The gorgeous patio at Lift, one of many Vancouver restaurants with incredible outdoor seating — Photo courtesy of Lift
Romance in Vancouver isn’t hard to find. It can be found doing something as simple as having a picnic at English Bay Beach and watching the sun go down, or strolling through the Rose Garden at Stanley Park. However, if you want to make an afternoon and night of it, then dress to impress, rouge those cheeks, pucker up those lips and check out these romantic things to do in Vancouver.
Start your afternoon off with a little aphrodisiac at Joe Fortes’ happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and take pleasure in freshly shucked oysters and half off their happy hour menu. If raw oysters aren’t your thing, the happy hour menu includes fried oysters and the classic Oysters Rockefeller, made with local oysters, spinach, pernod and hollandaise.
If you can, grab a seat on the rooftop patio. It’s a little taste of paradise in an urban oasis, and it’s one of the best seats in the city!
Oysters at Joe Fortes on the patio — Photo courtesy of Natasha John
Now that the amorous seed has been planted with nature’s aphrodisiac, grab your partner and make your way to the HR MacMillan Space Center for a 7:30 p.m. astronomy show. (The evening astronomy shows take place on Friday and Saturday evenings only, both at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.) They have special features and an ongoing show, Universe in a Night, which gives you a neat glimpse of the universe.
The observatory is open on Friday and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., and you have the opportunity to go stargazing with their half-meter Cassegrain telescope. The night sky will never look the same!
HR MacMillan Space Center at night — Photo courtesy of HR MacMillan Space Center
Follow up your astral adventure with a romantic dinner at Lift Bar & Grill in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. If the patio is open and there’s room, then sit out there. The cozy fire and views of the Burrard Inlet and Stanley Park are an added beauty to this sexy restaurant.
The wine and cocktail menu will start your dinner off on the right foot, while the seafood-centric dishes will delight your palate. Don’t worry, meat eaters will not be left on dry land: they have numerous appetizing options. If for whatever reason you miss stargazing and get to Lift before the sun sets, the view of the sun going down from here is absolutely spectacular!
After a blissful day of aphrodisiacs, stargazing and an amazing meal, wind down with an evening constitutional, hand in hand, along the Seawall. It’s just steps from Lift Restaurant, and the smell of the ocean will fill you with blissful relaxation as you reflect on an incredibly romantic day.
