As a kid, October was my favourite month. October meant costumes, candies, pumpkins and piles of pretty leaves on every street corner. It was also the only month of the year that perfect strangers would see me in my princess costume and smile while handing me candy, not look disapprovingly at my parents for letting their twelve-year-old dress up like Cinderella in July.
But if you thought the fun of October ended when you outgrew your Superman or Wonder Woman costume, think again. From the West Coast Chocolate Festival to romantic fall getaways, there’s plenty of fun to be had in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains. So, dig out your favourite fall sweater and start clicking through the fun fall ideas in our October issue of Story Starters.
Are you afraid of the dark? You might be after hearing our list of the five freakiest attractions in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region this October. At #5: Vancouver’s Ghostly Gastown Tour is guaranteed to bring goosebumps. Learn about Gastown’s exciting but disturbingly dark history as you hear stories ranging from the truly terrifying to the light-hearted. #4: Like to be spooked? Watch a movie at the haunted Patricia Theatre in Powell River. But be warned – the cold hand on your shoulder may not belong to your date! #3: Enter if you dare the Reapers Haunted Attraction in Chilliwack, not for the faint of heart. #2: The Haunted Pirate Ship in Squamish will thrill visitors of all ages, perfect for families – and pirates! And for a truly haunting experience visit the Hell’s Gate Airtram, our pick for the freakiest attraction. Not only is the ride across the 33 metre-wide gorge enough to turn your tummy, Hell’s Gate Airtram is widely known to have a resident ghost who’s been spotted by staff and visitors alike. Visit these five attractions for a fun and freaky October…but don’t say we didn’t warn you! For more information visit www.vanroutes.com; www.canadianartists.ca/patricia_theatre; www.reapers.ca; www.tourismsquamish.com; and www.hellsgateairtram.com.
Fiery red. Vibrant yellow. Deep, rich gold. Autumn’s kaleidoscope of colours provides an idyllic backdrop for a romantic getaway. And the West Coast Wilderness Lodge Resort, a little-known gem on the Sunshine Coast, is the perfect place to let the autumn weather inspire your romantic side. On October 19-21, join the West Coast Wilderness Lodge Resort for their annual Wine in the Wilderness event. Enjoy a weekend spent tasting fine wines, dining on seven-course dinners in the world-class Inlets Restaurant, and taking in the spectacular views of the Pacific Coast. Two-night packages start at $392 per person. For more information visit www.wcwl.com.
From cheese rolling to cow painting, there’s a festival to celebrate just about everything. There’s an alien festival, a scarecrow festival and even a garlic festival. So, is it any wonder that somebody finally created a festival to celebrate our love of chocolate? From October 14-27, Coquitlam’s West Coast Chocolate Festival will satisfy your sweet tooth. Eight unique chocolate-themed events will take place over the two-week long festival, including the Chocolate Chip Pancake Breakfast and the Scotch and Chocolate Paring. Ticket prices vary from $5 to $145. Really, need we say more about a festival dedicated to chocolate? For tickets and more information visit www.chocolatefestival.ca.
With snow-capped mountain peaks providing a constant backdrop, an abundance of wildlife, and trees ablaze with autumn colours, it’s a wonder that Whistler still flies under the radar as a fall getaway destination. Spice up a trip to Whistler this October with Kaytering Whistler’s Harvest Cuisine cooking classes. You will learn how to create delicious gourmet meals including fall favourites like hearty soups, stews and freshly baked pies. Be inspired, fed and entertained by the best - Professional Chef and Holistic Nutritionist Karen Kay has over twenty-five years of experience. Your week in Whistler will consist of five days of cooking beginning at 9:00 am, with free time to explore Whistler in the afternoons and evenings. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included, and classes are held in the comfort of your holiday home. The chefs bring everything to you, so cooking with Kaytering Whistler is fun, easy and - best of all – delicious!
For more information visit www.whistlercatering.com.
Big or little. Round or oval. Tall or short. The perfect activity for an autumn afternoon is a family field trip to find that perfect pumpkin. This year, extend the family fun by embarking on a Circle Farm Tour in Mighty Fraser Country. Circle Farm Tours provide easy to follow road maps through beautiful Mighty Fraser Country, directing you to a variety of specialty farm-gate vendors, open air markets, fairs, and heritage sites. You set your own pace, visiting as many attractions as you like. Fall favourites include the Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm in Abbotsford, Canadian Hazelnut in Agassiz, and the Meadows Maze in Pitt Meadows. With corn mazes, hay stacks, and animals to visit, going to the pumpkin patch is fun for the whole family! You’ll have a great time being outdoors and playing farmer for a day. For more information visit www.circlefarmtour.com.
