13 pandemic-approved date ideas for Valentine's Day in Montreal
Valentine’s Day is coming up! It’s going to be especially difficult to find date ideas in Montreal this year because not only is it freezing out, but you may also have noticed that a lot of places are closed (weird…).
But that doesn’t mean you can’t make February 14th a “treat yourself” day, as a single pringle or not.
- See also:
For a year now, Montreal has been the hotspot for coronavirus cases in the province, and we’re not sure what the pandemic situation in the city is going to be like after February 8. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with someone from your household bubble or not, we’re giving you a list of timeless date ideas that will keep you and your boo as safe as possible.
Grab dinner and watch the sunset together
Getting dinner is a timeless date idea, and although a video chat tรชte-ร -tรชte meal doesn’t seem like the most romantic activity, you can brighten things up by tenderly watching the (5 pm) sunset together.
For the lucky ones who live with their significant other, this is the perfect night for a home-cooked meal! Take out your kitchen tools and get cookin’ โ and if neither of you are cordon bleu chefs, you can always order a meal kit like HelloFresh for a foolproof, stress-free date night.
Go ice skating
View this post on Instagram
If you’re more of an outdoors kinda person, there’s no better time to take out your skates and get on the ice. Cue the light snowfall and soft music, and you’ll find yourself as the main character of a cheesy rom-com.
Watch a movie together
View this post on Instagram
There’s nothing like sitting down for a good movie. Living away from your partner or friends? You can use a browser extension like Netflix Party or Scener to synchronize your viewing and get the movie night experience from a distance.
Spoil yourself with a beautiful edible arrangement
View this post on Instagram
Valentine’s just wouldn’t be the same without some sugar, which means it’s 100% the time to splurge on a nice dessert to get your sweet fix. A lot of home-based businesses around Montreal make lovely edible arrangements to order and it’s always great to support locally-made goods.
Here are a few places to check out โ browse through and you’ll find yourself drooling over their decadent treats.
Queen & Daughter Sweets
Decadent Sweets
Strawberries by Nyota
Atelier Fraise
D Events
Strawcolat Bouquets
Try to solve a virtual escape game
View this post on Instagram
Up for a challenge? Escape room centers like A/Maze Montreal and EZKAPAZ are now offering puzzles for you to solve online. And since two (or four) heads are better than one (or two), this activity is a great double date idea too.
Go to the museum
McCord Museum
Art lovers will be happy to finally be able to head out to physical galleries starting February 8. But for those who aren’t able to or don’t feel safe going out into the city, you can still go on a virtual gallery date! Many local museums like the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the MAC have set up virtual tours for all to enjoy. For those who are into fashion, check out the McCord Museum’s Christian Dior exhibit.
Get a psychic reading
View this post on Instagram
Want to make sure you’re going with the one? Esoteric folks may prefer getting their tarot cards or astrological charts read. There are a ton of mediums and psychics in Montreal who do readings online, and you might find out if your date really is your soulmate.
Get a VR to-go experience
View this post on Instagram
The Phi Centre, which has always been a champion for groundbreaking tech in Montreal, is having a take-out VR exhibition where you and your date can book headsets in advance and escape into another reality from the comfort of your own home.
Treat yourself to an at-home spa experience
View this post on Instagram
Bring the spa to you by pre-ordering a spa kit (or making your own!) from a local business or Etsy shop, and really take this time to relaaaax.
Enjoy a beautiful light show
View this post on Instagram
The Illumi adventure just outside Montreal is still open during the pandemic! You can visit it by car or by foot, and visitors can go in until 6:30 pm, making this a great post-watching-the-5 pm-sunset date idea.
Go to a wine tasting
View this post on Instagram
Since you can’t actually go to a wine tasting, the internet is making it possible to bring the wine tasting to you. Appreciate a nice curated variety of wines from a wine tasting box to pick up on your next trip to the SAQ.
Create matching pieces of ceramic art
View this post on Instagram
There’s no better way to bond than by making art together. Pre-order an at-home ceramic painting kit and get ready for a colourful date.
Challenge yourselves to an online game of chess
View this post on Instagram
For those who binge-watched the Queen’s Gambit and who suddenly feel inspired to become World Chess Champions, there’s no time like the present time. Sit down for a virtual game of chess and get your brain into gear.