District 1881 - Chilliwack, British Columbia

Victor W.

This is a really nice brand new area of Chilliwack. If you're from Vancouver, I recommend people to stop by if you are driving to or from Kelowna as a pitstop. The place is filled with nice shops and the area is clean. We had dinner here and there is a cool hobbies shop that sells One Piece and Pokemon cards. The owner, Jordan, is a really nice guy and that offers incredible deals if you are buying multiple cards.

LMN1984

I was dog sitting so I didnt get a chance to head into stores, but will be heading back! It is such a cute little area, very Diagon Alley if you're into Harry Potter. Plenty of places to sit, most shops have a cute little animal seat for kids to sit on.

S Y.

Great photo ops, but closes too early on weekends (4-6pm) so plan ahead your visit. Beautiful art. There's free parking nearby which is great. Not a lot of food or coffee options but is ok as the "district 1881" are just a couple of blocks.

Joan

Total magic and an absolute gem of our beautiful city!!! There is so much to say about D1881 and the visionary project of Algra Brothers that over few years just recently literally transformed and revitalised a trashed run down dangerous homeless ridden area that used to be Downtown Chilliwack core.

With absolute genius of construction and carpentry work they turned it into a most charming and harmonious piece of European magic with a fairytale vibe and not only they managed to create a successful business and tourism attraction out of it but they are also currently completing a further redevelopment along Sasquatch Alley where 3 amazing brand new "magical" houses in same style plus a beatiful large apartment building already inviting new tenants and new businesses to move in.

The speed and accuracy that they build this with is truly outstdanding as well as high quality and colours of all the details.

There are SO many pictures and videos of this unique area, but let me share some of my own below this review..

I will just tell you that it is absolutely worth your visit in person because in real experience the place is always charming in any weather.
Yes the area is considerably small but that is exactly what gives it that special magical feel. Its very compact and walkable.

There are lots of restaurants, unique shops (do yourself a favor and visit Witchy Boo,-a sister store of the famous "Bookman" providing "straight out of "Harry Potter" experience..)

Azzurri - the Italian Pasticcerie -have been a landmark of this area for a while -and it is very authentic with beautiful decor, real Italian pastries and gelati.

Smoking Gun Coffee House by now is so well known that people drive from Vancouver to come here. Its not in particularly fancy (in my opinion there are much more beautiful "hidden" coffee shops here in Chilliwack) but SGC is spacious with super chill vibe and great coffees/lattes etc. You can meet some amazing people here, including local artists, athletes, businessmen etc.

CR Sabers shop is another attraction of D1881 (Starwars and such merch.)
Emerson Resale shop right beside it is full of unique finds in terms of clothes and shoes
There are many other shops, restaurants and breweries with open patios -all within same D1881 area..

Oh, and did I mention the beautiful magical murals almost everywhere you look in and around this area? Other areas worth visiting for same reasons include Wellington ave, Mill Street, Victoria av. by Central Park..
All within same area close by the ClockTower..
We are so blessed to have such unique thoughtful development full of charm and growing energy right here in Chilliwack!
There is a reason why Chilliwack Mural Festival is centered here every August..

Trudi M.

It was a bit smaller than anticipated. The buildings were very picturesque. The stores were extremely expensive. The murals were fantastic. Planter baskets, beautiful! I do not believe we would return. But it was nice.

wah C. Y.

If you never visit this area, it's well worth you make a trip here. The whole area are nice. It's a good place for taking pictures and stroll around.
There are good coffee shops and restaurants. The shops are interesting. But the area is not big, you can stroll around for less than a hour.
You may have a drink or cup of coffee in the patio of the restaurant.

Andre J. T.

District 1881 in Chilliwack swept us off our feet. With its storybook streets, charming old-world architecture, and cozy corners perfect for two, it felt like stepping into a romantic movie scene. We wandered hand in hand past boutique shops, paused beneath a bright blue sky surrounded by the well crafted architectures to take a picture or two. The warm, welcoming atmosphere made everything felt magical. It’s the perfect place to chill on this gorgeous weekend — where time slows down and love lingers in the air. An absolute hidden gem.

Oscar P.

District 1881 is a redevelopment project that revitalized the historic Five Corners area in Chilliwack. The name refers to the year 1881, when this part of town became the centre of the community. Since 2018, the area has been transformed with restored heritage buildings, boutique shops, local eateries, and welcoming pedestrian walkways. It is now a charming spot where modern culture meets local history.

Our visit

We started our day at Witchy Boo, a very cool spiritual shop. I wanted to get a tarot card reading but she was fully booked for the next three hours, so that will have to wait until next time.

Right across the street, we checked out Homemade, a space that features the work of 55 local artisans. They carry everything from handmade goods to locally made food, and there is even a vintage clothing shop upstairs. I picked up some cookies, a brownie, and a beautiful ocean-shaped vase. The pricing was more than fair for the amount of craftsmanship that went into each piece.

After that, we headed to Bow and Stern for happy hour. Oysters were two dollars each and the Fisherman’s selection was fantastic. Not too salty and very meaty.

Someone working there suggested we come back during the Christmas season because the entire district lights up. It sounds magical.

This was an amazing experience overall, and I honestly cannot believe a place like this exists just an hour away from Vancouver.