However you’ll be spending this Thanksgiving long weekend, there’s no better time to venture out and enjoy the wonders of Fall. Whether you plan on staying in the city or heading to places less travelled, the options are plenty. Need ideas? We got ‘em! 

FARMERS MARKET: Evergreen Brick Works
A great way to support local farmers and stock up on the freshest of ingredients for your Thanksgiving dinner, Evergreen Brick Works features over 50 vendors selling everything from meats to veggies and chocolate truffles. Afterwards, take a stroll through the gardens or check out art installations in the kilns.  
Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm, 550 Bayview Ave. 

APPLE PICKING: Archibald Orchards
Tucked away in farm country, just outside of Bowmanville (my hometown and escape from the city!), is this adorable 40 acre, family-run farm business. Drive or walk your way through the apple orchards with 15 varieties to pick, stock up on Fall goodies like cider, apple pies, maple syrup and fritters at their apple market, and stop by the winery for a sample of some of their fruit wines (including apple apricot, Canadian maple, cherries n’ chocolate, and more).  
9:00 am to 5:30 pm, 6275 Liberty St. N., Bowmanville (about 45 minutes east of Toronto) 

FALL FAIR: Norfolk County Fair
This agricultural fair has something for pretty much everyone so if the sheep shearing demonstrations or the llama and alpaca shows don’t strike your fancy, maybe the midway or demolition derby will. Or perhaps the beekeeping demonstrations. Or the Two Fairly Fat Guys Cooking Show. General admission is $11.50. 
Saturday, Sunday, Monday from 9 am to 9:30 pm, 172 South Dr., Simcoe (about an hour and a half from Toronto) 

CLOTHING SWAP: OMG Swap!
Just in time for your seasonal wardrobe cleaning and re-stocking comes the second edition of the OMG Swap project. The first swap saw 500 people pack themselves inside Mercer Union and they’re aiming for even more this time around. Bring $5 for entry and as many unwanted clothes (nothing stained, ripped, smelly or ugly) as you can carry and swap! Snacks and drinks will be on hand and any clothing left behind will be donated to Sistering, a resource shelter supporting homeless, marginalized, and low income women in Toronto.  Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm, 1286 Bloor St. W., Toronto 

FALL COLOURS: HIGH PARK
For those into a more cheap and low-key way to spend the weekend, nothing beats a stroll to take in the fall colours – especially with the nice weather expected this weekend. A perfect activity for wherever you find yourself but if you have the time, head to the city’s largest public park to check out the scenery. High Park is the perfect place for picnicking, squirrel-watching, hiking, and more. 1873 Bloor St. W., Toronto 

by Caitlyn Holroyd