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Fill your Fraser Valley Bucket List with These Top Things to Do

The Fraser Valley lies just outside Vancouver British Columbia and is often overlooked, despite its growing list of things to do. Whether you are looking for wide open spaces and farm living, or quaint neighborhoods with boutique shopping and eating, there is plenty of things to do in the Fraser Valley.

It is a region that is growing by the day, as more and more British Columbians choose to make the neighborhoods in the Fraser Valley their home, and the options of things to do in the Fraser Valley is growing too. This list will give you a bucket list worthy day, however you choose to fill it!

Visit Fort Langley

One of the popular things to do in the Fraser Valley is to head into Fort Langley. This unique village-like atmosphere is home to the Fort Langley National Historic Site  the birthplace of British Columbia. With plenty to see and do for the kids plan to spend at least half a day here, especially if you want to wander the shops and grab a bite to eat on Glover road outside of the fort. There are fabulous eats, antique shops, a spa, and boutique stores that give something for everyone.

Fort Langley has seasonal offerings, like “Grave Tales” a spooky Fort Langley walk! You can read about it and more in my family activities in the Fraser Valley in October!

Fort Langley National Historic Site Barrel Making
One of the best parts of a visit to the Fraser Valley’s Fort Langley, is the live demonstrations from the costumed interpreters. Here, Markus watches as Antone, the master barrel maker, explains how salmon were received from the Kwantlen and Katzie First Nations, and salted and stored in barrels in the 1800s.

If you want to try some unique food, head to Lelem’ Cafe and try their bannock tacos. Bannock is a popular food for the indigenous peoples, and Lelem has created a menu to feature this popular food! Try it with beef, smoked salmon, chorizo sausage, mexi-tofu and with a variety of toppings. Bring your appetite! 

*They have plenty of outdoor seating

Smoked Salmon Bannock Taco Lelem Cafe Fort Langley
Bring your appetite and enjoy a Bannock Taco from Lelem’ Cafe. This Indigenous-owned business serves the popular gathering meal of bannock with a variety of toppings to make your taco unique and honors their traditional food.

If you need a break from the kids or want to be pampered, check out Su Casa Spa right on Glover Road. Whether a massage or facial their team is professional, friendly and you will leave feeling amazing!

Visiting Fort Langley
Fort Langley’s Hall, a popular photo spot as you stroll down Glover Road.

 

Golden Ears Provincial Park

If you want steep mountain ascents, or kid-friendly hiking, head to Golden Ears Provincial aprk.

Hiking a kid friendly trail: we love the Lower Falls Trail in Golden Ears Provincial Park. It has minimal elevation changes and there is a nice spot to stop for a picnic along the way! It is a great walk for all ages. In the spring, or if it has been quite rainy, look out for muddy sections.

Othello Tunnels

We recently visited the Othello Tunnels in Hope. It is a flat, stroller-friendly trail through the old Kettle Valley Railroad Tunnels and has some beautiful scenery and old railroad tunnels and bridges to walk through.

The Othello Tunnels, Hope BC
The Othello Tunnels, Hope BC
Inside the Tunnels
Inside the Tunnels

Camping in the Fraser Valley

Camping at one of the many provincial parks or private campgrounds. There are too many to name but BC Parks has a great map you can check out here. You will often find us camping at Kawkawa Lake Resort, a private campground, about an hour and a half’s drive from Vancouver. Check out our post on the Ultimate Kids Camping List so you don’t forget any of our essentials!

"Glamping" in Action at Kawkawa Lake Campground
“Glamping” in Action at Kawkawa Lake Campground

White Rock Beaches

Spend a few hours at White Rock or Crescent Beach and fly kites, or search for crabs under the rocks at low tide. You can also enjoy a stroll along the beach with an icecream. Both White Rock and Crescent Beach have stroller-friendly paths, sandy beaches at low tide and restaurants and shops.

Crescent Beach, White Rock BC
Crescent Beach, White Rock BC
Crab Hunting at Crescent Beach, White Rock BC
Crab Hunting at Crescent Beach, White Rock BC

Lake Days

Spend the day enjoying swimming, boating, fishing or just relaxing at one of the many lakes in the Fraser Valley. Bring a picnic and enjoy Cultas Lake, Kawkawa Lake, Harrison, Pit Lake, or Chiliwack Lake, If you love hiking, you should check out Lindeman Lake.

Fishing with Uncle Greg at Kawkawa Lake, Hope BC
Fishing with Uncle Greg at Kawkawa Lake, Hope BC

Berry Farms and Pumpkin Patches

Check out one of the many Berry farms offers seasonal berry picking! It is a fun experience for the whole family and kids can see where fruits and veggies actually come from; and its not the grocery store! Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery, Mann Farms or Driedeger Farms are three in the Fraser Valley. We recently visited Krause Berry Farms and you can read about our experience here!

If you are visiting in the fall, check out Abbotsford’s best pumpkin patches for more than just pumpkins!

Krause Berry Farms Market - with freshly baked goodies, fresh fruits and lots of unique gifts
Krause Berry Farms Market – with freshly baked goodies, fresh fruits and lots of unique gifts
Krause berry farm carpe diem our way20150607_0004
Strawberry Picking at Krause Berry Farms

Visit Hell’s Gate

Visit Hell’s Gate Airtram in the Fraser Canyon and witness the amazingly powerful Fraser River flooding down the canyon.

Photo courtesy of Hell's Gate Airtram
Photo courtesy of Hell’s Gate Airtram

Mini Golf

Mini golf at Castle Fun Park Castle Fun park offers a day of entertainment for all ages, from a variety of indoor and outdoor mini golf options to bumper boats, go carts, a batting cage and games, there is lots to do

Eco Dairy

Learn about farming at Bakerview ecoDairy Farm. Visit this on-of-a-kind demonstration farm and learn all about how our dairy products get from the farms to our table. Partnering with Science World has allowed interactive exhibits which are great fun for kids. Its 80 acre site features a discovery centre with interactive displays, a Moo-zanine learning centre, a small theatre, a goat’s on the roof animal exhibit, an ice-cream stand, picnic area and more!

Photo Courtesy of www.ecodairy.ca Copywriter Tanya Goehring, Post Photography
Photo Courtesy of www.ecodairy.ca Copy write Tanya Goehring, Post Photography
Photo Courtesy of www.ecodairy.ca Copywriter Tanya Goehring, Post Photography
Photo Courtesy of www.ecodairy.ca Copy write Tanya Goehring, Post Photography

What is your favorite things to do in the Fraser Valley? Have you been to any that I have mentioned? Let me know in the comments!

Things to do in the Fraser Valley BC
9 Reasons to get out of Vancouver and into the Fraser Valley in Beautiful BC by Carpe Diem Our Way

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bikini top

Wednesday 5th of August 2015

I genuinely enjoy reading through on this website , it holds fantastic blog posts. "One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." by Andre Gide.

Laura Lynch

Monday 3rd of August 2015

Fraser Valley looks very fun. I bet the kids absolutely loved hunting for those crabs on the beach! The airtram looks amazing too. I love aerial views like that.

Lauren @ Justin Plus Lauren

Sunday 2nd of August 2015

I would definitely get out of the city and do these activities! Though I love visiting cities, I'm more of a nature gal myself :) Great list of a place I hope to visit sometime!

Mia

Sunday 2nd of August 2015

I absolutely love Vancouver but I have never been outside of the city. I'm there quite often as a flight attendant but I'm not sure this is close enough for a day trip. How far is the drive?

Lindsay

Tuesday 4th of August 2015

Hi Mia, All of these are MAX 1.5 hour drive from downtown van. you would need a car though! there is no "transit" option!

Francesca @onegrloneworld

Sunday 2nd of August 2015

Ohh, I've never been berry picking before! Looks like the perfect weekend getaway :)