As parents, we spend so much time looking for new and exciting places and activities for our kids, but when we get some fun time for ourselves, we default to going out for dinner. Not anymore! It’s a proven fact that having new and exciting experiences with our partners or friends brings us closer together and makes us feel rejuvenated. We’ve rounded up our favourite Date Night or “Mom’s Night” activities to throw a little spice into your standard evening out.
Science World After Dark
You’ve been to Science World with your kids, but After Dark is all about letting the adults play and explore! The ideal date night awaits with monthly themes, special science demonstrations geared towards adults on the Main Stage, and alcohol for purchase so you can sip and stroll. Depending on the theme, you can catch live music, see special presentations and talks, and connect with community vendors as you explore Science World. Interact with the exhibits in a new way (and without having to chase your kids or wait for kids to finish playing), then grab a bite to eat at Triple O’s or walk along False Creek to one of the restaurants located just minutes away. Doors open at 6pm, and the events run until 10pm. Shows run every 15-30 minutes, which leaves some flexibility for arrival and departure times.
Dates: July 23, September 2, October 30, December 9, 2026
Cost: $39.99/person
Website: www.scienceworld.ca
Soccer Skills performance at June Science World After Dark
AmazingCo Mystery Picnics
My husband and I did a Mystery Picnic for our anniversary last year, and we had a blast! AmazingCo is an online company that operates in a ton of major cities across Australia, Canada, and the United States. To get started, you choose what type of experience you’re looking for – Mystery Picnic for 2 (the standard experience), Mystery Picnic with Wine, Mystery Picnic Weekend (for a full weekend getaway), Mystery Picnic for 4 or even a Mystery Picnic for the whole family. Can’t find a babysitter? There are options that can be done from home as well, but since we’re trying to get *out* of the house, the picnics are my top choice. On the day of your Mystery Picnic date, you will receive a link with clues and a starting location. Pick up your picnic items at the first stop, then solve clues to find out where you will head next. There are about 4 – 5 stops where you will pick up food and drinks. The restaurants know ahead of time that you will be arriving, so you just need to say your name and then bring out the items. The clues weren’t too hard, but they definitely required teamwork! Along the way, the app also gave us conversation starters and interesting facts about the route we were traveling. After we collected all the materials, we were led to a nice park with a great view for our picnic. We opted to walk, but you can drive if mobility is a concern. There are also different areas of Vancouver, Langley, Maple Ridge, and North Vancouver to choose from, so you can stay close to home or venture out further.
Dates: Super flexible – you can choose whatever date and time works for you.
Cost: Varies by experience; starts at $130 for a Mystery Picnic for 2 (price by experience, not by person)
Website: www.amazingco.me
Our Mystery Picnic for 2 items
The Improv Centre
Laughter really is the cure for just about everything, and at The Improv Centre, there is really no shortage of laughs! Where else in the city can you go to see a unique show every night, brought to you by some of the city’s top talent? TheatreSports is the place where improv geniuses get together to play games and create stories that are inspired by audience suggestions. I’ve gone with friends, for birthday parties (adult ones, of course), with my parents and grandparents, and even brought The Improv Centre in for groups of kids, and each time, the comedy has been just perfect for the age. The actors get a good sense of the audience composition and gauge audience reactions along the way to ensure they stay in the ‘funny’ zone for all, avoiding awkwardness. Each show’s theme has a ‘spice’ level listed on the website, along with a general age range in case you want to bring your kids or teens to a show. For a date night or a friends’ night out, you can’t go wrong with 90 minutes of laughter! Pair it with a walk around Granville Island or dinner at a local restaurant for a full night.
Dates: Tuesdays – Saturdays, and occasional Sundays
Cost: Depending on day/show; between $10 (midweek) – $38.50 (weekend)
Website: theimprovcentre.ca
Cooking Classes & Foodie Tours
The perfect date-night out for foodies who want a new and exciting experience. In Vancouver, we are fortunate to have such a wide array of food experiences – so why sit in your neighbourhood chain restaurant talking about your to-dos when you could be getting your hands messy and interactively experiencing food?! Here are some options to spice up your dinner out:
The Dirty Apron Cooking School: You don’t have to be an experienced chef to learn to cook at The Dirty Apron (seriously – they also teach kids here, so they have *lots* of patience and expertise!) Choose from a wide variety of themes like French Cooking, Thai Cuisine, Seafood Adventure, and plenty more. Their classes are all participatory – meaning you will pop on an apron and get straight to work at your partner/group work station, guided by experienced chefs, to bring a 3-course meal to life. Enjoy your hard work together once it’s complete.
Cost: $210/person (includes all food and materials)
Website: www.dirtyapron.com
Eden West Gourmet: Less hands-on, more interactive and fun… like watching a cooking show in real life! Join top-rated chefs for themed meals in the Eden West Gourmet kitchen as they prepare your 3-course meal right in front of you. Learn cooking tips along the way, sip wine and beverages (that you bring in), and connect with the people around you. Take home the recipes from the evening to create in your own kitchen (seriously..my husband and I still make Chef Glenys’ watermelon/burrata salad.) Plus, if you’re a Great Canadian Baking Show fan, you can even take a class with THE Bruno Feldeisen!
Cost: Varies. About $135.00/person
Website: edenwestgourmet.ca
Vancouver Foodie Tours: Experience a variety of flavours with the guarantee that you’re getting the best of what Vancouver has to offer! Start by choosing your cuisine and preferred neighbourhood, and make sure you wear good walking shoes! Each tour is led by a knowledgeable guide who provides information and history throughout your neighbourhood walk. Tours stop at approximately 4 different restaurants and have a variety of tastings and full meals (with drinks!), ensuring you certainly won’t leave hungry. Group sizes are small – between 4 and 12 people per tour – so you get a personalized experience every time. Perfect for a date night for 2 or a bigger group!
Cost: Between $129 – $179 per person
Website: foodietours.ca
Course 1 at Eden West Gourmet
Boat Tours
Living in Vancouver, it’s easy to forget how beautiful this city is (especially when it’s dark and grey), which is why it’s important to make the most of it when the weather is nice! Summer is obviously peak time to get out on the water, but Fall and Spring offer gorgeous perspectives, too. Experience the city from a new perspective with these top-rated boat tours ideal for a day out with your partner or friends.
Tiki Tours Vancouver: Pretty sure it’s impossible not to have a good time on a floating tiki boat! Hop on a 60-minute boat tour to explore Vancouver’s coast, rent a private charter and head out with a big group, or hop on a 90-minute Happy Hour Cruise to get your evening started! Boaters can purchase non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages on board.
Cost: Starting at $55 per person.
Website: www.tikitimetours.ca
Vancouver Water Adventures: Enjoy a thrilling 1.5-hour tour of the Vancouver coastline, or make it a longer trip to Bowen Island or Howe Sound. Experience the beauty of the ocean as you travel in an exciting zodiac boat, with full safety guidelines and PFDs for everyone on board.
Cost: Varies by tour; prices starting at $79
Website: vancouverwateradventures.com
Pink Boat: Did this catch my eye because it’s BRIGHT PINK? Absolutely yes! Pink Boat offers curated trips based on your preferred number of hours on the water (anywhere from 2 hours to 6 hours) and whether you want a casual float or an exploration tour. Boats are all private charters with room for up to 8 people on board, so they’re great for birthday parties, group dates, or special occasions. You can also bring food and drink on board for a full party experience, or add on decor, food, and photography as part of your package.
Cost: $650 (2-hours) to $1199 (6-hours)
Website: pinkboat.ca
