This May, there are a number of ways to shake up date night plans in Vancouver. And never mind a date night, these ideas can cover weekend afternoons, too.
Credit: Abbotsford Tulip Festival
With the spring weather, there are more ways to spend time outside together. On the other hand, the rainy spring weather might take your date plans inside. No matter what the weather this May, there are indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy together around the city. Take the date as an opportunity to explore city attractions, city parks, or Vancouver arts. Below are some ideas to get the date plans started!
Try Vancouver’s Newest Restaurants
- Meo Chinatown recently opened in Vancouver’s Chinatown with menus of craft cocktails, wine, and shareable plates.
- Oyo Korean Noodles is a self-proclaimed hidden gem, given its smaller shop and cozy location. Find it for a hearty and warming meal on a rainy day!
- Bufala Pizzeria is a local spot for fine Italian dining, and who now have a new location in the River District.
Afternoon Date on the Patio
Count on these Vancouver bars and restaurants for those sunny days of May. Each of these spots in Vancouver are well-known for not only their food, but for their outdoor dining areas and patios too.
- Eat Bar & Patio Haraheri are known for their beautiful downtown patio, and delicious Japanese izakaya tasting menus. They also offer regular a la carte menus for lunch or dinner.
- Join your date at Joe Fortes in Vancouver for brunch, lunch, dinner, happy hour, or evening drinks. And enjoy it all from the Joe Fortes garden-style patio, now open for the season!
- Dockside Restaurant provides a quintessential waterfront dining experience for anyone in Vancouver. Treat your date to this beautiful view and menu for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- The Gotham Steakhouse and Bar provide a luxurious dining experience in Vancouver whether you choose the dining room or the patio. Plus, the patio is covered making it easy to enjoy more days out of the month of May.
May Festivals in Vancouver
Take advantage of some premade plans for some simpler date plans. These May events and festivals in Vancouver as a date idea may depend on individual interests. And these upcoming events provide a good variety for different people or couples.
- The 24th annual Bicycle Film Festival Vancouver (May 18) takes places this month with a variety of short films, music, and art, to celebrate the sport of cycling, and bikes of all kinds.
- Check out Vancouver’s street dance festival together with four days of OUROFEST (May 25-28), brought to the city by the OURO Collective.
- Taste your way around the Tequila and Agave Festival (May 25) together while also enjoying the event’s live music and immersive experiences.
Stroll the Gardens in Bloom
These larger local gardens provide plenty of ambiance and romance for any type of date. These are affordable outing options with chances for seeing some urban wildlife, having a picnic, or watching the sun set.
- Park & Tilford Gardens are a bright part of Vancouver’s North Shore with nine separate gardens to stroll and explore. The garden is free to enter from 9:30am-4:30pm.
- VanDusen Botanical Garden are an admission-based attraction in Vancouver with an array of different garden sections to see. The Botanical Garden also hosts a café, restaurant, and gift shop.
- Access to certain parts of the UBC Botanical Garden require tickets like the Greenhart Treewalk, Bird Tours, and certain Memorial Gardens.
- Tulips are also in full bloom, head to Botanica Tulip Festival in Chilliwack, Harrison Tulip Festival in Agassiz, or Abbotsford Tulip Festival at Lakeland Flowers.
Live & Local Theatre
Take in something new, something live, and something local this May in Vancouver. These theatre and performance companies offer something for a variety of tastes when it comes to live entertainment.
- The BC Ballet will present a weekend of season premiers this May for their upcoming shows. The premiere includes three separate ballet productions.
- The Vancouver Arts Club is responsible for shows at three different venues in the city. This month, they’ll have Sexy Laundry on at the Granville Island Stage, and Guys & Dolls on at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.
- Enjoy a live production of the Disney classic Mary Poppins from the Royal City Musical Theatre Society until May 12 (@ Massey New Westminster).
Date Night Ideas for a Rainy Day
A rainy spring day, or many, in Vancouver is inevitable. So have these plans in your back pocket for an indoor date, safe from the rain.
- There are currently five feature exhibits to view at the Vancouver Art Gallery this May. Along with the time spent browsing the art, your date can also include a meal at the 1931 Gallery Bistro.
- On any given day, a visit to the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver offers about two-three hours of fun. They also host monthly events, like their upcoming May the Fourth Be With You celebration.
- The Vancouver Maritime Museum and Museum of Vancouver are both in the Vanier Park area, making it easy to visit both on one date.
Dinner & a Night Market
These Vancouver night markets begin their seasons in late April or early May. The large outdoor markets offer so much more than shopping, too, and include a number of ways to entertain a date!
- Richmond Night Market is the largest of its kind in North America with rows upon rows of vendors, live entertainment, and several extra activities.
- North Vancouver Shipyards Night Market start up for the season on May 10. The market features food and artisan vendors, a live DJ, and beer gardens.
Cheer on the Whitecaps
The Vancouver Whitecaps regular MLS season started in late April. Tickets are on sale now for regular season home games at BC Place. Game tickets range from general admission at around $30 per person, to Club Level tickets closer to $100 per person. And if you’re unable to get tickets, this is a good reason to stay in, order in, and enjoy the game together from the comfort of home.
A Day on Granville Island
The experiences and activities around Granville Island are worth consideration for first or hundredth dates with someone.
- At the heart of Granville Island is the large Public Market of local vendors.
- Ron Bansford Park, on the east side of Granville, is a quiet part of the Island where you can enjoy a picnic, watch the birds, or get cool views of the sun setting.
- There are several theatres and performance companies with venues on the Island: The Improv Centre, The Arts Club Theatre Company, Boca del Lupo, The Revue Stage, or The Waterfront Theatre.
- Stop by one of Granville Island’s many cozy cafes: Blue Parrott Espresso Bar, GI Gelato & Coffee House, Espresso Bar & Grill Bistro, or Off the Tracks.
Get out on the Water Together
Many tour operators and companies operate out of Vancouver’s harbours. And each of these has something unique to offer guests. Create a number of different dates out of the waters around the city.
- Wild Whales Vancouver offer whale watching tours from April to October with options for different boat types for your sightseeing tour.
- Book a unique dinner with Vancouver Water Adventures. They offer a Bowen Island Dinner and Sightseeing tour, seadoo tours, a Granite Falls Tour, and more.
- Take a boat out on the water with just the two of you: Granville Island/Vancouver Boat Rentals provide options for motorboats and offer guidance on where to go on the water and what to see.