11 Things to Do in Nova Scotia in the Fall
Fall is a fantastic time to be in Nova Scotia.
Temperatures are getting cooler and the leaves are changing to vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange. And the gorgeous colours are echoed in the fall produce with apples on the trees and pumpkins in the fields.
There are so many fun things to do in Nova Scotia in the fall, whether you’re looking to get outside for a hike, take a drive to admire the fall colours, or stop at a local farm stand, there is plenty to do.
11 Fun Things to Do in Nova Scotia in the Fall
1. Go Apple Picking
Nova Scotia is well-known for its apple orchards, making it the perfect place to go apple picking in the fall. In fact, it was in Nova Scotia that the first apple trees were planted in Canada back in the 1600s.
There are many different types of apples to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your needs, whether you want to make a pie or just eat them fresh.
The Annapolis Valley has plenty of apple orchards to choose from. Gates U-Pick in Port Williams, Noggins Corner Farm Market in Greenwich, Dempsey Corner Orchards and Elderkins in Wolfville are some of the most popular places to pick apples in the province.
Here’s a full list of the best places to go apple picking in Nova Scotia.
Many of these U-pick farms also offer other activities, like wagon rides and corn mazes, for plenty of family fun.
2. Visit the Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival
At the end of September, head to the south shore for the Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival. It’s a great way to get into the fall spirit, with plenty of scarecrows scattered throughout the town.
You can download a map beforehand or just wander through the town and see how many you can find.
The festival, held on the last weekend in September, also features an antique fair and kids activities.
While the festival lasts for one weekend, the scarecrows are displayed throughout the town for another week or two until Thanksgiving.
More info and a map of scarecrow locations can be found here.
3. Pick Out the Perfect Pumpkin
No fall season is complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin! And Nova Scotia has no shortage of great places to find one.
There are plenty of u-pick places in the Annapolis Valley or you can find pre-picked pumpkins available at farm stands throughout the province. Here’s where to find some great pumpkin patches near Halifax.
And if you’re looking to see some really big pumpkins, you’ll want to head to Howard Dill’s Pumpkin Farm in Windsor. This farm is home to the largest pumpkins in Nova Scotia, and in all of Atlantic Canada. You’ll be amazed at the size of these gourds!
Take a photo with the largest, and heaviest pumpkin and wander through the farm and pick your own to take home.
4. Get Lost in a Corn Maze
Looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon? Why not challenge yourself and see if you can make it through one of Nova Scotia’s corn mazes!
They’re fun and can be slightly spooky; a perfect way to get into the fall spirit! And there are plenty of corn mazes to choose from in Nova Scotia.
One of the most popular is Noggin’s Corner Market in Wolfville. This is a huge corn maze that’s designed in a different pattern every year, and has activities throughout the maze to complete. It took us almost an hour and a half to make our way through the maze, even with a map, but it was fun trying to find our way out!
Riverbreeze Farm in Truro is another popular corn maze. It’s a corn maze and pumpkin patch during the day, and turns into a haunted corn maze after dark!
Other popular corn mazes include the Windsor Corn Maze in Windsor, Indian Garden Farms near Bridgewater and Six Little Farmers Corn Maze in Mabou.
5. See the Fall Colours
Nova Scotia is a beautiful place to be in the fall, with the leaves changing to vibrant shades of red, yellow and orange.
The best time to visit Nova Scotia for fall colours is early to mid October, when the leaves are at their peak.
Take a drive along one of the province’s scenic routes or in Cape Breton, the Cabot Trail is one of the best places to see the fall colours in Nova Scotia.
Or go for a hike through one of the province’s many trails and parks to take in the stunning fall colours.
And while seeing the fall colours is usually a more of a fun activity for the adults, there are a few ways the kids can enjoy it too!
Ski Wentworth has plenty of fun activities for the family, including taking the ski lift up the mountain to view the fall colours from above. The downhill walk along tree-lined trails lets you see the foliage up close and there’s also a haystack playground for the kids to explore.
On Cape Breton Island, the Atlantic Gondola takes you on a scenic ride over the tree tops for a fantastic view of the fall foliage.
Kejimkujik National Park is another good spot to see the fall colours in Nova Scotia, and while there’s no aerial view here, it’s a great place to go for a hike along the lake or the waterfall or head out on the water for a paddle to see the fall colours from a different vantage point.
6. Go for a Hike
Although hiking is a great activity to do any time of year, it’s especially nice in the fall when the leaves are changing colour.
There are plenty of great hiking trails to choose from all across Nova Scotia, whether you’re looking for a short hike in the city or longer hikes in the wilderness.
Some of our favourite hikes where you’re guaranteed to see some fall colours are Shubie Park in Dartmouth, the Skyline Trail in Cape Breton, Mills Falls trail at Kejimkujik National Park and Shaw Wilderness and Point Pleasant Park in Halifax.
Read more | Best Hikes Near Halifax
7. See the Kentville Pumpkin People
The town of Kentville comes alive for the month of October with “pumpkin people” displayed throughout the town.
There are over 300 pumpkin heads on display, with different themes each year. It’s one of the best, and most popular things to do in Nova Scotia in October.
For 2023, the theme is “Under the Sea”, so keep an eye out for a lion, hippo, giraffe, camel, and of course, a Canadian moose.
For some ideas of different animals to look for throughout the town, check out the Pumpkin People Scavenger Hunt, found here on their website.
8. Enjoy the Flavours of Fall
From apple picking to pumpkin spice, there are plenty of flavours of fall to enjoy in Nova Scotia.
Fall in the Annapolis Valley is a great time to stop by a farm stand and pick up some fresh, local produce.
You’ll find everything from fresh produce to homemade jams, pies and more.
Take a drive along Highway 1 through Wolfville and into the Valley and you’re sure to find plenty of farm stands!
In the Halifax area, the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market and Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market in Dartmouth are also great to visit in the fall. They’re open year-round with different seasonal produce available depending on the time of year.
9. Take a Scenic Drive Along the Cabot Trail
The Cabot Trail is one of the most scenic drives in Canada and is especially beautiful in the fall.
The winding road takes you through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, past towering cliffs, pristine beaches, and through small fishing villages.
There are plenty of lookouts where you can take in the stunning views or stop along the way and hike one the great trails in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
While you can drive the Cabot Trail in one day, we suggest taking a bit more time and really enjoying the drive. Here’s a Cabot Trail itinerary with options for a 2, 3 or even 5 days.
10. Get Spooked on a Haunted Walk
Haunted walks are perfect to do in the fall. They’re a great way to explore a new town, learn a bit of history and get in the Halloween spirit!
You’ll find haunted walks and ghost tours throughout Nova Scotia, but some of the more popular ones include the Halifax Ghost Walk, Valley Ghost Walks and the Haunted Lunenburg Walking Tour.
For more info on these tours, check out the best ghost tours in Nova Scotia.
11. Visit a Winery, Cidery or Brewery
Nova Scotia is home to some great wineries, cideries and breweries, many of which are located in the Annapolis Valley.
This is the perfect activity for a fall day – you can take a tour of the facility to learn about how the wine or cider is made, and then do a tasting to sample some of the products.
And if you find a bottle (or two) that you like, you can take it home with you!
Some of our favourite wineries in Nova Scotia include Blomidon Estate Winery, Luckett Vineyards, and Avondale Sky Winery. Tours are kid-friendly and some wineries will even let kids pick and sample some of the grapes!
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Nova Scotia in the Fall
There are so many great things to do in Nova Scotia in the fall! Whether you choose to go apple picking with the family, admire the fall colours, or simply get outside and enjoy the crisp, fall air, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the fall season.
More Inspiration for Your Nova Scotia Bucket List
10 Best Places to Go Apple Picking in Nova Scotia
13 Fun Things to do in Nova Scotia in September
Where to Find the Best Pumpkin Patches Near Halifax
Best Places to See the Fall Colours in Nova Scotia
11 Things to Do in Nova Scotia in the Fall
Best Ghost Tours in Nova Scotia
The Most Haunted Places in Nova Scotia
