Chatham-Kent is a fall lover's dream. Known for our plentiful orchards, corn maze, hiking trails, and hay rides, you're never far from something exciting to do when the sweater weather hits. You can find a great selection of ideas below and even more on our Fall in CK page!
Orchards and Pumpkin Patches
Chatham-Kent is the number one producer of pumpkins in Canada, and has over 300 acres of orchards! Both Delhaven Orchards and Greatview Orchards in Blenheim have amazing selections of apples, peaches, veggies, and more to get your autumn baking started. Van Koeverden Orchards in Thamesville and Thompson's Orchards in Blenheim offer u-pick apples throughout the fall. If it's pumpkins you're after, start your Halloween decoration hunt at Snobelen Homestead near Ridgetown or Adel Farms near Tilbury for your pick of gourds, hay bales, corn stalks and more. If you're looking to purchase a pre-picked pumpkin, Sarah's Farm Market in Chatham offers two locations, each with plenty to choose from. For a full list of places to pick up fresh produce all over Chatham-Kent, check out this Buy Local, Buy Fresh map!
Fall Hikes, Paddles and Bakery Trail
Pack a jacket and head out to one of our many trails to take in the reds and yellows of the changing leaves. Clear Creek Provincial Park, near Lake Erie, takes you through a gorgeous leaf canopy with picturesque photography potential. Dresden boasts the Trillium Trail, while Wallaceburg has the Wallace St. Recreational Trail. From there, head south to Mitchell's Bay for a hike on the South Lakeshore Trail or watch the birds fly south at the St. Clair National Wildlife Area, a 242-hectare wetlands. In total, CK has over 55 hiking trails scattered throughout the communities, each of which offers unique tree cover, a variety of vegetation and wildlife, and even one of Canada's last Carolinian forests at Rondeau Provincial Park.
Whimsies Paddle in Wallaceburg is open by appointment for fall kayak and canoe rentals for a paddle along the Sydenham River. Shrewsbury Bait offers fall rentals as well for the Shrewsbury and Rondeau area.
Don't forget to fuel up with your favourite fall hot beverage and treat from one of the great stops on our Bakery Trail!
Corn Mazes and Hay Rides
One of the best known corn mazes in Ontario, iMaze in Thamesville has it all: hay rides, farm-themed play equipment and of course the famous corn maze. You can spend an entire afternoon wandering the field, picking pumpkins, and enjoying a picnic with family in their designated picnic areas. If you are looking to incorporate augmented reality into your corn maze - visit Umiland in Morpeth. They take the traditional corn maze and sprinkle in amazing effects you will see only with your smart phone! For those looking for both traditional fall fun with a splash of mystery and spookiness the Tilbilly Halloween Adventure Farm features has a haunted barn, hay rides, a corn maze and more.
Ghost Walks
Calling all thrill seekers and history buffs. Join Jim and Lisa Gilbert on one of their Ghost Walks of Chatham-Kent. Starting after dark, you will follow your intrepid guides on a tour through historic downtown Chatham and be regaled with ghost stories pertaining to various buildings and locations with otherworldly histories. Book your spots in advance through their Facebook page.
We've outlined just some of the things to do when you #VisitCK, but be sure to come and discover on your own. Follow #SeeYouinCK on Facebook and Instagram for more great places to visit and ways to spend your days in Chatham-Kent.
We can't wait to #SeeYouinCK!
