Sure, you may know Harrison Hot Springs and may have spent your fair share of time on the lake and in the springs, but do you know Harrison Mills? This undiscovered treasure is just a 90-minute scenic drive west of Vancouver and is full of summer and winter activities perfect for a mid-week or weekend getaway. So what’s out there? Here are just a few things to keep you busy…
Where To Stay
All year round, Rowena’s On The River at Pretty Estates is ideal. On a 160-acre estate you’ll find an English manor and four cozy cottages where breakfast is served daily and televisions are unheard of; it’s a true escape. In the winter, outdoor enthusiasts head to Hemlock Resort for skiing and snowshoeing where they can bundle up at night in one of more than 26 properties. Those who like to enjoy a bit of culture can book into Sasquatch Crossing Eco Lodge where they provide workshops and tours focused on the Sts’ailes First Nations traditions.
What To Do
It’s a golfer’s paradise at the Sandpiper Golf Course, a par 72 course open 364 days a year situated right along the waters of the Harrison River. The same river offers salmon fishing, the Fraser River offers sturgeon fishing, and the nearby Vedder River is ideal for fly fishing for steelhead. The BC Sport Fishing Group offers several types of fishing guided getaways. Historians won’t want to miss the Kilby Historic Site, a museum of rural living, along with the Agassiz-Harrison Museum filled with reminders of pioneer life. In November, the largest winter eagle gathering in the world is celebrated during the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival.
Eat And Drink
All the outdoor activities are bound to induce hunger. West coast fare can be found at the River’s Edge Restaurant where the menu ranges from quick bites to fine dining; the chef focuses on local ingredients and the bar on BC wines. At the Kilby Historic Site there’s homestyle soups, ice cream floats, and fantastic pie, and the Sasquatch Inn Pub is home to a good selection of BC craft beer, legendary burgers, and the “Sasquatch Platter” full of appies to share. For a more romantic afternoon, book in to Rowena’s Inn for their afternoon tea where you sit and sip in the antique-filled rooms of the historical estate. On the way out of Harrison Mills, pop into Kermode Winery for some wild berry fruit wines.
Harrison Mills is 3 hours from Seattle, 1.5 hours from Vancouver, and 35 minutes from Abbotsford. Guests can arrive by car, boat, or plane.
Have you ventured off to Harrison Mills? If so, what’s your favourite part? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
