Some historic towns are disconcertingly twee. You know, where you break out in a rash from an excess of lace doilies, dusty teddy bears and Royal Albert teacups? Well, Fort Langley is not that kind of historic town, and with cranberries, turkey and pumpkins, it’s difficult to imagine a more appropriate October getaway. If you haven’t been there in a while, you might be surprised to discover just how pretty Glover Road is. As for the fort itself? Worth a visit, but you are here for the food, right?

Angela Shpeley is the artisan at Euphoria Handcrafted Chocolates, and she takes both chocolate and coffee seriously, living by the credo that life is too short for poor quality substitutes. The Pumpkin Spice and Margarita chocolates are happiness in a single bite, but this is about adventure, after all. So please don’t leave without a bit of the Salt and Pepper chocolate. Yes, salt and pepper. It sounds odd, and it’s definitely unusual, but it could become a major addiction.

Cranberries Naturally in Gasoline Alley is your stop for cranberry treats of all kinds, but if you’re a serious fan you’ll want to catch the 13th Annual Cranberry Festival on Saturday, October 11th. Highlights will include a pancake breakfast, live music, and dazzling quantities of cranberries.

The Lamplighter Gallery Café at 9213 Glover Road is highly recommended by Fort Langley locals, and deservedly so. Their salmon sandwich has never seen a tin; it’s an actual piece of fresh-cooked fish, still warm and juicy from the pan, nestled between two pieces of baguette. You might be tempted by dessert here, but instead consider walking a few blocks up the road to Tracycakes. Cupcakes are the house special, but the bakery-café itself is pure eye candy. Its white-themed rooms and secret-garden courtyard have character to burn.

Curious about award-winning fruit wines? Sample a few at The Fort Wine Co. Very nearby, Aldor Acres farm are open daily throughout October and will let you pick your own Hallowe’en pumpkin. And just a short drive from Fort Langley is JD Farms’ beautiful farm shop-café, with specialty turkey products ranging from sausages to meatballs to jerky: a great place to order your Thanksgiving bird raised without antibiotics or animal byproducts. (Note: if you’d rather not make the trip, JD turkeys are also available at Capers and Whole Foods Market)

Fort Langley - fortlangley.com

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