Let’s Go Do Something…With Jon Wiebe!

Jon, better known as @theroadtodapper is an Abbotsford local, husband, father, youth pastor, and men’s fashion blogger! He started his blog and Instagram account in 2016 after following other men’s style accounts and upping his own fashion game. He wanted to share his tips and tricks with other men looking to level up their style and the rest is history! When he’s not capturing the perfect picture for Instagram or working at Village Church he is on the hunt for fun things to do with his family. Jon was the perfect choice to wrap up our Let’s Go Do Something feature, giving us the perspective of a local who knows that Abbotsford has it all! Watch the video above and keep reading for Jon’s insider tips for spending a day as a family in Abbotsford!

Jon and his family kicked off their busy day with breakfast at Ann Marie’s Cafe in Historic Downtown Abbotsford. A fun and unique 50’s style diner with old school favourites on the menu and super friendly service, this is a great pick for groups of all ages. Try their all day breakfast, or grab their famous burgers and milkshakes for lunch.

“One of the things that is really great about Abbotsford is the diversity. Not only the diversity of people, not only the diversity of activities, but the diversity of where we live. That you could be at Mill Lake playing with your kids, you could go hiking, you could go cycling, it’s kind of like this diverse landscape that’s now filled with diverse people,” says Jon as he and and his family headed to Mill Lake Park after breakfast to burn off some energy. Mill Lake is a perfect family destination offering everything from quiet picnic areas to an impressive spray park and playground for children. It’s also a popular spot for walkers, joggers and fisherman. The trail winds around a lake hidden in the middle of the City’s urban core and is home to a variety of waterfowl including ducks, mergansers, geese and a pair of bald eagles! Lots of lakeside benches and the floating boardwalk make this trail a peaceful place to exercise and rejuvenate.

Jon and his family headed back Downtown for some fun indoor activities! First, a stop at Boardwalk Cafe & Games for a little friendly competition. Boardwalk Cafe is the premier location for experiential entertainment and social gatherings in the Fraser Valley. Featuring the best table-top games alongside handcrafted sandwiches, specialty coffees, and local beer and wine. Over 300 games to choose from for all ages. In addition to being a great spot to take kids it also makes for a fantastic date night activity! Next it was The Clay Cottage to paint their own pottery. This is a fun and creative activity for kids, they will love seeing their finished art pieces and the best part is there is no mess to clean up at home! Pick out your favourite ceramic piece and let your inner artist loose.

“There’s tons to do in our city, so if you are a family there’s great parks, there’s great entertainment and activities for you to do. I just love that it’s all in one city, you don’t even need to go anywhere else to experience things from really great food, to great entertainment, great activities for your kids.”

For dinner the kids picked BRGR BRGR, a newer spot in Historic Downtown that uses locally sourced ingredients and suppliers to serve up their mouthwatering burgers, chicken strips, fries, onion rings, and more. For the adults you can grab a local craft beer to wash down your meal. This is definitely a local favourite!

Ending off the day on a sweet note, Jon and his family headed to Birchwood Dairy to wander the farm and grab some ice cream. Get a real working dairy farm experience and take an educational tour, grab light snacks or cheese and dairy products to take home in the farm store, and of course grab one of their famously delicious ice creams. Sitting outside in the picnic area with his family Jon realized that finding fun things for his kids is as easy as exploring his own backyard. “If you want to go and do something Abbotsford is that place. It’s that one stop shop and you don’t even need to leave Abbotsford to experience all that you want to as a family.”

Click here to plan your next family outing and extend your stay with summer offers from some of our top hotels.