Fall is in the air! You know that feeling… Days are a little cooler, the itch to get cozy is stronger and you’re craving a pumpkin spice latte and every type of fall baked good imaginable. If you’re checking all of these boxes then you’re ready for the ultimate fall bucket list.
5 Things To Include In Your Fall Bucket List
- Visit A Pumpkin Patch
- Pick Your Own Apples
- Explore Hiking Trails
- Try Out Trendy Fall Drinks
- Shop Local At The Market
1. Visit A Pumpkin Patch
What is a fall bucket list without a visit to the pumpkin patch? Niagara is home to the best in the business – Have Fun At Howells. This pumpkin patch is not just all about pumpkins and here’s why:
- There are two tractor train rides: the bucking cow and the train-o-saurus
- Corn maze
- Multiple play areas: 40ft slide, playground, hay bales, corn box, tricycle track, jumping pillow
- Animal farm
- Tractor hay ride
- Animated shows
- Pig races
- Games: pumpkin slingshot, apple canon blaster
- Over 40 campfires available for booking
- Beer and wine garden *dog friendly
- Food: famous pumpkin donuts *** made from scratch daily
LOCAL TIP – Do not leave Howells without trying their freshly baked, like still hot when you bite into them, pumpkin donuts
They have cheap Tuesdays, off peak hours, standard and peak hours which range anywhere from $13 to $24. This spot has become such a fall bucket list must in Niagara, be sure to book your tickets online because they sell out daily!
LOCAL TIP – If you know you’ll be visiting more than once in ANY of their seasons, grab yourself a season pass for $35.00 before July 23rd or $45.00 after. Highly recommend this option!
Where: 2878 Holland Rd. Fonthill ON
When: Visit their hours HERE
Contact: General Inquiries info@howells.ca
2. Pick Your Own Apples
Another totally trendy fall bucket list must is visiting an apple orchard to pick your own! The top spot for apples in the Niagara region is Puddicombe Farms. Why? Because just like Howells, they have SO much more than just apples.
Puddicombe is also known as an estate farm, winery and cidery. Mamas, while your babies are munching on freshly picked apples, you get to sip those same apples that they’ve turned into cider. Win-win! Shop their cider HERE
But that’s not all. Grab yourself a drink and hop on the mini train that tours the entire property. Your babies will be mesmerized (speaking from experience) and the cider (or wine) will taste that much sweeter. When was the last time you had an uninterrupted glass of… anything?
LOCAL TIP – Hungry? Grab yourself a wood fired pizza back at the main barn and make sure to grab a few freshly baked goods before you leave!
Where: 1468 #8 Highway Winona, Hamilton Ontario L8E 5K9
When: Visit their hours HERE
Contact: General Inquiries email info@puddicombefarms.com or call 905-643-1015
3. Explore Hiking Trails
Now that the leaves are finally changing, you’re probably wondering where the most instagram worthy spots to see them are. Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Niagara is home to some of the most gorgeous spots to see fall colours. Check out the top five loosely rated from easiest to most challenging:
- Niagara Parkway Recreational Trail
- Short Hills Provincial Park
- Ball’s Falls Conservation Area
- Decew Falls
- Niagara Glen Nature Reserve
LOCAL TIP – Niagara Glen Nature Reserve has many trail options but most are pretty challenging. Bring your hiking boots or at least something with great grip! If you’re ever feeling uneasy, turn around and do NOT risk it!
4. Try Out Trendy Fall Drinks
Yes, that’s an apple fritter on top of a delicious sparkling cocktail. Worth. Every. Calorie. Get yourself over to Back 10 Cellars by Thanksgiving Weekend because it is the LAST WEEKEND the fall smitten cocktail is available until next year. I repeat. This is the last weekend. Check this off your fall bucket list before it’s too late!
Now, if you’re looking for something non-alcoholic and warm enough for a chilly fall day, look no further than 416 Coffee Co. This trendy shop has two locations: Port Dalhousie and Grimsby. They’ve recently dropped their pumpkin pie latte and I promise, you won’t order a PSL anywhere else after trying theirs.
LOCAL TIP – Grab yourself a freshly baked cookie from Boxed Cookies inside 416 Coffee Co. They are perfectly paired with a pumpkin pie latte!
BONUS* LOCAL TIP – Grab your fur baby some freshly baked treats located right next to 416 Coffee Co. inside Endless Pawzabilities. Pumpkin treats are a fall bucket list MUST!
If you’re looking to step outside the PSL box, you HAVE to try the comfort maple latte from none other than FONT Coffee Bar in Fonthill. Sweetened with local maple syrup and inspired by the oldest maple tree in Canada, which is right around the corner in Fenwick! So yum.
LOCAL TIP – Sneak in a visit to the oldest maple tree in Canada at the Comfort Maple Conservation Area located in Fenwick, Ontario.
5. Shop Local At The Market
The best weekend for shopping local is HERE! Don’t miss out on all the local businesses that will be set up in Vineland this weekend only! Okay, so this is a fall bucket list but what comes after fall? You guessed it… Christmas. Time to do a little early shopping!
Alright, alright… if you’re not ready to let go of fall shopping just yet – grab yourself some handmade fall decor. These pumpkins from Sage + Spindle Creations, for example, top any fall decor you’ll find in big box stores. They come with the perfect added touch – wine cork stems, which are easily removed for stackable options. How cute?! Mamas, what’s better than kid friendly decor? Check them out online HERE!
When: October 8th, 9th, 10th – 10am to 5pm
Where: Twenty Valley Public School AND Ball’s Falls Conservation Area
Laura Calabrese says
I can’t believe I’ve lived in the Niagara Region for almost 10 years and I’ve never been to Decew Falls- looks stunning!! Definitely going to check that out!
Jacinda Lee says
If you think that view is gorgeous and you’re brave enough to hike to the bottom of the waterfall, the view there is unbelievable!