We took a step back in time recently and checked out the fort in Fort Langley. Jason’s parent’s were down, and his brother was also in town so it worked well for us all to meet here. It had been years since I had gone through so I was excited to go check it out. The others all arrived there earlier than we had because we didn’t decide to go until Evie was down for a nap. We waited til she woke up and rushed out the door to head over there; on a bad day of traffic it takes us maybe 20 minutes to get to the Fort Langley area.
We have walked around the Fort Langley area before, I love it down there because there are so many great stores in the area; including an antique store where you just never know what you will find. We had about 2 hours to get to wander through before closing, and it was the perfect amount of time with a toddler. If your kids are a bit older than Evie be sure to have them pick up one of the Xplorers booklets up from the trade shop window. I noticed soon after entering the fort that there are different places marked with an X, at these stations you can get an embossed stamp in your booklet. If your kid(s) complete the whole booklet and return it to the trade shop window they will receive a certificate and a souvenir. Next time we go I want to do this with Evie, the embossed stamp markings are beautiful, and the booklet itself makes a great little keepsake from visiting here. I also just learned that you can go geocaching in the fort!
In case you may not know, Fort Langley is where The Hudson’s Bay Company established a small trading post. This little place grew, and played a roll in influencing history. I really enjoy seeing all the staff members wandering around in their period costumes. My favourite place in the fort to visit is the black smith building. Be sure to watch the black smith at work, but bring something to barter with. If you have something that catches the black smiths eye, you will get to trade for the item they are making. I’ve seen everything from nails, and wall hooks, to metal icicles for the Christmas tree be made in here.
The different sets of stairs leading up to the fort wall kept Evie entertained, and us in work out mode following her. It also provides a great little get away from any noise if the fort is busy and you just need a little spot for a few minutes of down time. Another highlight of visiting here were all the animals. There are goats, sheep, bunnies, and chickens. There is also a garden and flower patch tucked next to this spot of the fort. Since Evie is such an animal lover she was happy to hang out and look at all the different farm animals for awhile.
I am really hoping to go back to the fort this winter to see what is is like with all of the Christmas decorations. I can only imagine what it looks like when you get to step back in time to the holiday season there.
Has anyone else ever been to the fort? Do you have a favourite thing in there when you go?
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If you love Fort Langley (and I do too) then you absolutely need to check out Fort Edmonton when you are here again. It is bigger and has more things to go through – I know that you would love it Tamara. We got our vintage family photo done there when Luke was a baby (not that you can’t do that other places) but it always reminds us of Fort Edmonton.