Lots Of Low-To-No Cost Activities Await!

Great news! If you’re feeling strapped for cash (or in the process of finding and relocating to a new home), there are lots of ways to cool off without spending a ton of money. Here are a couple of low-to-no cost ideas to try when you’re feeling hot and bothered.

• Go for a swim: Public pools are great. In Abbotsford, Matsqui Recreation Centre – otherwise known as “the wave pool”- boasts a slide, diving boards, sauna and a beach area where waves roll in every 15 minutes. Abbotsford Recreation Centre offers leisure and adult swims, toonie swims, aqua fitness and more. Most pools list public swim times and admission rates on their website. Rather get outside and enjoy the best that Super Natural British Columbia has to offer? Find a lake or beach with free parking where you can hop out of the car, bring your picnic basket, kick off your shoes and run right into the water, like Rolley Lake in Mission.
• Go see a movie: As a rule, movies aren’t cheap. But they can be if you’re strategic. Cineplex offers family-friendly movies on Saturday mornings at 11 am for $2.99 a ticket. (Find out if the theatre near you participates in this program.) They also have a Classic Film Series running through the summer. Prefer to see a new release? Look for smaller theatres in your area, like Cottonwood Cinemas in Chilliwack. Tickets are generally about half the price of a regular ticket than at a larger theatre. For a fun night with the whole family, pile into the car and catch 3 movies for the price of one at the only Drive-In Theatre in the lower mainland, the Twilight Drive-In. They’re open every night during summer, rain, hail or shine!
• Go bowling: Places like Galaxy Bowl in Abbotsford like to pump the air conditioning and give you a chance to get away from the TV while getting a little exercise. Games and shoe rentals are usually reasonable.
• Go for ice cream:At Birchwood Dairy Farm in Abbotsford, take your time choosing between more than 50 flavours of ice cream! Make sure to eat it quickly if you plan to visit the animal petting area or you may find yourself swarmed! Enjoy the farm animal exhibit at Bakerview Ecodairy and grab an ice cream cone from the kiosk. Put your feet up at the picnic table or multitask and shop for groceries at Nature’s Pickin’s.
• Go and enjoy live entertainment: House of James regularly features all types of live music, including blues, jazz, country, rock, folk, and southern gospel. Envision Concert in the Park features live music at Mill Lake Park, beginning on June 27. Jam in Jubilee features a wide variety of musical entertainment by local artists and musicians, running on Thursday evenings, from July 9 – 30.

One of the best ways to scout out free events and activities in your area is by checking out your city’s tourism website. Often you’ll find a calendar or schedule full of what’s happening near you. For instance, the Abbotsford, Langley City and Township all have listings of what’s going on in the summer months (and beyond).

Ready to find a new neighbourhood? We’re here to help! Give us a call at 604.850.5040 or send us a message and we’ll start searching for your perfect place today!