River rapids in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario

Ontario's wild heart. Happy Thanksgiving!

What's on your plate today—turkey, pie, mashed potatoes and maybe a second helping of gratitude? Canadian Thanksgiving arrives each October to mark the autumn harvest. Long before it became official in 1879, explorers and settlers held feasts for safe journeys and full larders. The first nationwide Thanksgiving was once celebrated in November. Today, it's a three-day weekend of family dinners, walks, counting blessings and quiet reflection before winter.

Turkey and pumpkin pie still headline the meal, but regional twists abound: butter tarts in Ontario, smoked salmon in British Columbia and tourtière, a spiced meat pie, in Quebec. Across the country, football games and community food drives are as traditional as dessert.

Step outside, and those blessings multiply. Algonquin Provincial Park, three hours from Ottawa, has drawn nature lovers since 1893. Black bears roam, loons call across the water and wolves sometimes howl at night. Ever spotted a moose up close? Thanksgiving weekend is ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals are busy preparing for the cold. Hiking trails crunch with fallen leaves. Today may end at the table, but gratitude spans the Ontario wilderness.