I’d driven through Abbotsford, BC many times, but I didn’t think of it as the destination until Tourism Abbotsford extended an invitation to my husband Tyler and I. And wow, what a place to stop and smell the roses! Or should I say, to smell the apples, pumpkins, and crisp air steeped in cider… all the farm-fresh goodness that fall has to offer. If you’ve enjoyed a stay in Abbotsford, you know. And if you haven’t, let me try to illustrate how special a little city it is!

This experience was gifted by Tourism Abbotsford (lucky me!) but all opinions are my own.

Here’s how we spent some of the best hours of the season.

🍏 Taves Family Farms & Taves Estate Cidery

With orchards, pumpkins, cider, and all things autumn, Taves Family Farms was a love letter to fall during our visit. The Magic of Fall experience (running mid-September through October) includes apple-picking, the pumpkin patch, goji berries, hayrides, corn mazes, jumping pillows, and petting barnyard animals. There’s even a princess carriage in the pumpkin patch for those Insta moments.

One highlight: the Magical Pumpkin Garden built with rows upon rows of pumpkins. Although I thought this through much of the trip, seeing the little elf house with real smoke coming out of the chimney made me sigh, “I wish our kids were here!”

We ended our visit here with cider flights in a beautiful little yard that invites visits from baby goats around three sides. Everyone there was as taken with the place as we were! And the cider felt like tasting the orchard itself.

🎃 Maan Farms Country Experience

More pumpkins? Yesssss, but at Maan Farms, it’s not just pumpkins. It’s a country experience in the truest sense. We walked through their pumpkin maze (which is beyond), wished again that we could transport our children there to enjoy the Barnyard Adventureland, fell in love with animals in the petting zoo, and dodged through corn mazes. Playful and nostalgic!

We ate at Mama Maan’s Kitchen there, enjoying samosas and chickpea curry. And we had seasonal delight treats from the snack bar of apple pie nachos, a pumpkin spice ice cream treat, and mini donuts. We left full and happy.

🍽️ Dining: The Table Bistro & The Polly Fox

After all the farm smells and pumpkin patches, we cleaned up enjoyed some refined meals.

The Table Bistro is modern, thoughtful dining. Elevated, artfully plated, but familiar and DELISH. Look at this fig and pear pizza! The cocktail bar is also fab, and the service was so warm and attentive that it felt like being their personal guests. Shoutout to our server (wish I could remember her name) who was wearing an Employee of the Month button she winked and admitted to buying. So funny and cute.

The Polly Fox is gluten-free, peanut & sesame free, with vegan and dairy-free goodies too… but for all of those labels it sure doesn’t have a “restricted diet” feel. The food is flavourful and fun with well-made specialty coffees and one of the yummiest apple fritters I’ve had. My Keto Avo Toast was a knife and fork feast. Not often you find a bakery-bistro that treats allergen concerns as a chance to be creative instead of compromised, is it?

🌺 Historic Downtown & Wandering

Between farms and meals, we wandered Downtown Abbotsford. Brick buildings, florals brimming over planters, little shops with personality, and lots of public art. I’d love to come back with less of a schedule because I’d love to have done a full day downtown with a coffee crawl. It’s very charming.

🌙 Taste of Abby Night Market: The Highlight

If there was a highlight, it was The Taste of Abby Night Market in Jubilee Park. Live music, food tents and trucks, stands from places on our itinerary and ones we hadn’t, all under strings of lights at dusk. You get tokens to try a bunch of things, so you can graze on tiny bites of flavour, local wines or ciders, something sweet, something spicy. It’s community, creativity, and celebration. In total, it’s not just a taste of Abbotsford but a feast.

🌿 Aaaand…

If there’s one thing this trip to Abbotsford taught me, it’s that passing through doesn’t equal knowing a place. I didn’t know Abbotsford is the largest city by geography in BC. I didn’t know how friendly and genuine the folks there are. I didn’t know it’s the most fertile place in the Fraser Valley. Our whole experience felt so literally down to earth and wholesome.

Home base during our stay was the Sandman Hotel- Airport. It was comfy and had good service. Plus, it’s a Canadian company! Despite Abbotsford being the largest city in BC, every destination was only 10 min or so from the hotel by car.

I’d love to do that coffee walking tour with my husband. And I’d love to do a wine tour with girlfriends. And yet, I’d also love to bring the kids next time to enjoy the farms! Whoever I end up traveling with, I’m looking forward to my next trip there. Abbotsford, you surprised me. Thank you!

Maygen