If you’re looking for something fun to add to your bucket list this fall, this list of autumn activities is perfect for you.
Visit Howell’s Adventure Farm
Whether you just stop in for pumpkin donuts or treat yourself to the whole experience, the perfect start to your fall schedule is a visit to Howell’s Adventure Farm.
Just 10 minutes away from Brock, Howell’s is a great place for people of all ages to enjoy the autumn weather. Located in Fonthill, you won’t want to miss the scenic drive out to the farm. Once you arrive, the natural beauty around you only grows. A trek through the corn maze will satisfy your curious mind and if you choose to venture into the haunted house, you are sure to be spooked.
Although Howell’s is much more than just a pumpkin patch, it is still a great place to pick up all the supplies to make your perfect Halloween jack-o-lantern. Whether you are looking for a massive pumpkin, a minuscule pumpkin or something in between, you are sure to find it here.
Go for a fall hike at St. Johns Conservation Area
Just around the corner from Howell’s Adventure Farm is the beautiful St. Johns Conservation Area, a great place to go for a hike amongst all the falling leaves.
The trails at St. Johns aren’t incredibly difficult to traverse, so they are good for inexperienced hikers who are looking to get a taste of Niagara’s natural beauty. For folks with baby buggies, wheelchairs or other accessibility needs, a paved loop around the pond is the best way to experience the atmosphere. Nestled within the Niagara Escarpment and Twelve Mile Creek valley, this is a spot you don’t want to miss.
Treat yourself to something tasty at the White Meadows Sugar Bush
Another fun fall outing is a trip to the White Meadows Sugar Bush.
One of the farm’s biggest attractions is the Discover Maple Tour, which runs every Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 26. With tours at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for about $25 per person, a trip out to the sugar bush won’t cost you all that much — unless you really love maple syrup, that is. White Meadow’s sells a variety of maple products, all made from their own maple syrup.
If neither of these things is your cup of tea, all hope isn’t lost — try a maple-inspired tasting board. Running from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 26, these tasting boards serve two people and run from $15 to $30 each. Made with smoked maple cream cheese, maple cheddar and maple summer sausage, this tasty board and the whole sugar bush experience will be a real hit with all those maple lovers out there.
Go apple picking
You can’t miss apple picking this time of year and Parkway Orchards is a great place to get started. Located on the Niagara River Parkway in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Parkway Orchards is a relatively accessible spot for Brock students. With 4,000 trees and 20 acres, apple picking runs until Oct. 15 and has a $4 entrance fee per person. At just $3.50 per pound of apples, this is a great way to get out into nature and experience the beautiful fall weather.
Stroll through the historic streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Finally, the best way to experience all of autumn’s beauty is by going for a walk through Old Town in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Although this part of Niagara is beautiful at any time of the year, its gorgeous scenery is wonderfully complemented by the changing colours of the leaves.
Whether you go for a walk down the historic streets, grab a seasonal drink at Balzac’s, or stop in for high tea at the Prince of Wales hotel, there are many exciting things to add to your fall bucket list this year. For those interested in a little spook, Niagara-on-the-Lake has been named Canada’s most haunted town and guests can sign up any night of the week to take a traditional ghost tour with Ghost Walks, allowing them to explore a darker side of the beautiful town. Altogether, Niagara-on-the-Lake is the perfect place to end your fall tour.