Fright Fans | Falling for Abbotsford
September 17, 2024
Do you welcome fright with open arms? Do you get a thrill from all things spooky? Do you crave the daring adventures that mean facing your fears? Or maybe you want to explore the wondrous experiences that the season brings and feel like you’ve been whisked away to somewhere magical and just a little bit out of the ordinary. Regardless of whether you’re looking for frights, seasonal delights, or that pumpkin that will sit just right, our guide for a Fright Fan is sure to provide inspiration for your October adventures this year! Read on and see what Abbotsford has in store for those who love a good spooky season!
DAY ONE
Start your day full of fall fun with a coffee and treat at Lepp’s Bakehouse and Delicatessen! This family-owned & operated bakehouse & delicatessen also has incredible sandwiches (or ‘sandos’ as they call them) made fresh daily with local ingredients. This Abbotsford favourite is a must-visit on any trip to the city!
As the leaves continue to turn from green to red, orange and yellow here in the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford is a great place to enjoy the autumn colours. Take your Lepp’s coffee to-go then head out for a drive, and check out some of our many great parks, trails, and views around the city. We’ve even made a helpful list of some of our favourite spots to visit here.
It’s time for an extra spooky lunch and Black Casket Cafe brings darkness to daytime with its gothic decor and macabre vibes. They’re serving up staples like soups, salads, sandwiches and sweets, but your lunch will be far from typical here! The food is hearty and homemade, with quality ingredients and a whole lotta love put into it. Thirsty? Order up a cup of Witches Brew (hot chocolate), Holy Water (tea), or Goth Water (coffee).
It’s time to make your way over to Maan Farms where they specialize in all things fall with their Fall at the Farm attractions including a pumpkin patch forest, farm animal friends, corn maze, jumping pillow, zipline, pedal go-carts and more! Once you’ve spent some time picking out your pumpkin and taking pictures with all the spooky-ooky photo opportunities, make your way over to the farm shop and cafe for dinner.
We recommend Mama Maan’s special butter chicken which makes for an incredible dinner. Pair your dinner with their berry wine in a blood bag if you’re feeling ghoulish! If you have room after all that, try their yummy Double Pumpkin Spice Cream which comes in a carved out pumpkin!
Finish your night with off with a fright at the Scariest Corn Maze in Canada! Maan Farms Haunts offers three different eerie experiences to choose from. “Agatha’s Witching Hour” which is a haunted experience where guests are immersed in unspeakable horrors and spine-chilling scares as they attempt to escape Agatha’s dark magic alive, and solve the mystery of Esme the good witch. The “Homestead” experience is described as an immersive, limited-entry, full-contact experience. Visitors can also test their psychological limits in “The Way Down”. The multisensory hellscape requires guests to wear fabric hoods and follow a rope through a realm of hidden horrors. Tickets go on sale SOON so you’re going to want to get your claws on them while you can!
DAY TWO
What better way to start your day than with a delicious brunch at El Compañeros! Not only do they have your classic brunch staples, but they also have some killer Latin-inspired dishes that will make your taste buds do the tango. Plus, did we mention the mimosa buckets? Because let’s be real, brunch without drinks is just breakfast.
Now it’s time to head to historic Clayburn Village! The Village of Clayburn, was founded in 1905 as British Columbia’s first company town with the development of the Clayburn Brick Plant. The company town provided housing and services in order to sustain a productive workforce in what was an isolated location in the early 1900’s. The brick plant operated in Clayburn until the 1930s, when it was relocated to Kilgard. Many residents remained and the community continued to exist as a small enclave in the Fraser Valley. Today, if you go for a walk through the trees you may just stumble upon remnants of the brick plant.
If you’re in Clayburn Village, you’ve got to visit the Clayburn Village Store! This Abbotsford gem was built in 1912 and operated as the general store and post office for the village until 1984 by the Cooper family. In 1987 , Brian and Trish Haber bought the store, restored it and now operate it as the store we all know and love today! In addition to carrying imported sweets from the UK, they also offer delicious baked goods and homemade soups.
For your lunch plans, take advantage of the cozy fireplace and heated patio at Field House Brewing! In addition to their incredible craft beer, the Field House Canteen Kitchen is seasonally driven and locally sourced in collaboration with local farmers, markets, and talented bakers. With their Field House Farms project, they are reclaiming underused farmland to produce as much of their own ingredients as they can for both their good beers and our ever-growing Canteen Kitchen.
You’re going to want to add this one to your spooky season bucket list! Terror at Tanglebank is a brand new attraction coming to The Agora & Apothecary at Tanglebank Estates this fall season starting on September 20th, 2024. Terror at Tanglebank fall activities offer something for everyone, blending spooky thrills, delicious farm to table meals, and seasonal fun into an unforgettable experience. Just remember, Don’t Go Into The Woods Alone!
SUGGESTED ACCOMODATION | COAST HOTEL ABBOTSFORD
Coast Hotel Abbotsford is just a short walk from some of the city’s best restaurants, and shopping, yet is secluded enough to feel like a quiet retreat. Chill out in recently updated accommodation with free wi-fi, mini fridges and in-room coffee and tea. Get your blood pumping in the fitness centre, open from early until late. Pets are welcome in some of our rooms, too, so your furry friend doesn’t have to stay at home.
Check out our Spooky Stay & Play package which runs throughout the month of October 2024! The Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre Abbotsford has a special Spooky Stay & Play rate of $150 plus taxes AND you’ll receive a Tourism Abbotsford swag bag and $25.00 gift card to Black Casket Café when you book. Click the button below for more details!
So are you a Fright Fan? Do you love to chase the frights and delights that the season brings? If you answered yes, we can’t wait for you to visit us and we hope that when you do, you use our hashtag, #ExploreAbbotsford, on your posts and tag us so we can see all of the wonderful adventures you go on! And if you’re still looking for more to do in Abby, you can learn more about other fall activities below!
TAKE US WITH YOU AS YOU FALL FOR ABBOTSFORD
Our community truly becomes an autumnal paradise every year! With beautiful colours, glorious nature, countless awaiting adventures, and more, we can almost guarantee that you’ll be Falling for Abbotsford this fall! We have several classic visiting characters that we love to see every year like the Fright Fan and many more! Learn about fall in Abbotsford and the other characters of the season by clicking the link below and maybe, you’ll find out which one you are!