Just outside of Vancouver, East of Surrey, you will find the countryside Township of Langley. With wide-open spaces and quaint neighborhoods, there are plenty of fun things to do in Langley BC. Whether you are looking for great eats, outdoor activities or to learn more about the history of British Columbia, you can find it all in Langley Township.
The Township of Langley borders the Fraser River to the North, the USA/Canada border to the South, Surrey and White Rock to the East and Abbotsford to the west. It covers a pretty large area, leading to a melting pot of farms and equestrian properties to boutique shopping. Right in the middle of the Township of Langley is the City of Langley. While a visitor would never know the difference, the City of Langley and the Township of Langley have different Mayors, councils and services. For ease of visiting, I have included things that are in the Township and the City.
Whether it is date night, girls night out or things to do in Langley with kids, there are plenty of options to choose from. Pack your day trip from Vancouver or another nearby city to Langley with as many of these activities as you can fit in!
Things to do in Langley for the Outdoor Lover
Horseback Riding In Langley
Langley is the horse capital of British Columbia, so mentioning horseback riding needs to be at the top of any Langley bucket list. Whether you visit in the spring, summer, fall or winter, there is horse-back riding all year round on the trails of Campbell Valley Park.
Glen Valley Stables is a popular option for those looking for a trail ride. They bring the horses right to the park, so guests do not need to worry about riding on the road in order to access the Campbell Valley Park Riding Trails.
Glen Valley Stables operates year-round (and allows reschedules due to rain) Closed Mondays
For those who are visiting in the fall and want to see more of the farms, check out the pumpkin patches in Langley during your visit.
Where to Eat in Langley
Diner Eats at Hilltop Diner
If you are looking for good food made from scratch in a quaint atmosphere, or perhaps if you want to feel taken back in time, or even if you want to visit a popular movie shooting location, grab a meal at Hilltop Diner in Langley. This 1940s style diner is small, but its meals are big! They do not serve fast food, they served perfectly cooked meals, with fresh and made from scratch ingredients, in an atmosphere full of guests who have time to sit and relax with their friends or family.
You will likely recognize Hilltop Diner as it is a popular movie spot for the dozens of locally produced TV shows and movies filmed in Langley. While I recognized it first in The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, you can also see it in Supernatural and many other films!
Hilltop Diner is open 7 days a week 8:00am to 2:30pm
Try Bannock…. Tacos
Yes, I said it, the popular Indigenous bannock is served up as the base for tacos at Lelem’ Cafe, an Indigenous-owned eatery in Fort Langley. Lelem’ translates into “house” in the traditional Kwantlen language. Their menu honors the food of the Kwantlen and the Katzie First Nations and their dessert honors the Polynesian families who lived alongside the First Nations people and the residents of the Fort during the fur trade in the 1800s.
Bannock is made in house every day and it forms the base for a variety of tacos including smoked salmon, shredded beef, chorizo sausage and mexi-tofu. Dole Whip is served up honoring the Polynesian families who made there home next to the Indiginous peoples in the 1800s.
Lelem Cafe Hours 10-6 offers generous patio seating. Limited indoor seating.
Learn about British Columbia’s History
Visit the Birthplace of BC – Fort Langley
Did you know that British Columbia was founded on the banks of the Fraser River in Fort Langley? You are in for a history lesson and one of BC’s oldest buildings (from the 1840s) when you visit this site. Managed by Parks Canada, Fort Langley is a National Historic Site and mostly outdoor activity in Langley. If you are looking for space, Fort Langley has it.
What to do in Langley for the Boutique Shopper
Wander Fort Langley’s Glover Road
Not just a Fort, but an entire neighborhood, Fort Langley offers boutique shopping and antique shopping. There are also weekend markets and plenty of events during the year.
Check out Bella and Wren, a boutique shop in Fort Langley offering hand-curated pieces designed to make women feel good about themselves.
Bella and Wren Hours Monday – Sat 10-5 Sunday 11-5
Well Seasoned
You know when you find a place that has everything you are looking for, Well Seasoned is the place. It supplies hard to find ingredients, as well as gourmet foods. They offer cooking classes and are one of the perfect things to do in Langley to find a treat for someone special in your life. Well Seasoned also offers a variety of Summer Picnic packs to grab and go for an evening picnic (you must arrange them in advance)
Organizing a Day Trip to Langley
If you are coming to explore Langley for the day, it is impossible to do everything in just one day. Pick and choose based on your interests and take a look at a map to plan out your day. Langley covers a pretty big area and is best visited by car. There is bus service, but it is not going to take you near quite a few outlying places, like Campbell Valley Park.
Packing for a Day Trip to Langley
When coming for the day, do not worry too much about your packing list. Depending on the season, ensure you dress appropriately. Bring bug spray for the summer months, sunscreen and a hat if you will be outdoors. Bring a reusable shopping bag for any treasures you discover while shopping, pack proper footwear for horseback riding, or boots for muddy farms if you are visiting in October. (check out this post for more things to to in Metro Vancouver in October)
Lindsay Nieminen is the creator of UncoveringBC.com. She grew up and still lives in the suburbs of Vancouver with her family. She aims to inspire inform, and educate others about traveling in her home province of British Columbia. She is also the creator of carpediemourway.com which aims to show parents how to seek out adventure at home or abroad, with their children in tow!