Fort Langley Day Trip

Fort Langley is both a historic village which is home to about 2700 people as well as the location of a National Historic Site. It is also home to Langley Centennial Museum, CN Rail Heritage Site and several art galleries. The site was a former trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company. The original fort was set up in 1827 about 3 kilometres west of the present site. It was built on the south bank of the Fraser River to ensure British claims to both sides of the river and it then became the colonial capital until New Westminster was named the capital in 1859. The trading post was a major exporter of salted salmon packed inside cedar barrels as well as cedar lumber and shakes much of which was shipped across the Pacific all the way to Hawaii. In 1921 a major sawmill opened along the riverfront bringing considerable prosperity to the town, but by the 1980s the aging mill was in decline and it finally closed in the mid 1990s. Today the site of the mill has been converted to a housing development called Bedford Landing and the historic village has been revived as a popular tourist destination.

A visit to the Fort Langley National Historic Site will take you back in time to those very early colonial days making this an interesting and enjoyable experience for the entire family, however, the National Historic Site is just a portion of what the village has to offer. The old buildings and shops along the main street as well as some side streets have been beautifully restored and are now home to many boutique shops and restaurants. There are also a couple of art galleries and you will find numerous antique shops located throughout the picturesque village which are very interesting to explore. The selection and range of wares on display is second to none. You will also find that many of the shops here, unlike so many in tourist areas, offer very good value for your money. There are wonderful places to enjoy a meal as well. Try the Tokyo Garden on Mavis Avenue for excellent value on sushi and Japanese cuisine, or stop by Planet Jana 50s Soda Fountain Cafe for some nostalgia, burgers and refreshments all in one.

For a trip back in time and a change of pace from the big city an outing to the quaint and beautifully restored village of Fort Langley is a great way to to spend a day

It is good to note that several restaurants in Fort Langley take Monday as their day off so there are more choices for dining during the balance of the week. For more information about the town of Fort Langley visit: //www.fortlangley.com/