15 Romantic Things to Do in Vancouver, B.C.

Go for Dinner in Gastown

Gastown, located north of the downtown peninsula, is best visited after dark, when its cobblestoned streets and Victorian buildings are illuminated by charming antique lampposts. Vancouver's oldest neighborhood, centering around Water Street, developed from a single tavern founded in 1867 and has maintained its old-timey charm since.

Pretend you're in the 19th century as you waltz along the cafe- and boutique-lined street arm-in-arm with your honey. Duck into one of the sleek eateries for an evening bite and a drink, then end the night with an obligatory kiss under the famous Steam Clock at the corner of Water and Cambie Street.

Escape to a Nature-Oriented Spa in the Mountains

If you fancy a break from the city, drive (or take the Skylynx or Epic Rides shuttle buses) along the iconic Sea to Sky Highway—a romantic adventure in itself—to the alpine oasis that is Whistler. This mountain town centers around an offensively charming chalet-style pedestrian village. It's also an adventurer's paradise, as it's home to the world-famous ski resort Whistler Blackcomb.

Perhaps the most romantic thing to do here is visit the Scandinave Spa Whistler, a "nature-focused" spa surrounded by lush woodlands. This Nordic spa focuses on hydrotherapy and offers an array of hot and cold baths for serene soaking. Come for a dip, a couple's massage, or even an overnight stay among the tranquil forest surrounds.

Get Lost in a Field of Flowers

Vancouver is a very nature-oriented city, and just outside of the city center are several vast flower fields that create quite the spectacle during spring and summer bloom periods. What's more romantic than frolicking through a sea of vibrant tulips in the shadow of a snow-capped Mount Cheam? You can do that in Chilliwack, which holds a popular Tulip Festival in April.

An equally spectacular scene can be found at the Sunflower Festival, held every August, also in Chilliwack. This Fraser Valley flower farm takes about an hour and a half to get to, but you can visit Richmond Country Farms just 30 minutes away for a closer option.

Enjoy Incredible Mountaintop Views

To add a truly dramatic background to your romance, take a ride together and share an incredible view on the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish. Open year-round, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing and snow tubing in the wintertime, as well as mountaintop yoga, rock climbing, free tours, and more during the summer season. Enjoy bird's eye views of Howe Sound, challenging hikes that take you to breathtaking viewpoints, and the fear-inducing Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge.

Bike Vancouver's Famous Seawall

Biking is a free activity (and if you don't have a bike, rentals are inexpensive) that many couples love doing together. It's a fantastic way to see the city or countryside and guaranteed to give both of you an endorphin boost. Favorite biking spots include the Vancouver Seawall, or any of the scenic bike trails located throughout the city, including the Central Valley Greenway, Stanley Park, and Sunset Beach.

Walk Along the Beach at Sunset

Long walks on the beach are cliché, but they're popular for a reason: Taking a leisurely stroll alongside a loved one, with the golden light of the sunset and sounds of the gently crashing waves in the background, never really gets old. Vancouver's best beaches for romantic walking and hand-holding include Spanish Banks Beach Park, Kitsilano Beach, and Sunset Beach Park.

Go on a Wine Tour

For couples who love their partners and their wine, a wine tasting or tour is an ideal match. At the Vancouver Urban Winery, you can enjoy 36 wines on tap, including those made in-house alongside a rotating selection from neighbor wineries across British Columbia. The winery also offers a range of food and beer.

Stroll Through VanDusen Botanical Garden

A lovely stroll awaits every season at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. The garden is charming at any time of the year and has plenty of nooks and secluded pathways where you can get away from the crowds.

VanDusen does charge an admission fee, but if you're looking for a free activity, check out one of these other fantastic Vancouver gardens including the Rose Garden at Stanley Park and the Quarry Gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Have a Skate Date at Robson Square

Show off your ice skating skills at the Robson Square Ice Rink. Open every day (barring a few major holidays) from early December through the end of February, this rink is free and located right in the heart of downtown Vancouver. This semi-enclosed rink is also open late and holds special events with live music and laser light shows. 

Watch the Sunset From a Dinner Cruise

Watch the sunset over the North Shore mountains from the water while on a dinner cruise. Two of the most popular cruise boat companies in Vancouver offering dinner and sunset cruises are Harbour Cruises and Yoho Cruises.

Shop at the Farmers Markets

Prepare to make a home-cooked meal together by shopping at the farmers market. The city's farmers markets sell seasonal fruits and vegetables from local growers, as well as other artisanal products and baked goods. While most of Vancouver's markets run from May through October, the Granville Island Market is open year-round. 

Go See a Drive-In Movie

Vancouver has just one drive-in movie theater and luckily, it's a good one. The delightfully kitschy Twilight Drive-In shows two films every night, from mid-February through November. Bring blankets, pillows, and popcorn and cozy up for a night of canoodling in the comfort of your car.

Pick Berries at Krause Berry Farms

In the summer months, you can visit the "u-pick" berry fields at Krause Berry Farms in Langley, where they grow strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. During your visit, you can fill your basket with as much as you want. Your haul is then weighed and priced per pound. There's even a flower garden if you want to surprise your sweetheart by putting together a bouquet on the spot.

Walk Across the Capilano Suspension Bridge

The Capilano Suspension Bridge stretches nearly 500 feet across the Capilano River, which rushes 230 feet below. Crossing the bridge is both a romantic and thrilling activity, because you're flanked by the beautiful greenery of the forest while the river rushes below. Visiting the bridge is romantic any time of year, but it's especially so during the holiday season, when it's adorned with thousands of lights. Capilano's "Canyon Lights" usually runs from Thanksgiving through the end of January.

Sleep Under the Stars

Is there anything more romantic than stargazing? If you enjoy the great outdoors, skip an expensive hotel and sleep under the stars at one of Vancouver's many beautiful and scenic places to camp. These include the sandy beaches of Porpoise Bay on the Sunshine Coast and Porteau Cove, which has special facilities for scuba divers if you're up for an adventure.