Unique Vancouver Getaways: Glamping in a Fort in Langley, BC

Summer is officially here, and we're all about the Vancouver weekend getaways! We discovered this totally unique glamping experience in Fort Langley, BC, and you have to check it out if you're looking for glamping near Vancouver. You stay overnight in the "otentiks"... in an actual fort. It's kind of amazing.

To help fuel your weekend getaway, we're also sharing 3 places to explore in Langley, BC Canada:

Glamping near Vancouver: Stay at the Fort Langley Otentiks

Growing up in Metro Vancouver, we would visit the "fort" in elementary school on field trips, but we never thought we would one day stay overnight in the fort! The Fort Langley Otentiks are a super unique glamping experience, and it's kind of an underground secret. If you're not familiar with the fort, it's a former Hudson's Bay Company trading post, and the entire property is surrounded by a large fence (which is perfect if you want to let your kiddos run free). 

There are 5 Otentiks inside the Fort,  and each otentik can fit 6 people. Whether you want to come on your own with friends, or rent them all with a big group, this is a super fun place to hang out! And at $120/night, it's also a great deal.

Each tent comes with bunk beds, dishes, a barbecue, and all the essentials, but you'll need to bring your own bedding. You can bring your own alcohol, have a campfire and roast marshmellows, and just hang out with your friends or family. It's also super close to the main street in Fort Langley, so you don't even have to cook if you don't want to!

Things to Do in Langley, BC: 3 Hip Places to Explore

Fort Langley is about an hour away from Vancouver, and it's a super adorable, small historic town. The area is getting pretty hip, with a craft brewery, cool coffee shop, and lots of boutiques to wander through. It's a great way to break up your stay at the Otentiks and explore a new region of BC! 

1. Coffee at Unit 4 in Fort Langley

When you wake up in the fort and need your morning Americano, make your way to the new Unit 4 coffee shop in Fort Langley. They brew Vancouver's Elysian coffee, and we love their vibrant atmosphere and yellow coffee cups! 

2. Craft Beer Tasting at Trading Post

Whether you want to try a tasting flight or sit down for a delicious meal, Trading Post is our top pick for things to do in Langley! This location is a taphouse and eatery, serves their own local craft beer, along with a large menu of delicious food and drinks. Plus, the decor is so Canadian. 

3. Cider Tasting at Fraser Valley Cider

If you're looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon in Langley, look no further than Fraser Valley Cider! It's located a short drive from Fort Langley, and it's the only cidery in the Fraser Valley. Stop in to try a flight of ciders, grab a bottle to go, or sample some of their local charcuterie boards. 

We loved sitting outside in the sunshine on their picnic tables and enjoying some of their unique ciders, like the elderflower cider! All of their ciders are made from BC grown apples, and it was such a charming spot to spend an afternoon in Langley. We'll be back! 

Whether you're looking for a fun weekend getaway, an afternoon road trip from Vancouver, or just want to have some fun in Langley, BC, you'll have an awesome time at these spots! Looking for more weekend getaways from Vancouver or things to do in Vancouver? Check out our Vancouver page here!

This post is in partnership with Destination BC, you can find even more BC trip inspiration at explorebc.ca!  

7 Cool Things to Do in Abbotsford & Chilliwack

Looking for things to do in Abbotsford and Chilliwack? We recently explored the Fraser Valley on a short road trip, and it was an awesome summertime day trip from Vancouver! Abbotsford and Chilliwack actually have a really cool food, coffee, wine, and beer scene popping up, so we loaded up the car with some friends and hit the road one weekend.

This Vancouver day trip is perfect for you if you love indulging in craft beer, charcuterie, and topping it all off with a relaxing afternoon at the lake! Here are 7 fun things to do in Abbotsford and Chilliwack:

Fun Things to Do in Abbotsford

1. Craft Beer and Charcuterie at Field House Brewing

This is definitely one of the coolest breweries in BC! Field House Brewing is right up there with 33 Acres when it comes to a hip decor and ambiance in their tasting room (and tasting lawn), but their beer is seriously so good. Like, need to buy a ton of 'chubbies' to take home, best in BC, kind of good. 

We absolutely loved sitting on their lawn, with picnic blankets and Field House-orange lawn chairs provided for you to lay out and relax in the sunshine. In addition to having awesome craft beer flights, they also have an amazing food menu. We gobbled up tacos, but their local charcuterie board was to die for. We'll definitely be making our way back to Abbotsford just to visit Field House Brewing (and stock up on those Dutch Pale Ales). 

2. Coffee With Friends at Old Hand Coffee

No good road trip from Vancouver can start without good coffee, and we recommend starting your day at the hip Old Hand Coffee in Downtown Abbotsford (they recently changed locations, so make sure you're going to the right one). Whether you want a yummy homemade Dutch pastry for breakfast or a delicious vegan sandwich for lunch, there's a ton of snacks to pair with your expertly-crafted cortado. 

3. Explore Montrose Street in Historic Downtown Abbotsford

Enjoy the slow(er) life of being away from the city as you wander through this cute, historic main street in Abbotsford. Whether you want to go vintage shopping at The Market or indulge in a freshly-baked croissant at Duft & Co Bakehouse (one of BC's most-talked about bakeries), this is a fun pit stop just a few blocks down from Old Hand Coffee.

Spruce Collective is an Abbotsford staple, and definitely a must for when you visit! We love this shop full of local and independent home goods, clothing, and beauty products (featuring some of our favorite local brands like Woodlot and Pink House). 

4. Wine Tasting in a Chapel at Seaside Pearl Winery

One of the best things about visiting the Fraser Valley is soaking in all the rolling green hills and soaring mountain landscape in the country! The brand new Seaside Pearl Winery in Abbotsford is like stepping into a country fairytale, complete with a long driveway, white picket fence, and horses grazing next to a tasting room in a chapel. Definitely stop by for a tasting and a visit with the family behind this winery, it's a great local vibe that makes you feel instantly at home. 

Things to Do in Chilliwack:

5. Brewery Hop Your Way Around Chilliwack

After you've enjoyed your time in Abbotsford, it's time to head to the lake! But before you do, take some time to explore Chilliwack and some of their great craft breweries (we told you this was a Vancouver day trip for the beer enthusiasts!). On Chilliwack's historic Mill Street you'll find Chaos & Solace Brewing, and closer to Cultus Lake is Old Yale Brewing. Enjoy a flight or fill up your growlers to go, either way you'll be more than satisfied! 

6. Suntan on the Docks at Cultus Lake

We are all about lake life during the summer, and BC  has so many awesome lakes to enjoy! We really love Cultus Lake in Chilliwack, because they have a super unique dock set up. There's so many docks, it's easy to find a spot with your friends, lay out the blankets, and picnic all afternoon. Jump in to cool off or lay out to warm up, either way you'll be enjoying all that BC's summer have to offer here! 

7. Canoeing at Sunset at Cultus Lake

After your tummy is full, your skin is wet, and your body well-rested, it's time for a little sunset adventure! Main Beach Boat Rentals have pedal boats, paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes for rent, and this is one of the prettiest (and easiest) places to go out on the water. Perfect for that #explorebc Instagram post ;)

We hope you love this list of fun and hip things to do in Abbotsford and Chilliwack! This really is such a fun road trip from Vancouver, and it's the perfect route to head out on the road with friends for the day. Want more things to do in BC? Follow us on Instagram at @localwanderer or check out 7 Gorgeous Weekend Getaways from Vancouver!

This post is in partnership with Destination BC, you can find even more BC trip inspiration at explorebc.ca

Seattle Travel Guide: 15 Places to Eat, Drink, & Shop in Capitol Hill

Our Seattle travel guide is here! We are so excited to finally bring you our #1 most requested travel guide, and because there's sooo much to do in Seattle, this guide is all about one neighborhood: Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill is one cool neighborhood, located close to downtown but in it's own enclave of hip restaurants, bars (Capitol Cider), boutiques, and coffee shops (Porchlight Coffee). Check out these places to eat, drink, and shop in Capitol Hill with our Seattle travel guide: 

Where to Stay in Seattle: Best Airbnb 

Finding a good place to stay in Seattle is actually pretty hard! There aren't a lot of cool, boutique hotel options (the Ace is in kind of a weird location), so we usually opt for staying in an Airbnb instead! Our friends Rhett & Kelly have this bright and cheery 2 bedroom Seattle Airbnb, and it's in the BEST location. Seriously. While this post is all about Capitol Hill, we actually love their place because its central to a lot of Seattle neighbourhoods like Ballard, Fremont, and Wallingford, that we like to visit too!

This awesome Seattle Airbnb is also huge, and it's a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom which makes it perfect for staying with fiends! Kelly & Rhett have 2 young kids themselves, so they've made sure to make the place kid-friendly and stocked with any kid essentials too (not that we would know what those are :P). You can save their place to your Airbnb wishlist here! Thinking of trying out Airbnb for your next trip?

Get $40 in FREE Airbnb credit when you sign up with our link! Use it now or save it for later:

Seattle Travel Guide: Best Places to Eat, Drink and Shop in Capitol Hill

Stateside

Our current Settle obsession is the modern, oh so delicious Vietnamese brunch at Stateside, definitely one of the best restaurants in Capitol Hill! We love the cheery decor, and the unique brunch menu is full of both savoury (shrimp open faced omelette, crispy duck rolls) and sweet (saigon cinnamon brioche french toast, or the Hong Kong style charcoal waffles). It was so good that we went back two days in a row! 

Oddfellows

If you want the classic, Instagrammable Seattle experience, a visit to Oddfellows in Capitol Hill should be at the top of your list. The rustic Americana decor is on point, there's a cute patio in the back (or in the frong), and the happy hour menu is awesome.

Nube

After leaving Oddfellows, there are a ton of places to visit in Capitol Hill on this street. One of them is Nube, a unique shop that features home goods and clothing that are all American-made, with an emphasis on repurposed or organic materials.

Totokaelo

Totokaelo is probably the prettiest store in all of Seattle, and even if you can't afford to splurge on their insane shoe collection, it's worth a visit just to check it out (and take a selfie in their amazing selfie mirror, obviously). 

Elliott Bay Bookstore and Little Oddfellows

Elliott Bay Bookstore is the kind of independent bookstore that you can sit in for hours and never get bored. It's cozy, intimate, and never seems to end. Keep walking to the back though, and you'll find Little Oddfellows, the new coffee shop version of Oddfellows. They also have a great selection of fun lit merch like totes and mugs, which make good gifts to bring home! 

If you're looking for more of the best restaurants in Capitol Hill, Lost Lake Cafe is the perfect place for some casual and cheap eats, and we recommend Plum Bistro for all you vegetarians (or aspiring vegetarians). 

Likelihood

Seattle's only men's footwear store is Likelihood, and whether you're looking for some fresh kicks or just want to browse for a cool gift for your boyfriend, this is definitely a place to check out in Capitol Hill! 

If you're craving some really good doughnuts, General Porpoise is definitely where you want to visit in Capitol Hill! Chocolate marshmellow doughnut, anyone? If you'd rather your coffee with a side of cycling, head across the street to Metier Racing & Coffee, which is both a bike shop and a cafe. 

Bar Melusine

There's nothing like a beautiful restaurant with a serious pop of color, and Bar Melusine's signature green-teal makes it a perfect (and Instagrammable) dinner spot. If you love seafood (and especially oysters), you'll definitely want to check out this modern mermaid gem. 

Glasswing

One of the coolest places to shop in Capitol Hill, or Seattle for that matter, is Glasswing. You'll find an expertly curated selection of hip clothing, hip plants, and a ton of accessories you never knew you needed. 

Sitka & Spruce

Next door to Glasswing is a cool, local market, and inside of that you'll find Sitka & Spruce. We loved enjoying happy hour at their wine bar, it would also make the perfect date spot ;) 

Tallulah's

If you're looking for a good brunch in Capitol Hill, Tallulah's is at the top of the list. It's located away from the main strip in Capitol Hill, and we loved how many healthy brunch options there were! 

And there you have it! Definitely have fun and explore Capitol Hill in Seattle, there's sooo much to see and do, this is just a good place to get started! Stay tuned for our Seattle travel guides to Ballard and Fremont, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram @localwanderer for travel inspo!