Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons Prince George has to offer, but it’s also one of the shortest.
The snow has often been known to fly early and cut the season short. That’s why it’s best to take in as many fall activities as possible before we are in full-blown winter.
Luckily, Prince George has no shortage of fun things to do to make the most of the fall weather, changing leaves and crisp air.
Here’s a list of some essential things to do this fall in Prince George:
Take in the fall foliage
The red, orange, yellow and brown leaves won’t last forever, so before the snow starts to really fly, get outside and spend some time among the fall foliage. There are ample places in Prince George to get a good view of the changing leaves. Take an easy stroll down at Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park or walk along the river at Cottonwood Island Park. A hike at spots like Forests for the World, Otway, Moore’s Meadow or the Ancient Forest is also a must for spectacular fall scenery.
Go to a fall craft fair
Another great thing about the fall is that it’s also craft fair season. What feels more like fall than putting on a sweater, grabbing a coffee and checking out one of Prince George’s many fall craft fairs. Schools across Prince George host their own craft fairs, which are full of all kinds of vendors selling unique and handmade items. The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) also hosts the Artisans of the North Fair, which takes place from Oct. 27 to 28 and features more than 100 talented artists from throughout Northern and Central B.C. Here’s a list of all of the craft fairs you can check out this fall in Prince George:
- Oct. 7: Connaught Youth Centre
- Oct. 13: Malaspina Elementary
- Oct. 14: Roll A Dome
- Oct. 20, 21: Sacred Heart
- Oct. 27: Elder Citizens
- Oct. 27, 28: Artisans of the North (UNBC)
- Nov. 2, 3, 4: Studio Fair
- Nov. 3, 4: Pineview Hall
- Nov. 3, 4: St. Marys
- Nov. 3: Snowflake Bazaar Elks Hall
- Nov. 3: Hart Pioneer Centre
- Nov. 3: Miworth
- Nov. 3: Cluculz Lake
- Nov. 10: Bear Lake
- Nov. 10, 11: Handy Circle (AimHi)
- Nov. 10, 11, 12: Elks Community Hall
- Nov. 11, 12: DP Todd
- Nov. 17, 18: Nukko Lake
- Nov. 17: Immaculate Conception
- Nov. 17: McBride Secondary
- Nov. 17, 18: Ferndale Hall
- Nov. 18: Bear Lake
- Nov. 24: Spruceland Traditional Elementary
- Nov. 24, 25: Kelly Road
Visit a pumpkin patch
Visiting a pumpkin patch is another essential fall activity. Sure you can buy a pumpkin from a grocery store, but visiting a real pumpkin patch is a fall experience like none other. Blackspruce Farms, located 15 minutes out of town at 7550 Bendixon Rd., will be hosting their ninth annual pumpkin patch starting Oct. 13. You can visit the farm on Saturday or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 28, to pick out the perfect pumpkin and have the most quintessential fall day. Drop-in admission for the pumpkin patch is $6 per person.
Check out the farmers' markets
Fall is harvest time after all! Why not wander down and check out Prince George’s farmers' market for some fall goodies? The Prince George farmers’ market, located on Third Avenue, is an indoor year-round market that has around 100 members offering everything from local vegetables, meats, baking, fruits, hot foods, coffee, honey and jams and jellies, preserves to a wide variety of artisan products including jewellery. The Wilson Square Market at Pine Centre Mall, which also has a variety of local vendors, will be running on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. up until Thanksgiving. Another market to check out is the University Farmers' Market, a volunteer-run weekly market of local vendors in the Undergraduate Student Centre’s Event Space at UNBC. In the fall semester, the market takes place Tuesdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Visit the Huble Homestead
Why not spend the day outside in the fresh fall air at one of Prince George’s historic sites. The Huble Homestead has a variety of fun fall activities for the whole family to enjoy. On Sept. 29 they are hosting a Scavenger Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. that will have you exploring the whole homestead among the beautiful fall leaves and scenery. They are also hosting an old-fashioned Thanksgiving on Oct. 8, which features scarecrow-making, crafts, live music, and games for the entire family. Their final fall event is the Halloween Spooktacular, which they describe as “a spine-tingling night event on the grounds of the Huble Homestead that’s sure to test your bravery!”
