Assiniboine Park showcases crunchy leaf season like no other. While making your way through its golden tree-arched pathways you’ll encounter all manner of fabulous fall things.
You’ll spy yellow elms and red vines framing hundreds of bronzes in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. You can sip on a local brew at Cargo Bar (yup, the patio is still open until the end of September) beside a toasty firepit, or have brunch beside the expansive windows in The Park Café while watching geese honking it up on the Riley Family Duck Pond. You can stroll through an explosion of colours at the Gardens at the Leaf, then cap it off with a meal at Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar.
In other words, it’s one of the top destinations in the city for autumn’s splendour (plus, great food with panoramic views). So, while you are there, may we also suggest you take part in these marquee events?
On at Assiniboine Park Zoo
Boo at the Zoo - October 4 to 31
Tickets are now available for one of the Park’s largest annual events. Once the zoo closes for the evening and darkness descends, the whole place becomes alive––with the undead! Okay, to be fair, it’s more warlock, witch and magical-based, but there is one zombie bride who puts on a fire show that always thrills.
This family friendly show (we’ve been bringing our littles since aged two and they talk about it for weeks after) takes over the whole west side of the zoo. Follow a track that is illuminated by enchanting light displays and you'll go from performance to performance, past food and drink stops, to hair-raising free rides––all while a cast of elfin characters adds to the atmosphere.
New for 2024 are roaming scenes featuring everything from fire-breathers to jugglers to giant puppets; new displays, new craft stations and the mysterious Rabbit’s Den (can you find the secret door?); opportunities to take part in demonstrations with their ace aerialists; and a whole new expanded route brimming with even more immersive audio-visual experiences.
If you want it extra spooky, book for Halloween night on October 31 when the whole zoo is 18+ (and the characters stop playing games… boo-ha-ha!) and jump-scares will ensure you’ll want to put a lid on that local beer. In fact, no matter when you visit, you can grab a local beer, glass of wine, boozy coffee or cocktail from one of several kiosks and bars to take with you as you explore (the zoo isn’t afraid to let parents have fun too).
For more info, timed tickets and parking info click here.
Behind-the-scenes and other animal experiences on now until October 13
Have you ever wanted to meet your favourite animal up close? Learn what it takes to be an animal caregiver or zoologist? Assiniboine Park Zoo is bringing back private behind-the-scenes experiences that can be booked in advance throughout autumn.
On select dates you (and up to a small group of four) could get an in-depth look at the lives of some of the zoo’s most iconic inhabitants, including the Amur tigers, harbour seals, snow leopards and polar bears. Dates and times are in the links.
As well, you can come celebrate Red Panda Weekend (Sept 21-22)––featuring face painting, red panda-themed challenges and special chats all centred around this adorable (and endangered) species.
On at The Leaf
Every new season brings a stunning new horticultural display to The Leaf’s Babs Asper Display House.
From now until November 17, Yasuragi: Gardens of Japan offers even more tranquility to this one of a kind horticultural attraction, providing an atmosphere within the biome that includes minimalist landscapes that are so integral to Japanese garden aesthetics.
As you can see in the above video, an incredible amount of work went in to making Yasuragi (which means peace)––from the creation of 1,000 origami cranes, to the installation of the zen garden/dry garden with its lines of sand and stone, to the placement of the plants along the pathways.
Apropos of Yasuragi, The Foodie Series at the park is also offering you a night to learn sushi from celebrated chef Ed Lam, whose Yujiro Japanese Restaurant is ranked as one of Canada’s best restaurants. On Wednesday, October 23 chef Lam will guide a group through whole salmon filleting then use the fish throughout a multicourse meal.
Tickets available here.
Kids can get their culinary kicks too during the fall season. Junior Chefs Academy (September 21, 28 and October 5; tailored to ages 6-10) teaches kids (with one adult to accompany) a few healthy snacks, all while getting their little hands dirty.
For a completely different Leaf experience––at least as far as ambiance goes––adults can join in the merriment of The Leaf After Dark event. From 7 to 9 p.m., on October 2, 16, 30 and November 13 and 17, the biomes will become a bit boisterous as attendees can experience live music, enjoy bar snacks from Gather and sip wine under the stars in both the Tropical and Mediterranean Biomes.
These 18+ evenings will sell out fast (as there is limited space), so get your tickets here.
