Vancouver During Fall
Cooler temperatures and fewer crowds are just a few reasons why I think more visitors should come to Vancouver during the fall season. There are so many Vancouver fall season favourites listed in this post:
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What to wear – Vancouver Fall Season
We get a lot of rain in the fall months, so you’ll need these, to be prepared:
- Rain jackets –I have a collection of 4 in different styles and weights, which I can wear during the many changes temperatures (and levels of rain) during the fall months.
- Waterproof or water-resistant shoes with good grip
- Light layers. I recommend always bringing a light sweater/cardigan and rain jacket, even if it looks only partly cloudy outside.
Fall Around Vancouver
- Deep Cove— This village within a city (in North Vancouver) is great to visit year-round. In fact, even December in Deep Cove is beautiful and lively. There are many restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, and little shops to stop in. The main attraction is the marina, the view of the mountains and the inlet. There are shows at the local theatre, art displays and live music events throughout the year.
- Lighthouse Park–Located in West Vancouver, Lighthouse Park has a fantastical old growth forest world to explore along several trails. The view from the rocks out to the Burrard Inlet, and across to Vancouver is spectacular. During the summer months, it gets very crowded here, so take advantage of the quietness you’ll experience here this fall.
- Queen Elizabeth Park–With views of the North Shore mountains, lovely garden paths, and the Bloedel Conservatory, the Vancouver park is an easy choice for how to best spend a day this fall.
- The University of British Columbia (UBC)—This massive campus has three museums, including my favourite: The Museum of Anthropology, a botanical garden, and lovely mountain/water views. There are theatres to watch student plays and other productions, lectures, and plenty of dining options for every budget. The annual Apple Festival (which runs the first or second week of October) is always a great opportunity to head to UBC.
- Gastown and False Creek—Looking at sailboats, enjoying delicious food and walking around local shops is just the beginning. With several theatres, it’s easy to catch a play or performance and then have dinner at one of the many restaurants.
Fall Activities
Walk
A walk along the seawall in Stanley Park is a must any time of the year. Enjoy a meal on Robson Street or Denman Street in Vancouver’s West End Downtown—then walk to Stanley Park to take in the views of the North Shore, Burrard Inlet and beyond.
You’ll find people rollerblading, jogging and biking along the seawall year-round. If the weather is nice, pick up a few things at one of the grocery stores on Robson Street and enjoy a picnic in the park.
Hiking trails in and around Vancouver are much less busy than they are during summer, so pack your emergency kit, grab some water and snacks, and hit the trails!
Pick something
One of my favourite activities is fruit picking. During fall, pick some apples (or go to UBC’s annual apple festival in October), or pick some pumpkins!
Fall Date Ideas
Megan Kennedy, who can be found at http://www.wanderlustmegan.com, has tons of great ideas
- walk along Jericho beach
- enjoy sunsets at English Bay with ice cream afterward
- check out the Vancouver Aquarium After Hours
- attend White Caps game
For nightlife, head to Yaletown, Gastown or the West End for lively people-watching, drinks and window shopping.
Where to go in fall Near Vancouver
Whistler
Take advantage of off-season rates at hotels to get away for the weekend, just 2 hours’ drive north of Vancouver. You’ll still have access to hiking trails, lakes, and all the restaurants, shops, and nightlife-with far fewer crowds than during summer or winter. There are the annual Cornucopia food and drink festivals taking place in early November. You can go ziplining in Whistler any time of year.
Victoria
It’s only a few hours away by B.C. Ferry to the provincial capital, located on Vancouver Island, but it feels like another world. Many people feel like they’re stepping into the United Kingdom when heading to Victoria. Maybe it’s the presence of so many tea shops, the quaint shops, or the imposing look of the Fairmont Empress. There’s always an interesting exhibit going on at the Royal B.C. Museum. Or, spend your time at the many restaurants (lots of good vegan options!)
There are also whale-watching tours, plenty of beaches and waterfront parks, and boutique hotels to stay in.
Kelowna
Just 4 hours away from Vancouver, you’ll find this beautiful city in the Okanagan Valley. If you enjoy wine, or just like the great outdoors, you’ll have fun going on wine tours in this area of British Columbia. Kelowna also has great restaurants and other things going on.
Fall in Love with Vancouver
With so many places to visit in Vancouver this fall, there’s no reason to stay inside and get started on cabin fever too early.
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