Fall weather means cozy sweaters, fireplaces (is it too soon!?), pumpkin spice lattes and the kind of crisp weather that invites some adventure before the winter comes. Before we start talking about the dreaded snow (don’t worry we’ll have some snowy adventures for you come winter), here are 15 things to add to your West Island Fall Bucket List.
Just a note: I included a couple of spots over the bridge in Île-Perrot because they’re too close — and too fall-ish — to leave out. Don’t judge.
1. Pick apples and pumpkins at Quinn Farm 🍎
Apple picking season isn’t over yet. It continues until the beginning of October. But also, have you picked pumpkins before? Or squash? Or sunflowers? You’ve got options. Plus, Quinn Farm has the animal barn, play areas and seasonal tractor rides so there’s lots to do for the kiddos.
Don’t forget to reserve in advance here.
📍2495, boul. Perrot, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot
2. Get lost in the corn maze at Verger Labonté 🌽
As an alternative to Quinn, Verger Labonté has some good options to go with your apples: corn mazes, mystery games, tractor rides and a farm area.
And if you like your fall activities a little more on the haunted side, they’re bringing back their Halloween mazes on October 30 and 31. October 30 is geared toward ages 13+, while October 31 is designed for younger kids. There’s also a dog weekend coming up for the pooch lovers.
Learn more and reserve here.
📍2291, boul. Perrot, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot
3. Catch the fall colours at Morgan Arboretum 🍁
If you want to get a good fall hike in this year, good news: you don’t have to drive to the Laurentians to do it.
McGill’s Morgan Arboretum in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue has 25 km of trails winding through mature forests filled with maples, beeches, hemlocks and other trees. I’d leave the phone in the car and bring an old camera instead.
Pick a crisp October morning, bring some hot tea and take your time.
More info here.
📍150 chemin des Pins, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
4. See the Ecomuseum Zoo in full fall colour 🦊
Fall is a great time for a visit to the Ecomuseum.
Its special Fall at the Zoo programming runs from September 18 through November 15 this year. Visitors can explore the trails surrounded by fall foliage, see Québec wildlife and take part in a fall animal bingo included with regular admission.
There are also special Thanksgiving activities featuring the Wild Turkey from October 10 to 12.
📍21125 chemin Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
5. Spend an afternoon at Cap-Saint-Jacques 🥾
For an easy fall outing that doesn’t require much planning, head to Cap-Saint-Jacques.
The huge nature park has 7 kilometres of hiking trails, waterfront views and the ecological farm area to explore. The farm is also holding seasonal activities around root vegetables on September 27 and squash on October 4.
And on Thanksgiving Monday, October 12, there’s a special family Fall Festival at the farm.
📍183 chemin du Cap-Saint-Jacques, Pierrefonds-Roxboro
6. Bike a stretch of the West Island Heritage Route 🚲
You definitely don’t need to ride all 70 kilometres. (But if you do, please let us know ✋🏻).
The West Island Heritage Bicycle Trail starts in Dorval and winds through the western part of the island, passing waterfront scenery, nature areas and roughly 100 historic buildings along the way.
Choose a shorter stretch, pack something warm and make a fall afternoon of it.
📍Starts at Millennium Park, 230 Lakeshore Drive, Dorval
7. Do a coffee-and-waterfront walk in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue ☕
This one doesn’t need an event or reservation. And it’s something you’ve probably done before. Pretty simple, but worth it: walk Sainte-Anne Street, wander along the canal and waterfront, then warm up at one of the cafés or bakeries in the village.
The Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal has a waterside walking path and park, and Tourisme Montréal specifically highlights the village as one of the West Island’s best places for a stroll (but you probably already knew that).
📍170 Sainte-Anne Street, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
8. Take a fall walk through Bois-de-Liesse 🌳
Another great option when you just want to get outside without turning it into a full-day expedition.
Bois-de-Liesse stretches across Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Saint-Laurent and Ahuntsic-Cartierville, with forested walking areas that are especially nice once the leaves start changing.
One thing to know: trails on the peninsula north of Gouin are currently closed for work until October 20, so check the park information before choosing your route.
📍9432 boulevard Gouin Ouest, Pierrefonds-Roxboro
9. Take a lap around Centennial Park 🍂
Sometimes the best bucket-list item is the simplest one, and I’m okay with that.
DDO's Centennial Park covers 48 hectares and has wooded areas, walking space and plenty of room for a fall picnic.
Grab a coffee, bring the dog or kids and go when the leaves are at their peak.
📍3000 rue Lake, Dollard-des-Ormeaux
10. Have a fall paint night in Beaconsfield 🎨
For something indoors, Beaconsfield is hosting a Fall Paint Night this Friday, September 25 at Centennial Hall.
It’s an adult bilingual workshop where participants create an autumn-inspired acrylic painting with guided instruction. Materials, snacks and a glass of wine are included.
Registration is required and the cost is $40.
When: September 25
📍288 Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield
11. Shop a fall Solidarity Market in Dorval 🥕
Dorval’s Solidarity Markets continue into October, with fresh food from local producers available at a pay-what-you-can price.
The October markets run every Wednesday from October 7 through October 28, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Surrey Aquatic and Community Centre.
It’s a nice way to pick up something local while supporting a program designed to make fresh food more accessible in the community.
📍1945 Parkfield Avenue, Dorval
12. Make your own fall wreath in Beaconsfield 🍁
Lean fully into fall decorating at Beaconsfield’s Fall Wreath Workshop.
The community workshop takes place Saturday, October 10 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Herb Linder Annex.
When: October 10
📍303 Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield
13. Explore Stewart Hall after dark 🔦
Here’s one for the parents who like to get their kids spooked (i.e., me).
On Friday, October 16, Stewart Hall is hosting Night Falls at Stewart Hall, an evening flashlight tour followed by spooky stories about the historic building and Pointe-Claire Village.
It’s free, bilingual and designed for children ages 6 to 12 accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required and you’re told to bring your own flashlight (yes, a real flashlight, not the one on your phone).
When: October 16
📍176 chemin du Bord-du-Lac-Lakeshore, Pointe-Claire
14. Decorate a pumpkin for DDO's contest 🎃
Does your family have superior pumpkin-decorating skills?
DDO’s annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest is back this October. Bring your decorated pumpkin to the library between October 10 and 23, with winners announced October 29.
Registration is done on site.
When: October 10–23
📍12001 De Salaberry Boulevard, Dollard-des-Ormeaux
15. Spend a Halloween afternoon in Pointe-Claire 👻
Pointe-Claire is throwing a free family Halloween celebration on Sunday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Olive-Urquhart Sports Centre.
There will be giant games, crafts, roaming entertainment, a Halloween photo booth, a Hocus Pocus scavenger hunt and free hot chocolate, candy, popcorn and cotton candy for kids.
When: October 25
📍230 Brunswick Boulevard, Pointe-Claire
