Tourism for All: Exploring Chilliwack with Accessibility in Mind
Accessibility, Attractions, General, Itineraries, Tourism For All
Everyone deserves the opportunity to explore, connect, and belong. During National AccessAbility Week, we honour the experiences and contributions of people with disabilities and shine a light on the ongoing journey toward a more inclusive and equitable Chilliwack.
This week invites reflection and action. It’s a chance to recognize not just barriers, but also the leadership, resilience, and creativity of individuals and organizations working to make travel and recreation accessible, meaningful, and joyful for all.
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Service Dog-Friendly Accommodations
Many local hotels are pet-friendly and open to welcoming service dogs. Call ahead to ask about accessible room features and let them know what support you may need:
- Coast Chilliwack Hotel by APA – 604-792-5552
- Hampton Inn by Hilton – 604-392-4667
- Comfort Inn Chilliwack – 778-653-8529
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites – 604-402-5555
Travelling with Non-Apparent Disabilities in Chilliwack
Not all disabilities are visible, and not all challenges are immediately understood. For many people, navigating public spaces comes with a unique set of considerations—from sensory sensitivities and chronic fatigue to anxiety, chronic illness, or neurodivergent processing.
Everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported while travelling.
If you or someone you care for is looking for spaces that are calm, quiet, and gentle, we encourage you to explore the nature spots listed in our Parks and Trails Guide – available online or at the Chilliwack Visitor Centre (44150 Luckakuck Way).
Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve
- The Activity Centre, a tranquil environment with soft lighting, minimal background noise, muted colours, and clearly marked signage, offers a calm and educational space for all. Accessible restrooms and seating areas support comfort for those who may experience sensory or cognitive sensitivities. Staff are trained in inclusive service practices. Learn more HERE.
Luna Wellness Centre
- Offers therapies like float tanks, infrared sauna, and contrast therapy – designed to support nervous system regulation, rest, and chronic pain management. The space is quiet, calm, and supportive of sensory-friendly experiences. Learn more HERE.
More Restful Spots
- Wilde Wellness – Nature-based healing practices, including Reiki and Access Bars, provide a gentle path to connection and self-care. Learn more HERE.
- Chilliwack Public Library – A welcoming place to journal, read, or simply rest indoors in a low-stimulation environment. Learn more HERE.
- Chilliwack River Hatchery – Learn about the salmon life cycle in a calm, educational riverside setting that invites curiosity at your own pace. Learn more HERE.
Planning Your Visit with Hearing Impairments in Mind
Communication is connection, and it takes many forms. For community members and visitors who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or communicate non-verbally, we acknowledge that full inclusion isn’t yet the norm in tourism, but we’re committed to learning, listening, and improving. Whether you communicate with sign language, hearing aids, lip reading, or alternative devices, your connection to the world around you matters.
If you’re planning a trip to Chilliwack and would like support in finding venues that accommodate your hearing needs, please email us at info@tourismchilliwack.com. We’re happy to help.
Chilliwack Cultural Centre
- Provides infrared assistive listening systems, which transmit amplified sound directly to compatible headphones or hearing aids via a special receiver. This technology enables visitors to fully engage with theatre performances and presentations, even with significant hearing loss. Learn more HERE.
The O’Connor Group Art Gallery
- Curated by the Chilliwack Visual Artists Association, this volunteer-run gallery at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre features rotating exhibits by local artists working in diverse mediums—from painting and sculpture to textiles and digital art. Visitors can enjoy visually engaging, self-guided exhibits that celebrate creativity and community connection. Learn more HERE.
Chilliwack Museum
- Located in downtown Chilliwack, the Museum features 1,200 sq. ft. of visually engaging exhibits and detailed interpretive panels—offering a rich, self-guided experience through local history and community stories. Learn more HERE.
Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve
- A calm, self-paced space with interpretive signage and minimal auditory distractions. Learn more HERE.
Navigating Chilliwack with Mobility Considerations
Mobility means different things for different people. Whether you use a wheelchair, walker, cane, or other assistive device, you should have access to outdoor adventures, cultural activities, and community experiences without barriers.
At Tourism Chilliwack, we recognize that accessible tourism is essential and that creating equitable experiences requires action and advocacy.
Accessible Transportation Services
- BC Transit handyDART – A door-to-door, accessible transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities who cannot use regular transit without assistance. Riders are picked up at their accessible entrance and dropped off at the accessible entrance of their destination. Registration is free and required before booking.
- Cheam Taxi – 604-847-1111
- Chilliwack Taxi – 604-795-9111
Explore Nature with the TrailRider
- The TrailRider is a team-powered adaptive hiking device that enables individuals with mobility disabilities to explore forested trails with support. It can be rented through the BC Mobility Opportunities Society in Vancouver and brought to Chilliwack with advance planning. Learn more HERE.
- To read Ben Hagkull’s journey up Mt. Cheam, click HERE.
Maple Bay Wheelchair-Accessible Cabins (Cultus Lake Park)
- Cabins thoughtfully designed for wheelchair users, with level entryways and accessible amenities. Book your stay or check availability HERE.
Accessible Outdoor Destinations
- Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve – Accessible parking, wide ramps and doors, automated entry, and barrier-free restrooms. Learn more HERE.
- Klaassen Farms (Chilliwack Blueberries) – Offers wheelchair-accessible train tours of the farm with friendly and supportive staff. Learn more HERE.
- Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park – Flat trails and wheelchair-accessible viewing platforms. Learn more HERE.
- Bill Kelly Park & Playground (Chilliwack Landing) – This fully accessible playground was thoughtfully designed using Universal Design principles to provide inclusive play for children of all ages and abilities. It features rubber surfacing, a seven-foot “Mighty Sequoia” log structure with a wheelchair-accessible tunnel and bench seating, an 11×7-foot boat-style glider, a saucer swing, roller table, musical instruments, and sensory play panels—encouraging active, imaginative, and multi-sensory play for everyone. Learn more HERE.
Aquatic Accessibility
- Cheam Leisure Centre
- Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre
- Both offer:
- Pool ramps
- Aquatic wheelchairs
- Lift-equipped change rooms
- Automatic door openers
- Both offer:
Mobility-Friendly Restaurants in Chilliwack
- Farmhouse Brewing Co.
- Kelly O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Restaurant
- Sidekick Brewing Co.
- SinAmen Bun Co.
- Frankie’s Italian Kitchen
We recommend calling ahead to confirm washroom access and entrance setup, as building layouts may vary.
Visitors Discovering Chilliwack with Vision Impairments
Navigating tourism with a visual impairment often means seeking environments designed with care, communication, and support. If you navigate the world non-visually, know that we’re here to assist your visit with compassion and clarity.
Chilliwack Mural Festival & Chilliwack Tours – Descriptive Mural Tour
- This guided walking tour is created specifically for people who are blind or partially sighted. The experience includes six murals in Downtown Chilliwack and shares the significance and stories behind each piece through vivid, descriptive storytelling. Learn more about Chilliwack Tours HERE and the Chilliwack Mural Festival HERE.
- Group Size: Limited to 10 participants
- Walking Distance: Less than 1 kilometre
- To book: Email hello@chilliwackmuralfestival.com or chilliwacktours@gmail.com
Let’s Keep Moving Toward Greater Inclusion
At Tourism Ch’illiwack, we believe that accessible tourism is not a luxury – it’s a right. While we know there’s still work to do, we are committed to making our city more inclusive and ensuring that every person, no matter how they move, communicate, or experience the world, can access all that Chilliwack has to offer.
Together, let’s ensure that Chilliwack is a place where everyone belongs.
If you have questions, feedback, or need support planning your visit, reach out to us at info@tourismchilliwack.com or check out our Visitor & Information Centre at 44150 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack.
Accessibility in The Fraser Valley
For more adventures in our neighbouring communities, visit a round-up of experiences HERE.
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