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Abbotsford Real Estate Sights, Activities & Events
Air & Land Activities: With its vast network of walking, hiking and biking trails in the vicinity, Abbotsford appeals to outdoors enthusiasts. The region is a popular choice for golfers, thanks to warm summers, a year-round temperate climate and multiple golf courses. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, Abbotsford is a preeminent skydiving destination. As well, air tours leave regularly from Abbotsford International Airport to soar over the Lower Mainland. Cultus Lake Provincial Park proves a fine headquarters for adventure. Four campgrounds provide easy access to the park's many activities and amenities, including thickly forested hiking routes, waterskiing, swimming and of course, fishing (appropriate license(s) required). Families are also close by waterslides, bumper boats and restaurants. In Abbotsford, visitors can take advantage of the trails and boardwalk around Centennial Park's Mill Lake. Further afield, the Chilliwack River Valley boasts some of BC's most challenging hikes and strenuous climbs. Mountains in the area rise over 2,100 m (6,890 ft) above sea level.
Arts, Culture & History: Abbotsford is home to a thriving arts and cultural community, adding a cosmopolitan flair to the growing region. The city also pays homage to its heritage past. Step back in time in the restored 1912 Clayburn Village Store and Tea Shop to enjoy fresh currant scones with local jam. The Trethewey House Heritage Site features a restored 1925 Arts and Crafts house plus period gardens. Xá:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Centre near Mission is a National Historic Site that contains archaeological evidence of a 9,000-year-old Aboriginal village as well as two recently built pithouses, excellent examples of the semi-subterranean dwellings built by Sto:lo in the area as far back as 6,000 years ago.
Attractions: Abbotsford, one BC's most productive agricultural regions, is an accessible and popular agri-tourism destination. Visitors on the Circle Farm self-guided tour (brochures available at the Visitor Info Centre) experience the sights, sounds and tastes of some of the region's premier agri-tourism operators. This includes the Abbotsford Farm & Country Market. It showcases the best in locally produced products and crafts every Saturday from May until October. One of the province's most popular events is the Abbotsford Air Show, held annually in August. The show features thrilling military and civilian flying displays. And no trip to Abbotsford would be complete without a visit to Castle Fun Park, a 4.5-ha (11-ac) amusement park. The Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery also offers a fascinating experience for all ages.
Entertainment: There is no end to concerts, musicals and plays in Abbotsford. The Abbotsford Symphony Orchestra, just one of three professional symphonies in BC, features world-renowned guest soloists. The Fraser Valley Stage organizes full musical productions as well as plays and vocal concerts, while the Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts Society presents an annual season of theatre. Abbotsford also hosts many sporting events throughout the year. In addition, the Abbotsford Air Show, one of the province's most popular events, features thrilling military and civilian flying displays. Historic Downtown Abbotsford, incorporated in 1924, offers pedestrian-friendly shopping that runs the gamut from antiques and collectibles to home and garden gifts to produce and artisanal crafts fresh from the Fraser Valley.
Natural Sights, Parks & Wildlife: With one foot in the city and one in the country, nature is easy to find in the Abbotsford vicinity. Cultus Lake Provincial Park offers wonderful campgrounds; a large and warm lake; ample fishing (appropriate license(s) required), waterskiing and swimming opportunities; plus plenty of wildlife-viewing opportunities. The more remote Chilliwack River Valley, tucked away in the Cascade Mountain Range, offers many marvellous hiking routes. Adventure seekers can also get their thrills river-rafting and kayaking down the Chilliwack River. The best, year-round wildlife viewing is in the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve. Go in the early spring to see more than 100 active heron nests. In the fall, the area's rivers and creeks are swollen with spawning salmon, which attract a number of predator birds, including Bald Eagles.
Water Activities: Abbotsford is a major kayaking, river-rafting and fishing (appropriate license(s) required) destination. Conditions on the fast-flowing Chilliwack River are so good that the Canadian National Kayak Team uses it for training. The river's Class II to IV rapids provide river rafting adventures for both beginners and experienced thrill seekers. Anglers flock to the region due to its proximity to world-renowned salmon fishing on the mighty Fraser River and Steelhead fishing on the Chilliwack-Vedder River. In town, Mill Lake offers fishing and canoeing.
Winter Activities: The Hemlock Valley Ski Resort is a family-friendly ski hill just over an hour from Abbotsford that offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing. It has 35 runs, a vertical drop of 397 m (1,300 ft) and ski-in, ski-out accommodations. It's also very close to Harrison Hot Springs, so you can ski by day, then soak your tired muscles by night in Harrison's soothing, natural mineral pools.
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