As you can tell, we’re really excited about how much the area around Glenmore and Highland Park is growing. What’s even more exciting though is that residents and businesses alike are working together to showcase the area and all it has to offer. We recently came upon a blog titled The Grand Life that was built by South Surrey enthusiast Heather Burton with the sole purpose of highlighting all of the “Grand” things to do in the Morgan Heights area. We particularly enjoyed the following post:
WHAT TO DO IN SURREY THIS SUMMER?
Posted by heatherburton on July 16, 2010 on www.thegrandlife.ca
Do you have guests coming into town? Or are you just new to the area?
There are some great things to do in the lower mainland, without having to venture over a bridge or through a tunnel. Borrowed from the Tourism Surrey Site, here is a great list to get you started.
Top 12 Things to do in Surrey
AGRI-TOURISM
Approximately 1/3 of the land in Surrey is used for agricultural purposes and agri-tourism is growing in popularity. Surrey is one of the Lower Mainland’s major agricultural producers, and as such our city is packed with local markets, farms, and stands where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables direct from its source. Other agri-tourism attractions include a corn maze, pumpkin patches and our own local winery. Whether you prefer picking your own blueberries in the summer or want to go for a hay ride in the fall, you just have to be here!
BEAR CREEK PARK
King George Boulevard & 88 Avenue
Phone: 604-501-1232
www.bctrains.com
Bear Creek Park is one of Surrey’s most popular parks. With quiet nature walks and outdoor activities, it is an excellent park for families or individuals seeking adventure. The park’s facilities include sports fields, a running track, picnic areas, shelters and a swimming pool. In addition, the Bear Creek Steam Train, “Eddy The Engine and Chough” take you through the woods and a magical tunnel featuring seasonal displays.
ANTIQUING IN CLOVERDALE
Highway 10 (56 Avenue) & Highway 15 (176 Street)
Phone: 604-576-3155
www.cloverdalebia.com
Cloverdale is a historic centre of Surrey and is known for its small town charm. If you love antiques, then you have come to the right place. The traditional Cloverdale Town Centre is well known for being the “Antique Capital of BC”, famous for its antiques and collectibles. While visiting Cloverdale, you will be at the home of the popular TV series “Smallville”.
CRESCENT BEACH
Located in the southeast corner of Surrey. Can be accessed through Crescent Road off of Highway 99 & Highway 99A Crescent Beach is one of the sunniest beaches in the Greater Vancouver Region. Popular activities at Crescent Beach include swimming, kayaking, crabbing, fishing, and boating. There are shops nearby and restaurants with ocean views. Make sure you stop in for an ice cream cone or some delicious fish and chips before strolling along the pathways that wind around the beach.
DARTS HILL GARDEN
170 Street & 16 Avenue
Information: 604-598-5767
Tour Bookings: 604-501-5050
www.dartshill.ca
Darts Hill is a stunning 7.5 acres of land that contains thousands of species and varieties of plants from around the world. With 55 years of history, the garden was given to the City in trust by Edwin and Francisca Darts. Darts Hill is internationally renowned and visited by amateur gardeners as well as professional horticulturists. The garden is not open for general admission; however, groups of five or more can call to pre-book a guided tour.
FRASER DOWNS
17755 60 Avenue
Phone: 604-576-9141
Email: info@fraserdowns.com
www.fraserdowns.com
Tired of sightseeing? Head to Fraser Downs Racetrack & Casino to try your hand at a game of luck. The newly completed Fraser Downs has a gaming floor with 420 slot machines, a new simulcast area for horse racing fans, an atrium styled welcome centre, a major show lounge with state of the art visual technology, and three restaurants. Come out for a chance to win big bucks.
GOLF
Stay & Play Surrey
Golf is all right here with 8 full length courses, 2 executive courses, and several driving ranges. Made famous by Mike Weir’s first PGA Tour win in a dramatic fashion of the 1999 Air Canada Championships, Surrey boasts not only some fabulous golf courses but also more courses offering greater variety than any other city in the Lower Mainland. Surrey’s Executive courses are well suited for the entire family. Great practice range facilities round out the terrific selection, a perfect match for the dedicated golfer.
HISTORIC STEWART FARM
13723 Crescent Road
Phone: 604-592-6956
www.heritage.surrey.ca
Open mid-February to mid-December. Call for hours and special events.
Visitors will experience a beautifully restored farmhouse, pole barn, root cellar, and heirloom gardens, all sitting on the shores of the Nicomekl River. Enjoy round tours by volunteers dressed in Victorian-style clothing. Unique activities at this historic site include woodstove cooking, heritage crafts, parlour games, and old fashioned fun.
REDWOOD PARK
180 Street & 20 Avenue
Phone: 604-581-7130
Experience the diversity of trees at Redwood Park. In 1893, twins, David and Peter Brown, were given 80 acres of land by their father. Through the years, they collected seedlings from all over the world including California, Austria, Russia, Japan, France, and Italy. They planted 32 different species of evergreens and built a 2-storey treehouse. After their death in the 1900s, the park was turned over to the city of Surrey for maintenance and care.
SERPENTINE FEN
King George Boulevard & 44th Avenue
Phone: 604-582-5200
The Serpentine Fen, a spectacular 176 acres of land in Surrey, is home to more than 3000 species of wildlife throughout the year. Wildlife that can be seen includes birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects. There are also three covered viewing towers, several trails, and a covered picnic shelter. This is a great way for you to get back into nature and experience what it has to offer.
SURREY ARTS CENTRE
13750 88 Avenue
Phone: 604-501-5566
www.arts.surrey.ca
Visitors experience visual and performing arts in stunning surroundings. Plan ahead and be entertained by profesisional or community theatre, dance and music in the Main Stage and Studio Theatre. Drop by to see exhibitions of contemporary art presented by the internationally recognized Surrey Arts Gallery, the second largest public art gallery in the Metro Vancouver region.
SURREY MUSEUM
17710 56A Avenue
Phone: 604-592-6956
This beautiful 24,000 sq. ft. venue is the place where visitors can explore Surrey’s history. A 42-seat orientation theatre is available along with a state of the art exhibits that tells Surrey’s stories. As well, there is a textile library, a weaving studio and exciting changing exhibitions themes.
Many thanks to Heather – and be sure to check out all of her updates at www.thegrandlife.ca.
