The ultimate day trip itinerary to Chilliwack from Vancouver

Cultus Lake and farm-fresh corn are two things that prompt Vancouverites to head east to Chilliwack. But the Fraser Valley town has much more to offer than just a cold dip and fresh-off-the-cob kernels.

I discovered just how much during a recent day trip to the area. Despite passing through Chilliwack somewhat regularly on trips to the Okanagan, heading to the lake in the heat of summer, or hauling into the area for equestrian events, I’d never taken the time to explore Chilliwack in detail.

What I learned during my day trip is that, in addition to the outdoor activities and access to locally grown foods (because both really are in abundance there), is that it’s home to an ‘old town’ area that feels like a movie set, a tea shop that seems transported from the centre of Paris, features a used bookstore to get lost for hours in, and so much more.

Here’s everything you need to know about day tripping to Chilliwack from Vancouver.

How far is Chilliwack from Vancouver?

The Fraser Valley town is approximately 103 kilometres from downtown Vancouver. This translates to a one-hour, 30-minute to two-hour drive east on Highway 1, depending on the traffic. From Vancouver International Airport, Chilliwack is approximately a one-hour, 30-minute drive.

What’s the best way to get there?

Driving is the best way to get to Chilliwack. While there are a few mass transit options, driving a car is the quickest and most reliable way to ensure you get to and around the area exactly where, how and when you want to.

If driving isn’t an option, there is an Ebus service that goes from Vancouver to Chilliwack , stopping in Surrey and Abbotsford in between, before continuing on to Kamloops and beyond. Chilliwack is also accessible by transit on the 66 Fraser Valley Express (FVX) bus, operated by B.C. Transit .

What’s the best time to go?

To make the most of your day in Chilliwack, it’s best to go early. To avoid major traffic delays, mid morning might be best. Or depart well before the rush-hour traffic of Vancouver, which is heaviest between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

What to do while visiting Chilliwack?

While there are many areas to consider on a day trip to Chilliwack, if you’ve never been or haven’t been in a while, consider starting in the historic downtown area, which includes District 1881.

The walkable neighbourhood, which features plenty of free, three-hour parking on surrounding streets, has cafés, boutiques, resale stores, art galleries and much more. We stopped into a few of the boutiques, including the flagship store for the stunning local accessories brand Raquel Rosalie Jewelry (#105-45939 Thunderbird Ln.).

Across the intersection from the stylized district, which feels like a movie set for a Hallmark film, we strolled down the old downtown area on Wellington Avenue. There, we lost track of time perusing the shelves in the new and used bookstore The Book Man (45939 Wellington Ave.) as well as Chilliwax Records (45895 Wellington Ave.), both of which are must-stop shops for those who love music, books and more.

The area is home to an abundance of boutiques, designer resale stores, thrift shops and more for the fashion enthusiast.

Where to eat?

If you love coffee and tea, you’re in luck. Chilliwack is home to several noteworthy local cafés, coffee roasters and even a tea shop that features more than 90 different types of teas.

Located on a quiet side street in the old downtown district, Marais Tea Co. (9375 Mill St.) is a family run café that serves in-house and locally made baked goods, espresso drinks and tea lattes that are inspired by the seasons. In addition to the expansive selection of looseleaf teas, the space also features a charming outdoor patio as well as an adjoining boutique that features finds from one of the owner’s frequent treasure hunts in Paris.

One of the newer additions to downtown Chilliwack, Amato Trattoria (45959 Wellington Ave.) is a stylish spot to enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner. The Italian restaurant is within a restored historic building and has an outdoor patio space that’s a perfect spot for a summer meal.

Next time we visit, we’ll be sure to save room for the Burrata Bar, which has shareable servings of soft, fresh burrata cheese paired with seasonally inspired ingredients.

After all that sipping, strolling and food, consider taking a nature walk on the Fraser Trail. Accessible from Island 22 Regional Park (44955 Cartmell Rd.), the trail along the Fraser River offers a family and dog-friendly afternoon activity that could keep you busy for hours. No, really.

The 18 kilometre stretch is part of the greater Canyon to Coast trail, which connects from Hope to Richmond.

What to do if you have a little more time?

If you can make a weekend of it, consider completing The Circle Farm Tour. The self-guided tour highlights local farms, growers and makers in the area, including the Minter Country Garden centre (10015 Young Rd.) owned by Vancouver Sun gardening expert Brian Minter.

In addition to highlights such as Chilliwack River Valley Natural Honey (43476 Adams Rd.) and the Rustic Soap Co. (42537 South Sumas Rd.), the Circle Farm Tour experience can be expanded to include stops in nearby Fraser Valley destinations including Abbotsford and Langley.

Read our Whistler day trip guide HERE.

Read our Galiano Island day trip guide HERE.

Did we miss any of your favourite activities for a Chilliwack day trip? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: vancouversun.com