Fort Langley Day Trip
Enjoy an day trip from Vancouver to Fort Langley where you can explore the historic site as well as many boutique shops and restaurants

Located east of Vancouver in the lower Fraser Valley, Fort Langley can be reached from downtown Vancouver in under 2 hours using public transit. You will easily be able to spend the better part of a day exploring this historic site and the neighbouring village making this an ideal spot for a day trip from Vancouver.
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 the BC Farm Museum, a CN Rail Heritage Site, and several art galleries.
Fort Langley National Historic Site
The Fort Langley National Historic 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 to early colonial times making this an interesting and educational and fun experience for the entire family. You will be greeted by people dressed in period costumes and you will learn a lot about the early evolution of British Columbia and the significant role of the First Nations who traded with the Colonial settlers. Much of this early period of trade and development was fueled by the Gold Rush.
Fort Langley Historic Village
As engaging as it is, the National Historic Site is just a portion of what the village has to explore. The BC Farm Museum, open from the beginning of April until the end of September, is located right across the road. 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 find many of the shops here, unlike most tourist areas, offer good value for your money.
There are wonderful places to enjoy a meal as too. We would suggest Sushi Hinode Japanese Restaurant on Mavis Avenue for excellent value on sushi and Japanese cuisine, or visit the rustic Trading Post Eatery on Glover Road and choose from their selection of hearty burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. 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.
A day trip to the quaint and beautifully restored village of Fort Langley is an exciting journey back in time and a pleasant change of pace from the big city.
For more information about the town of Fort Langley visit: Tourism Langley
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: No with the exception of visiting the National Historic Site and other local museumsFort Langley National Historic Site of Canada Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 23433 Mavis Ave, Langley Twp, BC V1M 2R5, Canada
Phone: (604) 513-4777
Official Website: Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada
Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada Reviews
Rated
Fort Langley is a fascinating place to visit, offering a perfect mix of history, culture, and scenic views. The historic site takes you back in time to the early days of Canada’s fur trade era. The staff, dressed in period costumes, create an authentic atmosphere, and the interactive activities, like gold panning and blacksmith demonstrations, are great for both adults and kids.
The village surrounding the fort is charming, with boutique shops, cozy cafés, and restaurants offering delicious food. It’s also a great spot for a leisurely walk along the Fraser River.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful day trip, Fort Langley is definitely worth exploring.
Anna Zapolska - 4 months ago
Fort Langley is a place where history isn’t just read off plaques but practically jumps out at you (sometimes quite literally, if the kids are particularly excitable).
I recently found myself here on a school field trip with my child, fully expecting to be the token adult who nods politely while secretly checking the time. But to my surprise, the visit turned out to be engaging, educational, and, dare I say, fun!
The instructors stationed at various buildings and spots around the fort were not just reciting historical facts like human audio guides. No, these were people who felt the history, who breathed life into the past, and who, rather impressively, managed to hold the attention of a group of school children (no small feat). They seamlessly switched between English and French, delivering thorough explanations with enthusiasm, often through interactive games. The result? The children actually learned something rather than just memorizing dates to forget immediately after.
What sets this place apart is that it doesn’t feel like a stagnant museum full of dusty artifacts. It could have easily been another collection of wooden structures with an “imagine this was exciting once” vibe, but thanks to the passionate staff, it felt like stepping into a time machine, minus the questionable 19th-century hygiene. The connection between the fort, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and Indigenous history was well explained, and the instructors ensured it wasn’t just a footnote but a significant part of the story.
Without them, the site might have been merely a well-preserved collection of logs. With them, it was a vibrant, immersive journey into the past. If only all history lessons were this engaging, I might have paid more attention in school.
The Duke of YVR - a month ago
You should definitely visit Fort Langley Museum—it’s an interesting place, and fun with kids too. It’s like a small village with different houses and functions. There are guides dressed in old-fashioned clothing to give explanations. The entrance fee is $9 per person, and it’s fairly worth it. It’s a great place to visit at least once.
Eva Zia - 6 months ago
Great staff. Fantastic job at preserving our history. Had a nice visit with Hazel, Indigenous interpretation staff. Must see!!
Della Stotski - 2 weeks ago
Fort Langley is a museum setting, the kind of place that you can really take your time and look around or zip through quite quickly. It's marketing slogan is "fur gold and the birth of Canada"
The actual fort is surrounded by the charming town of fort Langley with many shops and museums and eating places in town to enjoy your time. It's a highly recommended spot to spend a day, esp a hot summer day or the ice cream flows freely!
Blaine McDonald - a month ago
Directions
Skytrain and Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
---|---|---|
Expo Line | Surrey Central Station | 0 Minutes |
How to get to Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada by Skytrain and Bus
From the Expo line exit at Surrey Central Station catch the #501 Langley Centre bus at bay #2. Get off at Carvolth Exchange and Ride (about 39 minutes on the bus) and transfer to a #562 Walnut Grove / Langley Centre Bus at bay #11. Ride the #562 bus to the corner of 96th Avenue and Glover Road (about 18 minutes on the bus). The village is located along both sides of Glover Road - mostly to the north.
If you need to use a washroom after your trip out from Vancouver there are public washrooms in the beautifully restored Fort Langley Community Hall on the east side of Glover Road just north of where you get off the bus. You can access them via the public library which is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 5pm and located at the south end of the hall. There are also public washrooms just inside the main entrance of the Fort Langley National Historic Site.
To walk to the National Historic Site go north on Glover Road to Mavis Avenue (just before the railway tracks) and then go right (west). The entrance is a couple of blocks ahead on the left. You will also find Langley Centennial Museum right across the road.
For the return to Vancouver you can simply reverse the trip.
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A glimpse inside Fort Langley National Historic Site cc licensed photo by The Hadfields -
Photo Credit: Darcy.Rezac - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Darcy.Rezac - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Arbron - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Ruth and Dave - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Arbron - cc license via Flickr
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