Abbotsford is a great, not so little anymore, city with so much to offer! There’s something for everyone to do. I’m going to give you three different scenarios of a dream visit to Abbotsford.
Downtown Abbotsford
You can easily spend an entire day in downtown Abbotsford. The first stop in the morning is to hit up The Habit Project on Essendene Ave. Grab yourself a great smoothie to get your day started off on the right foot. Next is shopping! Here are some of my favourites:
- Blueberry Meadows or Spruce Collective are for all your interior designing needs and inspiration. They have some pieces here I dream about having in my house some day!
- There are book shops you could spend hours browsing around in (Hemmingway Books and Records and Food for Thought Bookstore).
- More into Thrifting? Check out Hidden Treasures Thrift Store just off of George Ferguson Way.
- For all your clothing needs, head on over to Montrose & George or The Kindred Clothing Company. The Kindred Clothing has many adorable matching outfits for Moms and kids.
- Speaking of kids, be sure to check out Precious Kargo for some great clothes and toys!
- Ten Thousand Villages always has great variety of Fair-Trade items for sale. Shop and feel good about yourself while you do it!
There’s so much more I’m sure I’m missing, but it’s easy to spend a lot of time shopping. But now, it’s time for lunch!! Off you go to Duft & Co Bakehouse for some locally made treats and sandwiches! Grab a cup of amazing coffee (or tea!) to go as you head out on a busy afternoon. Let’s go to the spa!! Pinkies Nails is the place to go for your Mani/Pedi. After you’re done that, right next door is Sugar’d where you can try out some sugar hair removal services.
It’s been a busy day and I’m sure you’re ready to eat supper. Let’s head over to TownHall Public House for something to eat.
High Street Mall
High Street Mall is another place to spend the entire day and have everything you need right in one place! Another smoothie for breakfast? Let’s head over to Booster Juice to start.
After that, there’s a ton of places to shop all in walking distance within the outdoor shopping mall! (Umbrella’s are provided in case of rain.) There’s everything from clothing stores such as Below the Belt, H&M, RW & Co., Forever 21 Red, Gap Factory, Old Navy and Marshalls; shoe stores like Famous Footwear, Sketchers and Call it Spring; and home stores like Q Living Furniture, Quilts and Urban Barn. Not to mention Sephora, Davids Tea, Thyme Maternity and PetSmart.
After you’re all shopped out, it’s time to grab some lunch. Again, there are many restaurants to choose from. Memphis Blues BBQ House, Milestones and The Canadian Brewhouse & Grill are just a few of them.
In the afternoon, you can either go to the Spa again at Ritual Spa or to La Lash and Beauty Bar for some pampering. If you’re looking for something a little different, how about a work out at Steven Nash Fitness? There’s lot to keep you occupied.
And, you’ll have plenty of time to sit down and rest as you head to the VIP theatre at the Cineplex for a movie. You can order your food and drinks right at your super comfy seats and they’ll bring it to you. Be sure to arrive early enough that you can still get your order in before the show starts!
Active Day
Looking for something a little more active to do during the day? Here are some fantastic ideas you can do while you’re out and about in Abbotsford.
Start your day at the Abby Grind. VancouverTrails.com calls the Abby Grind “a steep hike that gains about 320 meters in 2km and ends at a scenic viewpoint looking southwest across Abbotsford.” It’s open year-round, takes about an hour and a half (depending on your fitness level) and is marked as an intermediate hike. It’s Abbotsford’s version of the Grouse Grind, not quite as hard as it though! Get started early enough in the day if it’s going to be a hot one and enjoy the early morning scenic views.
After you’re done the grind (and maybe showered), head over to Mill Lake Centennial Park for a nice picnic lunch. You can bring your own blanket and scope out a nice area on the grass, or snag one of the many picnic tables located all around the lake. The walk around the entire lake takes about 30 minutes. It offers some incredible views of Mt. Baker on a nice day and you can always catch some wildlife there. There’s always ducks and geese, but there are also two Bald Eagles that have a nest there, some turtles that like to hang out on the rocks and some great fishing (no power boats). Bring your canoe or kayak or even your rubber dingy for a nice paddle around the lake to see even more.
For supper head over to S&L Kitchen which has one of the best patios in town (in my opinion!) Their website says they “offers a casual upscale environment focused on bringing unique locally inspired dishes to our guests. Featuring craft cocktails, craft beer an impressive wine list, and a full host of signature dishes to dazzle your palate.” Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
So, as you can see there is LOTS to see and do in Abbotsford. Those are just 3 days that I came up with. There is so much more to see and do! Get out there and enjoy this city!
