The Township of Langley and the City of Langley are nestled together in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. It includes the historical village and National Historic site of Fort Langley on the south bank of the Fraser River. We cover both Langleys in this article.
Understand
Fort Langley Community Hall
The Township of Langley runs from the bank of the Fraser River to the US border in the south. To the west is Surrey, to the east is Abbotsford. To the north of the river are Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. Langley is considered the "Birthplace of British Columbia" because Fort Langley (founded 1827 about 3 km from the present fort) was the first capital and first significant non-native settlement in the mainland BC colony.
The two jurisdictions are seamless and few locals even understand the political boundaries between the city and the township.
- [dead link]Langley City Hall, 20399 Douglas Crescent, ☏ 1 604-514-2800. Offers maps and a "Pocket Tourism Guide".
- Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, #1-5761 Glover Road, ☏ 1 604-530-6656. Offers visitor information by phone.
Get in
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Map of Langley (British Columbia)
By plane
The nearest airport to Langley is a 30-minute drive to the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX IATA), while the Vancouver International Airport (YVR IATA) is a 45-minute drive in Richmond. The Bellingham International Airport (BLI IATA) is a 45-minute drive (plus border time) across the U.S border.
- 1 Langley Municipal Airport (CYNJ), 5385 216th St., ☏ 1 604-534-7330, fax: 1 604-534-7330, ✉[email protected]. A small general-aviation airport with a 2100' x 75' runway. Harbour Air Seaplanes offers three flights daily from Victoria harbour.
By car
- Highway 1A (the Fraser Highway) and the Langley Bypass (which becomes Highway 10) are convenient driving routes into Langley city. Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) runs through the township to the north of the city.
- The Golden Ears Bridge crosses the Fraser River at Walnut Grove (a Langley Township suburb) and takes you into Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.
By bus
- Translink has only thin coverage of Langley, but it exists. Frequent bus service operates from Surrey Centre (a transfer point for Skytrain from downtown Vancouver) to Langley Centre, a bus hub in the town. There is also bus service from Langley Centre to both Aldergrove and Pitt Meadows. A limited stop high bus service operates from North Langley to Production Way Skytrain Station in Burnaby.
- BC Transit offers one bus route from Aldergrove to Abbotsford and another bus route from North Langley to Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
Get around
Many parts of Langley consist of property on acreage: you will require a car to get around anywhere but central Langley city, which can be walked or biked.
By public transit
Public transportation in Langley is provided by Translink, with buses connecting direct to Surrey, White Rock, Burnaby and Pitt Meadows. Transfers may be made through King George SkyTrain Station in Surrey for easy transportation to Vancouver. Fares are as shown below. The Township of Langley and the City of Langley are both within one transit zone. To be applicable for a Concession fare, you must present a valid GoCard (provided to students of Secondary Schools in Langley), be a senior, or be a child.
| Zones | Adult | Concession |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3 | $1.95 |
| 2 | $4.25 | $2.95 |
| 3 | $5.75 | $3.95 |
| All buses and Skytrain on weekdays after 6:30PM, holidays, weekends | $3 | $1.95 |
Useful buses in Langley (these are not all of the buses in Langley, but they should provide useful service).
| Bus Number | Route | Frequency (min) |
|---|---|---|
| 502 | Aldergrove/Brookswood - Langley Centre - King George SkyTrain. Useful for accessing the SkyTrain service on the Millennium Line for transportation to Vancouver and YVR. | 15-60 |
| 531 | Willowbrook - Brookswood - White Rock. Provides frequent service to South Langley direct to White Rock Only frequent bus for access to Brookswood and South Langley. Great access to beaches in Surrey. | 30 |
| C63/C60 | Langley Centre - Langley Hospital - Brookswood/Fernridge - Langley Centre. A nice circle route through Langley and the most Southerly bus in Langley, within walking distance of 16th Avenue. | 60 |
| C62 | Langley Centre - Fort Langley - Walnut Grove. Travel the route to the historic Fort Langley via Walnut Grove. | 60 |
It is suggested that you do not rely on TransLink for transportation. Taxi service is available from the Langley Bus Loop. Most taxis in Langley are licensed to provide transportation to Vancouver International Airport in Richmond.
Access to Vancouver International Airport is possible by taking the SkyTrain to Waterfront Station and transferring to the Canada Line. Please note that there is a $5 airport access fee if you take train from (not to) YVR.
See
Canadair CT133 SilverStar at the Canadian Museum of Flight
- 1 Canadian Museum of Flight, Hangar # 3 - 5333 216th St, ☏ 1 604-532-0035, fax: 1 604 532-0035, ✉[email protected]. 10AM-4PM daily. This tiny museum preserves a surprisingly large collection of aircraft significant to Canadian aviation in a corner of Langley airport. The hangar has some smaller planes and displays on the two World Wars and Women in Aviation. Some larger planes are on display outside. $10 (adult), $7 (students/seniors).
Fort Langley National Historic Site, the Big House
Fort Langley, View from Northeast Bastion
- 2 Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Ave, ☏ 1 604-513-4777, fax: 1 604 513-4798, ✉[email protected]. 10AM-5PM. The Hudson's Bay Company established their trade operation here on the Fraser River as a transshipment location for European made goods (blankets, metalware, rope, clothing, etc.) destined for interior posts and natural resources (furs, salmon, cranberries, butter, salt meat) to external markets. On November 19, 1858, in the Big House of the fort, Governor James Douglas, with Judge Matthew Bailie Begbie and other dignitaries of the British crown, read the proclamation from Queen Victoria that established the Colony of British Columbia. Today, Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada helps to tell the story of local fur trade and agricultural pursuits, as well as the colonization story and the ongoing history of the area. In the one original and half-dozen reproduction buildings, there are films, exhibits, and some hands-on demonstrations of blacksmithing and gold-panning. During the summer, there are daily campfires at 7PM with marshmallows and stories. You can take day-long blacksmithing or canoeing adventures. Special events include Canada Day, horse- and ox- and wagons rides, and a historic reenactment dinner. Adult $7.80, senior $6.55, children under 18 are free, group and season discounts available.
- 3 Greater Vancouver Zoo, 5048-264th St (Highway 1 to Exit 73, then south), ☏ 1 604-856-6825. May-Sep: daily 9AM-7PM, Oct-Apr: daily 9AM-4PM. Mid-sized zoo with a range of animals, including lions, tiger, giraffe, zebras, hippo and monkeys. The train ride around the zoo is popular, as are the hippo and giraffe feedings. The distances can be large, so bikes are available for rent or you can bring your own. // Children and seniors $17, student $19, adult $24, train ride $5, parking $6.
Do
- 1 Krause Berry Farms, 6179 248 Street, ☏ 1 604 856-5757, ✉[email protected]. Jun-Aug: M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su & holidays 9AM-6PM; Sep-Oct: W-Su 9AM-5PM; Nov-Dec: Th-Su 10AM-6PM. U-pick berry farm, market, bakery, estate winery, and waffle bar.
- Fantasy Balloon Charters (at Langley Airport), ☏ 1 604 530-1974. Hot-air balloon flights.
- Sundance Balloons, ☏ 1 604 533-7552. Hot-air balloon flights.
- 2 Vancouver Giants Hockey, 7888 200th St (at the Langley Events Center). Vancouver's junior hockey team. Not quite as skilled as the pros at Rogers Arena, but a cheaper and sometimes more entertaining option if you want to catch a hockey game while in town. Games are usually 2-3 teams a week from Oct through April. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the box office. $17.50 and up.
Wineries
- 3 Domaine de Chaberton Estate Winery tours, 1064 216 Street (on 216th Street between 16 Ave to the north and 8 Ave to the south), toll-free: 1-888-332-9463, fax: 1 604 533-9687, ✉[email protected]. Tours daily, Feb-Nov at 2PM, 4PM; Dec-Jan at 3PM (weather permitting). Home of the Chaberton and Canoe Cove labels, this 55-acre winery was founded in 1975 by Claude and Inge Violet of France. Conventional wisdom in the Okanagan Valley vineyards was that they were "mad" to found the first winery in the rainy Fraser Valley, but they had found a favourable microclimate. See also the Bacchus Bistro and the wine shop at the winery. Picnic tables and ample parking, fairly large tasting room and gift shop. Tasting and tours free.
- 4 The Fort Wine Company, 26151 84 Avenue, ☏ 1 604-857-1101, toll-free: 1-866-921-9463, fax: 1 604-857-1139, ✉[email protected]. Summer: daily 10AM-7PM; closed Christmas, Boxing Day & New Year's Day. A premium fruit winery making table and dessert wines. Free wine tasting, and winery tours (Sunday 1PM and 3PM only). See Eat for their Outpost Eatery.
- 5 Backyard Vineyards, 3033 232 Street (on 232 St just south of 29B Ave), ☏ 1 604 539-9463. M-Th 11AM-5PM; F-Su 11AM-6PM. Vineyard and winery at this site. Tours at 1PM, 3PM daily (May-Aug). Also offer wine tasting (four samples/person) and sales. Tasting $7/person; tour & tasting $15/person.
- 6 Township 7 Vineyards & Winery tasting, 21152 16 Avenue (at the corner of 16th Avenue and 212th Street), ☏ 1 604-532-1766, ✉[email protected]. 11AM-6PM daily. Since 2001. Wine tasting and sales at the winery. They also have a branch in Penticton. Picnic tables, and interesting information panels by the vineyard. Tasting limited to five samples of winery's choice. Free.
- 7 Blackwood Lane Vineyards & Winery, 25180 8 Avenue, ☏ 1 604-856-5787, fax: 1 604-856-5784, ✉[email protected]. Makes small quantities of high-quality wines from grapes grown on their 12 acres here and in the Okanagan. They are building a Tuscan-style winery complete with the Fraser Valley's only wine cave. Tastings by appointment.
Events
- [dead link]Langley Canada Day Celebrations, MacLeod Athletic Park, corner of 56th Avenue and 216 Street (across the street from Langley Airport), ☏ 1 604 522-6232, fax: 1 604-539-9591. June 30-July 1: 11AM-11PM. This two-day celebration of Canada is held on or near Canada Day, July 1st, each year. It is one of the largest in the province. It is a family-oriented event with stage shows, music, games, static aircraft displays, and more. Free entrance and parking, some activities have a charge.
Buy
Main Street, Fort Langley
Langley offers a wide variety of stores offering equestrian supplies. Being "the horse capital of BC", there exist many places to buy whips, saddles, feed, and other horse (and general livestock) provisions.
Other shopping areas in Langley are:
- 1 Downtown Langley (Langley City; around Fraser Hwy between Glover Rd & 200 St). Downtown Langley is home to over 500 unique shops, services and restaurants. This pedestrian-oriented shopping area features free parking, and includes historic Innes Corners, trendy McBurney Plaza as well as the Cascades Casino Resort.
- 2 Fort Langley. Fort Langley has about 80 businesses and its commercial core has a mix of services, restaurants and retail stores. Centred along Glover Road, it's known for its selection of independent businesses and historic character.
- 3 Willowbrook Shopping Centre (Willowbrook Mall), 19705 Fraser Highway. The largest shopping centre in Langley and lies directly across from the city limits of Surrey. Willowbrook has over 150 stores and services. Its anchor stores are Hudson's Bay, H&M, Toys "R" Us, and Sport Chek
Eat
- Bacchus Bistro, 1064 - 216 Street (Located at Domaine de Chaberton Estate Winery, on 216th Street between 16 Ave to the north and 8 Ave to the south), ☏ 1 604 530-9694, fax: 1 604 533-9687, ✉[email protected]. W Th Su 11:30AM-3PM; F Sa 11:30AM-3PM and 5:30PM-9:30PM; M Tu closed. Authentic French cuisine with fresh ingredients from the Fraser Valley, overlooking the Domaine de Chaberton vineyard. Lunch five days/week, dinners on Friday and Saturday. Reservations recommended. Also hosts parties and receptions. Lunch about $30, dinner about $50.
- Mr. Mike's Steakhouse & Grill, 300-20020 Willowbrook Drive, ☏ 1 604-534-1100. 11AM-11PM. The revised version of the historic Mr. Mike's West Coast Grill. Now a full-service casual restaurant. The MikeBurgers are exactly as you remember them, however the salad bar is no longer. Try the Shrimp Stuffed Shrooms and see if you can finish the Avalanche MikeBurger: two patties, Mikesauce, bacon, mushrooms, lettuce, onion, and tomato on a toasted French loaf bun. Seating is all first-come, first-served- no reservations.
- Outpost Eatery, 26151 84th Avenue, toll-free: 1-866-921-9463, fax: 1 604-857-1139, ✉[email protected]. Soups, salads, cheese platters, side dishes. Part of the Fort Wine Company. Reservations accepted. $5-10.
- Seh-Mi Japanese Restaurant, Unit 115 - 20151 Fraser Highway (across the parking lot from the PriceSmart Foods), ☏ 1 604-534-3662. Excellent Japanese restaurant run by a family of Koreans. Some very innovative sushi here. Try the crispy salmon roll. Saturday nights are very busy, with 10-15 min line-ups. Takeout available. less than $10.
- Sushi Gio, 20177 88 Ave #1 (Hwy exit 200 St. then get one 88 Ave), ☏ 1 604 371-2411, ✉[email protected]. 11AM-9PM. This is one of the best sushi restaurants in town. The restaurant is located in the Walnut Grove area and takes reservations and take out. The food is always fresh and the atmosphere is suitable for family outings.
Drink
- Gabby's Country Cabaret.
Sleep
- [dead link]Best Value Inn, 19650 Fraser Highway (on Fraser Highway at Highway 10).
Go next
- Vancouver is 45 minutes drive to the northwest, and offers rich attractions
- the regions around Vancouver, such as Vancouver eastern suburbs, Vancouver southern suburbs and the North Shore, have a lot to offer.
| Routes through Langley |
| Vancouver ← Surrey ← | W .svg/22px-BC-1_(TCH).svg.png){kind=small} E | → Abbotsford → Hope |
| Delta ← Surrey ← | W  E | → END |
| END ← | N  S | →  → becomes  → Lynden → Bellingham |