Are you having trouble coming up with a fun date night that’s more original than dinner and a movie?
Vancouver is full of exciting events and magical adventures for you and your partner to enjoy so it’s time to plan a special day or night out with your loved one.
Whether you’re looking for a fun night out at a festival or feeling adventurous enough for a road trip, here are 15 dates you can go on this spring.
Richmond Night Market
Canada’s largest night market has kicked off its 2024 season, meaning there’s another fun date night option in Metro Vancouver.
The Richmond Night Market is a popular open-air festival featuring over 600 international food options and 110 retail booths with unique finds, trendy fashion and artisanal crafts.
It’s where you can try innovative foods like a flying cup of noodles, chicken lollipops, Japanese poutine and unique desserts.
The night market also has interactive games and live entertainment so you and your date will have loads to do while you’re there.
Check out a festival
Springtime means the kick-off to festivals around Metro Vancouver.
You can check out the Abbotsford Tulip Festival, where you and your date can take romantic photos wandering among millions of blooms.
There are also community festivals happening every weekend in Vancouver.
For example, the Coquitlam Community Festival is on April 27 and 28. The event features an artisan market with unique crafts and art made by locals, live entertainment, and an incredible food truck line-up.
Go for brunch
Brunch is quite possibly the best meal of the week so why not take your date out to one of Vancouver’s best brunch spots?
You two can chat over a plate of French toast and mimosas and then you still have plenty of time afterwards to enjoy another springtime activity.
OpenTable just ranked Canada’s Top 100 Brunch Restaurants for 2024 and 14 of those are located in Vancouver so you have plenty of incredible spots to choose from!
Drive-in movie
We realize the headline says date ideas that are better than dinner and a movie, but a drive-in movie is way more fun than going to an actual theatre.
That’s because you and your date can cuddle up in your car while enjoying snacks.
The Twilight Drive-In in Langley has Retro Nights in April with classics like The Goonies, Jurassic Park and E.T.
Go coffee shop hopping
Metro Vancouver is full of amazing cafes so you and your date can easily hop around to a few on your date.
Whether you prefer to check out a hidden gem like Le Marché St. George, a Hawaiian-themed cafe like Honolulu Coffee, or an urban chic spot like Revolver, Vancouver has all the options!
Wander around a botanical garden
Vancouver has some pretty spectacular gardens and they could be a romantic setting for a date.
VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre oasis in Vancouver with plants from around the world.
As well as checking out the various plant species, you can wander through a hedge maze for some extra fun.
Enjoy a picnic while watching the sunset
Is there anything more romantic than enjoying a picnic on the beach while watching the sunset? We think not.
It also helps that Vancouver has a stunning backdrop with mountain and coastal views, which makes the sunset even more magical.
Travel editor Morgan Leet compiled a list of all the best places to watch a sunset in Vancouver so you have plenty of options to see those incredible views!
See live horse racing
The Hastings Racecourse opens for the season on April 27, meaning you and your date can go watch a live horse race for free.
The season will have live racing on Fridays and Saturdays through to October.
Take a day trip to Squamish
If you’re looking for something super adventurous to do with your date on a weekend, how about taking a day trip to a charming small town near Vancouver?
Squamish is a town between Vancouver and Whistler where you can go on an incredible hike and get views of the turquoise water and the rugged mountain range.
The town also has craft breweries, a distillery, farm-to-table dining, cute cafes and various boutiques.
Sip on cocktails at some of the best bars in North America
The 50 Best just revealed its list of North America’s 50 Best Bars for 2024 and two Vancouver cocktail spots made the list.
You and your date can go and sip on some creative drinks like the Raincouver Cocktail at Botanist Bar or an Away with the Fae drink at The Keefer Bar.
Sports game
The Vancouver Canucks are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so it’s an exciting time to go watch a Canucks game in the city.
The games have also been a great place for celebrity sightings with stars like Kevin James and Chad Kroeger being spotted cheering on the Canucks in the past week.
If you prefer soccer you can cheer on the Vancouver Whitecaps with your date at BC Place.
The Whitecaps have their 50th anniversary match against Austin FC on May 4. Or you could go watch the team play against Inter Miami CF on May 25.
Go to a farmer’s market
Metro Vancouver’s Farmers Markets offer a wide assortment of locally grown produce, artisanal crafts and baked goods.
You can go with your date to the one closest to where you live and then use the ingredients you pick up to cook dinner together.
Bike around Stanley Park
Stanley Park is Vancouver’s largest park so you and your date can spend hours enjoying scenic views of the water, the mountains and the majestic trees along the iconic Seawall.
There are also trails, beaches, restaurants and historical landmarks scattered around the park.
Go for a hike
The hiking options in Vancouver are endless so if you want to do something outdoorsy, a hike could be a good option.
Cypress Falls Park, located in West Vancouver, offers easy trails and stunning views with the old-growth evergreen trees and waterfalls.
If you prefer something a bit more challenging, there’s always the famous Grouse Grind hike.
A free museum or gallery
For those days when it rains (it’s called Raincouver for a reason) you could try an indoor activity like a museum or gallery.
Vancouver has several museums scattered around the city and some of them even offer free admission.
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
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