Car Free Days

Date Idea: Car Free Days

Location: Commercial Drive, Main Street, Kitsilano, West End (Vancouver)

Price: Free!!!

More Info: http://www.carfreevancouver.org/

Car Free Day is a day when you guessed it, there are no cars. Streets are blocked off and you end up with a giant festival on the street. Each festival is different but they promote the ability to build a community which is not dependent on vehicles. The celebrations can include food, artisans, music, dancing, and fun spectacles such as street hockey and street performers. This year's Car Free Day is on June 16/17, 2012. As with the spirit of the event, use means of transport other than a car to get there.

Farmer's Market

Date Idea: Farmer's Market

Location: Various

Price: Free!!!

More Info: http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/

Farmer's Markets are great places to go for a walk and do some shopping, especially if you plan on making a small meal together with your date. You can find locally grown and produced fruits and vegetables, cheese, eggs, meat, seafood, jams, artisan products, crafts and more!

Most of the Farmer's Markets are up and running for the summer with the food variety changing with the season. The best part about these are that they are free and located all over the lower mainland during various times and dates. And the best part about the markets is that admission is free!

Eat! Vancouver

Date Idea: Eat! Vancouver

Location: BC Place Stadium, 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver

Price: $16 at the door, $14 online

More Info: http://www.eat-vancouver.com/

The 10th Annual Eat! Vancouver Food and Cooking show is happening this weekend (June 1-3) at BC Place Stadium. This is a great way to learn about ways to make food fun. For those who like to cook, there are cooking sessions where you can learn how to make meal time fun. You can even meet and chat with celebrity chefs.

The reason that I go, is for the food samples. In the past, I've learned about restaurants that I would have never thought of and have tried food from these different restaurants. When you get there, you can buy tickets and go to the booths of different restaurants in the area. From there, you can sample some of their food for a cost ranging from $1-4 dollars. This also applies for beer and wine tasting as long as you are over the age of 19.

Night Market

Date Idea: Night Market

Location: 
Richmond Night Market (8700 McKim Way, Richmond);
Summer Night Market (12631 Vulcan Way, Richmond);
Chinatown Night Market (Chinatown Plaza, Vancouver)

Price: Free!!!

More Info: Richmond Night Market; Summer Night Market; Chinatown Night Market

Vancouver has a diverse multicultural community and the Summer Night Markets reflect that. Vancouver's Chinatown and the City of Richmond have hosted several markets over the past few years, and this year there is now shortage of them with a Night Market in Chinatown, and two in Richmond this year.

To some, the night markets are full of useless junk, and in the past there have been issues with counterfeit items. However, if you are looking for cheap electronic or cell phone accessories, the night markets are the place to go.

But most people who go are really in it for the dinner as you can head down the walkways with rows upon rows of asian food vendors where you can try a variety of food items...some which are a bit more unusual than others.

All these markets are now open for the summer and are open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights along with holidays. Check out each of their websites for specific dates and hours.

The Rodeo

Date Idea: Cloverdale Rodeo

Location: 6050 176 Street  Surrey, BC

Price: $12 per person for General Admission into the fair but does not include the rodeo.
                $25 per person for the rodeo and that price includes the $12 fair admission.

More Info: http://www.cloverdalerodeo.com/

The Victoria Day Long Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. Another event that also marks the start of summer in the lower mainland is the Cloverdale Rodeo and County Fair which is in its 124th year!

For those who haven't been to the rodeo before, its your chance to be a cowboy in the city. The main event is the rodeo itself where you can see some horse racing and bull riding. At the same time, is the county fair which is full of rides, concerts and trade shows. This year features the first annual cowboy cookoff where you can have a taste as some cowboy bbq. The real party starts when the sun goes down as the Longhorn Saloon opens its doors. Its recommended to get there early (or buy VIP tickets) because there is always a line up to get in. The 2012 fair runs from May 19-21.

Vancouver Aquarium

Date Idea: Vancouver Aquarium

Location: 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC

Price: $21 per person (based on Adult Rate). Show a valid transit pass and save $2

More Info: www.vanaqua.org or 604-659-3552 

Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is Canada's largest aquarium with over 50,000 animals. One of the newest attractions coming up in just over a week is the new Penguin Exhibit. If penguins aren't your thing, there are other birds and wildlife along with the traditional fish, sharks, whales and dolphins. They offer shows throughout the day where the trainers show the interaction they have with the animals but the aquarium also offers an opportunity to learn about the animals and conservation.

BONUS
Want an extra experience that's up close and personal? Starting at $24 per person, you can go for a behind the scenes adventure where you can help the trainers with feeding or training of the animals. Make sure to call in advance to book a time though.

Date Idea: Playland

Location: 2901 East Hastings St, Vancouver, BC Canada

Price: $29.95 per person

More Info: www.pne.ca/playland

Signs that summer is coming close is when Playland starts to open for the season. If you and your date have a strong stomach, you can spend hours on the rides. There's the brand new Atmosfear which spins you at 70km/h at over 200 ft in the air, or you can go for the old Wooden Coaster which was built in 1958. If you have a bit of a weaker stomach, you can try to impress your date with winning at one of the midway games where you can test your skills. Or you can take it easy with a round of mini golf. And what's a fair without the food? There are several food stops around where you can take a break to satisfy your needs.

Right now, the fair is open only on weekends and holidays from 10am - 6pm (weather dependent). But come June 15, the fair is open everyday of the week for the summer before going back to reduced hours for the fall.