While it can be tough to swap swimsuits and sandals for cozy sweaters and crisp, cool mornings, there are so many reasons to fall head-over-heels for autumn 2017.

This is especially true for those who live, work or play in the Fraser Valley. From fall-themed carnivals and exciting day trips to outdoor fun and frolic on the farm, there’s so so much to see and do this season.

So grab a pumpkin-spiced anything (if that’s your thing, personally pumpkin-spiced anything makes me gag) and get ready to play tourist in your own neck of the woods with these 30 fun-tastick ideas that are on my own personal Fraser Valley Fall Bucket List for 2017.

 Ready, set, fall fun! 

1. Visit the Taves Family Farm Applebarn in Abbotsford and pick apples with the family.

2.  Attempt to bake an apple pie from scratch with said apples… or just pick one up from the store 😉

3. Swing by Aldor Acres Pumpkin Patch to take a tractor-pulled hayride to pick our own pumpkins and then visit with the animals at the petting zoo afterwards.

4. Finally check out Abby Roadside, which is an all-ages harvest social happening on the  weekends from September 16th to October 15th. There are 3 corn mazes with rewards fromlocal partners, autumn eats, tulip planting, and much more.

5. Swing by Krause Berry Farms to pick up a fresh berry pie, sample some fudge, and then head out to the fields to pick our own fare. During Sept/Oct, crops ripe for the picking include: corn, fall raspberries, everbearing strawberries and blackberries.

6. Have a family picnic at Campbell Valley Park and then burn off the calories with a stroll on the trails — the fall foliage this time of year is simply stunning! Actually, I think it will be the locale for our family photos this year.

 

7. Come see and take pictures with over 60 scarecrows at the Art’s Nursery Scarecrow Festival! This fun, family friendly event begins September 23rd from 10am to 4pm with a big kick-off party. Make your own scarecrow at the DIY Build-A-Crow station. Have a hay ride. Buy a pumpkin. Take part in kids crafts and activities. Listen to a great line-up of guest speakers.

 

8. Browse through the eclectic array of little shops in Fort Langley and stop for Lunch at Beatnik’s Bistro — this is probably your last chance to enjoy the patio!

9. While we’re on the topic of patios, check out the top-5 patios in the Fraser Valley as  featured on Fraser Valley 5.

10. Take the kiddies for a miniature train ride at Bear Creek Park.

 

11. Put on our jam-jams on and enjoy family movie night at the Twilight Drive-in Theatre in Aldergrove. Movies start sooner during the fall months so it’s the perfect time to bring our whole family and snuggle under the stars.

12. Check out the Langley Museum of Flight and let your imagination soar.

13. Keep your wee ones as busy as bees with a trip to Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm & Meadery in Abbotsford.

14. Pay a visit to the Langley Community Farmers Market outside Kwantlen Polytechnic University for some fresh, local and organic goodies before the sun sets on this great event (ends Oct. 4). Fair is every Wednesday from 2-6:30 p.m.

15. Go explore our province’s birthplace at the Fort Langley National Historic Site.

 

16. Partake in the popular Grave Tales Historic Walking Tour in Fort Langley (Dates daily from October 13-15, 18-22, 25-30. It’s oh so spooky and fun! Advance tickets are a must. Reservations open now. Check out my review of this experience HERE.

17. Have a family picnic at Derby Reach and then go on a nature scavenger hunt.

18. Celebrate the harvest and history of the cranberry in Fort Langley at the Cranberry Festival on Oct. 7.

19. Pick up a cozy new pair of PJ’s at Forever Yours Lingerie in Langley City.

20. Check out the lions, tigers and bears, oh my at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. I always find autumn to be my favourite time for a visit.

21. Take the kiddies for a pony ride at the Laughing Stock Ranch.

22. Rent the spooky flick ‘Children of the Corn,’ watch it and then head to the Chilliwack Corn Maze if you dare…

23. Enjoy a spook-tacular visit to the National Historic Fort for Family Fright at the Fort (Dates: October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30). Explore the spooky servant’s quarters, trick-or-treat, decorate a pumpkin and so much more.

24. Make fresh hot apple cider on the stove, complete with cinnamon sticks

25. Challenge your whole clan (grandparents included) to a game of outdoor miniature golf at Castle Fun Park while the weather is still mild.

26. Replace all of your summer scents and candles with fall fragrance like cinnamon, pumpkin, vanilla and nutmeg – yummy!

27. Get crafty by tracing leaves on paper or adding some glitter to pinecones .

28. Get scared silly at the Potters House of Horrors  (starting Oct. 6) in Surrey or the Reapers Haunted Attraction in Chilliwack (opens mid-October).

29. The Fraser Valley Women’s Expo returns to the TRADEX on Oct. 20-22, offering a fantastic day out with girlfriends, mothers and daughters to relax, get pampered and HAVE FUN! Highlights of the event include great shopping at over 400 exhibits, free samples, exciting showcase entertainment, free makeovers, fashion shows, informative workshops, cooking theatre demos and more.

30. Head to the Fort Langley National Historic Site Oct. 29 between noon and 5 p.m. for some Halloween fun for the whole family. In addition to trick-or-treating, your kiddies can make a craft, visit the Spooky Servants quarters and get an airbrush tattoo. Admission is complimentary for Canada 150.

 

Is there something we’ve missed? Please let us know in the comment section below!