September 28, 2023 | Neighbourhoods
Our Favourite Fall Traditions in the West End
“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” – Humbert Wolfe, poet
Fall traditions are renewing as autumn descends upon us. Many consider autumn their favourite season. This time of year stirs nostalgia like no other. Memories of past Halloweens, the promise of Thanksgiving dinners shared with family and friends, the peak season for fashionable outfits, endless home decor possibilities, and the most stunning display of nature throughout the year, in our opinion. What makes fall so wonderful? Read on to discover our favourite fall traditions and why we adore this season the most.
Leaf peeping…
A charming name for a delightful activity, leaf peeping offers a serene way to spend a splendid fall Sunday. You don’t have to venture far to witness the stunning fall colours, as Toronto boasts abundant green spaces right at your doorstep.
High Park, one of our favourite year-round parks, boasts an incredible display of fall foliage, especially around Grenadier Pond. Take in the explosion of golden and ruby hues, beautifully reflected on the pond’s tranquil surface. The Humber River Valley also offers breathtaking views. Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddle board from now until the end of October and experience this beauty firsthand from the water. Don’t forget to check out The Old Mill walking trail, accessible from Old Mill Station (TTC), this trail treats visitors to spectacular views of the Humber River Valley treetops and rivers.
A beautiful fall day out of the city…
When fall rolls around, who can resist a gorgeous day of apple and pumpkin picking? Not us!
Various apple varieties become available as the season progresses, resulting in a nice, extended apple-picking season. While Toronto is a bustling metropolis, there are numerous apple-picking farms just outside the city limits, meaning you don’t need to travel far for this fantastic autumn experience. Most farms sell apples by the bag rather than by weight, and very few allow you to bring your own bag.
Chudleigh’s stands out as the most popular and our absolute favourite place for an enjoyable family day out. Chudleigh’s offers scenic hayrides with views of the Niagara Escarpment, a dedicated play area for kids featuring four enormous slides, hay bale jumps, a farm area, a nature trail, and swing ropes. Plus, there are plenty of apples ripe for the picking! Tickets must be purchased in advance. Chudleigh’s is accessible, stroller-friendly, and even welcomes leashed dogs. Simply pick a date and book your spot. Chudleigh’s Apple Farm is located in Milton, less than an hour’s drive from Toronto.
For selecting the biggest, brightest pumpkins, we enjoy visiting Brooks Farms. Located less than an hour from the city in Mount Albert, Brooks Farms offers an abundance of pumpkins and activities for the entire family. The farm has much to offer kids of all ages. Be sure to explore their Barnyard Playland, featuring a pirate ship, hay jumps, a zipline, and plenty of friendly animals to meet, among other attractions. Brooks Farms promises an outstanding day out, and, of course, you have the opportunity to pick your own pumpkins. Check their website for more information and their event calendar, as it’s brimming with activities. Tickets can be purchased online or at the farm.
Thinking of nesting in the West? There are so many reasons why you should! Check out these blogs to know more.
- Everything You Need to Know About Living in Toronto’s West End!
- Top 5 Reasons to Nest in The West
- 3 Reasons Why We Love Condo Living in the West End!
Decorating for fall, Thanksgiving, Halloween – everything!
Another enjoyable fall activity, in our opinion, is decorating! If you’ve been following us for a while, you’re aware of our love for staging homes for sale, decorating our office, and our passion for design in general. Fall is our preferred season for decorating as the decor transitions from autumnal to Thanksgiving-themed and then to Halloween-themed—three distinct opportunities for decorating, yes! Some of our most intriguing finds come from antiquing and garage sailing during the fall. Embarking on a drive around the city in search of captivating treasures is a fantastic way to spend a weekend afternoon. Additionally, we cherish our reliable inner-city locations, such as Homesense and West Elm. ‘Tis the season for themed throw pillows, exquisite wreaths, charming pumpkins, and hot apple cider!
Halloween AKA spooky season!
Where do we even begin? Kathy is a Halloween pro and always puts together an incredible Halloween display. Ghosts, skeletons and zombies adorn her displays, making it a fun way to involve kids and the community. We take delight in planning and assembling elaborate displays of spookiness. If you’re searching for a spooky event, the west end has some options, if you dare. Check out the Halloween Howl at High Park. This is a great event for the entire family. Spend the day on a nature hike learning about owls, bats and spiders, oh my! Warm up by the campfire with some hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows. All of this is included in the $15 admission fee, free for children under 3. This is a great opportunity to get some cute photos for the season.
Haunted High Park After Dark
Did you know that High Park is haunted? Find out all about it on the Haunted High Park After Dark lantern tour for those aged 12 and up. This tour explores the grounds around Colborne Lodge where you’ll learn about all the chilling legends and ghostly tales of the park! Tickets are $17.50.
Casa Loma Legends of Horror
If you’re looking for a real scare, head over to the Casa Loma Legends of Horror event. Every October, Casa Loma is transformed into an immersive theatrical experience. Guests walk through 2 spooky kilometres of zombies, ghosts, and all things horror. The trail takes you through the grounds, the buildings and through secret passageways and dark tunnels never before open to the public. The walk takes about 1 hour to complete and tickets are available online. Casa Loma is also hosting the city’s most terrifying haunted house, Zombie Apocalypse. This is not for the faint of heart, and is a truly frightening experience. Definitely not for children, or even some adults. If you’re up for it, tickets can be purchased online.
Revue Cinema
The Revue Cinema on Roncy, is one of our favourite local spots for a night out. With excellent programming all year, the Revue is on point when it comes to Halloween themed films and events. This is more than just a cinema, the Revue often hosts films accompanied by live music, and or audience participation events. Think Rocky Horror Picture Show style screenings that involve everyone in attendance. Costumes are encouraged! October has no shortage of fun and spooky events at the cinema. Check out their roster and book your tickets for an unforgettable night out.
Looking for even more fun activities in the West End? Here are a few ideas:
- Enjoy The Fall Colours With 3 West-End Bike Rides
- Happy Hour in The West End: Our Top 5 Picks
- Fitness Classes To Check Out In Roncesvalles
Memorable Date night this fall?
For a beautiful evening experience, check out the Candlelight events at Parkdale Hall. Immerse yourself in the stunning decor and hypnotising candlelight while experiencing a live music performance by the Liseto String Quartet. The quartet performs songs from some of our favourite halloween movies such as Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters and even the theme from Stranger Things. Check out the full schedule on their website. This is suitable for ages 8 and up, however we recommend this as a date night out.
As you can see, there is no shortage of activities to enjoy in and around Toronto during the fall months. Seize the opportunity to relish everything this incredible season has to offer before we settle in for winter. Do you have any favourite fall traditions? We’d love to hear about them!
Do you want to know more about buying or selling in the West End? Reach out to hello@getnested.ca or call 416-909-1602 for more information.
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