Things To Do

Abbotsford's self-proclaimed nickname, "City in a Country", says it all.

Uurban amenities that include sophisticated dining, shopping and arts venues set in a landscape of working farms, art studios and refurbished historic communities.

Coupled with its temperate climate, Abbotsford is a year-round destination packed with activities for the entire family including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and golf. With several provincial parks, rivers and lakes in and around Abbotsford, there are many outdoor activities to experience.

Driving Routes

The Circle Farm Tour is one of the best ways to explore the Abbotsford countryside as it weaves along country roads to a myriad of farms selling everything from apples and preserves to gourmet ice cream. Many offer picnic parks, playgrounds and petting barns. The Circle Farm Tour is one of a few driving routes that pass through Abbotsford.

Historic & Heritage Sites

Route maps include stops at beautiful garden nurseries and in heritage neighborhoods like Clayburn Village and the Historic Downtown where turn-of-the-century buildings house specialty boutiques, quaint tea shops and stores filled with local produce, English-style candy and gifts.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Tour

The Arts, Culture and Heritage Tour also takes in Abbotsford's historic communities as well as several home-based studios and galleries scattered across the countryside. These include artisans in copper, clay, glass and other mediums. Don't miss The Reach, a destination gallery and museum with its innovative exhibits, and Kariton Gallery in Mill Lake Park which features the work of many local artists.

Cycling & Mountain Biking

The flat, country roads around the Sumas Prairie are a delight to cycle for an hour, or for a full 40km/25mi circuit that takes most of the day. Meanwhile, the wilderness forests on Sumas and McKee mountains are mecca-like destinations for mountain bike enthusiasts. Here's where to find single and double track trails for all levels, especially technical routes to challenge the even the most expert riders.

Hiking

Many trails are shared with hikers who head for the mountain network for easy-to-walk loop trails as well as all-day excursions. Watch for wildlife and be aware that this is bear and cougar territory – though they tend to stay in the backcountry. Watch, too, for rock climbers and hang gliders.

Abbotsford Skydive Centre

For more airborne adventure, Abbotsford sky diving is the ultimate adrenalin rush. The Abbotsford Skydive Centre is open for jumps up to 12,500ft, seven days a week, weather permitting, and offers freefall tandem and independent jumps.

Winter Activities

Winter enthusiasts can get their fix of snow sports at Hemlock Valley (62km/39mi from Abbotsford, or at North Vancouver's three renowned ski areas, Seymour, Grouse and Cypress mountains).

Festivals & Events

Abbotsford has a busy events schedule, thanks to the TradeX complex. Some of the event highlights include:

Eat!Fraser Valley: Abbotsford's central valley location has made it a major event venue for many large scale trade and consumer shows that cover the gamut from its popular Motorcycle Show to the foodie's Nirvana, Eat!Fraser Valley.
Abbotsford International Airshow: The Abbotsford International Airshow attracts aircraft and participants from all over the world and is by far the largest event, taking over the entire TradeX complex as well as the adjacent Abbotsford Airport. Kids of all ages love the aerobatic displays as much as the static aircraft on display.
BerryBeat Festival & Agri-Fair: Other family-oriented events include BerryBeat Festival which fills Historic Downtown with entertainment, plein aire artists, market produce stalls and strawberry teas; and Abbotsford's Agri-Fair. Here's where to enjoy a showcase of the region's agricultural bounty alongside entertainment, a midway, rodeo and antique farm machinery displays.

Family Attractions

If the Circle Farm Tour's corn maze, farm animal petting barns, pumpkin cannons and pony rides don't suffice, then Castle Fun Park will do the trick. This year-round family play centre includes 18-hole outdoor and two indoor mini-golf courses, baseball batting cages, a Go Kart track and over 130 video and skill games.

There's no better way to fuel a child's enthusiasm for fishing than casting for trout at Abbotsford's two trout farms. The Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery adds fishing instruction and exhibits such as a beaver lodge to its experience which usually has youngsters wanting to explore (and care for) the great outdoors long after their visit.

For more information on things to do in Abbotsford, pop into the Visitor Centre (34561 Delair Rd).

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