What’s on This Thanksgiving Weekend in Ottawa

Pumpkins, autumn leaves, and corn mazes. They’re all essential to a classic family Thanksgiving weekend. We’ll be packing some leftover turkey sandwiches and making the most of everything fall at two lovely outdoor farms.

Maple Hill Urban Farm is a little treasure right in the heart of the green belt, located on the north edge of Bells Corners in the West End. It’s a working farm, so be sure to bring a little pocket money for unusual and delicious products like sorghum flour, duck eggs, and fresh honey, as well as a pumpkin from their patch. But what really catches our eye is their fall corn maze—10 acres of paths with secret stations to find—that can be a fun walk or a big family challenge. If you dare, you can even attempt the maze at night with flashlights—or stick with kid-friendly daytime, when you can add a wagon or pony ride to your visit.

In the East End, we’ll be heading to Cannamore Orchard, where we’ll definitely be picking out a pumpkin and, fingers crossed, maybe picking the last of the year’s apples. We just love their family play area, which features a Dark Maze (bring a flashlight!), a play structure, animals to visit, and plastic duck races on water, but our absolute fave is the cow train—a unique series of cow-shaped cars that leads you on a tour through the orchard (tip: be sure to visit on Monday, when the cow train will be running). Can’t make it on Thanksgiving weekend? Head over on either of the following two Sundays for their Halloween celebration, which features games, costume contests, and a gentler version of their famous Spooky Wagon Ride.

We’re so thankful to live in a city that offers tons of great outdoor (and indoor!) things to do in autumn, and we’ll be exploring as many of these Thanksgiving weekend activities as we can squeeze in.

Check out our seven other Things To Do in Ottawa over Thanksgiving Weekend.