Whether you're upholding a long-standing family tradition or starting a new one, a visit to the local pumpkin patch or apple orchard is a great way to spend a beautiful autumn afternoon. We've tracked down a few of the best places to be this fall in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Cannamore Orchard, Crysler, Ontario
There are so many activities on offer at Cannamore Orchard, from Labour Day through to November, that you'll have no trouble filling your day with family fun. Load up on apples before exploring several mazes, then visit the animal corral and take a cow-train ride. Once it gets dark, the Spooky Wagon Ride, running for the month of October, is full of thrills and chills for parents and older children.

Strom's Farm, Guelph, Ontario
With more than 10 different varieties for sale, Strom's is a pumpkin paradise. Big kids can test their aim in the Pumpkin Chuckin' area, while the little ones can go hog wild in the Straw Shack. And don't worry if you've never visited Strom's before – every year they fill their front yard with over 6,000 pumpkins, so you can't miss them!

Howell Family Farm, Fonthill, Ontario
The Howell's Pumpkin Festival runs from late September through to November, and there's fun for the whole family in the Howl'n Theme Area. Don't forget to stock up on yummy pumpkin treats before you leave – they've got pumpkin muffins, pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin pie, and even pumpkin sausage!

Gammondale Farm, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Spend some time visiting friendly farm animals in the barn before taking a ride on one of Gammondale's huge Percheron draft horses, which have an average weight of 860 to 950 kg. And if you're looking for a way to burn off the post-Halloween sugar high, November 1 is Pumpkin Smashing Day at the farm.

Noggins Corner Farm Market, Greenwich, Nova Scotia
An incredible 52 varieties of apples grow on Noggins Corner's 175 acres of orchards, which stretch along the banks of the Cornwallis River in the Annapolis Valley. The farm was founded more than 200 years ago, and you can learn about the land's long history on a beautiful three km walking trail before getting lost in the enormous 8.5 acre corn maze.

River Breeze Farm Market, Truro, Nova Scotia
River Breeze is Nova Scotia's largest entertainment farm, and was a previous winner of the Tourism Attraction of the Year Award presented by the Central Nova Tourist Association. With paintball, laser tag and the Barnyard Twister Spinning Vortex, this is no quiet day at the farm! There's plenty of excitement for kids of all ages.

For more travel tips, visit caamagazine.ca.