visit a cranberry bog, wander around Fort Langley Historic Site, check out the pumpkins and farm animals at Aldor Acres and drop into the Krause Berry Farms for a decadent pumpkin waffle.
>> Fall activities in Fort Langley
Pet the animals at MapleWood Farm
This cute little demonstration farm is tucked away down a side street in North Vancouver. It is all the things a farm should be according to children’s storybooks: cows, chickens, goats, horses, pigs, and a big red barn.
HowlOver Canada
Looking for a spine-tingling, family friendly Halloween outing that’s a real howl? Well put on your pointy hats and head down to Canada Place to Flyover Canada for their brand new show. HowlOver Canada runs from October 1 to November 1, daily from 10 am – 8 pm.
Head to the farm at Taves AppleBarn
Until October 31 2020, Abbotsford
Taves Applebarn is a whole lot more than apples, although the apples are crisp and you can pick them or buy them. Oh and there’s cider too. But they’ve also got a pumpkin patch and hayride, a corn maze, corn and pumpkin cannon, jumping pillow, petting zoo, playground (s) and if that weren’t enough, they have pony rides too! A outing to Taves is a slam dunk guaranteed fall hit for the family.
NB: Be aware that this is a popular place so if you are keen to avoid crowds, you may want to consider a smaller patch.
Take your pick at the Pumpkin Patch
Runs until October 31 2020, across the Lower Mainland
Most patches are open this weekend so get your dibs in early and enjoy the festive farmyard fun at one of these ten patches around the Lower Mainland. Don’t forget to wear rubber boots and bring a juiced up iPhone for all those cute snaps!
Get lost at the Chilliwack Corn Maze
Runs until October 31 2019 Chilliwack
Each year the region’s biggest and most elaborate corn maze creates a new design based around a topical theme for their 12 acre maze. Added attractions: Cozy fall lunch items, farm animals, pedal carts, giant jumping pillows, duck race, games, tractor rides, mini tricycle area, fire pits, hay rides, giant sandbox and swing area, tire mountain, swings, corn box, cow roping and tether balls.
Go for a fall walk
Vancouver is the ideal city for a crisp fall walk. The crowds of the summer have dissipated, the leaves are golden and green and mushrooms are popping up on the forest floor and beside sidewalks. There’s lots to see and do outdoors in the fall, so why not pack up the kids and go for a walk?
Run off the epic dinner at the Turkey Trot!
October 1–15, 2020 Granville Island, Virtual run
The annual turkey run, jog, walk or waddle won’t look like the above but don’t let that stop you from lacing up your your turkey-stuffed body (or your pre-turkey body!) and heading down to Granville Island and take part in the annual Turkey Trot Run. Proceeds to the Food Bank.
>> Turkey Trot
Dig into a pumpkin treat!
The pumpkin patches are open, the scarves are out, and every second mom has a PSL in-hand. Why not go all out and pair it with a pumpkin bar, bun, cookie, pie or yes, gelato!
