Love is in the air: Here are 15 fun and romantic spring date ideas in Vancouver
Spring is right around the corner, and most Vancouverites are desperate to leave the dreary winter behind to experience springtime in the city again.
Here are 15 ideas for outings with your sweetheart.
Drive-in movie
BAZA Production/Shutterstock
This year is your last chance to snuggle up with someone you’re crushing on in a drive-in theatre.
Metro Vancouver’s last drive-in theatre — the Twilight Drive-In — is officially closing after the 2024 season.
Starting Friday, February 16, you can pull up and watch from the front or back of your vehicle as long as your hatch doesn’t obstruct the view.
The movie audio is broadcast on FM radio and you can grab snacks from the concession stand.
Dine on a patio
@provencemarinaside/Instagram
As long as you grab a sweater or rain jacket (just in case), there are plenty of patios to enjoy a drink or meal at with that someone special.
Here are our lists of patios you can find around Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley:
@l_atelier_patisserie/Instagram
Nothing says love is in the air quite like a freshly baked croissant.
From the French bakery and pastry shop L’Atelier Patisserie to one-of-a-kind spots like Bao Bakery, Vancouver is lucky to have such a rich and diverse food culture.
Meaning there’s something delicious for lovebirds of all palettes.
Picnic in a park
Al Lau/Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Pack a picnic basket, order from a food truck, or pick up a to-go meal from your favourite resto, then take your sweetie to one of the city’s 240 picturesque parks for a relaxing afternoon of alfresco dining, people-watching, and napping in the sunshine.
Bike or walk the seawall
PPphotoPajush/Shutterstock
The perfect way to feel like you’re starring in your very own rom-com, hop on a tandem bike from Spokes Bicycle Rentals or English Bay Bike Rentals and hit up these relaxing BC routes that are perfect for all levels.
Here is a roundup of some of our favourites for any cyclists who love scenic rides with minimal stress. No aggressive bike bells or throwing elbows here!
Wander through a garden
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Chinatown (Shutterstock)
Spring is the time to see rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, and more at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
Or, immerse yourself in tranquillity (and pretend you’ve flown your sweetheart overseas for a vacation) at Nitobe Memorial Garden, a traditional Japanese garden on UBC’s Point Grey campus, or Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, a serene spot tucked away in the heart of Chinatown.
Thrift or vintage shopping
Image: Value Village/Instagram
Vancouver has an unparalleled vintage clothing scene with boutiques everywhere from downtown to Main Street to Commercial Drive brimming with era-specific garments, most often in pristine condition.
What’s more is that shopping for pre-loved pieces, whether vintage, thrift, or consignment allows you to do your part for the second-hand economy and reduce textile waste. What’s more romantic than saving the planet?
You can load up on vintage goodies at Vintage Finds Vancity, which is known for its collection of second-hand streetwear and accessories. It’s also where Drake was spotted shopping when he was in town last fall.
Mintage Mall and Stoxx Vintage are some of our other favourite shops that are worth checking out with your partner.
Indulge in a frozen treat
Matcha Marshmellow Strawberry Mint Ice Cream (Courtesy Mister)
Order cones from one of Vancouver’s many stellar ice cream and gelato shops — they’re well worth the brain-freeze risk.
Stargaze
Shutterstock
Want to see the heavenly bodies?
On a clear evening, pack a blanket and some hot cocoa before heading outside the city, far away from the light pollution, to gaze at the stars and contemplate the nature of the universe.
Hike
Lynn Peak trail (Lijuan Guo/Shutterstock)
Load up a backpack with water and snacks, lace up your hiking boots, and tackle one of the many trails around Vancouver.
There’s something for everyone, from easygoing ramblers (check out these hikes for lazy people) to fanatic weekend-warrior gauntlets.
Go up a mountain
Grouse Mountain Skyride
Glide up Grouse Mountain in the Skyride gondola to reach the “Peak of Vancouver” and see simply stunning views.
If you’d rather test your mettle on the way up, tackle the Grouse Grind together — but never forget its very apt nickname: Mother’s Nature’s StairMaster.
Once at the top, be sure to visit the orphaned grizzly bears Grinder and Coola.
Kayak
A woman kayaks in Howe Sound (EB Adventure Photography/Shutterstock)
Explore the coastline by gliding along in singles or a double kayak rented from Jericho Beach Kayak Centre or Vancouver Water Adventures.
New to kayaking, or just nervous? Sign up for lessons or a group tour.
Visit a farmers’ market
St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market (St. Jacob’s Market District)
Spend a leisurely morning strolling through a farmers’ market in Vancouver or the outlying areas to pick up fresh local ingredients, then cook up a homemade feast.
Go whale watching
A humpback whale tail fluking (Five Star Whale Watching)
Treat your sweetheart to a whale of a time by seeing orcas and humpback whales up close (but not too close) with Vancouver Whale Watch, Prince of Whales, Wild Whales Vancouver or Steveston Seabreeze Adventures.
See larger-than-life outdoor art
The Proud Youth (iasimali/Instagram)
Be a tourist in your own town by walking, biking or blading to see the Vancouver Biennale’s alfresco art, from old favourites such as A-maze-ing Laughter (nicknamed the Laughing Men) in English Bay to The Proud Youth on the Yaletown seawall.
The City of Vancouver also boasts a cornucopia of quirky outdoor sculptures and installations, including the LEGO-like Digital Orca outside the Vancouver Convention Centre and the LED-illuminated Monument for East Vancouver (better known as the East Van Cross) on Clark Drive.
Download PDFs of self-guided walking tours for the Burrard Corridor, Downtown Waterfront, and Yaletown False Creek areas.
With files from Sheri Radford and Nikitha Martins