From July to August, as sunflowers begin to bloom, they signal the arrival of the sultry days of summer!
Seize the opportunity to bask in their golden beauty at Maan Farms or Taves Family Farms. Savour a glass of berry wine amidst the sunflower fields, or join Billy the goat for a cider at Taves Estate Cidery before autumn paints the leaves orange. And for a truly enriching experience, participate in floral workshops at Five Acres Flower Farms to ensure you make the most of your visit.
Check out our Sunflower Itinerary to start exploring today!
DAY ONE
Abbotsford’s newest cafe is definitely a must-visit for any coffee lover AND flower fan! Foxglove Floral Cafe is a creative-minded café & flower shop located in the historic Downtown Abbotsford Rail District. Their mission is to be a vibrant and inclusive space for community to flourish. Foxglove offers a full craft coffee and seasonal food menu, a creatively-designed space, fresh floral arrangements, and curated goods. (Photo Credit: Krista Dalrymple @kristadalrymp)
Nestled like a hidden gem, Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery stands as a cherished family-owned boutique winery in Mt Lehman where you will find their farm surrounded by rolling pasture, flowers, trees, and quiet country roads. Their passion lies in crafting small batches of artisanal wines, each bottle telling a story of dedication and expertise. We highly recommend booking a tasting in their elegant Chapel tasting room or if you’ve got a large group, you can book a tasting in their stunning barrel room.
Dinner time is here and we’ve got just the place for you! A beloved destination renowned for its tantalizing fusion of Montreal and New Orleans cuisines, Brodeur’s Bistro offers a delightful marriage of Canadian, French, and Cajun culinary traditions. Headed by Chef Jay Baker, their ever-evolving menu showcases a monthly rotation of delectable offerings, spanning from brunch classics to Montreal smoked meat, gourmet sandwiches, chicken, ribs, salads, pastas, and indulgent desserts.
Finish off your day with floral arranging workshop at Five Acres Flower Farm in Mt Lehman. Immerse yourself in a two-hour session where flower farmer Amanda will share insights on their vibrant blooms, offering tips on picking and nurturing them. Following her guidance, you’ll have the freedom to roam the fields, hand-picking your favorite blossoms (yes, really!) to create a stunning arrangement to grace your home.
DAY TWO
Who doesn’t want to start their day in a place that feels like “Tulum”? That’s what Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel said Re:Vive Boutique Bistro reminded her of when she was in Abbotsford recently shooting a film. In addition to being a beautiful shop for home decor, apparel, jewellery, gifts and more; they also offer an incredible menu of delicious breakfast items to choose from. Enjoy your first meal of the day in beautiful and inspiring setting before heading off for a day of exploring sunflower fields and sipping on beverages in the sun!
This next stop will keep you busy for at least a few hours because of just how much there is to see and do! At Maan Farms, you can wander through their incredible sunflower fields, pick your own fresh strawberries (when in season), enjoy a delicious lunch of samosas or Mama Maan’s butter chicken and then make your way over to do a wine tasting! Maan Farms Estate Winery wines are solely produced in house using their own berries, leaving no room for anything less than the best. These award winning wines are definitely worth a try!
It’s time to make your way over to Taves Family Farms! This is the great place to explore their beautiful fields of colourful sunflowers and make some new goat friends at the Taves Estate Cidery tasting room while you enjoy their delicious ciders and cocktails. Or, if you’d prefer, they also offer an amazing mocktail flight instead! Farming has been a way of life for the Taves family since the 1930s, when Opa purchased his first farm in the Southlands of Abbotsford. Going into the fourth generation, Taves Family Farms continues to thrive with Loren and Corinne Taves leading the way. The farming operation now grows over 60 acres of produce where they harvest everything from eggplant and heirloom tomatoes, to a variety of currants and berries to apples and pumpkins!
For your final stop of the day, pay a visit to Campbell’s Gold Honey Farm & Meadery for a special tour and tasting! This family-owned diversified farm operation and apiary are passionate about all things bees, from beekeeping and agri-education. When you visit their farm shop you can check out their premium beehive products, with a focus on specialty honeys and honey wine production. They welcome visitors of all ages to visit their farm, and are delighted to share our knowledge and passion with you! And you can enjoy their bee-friendly garden filled with flowers like sunflowers!
SUGGESTED ACCOMODATION: SANDMAN HOTEL & SUITES ABBOTSFORD AIRPORT
Wherever you’re headed, be sure to add Sandman Hotel & Suites Abbotsford Aiport to your itinerary. With sleek and stylish furnishings and super comfy beds, you’ll enjoy your stay away from home. And hey, stick around town for a bit, too.
To say the valley-to-mountain scenery here is breathtaking would be a massive understatement. The number of fun things to see, do and discover in Abbotsford is also a very long list.
We’re happy to offer pet-friendly suites, because we love pets. And, we’re mere steps from the city centre, so you can get your fix of exploring. Whether it’s at a mall, local attractions or taking in the rural landscape—that’s for you to decide. We suggest you do all of the above.
For ease and convenience, we’re not too far from the Trans-Canada Highway, Abbotsford International Airport, and the Canada-U.S. border. Just don’t forget your passport.
TAKE US WITH YOU THIS SUNFLOWER SEASON
Be sure to take us along on your adventures this sunflower season and tag @tourismabbotsford and #ExploreAbbotsford in your posts so we can see!