Want to get away from Metro Vancouver without venturing out too far out from the city?
Head east to The Fraser Valley region, where the communities of Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Harrison, and Hope offer experiences that are unlike anything other B.C. regions have.
From locally-crafted libations and local shopping, to outdoor experiences and cozy lodges (because you’ll need more than a day to see everything in the Valley), here’s where you should play, eat, drink, shop, and stay when you visit the Fraser Valley this summer.
Chilliwack. Photo: Fraser Valley Group.
EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Get Back in the Saddle Again with a guided horseback ride along the Township of Langley’s top trails in the stunning Campbell Valley.
Then, wander along 10 acres of garden at Shangrila Farm in Mission, which features 100 varieties of dahlia flowers, 300 green sculptures, thousands of grapevine tunnels, ponds, lotuses, and bridges. Just a five minute drive away is the towering 30-metre Cascade Falls, where a short half-hour hike will take you right in front of the waterfall.
For fun times out on the rivers and lakes, Harrison Eco Tours leads a variety of wildlife tours and jet boat tours, along with guided kayaking trips on Harrison River, Fraser River, Harrison Lake, and the Harrison Hot Springs area. If you dare, go Whitewater River Rafting in the Chilliwack River, where you'll be surrounded by stunning Cascade mountain scenery and wildlife.
Hit a hole in one at Ledgeview Golf Club’s 18-hole golf course, nestled high atop the city of Abbotsford. For even more stunning aerial views, soar over the Fraser Valley with Valley Helicopters, with flights departing from Hope.
Ravens Brewing in Abbotsford. Photo: Fraser Valley Group.
SIP AND TASTE YOUR WAY THROUGH THE FRASER VALLEY
To drink and eat locally-crafted brews and bites, go on a tour of some of the Fraser Valley’s breweries, pubs, and brewhouses!
Start in Langley at Five Roads Brewing, one of the town’s newest craft breweries. Next, head to the family-owned brewery and distillery (with proud Indigenous roots) Ravens Brewing in Abbotsford.
In Chilliwack, Farmhouse Brewing serves up pairings of craft beer with wood-fired pizza and other farm-fresh foods. Mountainview Brewing is home to Hope’s first microbrewery, with beers brewed with fresh mountain water.
Set in an old-time log building, Harrison’s Old Settler Pub is a tavern serving classic pub grub and good drinks. Wrap up the ale trail at Mission Springs Craft Brewery, one of B.C.’s oldest brewhouses overlooking the Fraser River.
Visit the Fraser Valley Ale Trail for further inspiration.
Button Box in Chilliwack. Photo: Fraser Valley Group.
SHOP AND SUPPORT LOCAL
The Fraser Valley has many unique boutiques and small businesses with local collections and handcrafted goods to admire and buy.
For gorgeous Canadian-made clothing, home decor, and lifestyle pieces you won’t find anywhere else, check out Hunni’s in Langley for uplifting women’s fashions, the cozy and bright Button Box in Chilliwack, and Spruce Collective in downtown Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
In the heart of Harrison Hot Springs, Blue Dandelion is an eclectic gift shop with a variety of artisanal items that will make for great gifts and souvenirs. For mouth-watering handmade fudge and premium Salt Spring Island Gelato, visit Artisans Attic in Hope, where you can also pick up a funky pair of socks and other apparel. Pressland General in Mission is the spot for custom screen printing services, embroidery, and more.
Princess and the Pea in Langley. Photo: Fraser Valley Group.
UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE FRASER VALLEY
Located in historic Langley, Princess & The Pea is a quaint hotel that will take you back in time with its romantic rooms and decor that come straight out of a fairy tale world.
Part of the Pepin Brook Vineyard Estates, Brookside Inn in Abbotsford is a boutique hotel with luxury suites inspired by classic romantic movies. Each themed room on the property is thoughtfully decorated to capture the film’s essence, including the Breakfast at Tiffany’s Dining Lounge.
For a true cabin in the woods experience, Forest Echoes Cabins in Chilliwack offers peaceful individual cabin accommodations just minutes away from one of the main Provincial Park trailheads and Cultus Lake.
American Creek Lodge is a brand new, modern, mountain top lodge in Hope that offers breathtaking views of the Fraser Valley Canyon beyond.
Adjacent to mountains and the Harrison River Estuary, Harrison’s Sasquatch Eco Lodge is a historic B&B with a property that has a nearby secluded waterfall, creek, eco-friendly salt water pool, meditation labyrinth, and trails.
The Little Red Barn in Mission is an Airbnb property ripped right out of a storybook, complete with a two-floor barn fit for up to four people and cozy lounge area that will give you a one-of-a-kind farm camping experience.
Plan your visit back to the Fraser Valley this summer, where timeless adventures and new experiences await you!
For more Fraser Valley travel ideas, visit thefraservalley.ca.
