Spooky season must-dos
Welcome to autumn! The trees are turning fiery shades of orange, yellow, and red, the ground is full of crispy leaves to crunch, the nippy air calls for heavy-knit cardigans and chunky scarves, there are pumpkins and fake spiderwebs at every doorstep, and pumpkin spice lattes are back! Just because this fall will look a bit different than what you may be used to doesn’t mean we need to lock ourselves indoors and forget about fun. Here are some date ideas around the Fraser Valley to take with whatever friend, special friend, or more-than-special friend you have in your life whom you want to create fun fall memories with.
Corn Mazes: Get scared at Maan Farms’ haunted corn maze in Abbotsford, open until Nov. 1. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance because they sell out fast, and make it a double-date, as you can only buy tickets in groups of four, five, or six. Or, go to the Chilliwack Corn Maze to get lost in their massive 20-acre corn maze, pick a pumpkin from their patch, or pet a goat.
Canoe on Chilliwack Lake: Borrow your buddy’s canoe and take a paddle on this pristine lake, with crystal clear water and a rugged mountain backdrop. The drive to the lake is also beautiful in itself in the fall; Chilliwack Lake Road is lined with trees changing colours and mountain tops filling with snow.
Hike up Elk Mountain: This beautiful, picturesque hike rewards you with all of the fall colours and views of all of Chilliwack and beyond. It’s a relatively easy hike on a well-maintained trail. If you want to really impress your date, bring a mini picnic to enjoy at the top. Check out more Fraser Valley hikes to do if being outdoors is your jam.
Ikea: For me, a trip to Ikea is the perfect date. It is a little farther than the Fraser Valley — the location in Coquitlam is about an hour away, but it is worth the drive. You can peruse through all of the well-designed rooms and imagine yourself living different lives, maybe in an alternative universe where you might actually be able to afford a house one day. It’s a great way to find out someone’s taste in decor too if you’re scoping your date out as a potential future roommate. You can end your journey at the cafeteria, serving up Swedish meatball dinners, or at the concession to grab a hot dog, veggie dog, or ice cream — all excellent choices.
Pumpkin Carving: Would fall even be fall if you didn’t carve a pumpkin? This tactile experience makes for the perfect date as you scoop, carve, and light up your masterpiece. If you want to go the extra mile, you can pick the pumpkin yourself from a pumpkin patch. There is Taves Family Farm and Willow View Farm in Abbotsford, and Petey’s Pumpkin Patch in Chilliwack.
Stargaze at McDonald Park: This park is a designated dark-sky preserve, as the light pollution is blocked by Sumas Mountain. Technically, Abbotsford’s parks are for day-use only, but the Fraser Valley Astronomers Society holds occasional viewing nights in the park for the public.
Make a pillow fort and chill: For the chillest, coziest night, nothing beats gathering all of the sheets, pillows, foamies, and blankets you have and crafting them into a fort using chairs and couches. Being surrounded by fluffy pillows and warm blankets is the best. Bring some snacks and Netflix into the picture, and you’ve got yourself the perfect night.
Visit a brewery: Abbotsford has been blessed with plenty of breweries to take your date to. Book a table at the hipster Field House or enjoy a home brew at the down-to-earth Raven’s Brewing Co. You could also enjoy an incredible meal with your beer at Trading Post, experience the owner-operated microbrewery Loud Mouth Brewing Co., or have a truly craft experience at Old Abbey Ales.
Watch a movie at the Twilight Drive-In in Aldergrove: This is the perfect movie theatre experience in the age of COVID-19. The theatre is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and the tickets are available for purchase the prior Tuesday at 10 a.m. Be sure to buy your tickets on Tuesday though because they sell out fast!
Image by Patrick Fore/Unsplash
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.