Fall colours at Sunwolf Riverside Resort in Squamish. Photo: Tourism Squamish/Triple Peak Photography
Autumn is almost here, which means fall colours and crisp autumn air are almost here. Embrace the season by reserving one of these fall getaways before they get booked up. Get cozy in a cabin surrounded by changing leaves, soak in hot springs, enjoy the fall harvest in farm country, and more.
Historic Hotel
The iconic Sylvia Hotel has an incredible location for a Vancouver staycation. It’s across from English Bay at the entrance to Stanley Park. The heritage building dates back to 1913 and was once the tallest building in the city. But the Sylvia really shines in the fall when the Boston ivy that crawls across the building’s outer walls turns red and gold. The hotel makes a great home base for hitting up some of Vancouver’s fall colour hot spots – the Stanley Park Seawall and English Bay are right out the front door.
The ivy on the Sylvia Hotel is gorgeous in the fall. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Nelson Mouellic
Birding in Luxury
Fall is one of the best times to go birding because dozens of species follow the Pacific Flyway through the Vancouver area on their annual migration. The Richmond Bird Trail includes lots of key birding areas including marshlands at Iona Beach, migratory birds at Terra Nova Rural Park, and raptors at Garry Point Park. While you might be outside hiding behind reeds to get glimpses of birds by day, by night you can relax in luxury at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. The soundproofed rooms have pillow-top beds and incredible views of the North Shore Mountains, the Vancouver skyline, and the Pacific Ocean.
Terra Nova Rural Park in Richmond. Photo: BC Bird Trail
Woodsy Cabins
Sunwolf Riverside Resort just outside Squamish has cozy cabins at the confluence of the Cheekeye and Cheakamus Rivers. There is no wifi or TV in the cabins, so it’s a great place to unwind and connect with nature. The entire property lights up in vibrant colours as the leaves change, but for the best fall colours, take a drive down the nearby Paradise Valley Road for an incredible red and gold display along with mountain views. Don’t miss brunch at Fergie’s Cafe, the award-winning on-site restaurant. The restaurant is tucked in amongst the trees so you can keep the nature vibes going while you eat.
The cabins at Sunwolf in Squamish are gorgeous in fall. Photo: Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Glamping Yurts
Get the feeling of camping without roughing at the glamping yurts at Riverside Resort in Whistler. The forested campground sits on the banks of glacial blue Fitzsimmons Creek. It is a short walk or bike ride on the Valley Trail to tree-lined Whistler Village which is awash in fall colour. Another great spot for autumn views is the nearby Green Lake boardwalk. If you want to relax, Scandinave Spa is next to the Riverside Resort. It’s easy to lose track of time as you experience their thermal journey of outdoor hot pools, cold plunge pools, saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation spaces surrounded by forest.
Fall colours along the Valley Trail. Photo: Tourism Whistler/Justa Jeskova
Hot Springs Getaway
Harrison Hot Springs is just 1.5 hours from Vancouver, but it feels like you’ve escaped to the mountains. Harrison Hot Springs Resort sits on the banks of Harrison Lake and makes a great basecamp for exploring. The valley lights up as the leaves change. Take a stroll along the Esplanade beside the lake or head to nearby Sasquatch Provincial Park to enjoy the colours. For a uniquely Harrison experience, visit the Weaver Creek Spawning Channel to see brightly coloured spawning salmon returning to their birthplace to finish their lifecycle. However, with hot springs pools included with your hotel stay, you might choose to spend your time soaking instead.
The hot springs pools at Harrison Hot Springs Resort. Photo: Tourism Harrison River Valley/Andrew Beaumont
Boutique Hotel in Farm Country
Fall is harvest season, and one of the best ways to experience it is to book a stay at the Brookside Inn Boutique Hotel in Abbotsford, the heart of Vancouver’s farm country. Each room has a different rom-com theme, perfect for a couples getaway. It’s an easy drive to lots of great fall farm attractions. Don’t miss the Taves Family Farm Applebarn for apple picking, a pumpkin patch, hay rides, and more. Nearby Maan Farms also has a pumpkin patch, farm animals, a zip line, and a corn maze. If you want some seriously spooky vibes, book a ticket for their haunted maze, billed as the Scariest Corn Maze in Canada.
Pumpkins at Maan Farms. Photo: Maan Farms.