The ultimate day trip itinerary to Chilliwack from Vancouver

A view of District 1881 in downtown Chilliwack. Start here on your day trip to the area. Photo by Aleesha Harris /PNG

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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A view of the Fraser River from The Fraser Trail. Photo by Aleesha Harris /PNG

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How far is Chilliwack from Vancouver?

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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.

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What’s the best way to get there?

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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.

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What’s the best time to go?

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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.

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New and used books at The Book Man in Chilliwack. Photo by Aleesha Harris /PNG

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What to do while visiting Chilliwack?

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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.

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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.).

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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.