A Thanksgiving Weekend to Remember: Family, Fun, and Fall Colors in Sudbury🍁

This past weekend, we packed our bags and headed to Sudbury, Ontario, to celebrate Thanksgiving with Nick’s family. It was a much-needed getaway filled with laughter, great food, beautiful fall scenery, and special moments with family. Here’s a look at our adventure!

Thursday night was truly magical as we were welcomed by the breathtaking Northern Lights right from my mom’s place in Sudbury. The vibrant green and purple hues danced across the sky, creating a mesmerizing display that left us in awe. It felt like nature’s own Thanksgiving gift, reminding us of the beauty and wonder all around us. Watching the Northern Lights together was a moment I won’t forget—it was serene, peaceful, and the perfect way to kick off our Thanksgiving weekend with family.

Friday Night: Friends, Food, and Fun at Kouzzina

After a long day working remotely from Nick’s mom’s house, we met up with fellow Kickstarters and friends for dinner at Kouzzina, a cozy restaurant in Sudbury. The food was amazing, but the service was even better! Our waiter, Lucas, was super attentive, and the restaurant went out of its way to accommodate us. We laughed, shared stories, and left with full hearts and happy stomachs. Thank you for joining us Linda, Dinah, Mom, Linda & Jim, Kim & Mark, Donna & Hugh for joining us! It was such a fun night—we can’t wait to do it again! 🍽️✨

View short video of our Dinner at Kouzzima

Saturday: A Day at Leisure Farms in Sturgeon Falls

Saturday morning, we set off for Leisure Farms in Sturgeon Falls with Nick's sister Cynthia and a friend Chantal, our niece and nephew, and mom, for a day full of pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and family fun! 🎃🌽

We started the day with a visit to the haunted house. Now, Jean Luc and I aren’t huge fans of haunted houses, but our nephew really wanted to go, so we joined him. To our surprise, my mom came along too! Watch it below!

Next up, we got to shoot pumpkins out of a cannon, which was way more fun than we expected. Who knew launching pumpkins could be so satisfying? 🎯

View short video of our Pumpkin Cannon Fun

Then, we spent some time playing with the kids in the large tube area—so much laughter and joy. Can you guess the two pop culture references in the video from that moment? 😉

View short video of our Play Time

We then walked through the forest for some hot chocolate, cookies, marshmallows on the campfire and music!

It was a perfect day for kids of all ages, and we all left with smiles on our faces.

After a fun-filled day at Leisure Farms in Sturgeon Falls, we made a must-have stop at Larry’s Chip Stand, a local favorite for poutine. The classic dish didn’t disappoint, with its golden fries, rich gravy, and squeaky cheese curds perfectly hitting the spot. Larry’s is a staple in the area, and it’s easy to see why—nothing beats enjoying a piping hot poutine after a day of activities. It was a satisfying way to wrap up our day, surrounded by family, laughter, and delicious comfort food.

Saturday: Thanksgiving Dinner

For Thanksgiving dinner this year, we kept things non-traditional and enjoyed homemade pizza with turkey pepperoni instead of the usual turkey. It was a delicious twist on the holiday meal, and honestly, there’s something comforting about a warm, cheesy pizza that hits the spot!

After dinner, we went for a lovely evening walk to take in the Halloween decorations around the neighborhood. The cool, crisp air was perfect for a stroll, and the decorations were amazing—spooky skeletons, glowing pumpkins, and creative displays lined the streets. It was the perfect end to a cozy Thanksgiving evening.

Sunday: Bidding Farewell to Sudbury

On Sunday morning, we took a nostalgic walk at Bell Park with Nick’s mom. It was so nice to take in the vibrant fall colors, and it brought back memories for me, as I hadn’t been there since I was a kid. Everything seemed smaller than I remembered—the beach, the trees—but it was still a beautiful spot to revisit.

After our walk, we tried to grab lunch at Gloria’s Restaurant, but unfortunately, they were closed for Thanksgiving. Instead, we headed to Beni on Loach's Road, where we had to wait a bit for a table, but it was worth it! While we waited, we explored Anna-Laura Patisserie et Petit Café, the bakery inside the restaurant, and picked up a few treats: a cinnamon bun, almond croissant, and a crème brûlée cookie. Spoiler alert—they were all delicious! See us try each in the video at the end of this blog. 😋

For lunch, my mom had a mushroom omelette, while Jean Luc and I shared the most amazing grilled cheese and tomato soup made with fresh, homemade ingredients. We also tried breakfast tacos filled with scrambled eggs and guacamole—such a unique and flavorful combination! The meal was incredible, and the service was top-notch. We’ll definitely be back! Check out the video below for our review!

Heading Home

After lunch, it was time to pack up and head home. We had a smooth drive back, arriving just in time to catch up with Lynn, who had been taking care of our three fur babies—Saba, Peru, and Maui—while we were away. It was so heartwarming to come home to them and settle in for a relaxing evening. We also finally got to try our treats from Anna-Laura Patisserie et Petit Café.

Final Thoughts

This Thanksgiving weekend was everything we needed—time with family, delicious food, outdoor adventures, and memories that will last a lifetime. Now that we’re back home, we’re looking forward to getting back into our routine, but we’ll definitely cherish the moments we shared this weekend. How did you spend your Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comments!