Fall outings with kids: 10 ideas to enjoy the colours
Fall in Quebec means colourful leaves, apples and pumpkins, and the first outings by flashlight. Here are ten ways to enjoy it as a family, from hikes through the leaves to light trails.
In short: for colours, Mont Saint-Bruno or Gatineau Park; for picking, orchards and farms until late October; in the evening, the Gardens of Light until November 1 and Festilumi until January 3.
See the colours
1. Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park
A wooded mountain dotted with lakes, 30 minutes from Montreal. The 1.5 km Petit-Duc trail is ideal with kids.
- 330 Rang des Vingt-Cinq Est, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
- See the listing
2. Gatineau Park
The big protected forest next to Gatineau, with a visitor centre that helps you choose a trail.
- 33 Chemin Scott, Chelsea
- See the listing
3. Mont-Tremblant National Park
Lakes, forests and rivers in Quebec's oldest national park, about two hours from Montreal.
- 3824 Chemin du Lac-Supérieur, Lac-Supérieur
- See the listing
Pick apples and pumpkins
4. Orchards
Apple picking continues until late October at several orchards. See our articles Where to pick apples in October and Saint-Joseph-du-Lac orchards.
5. Ferme Marineau
Pumpkins, a corn maze, two mini-farms and an ice cream stand, in Laval. No reservation needed.
- 4356 Dagenais Boulevard West, Laval
- See the listing
6. Quinn Farm
Apples, pumpkins, squash and sweet corn, with an animal barn, less than 20 minutes from Montreal. Reservations required.
- 2495 Perrot Boulevard, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot
- See the listing
In the evening, under the lights
7. Gardens of Light — until November 1
Hundreds of glowing lanterns in the Botanical Garden's Chinese and Japanese gardens. Timed ticket required.
- Montreal Botanical Garden
- See the event
8. Festilumi — until January 3
A 1.5 km outdoor light trail with 13 themed worlds and a Halloween theme in the fall. Stroller-friendly.
- Marché Central, Montreal
- See the event
9. Fall Enchanted Forest — until October 28
A free forest of illuminated branches inside Carrefour Laval.
- CF Carrefour Laval, Laval
- Free
- See the event
Halloween
10. Halloween outings
La Ronde's pumpkin festival, Festiween in Laval, Halloween at the Botanical Garden and more: see our article Halloween with kids in Greater Montreal and, for the Quebec City area, Halloween in Quebec City and Trois-Rivières.
Our tips
- Colours often peak earlier in the north than in the south: check the tourism regions' colour maps before you go.
- Peak-colour weekends are very busy in the parks: leave early in the morning.
- It gets dark fast in the fall: bring a headlamp for late-day hikes.
Frequently asked questions
Where can we see fall colours near Montreal?
On Mont Saint-Bruno, 30 minutes from Montreal, and in Oka and Îles-de-Boucherville national parks.
Until when can we pick apples?
At most orchards, until late October, depending on harvests.
What fall outing can we do in the evening with kids?
The Gardens of Light at the Botanical Garden, Festilumi at Marché Central or the free Enchanted Forest at Carrefour Laval.
Information checked on October 13, 2026. Dates, prices and hours may change: confirm with each place before you go.
