How to spend your day off in Vancouver if you don't like nature but want to have fun
Don't worry, it's not just walking around Granville Island.
Friends share a laugh and drinks at a bar. Right: Vancouver's nature is great, but there are other options...
I'm a Vancouver native and without fail every time I tell someone where I'm from, they tell me how beautiful Vancouver is.
I usually smile and give my autopilot reply: "I know, we're super lucky. We have the ocean, the mountains, the beaches, the forests. There's so much to do in nature!"
It's true, we are super lucky — especially if hiking, bird watching, or beaching is your thing. Some of us are just not that outdoorsy though and honestly, just like being inside (I'm talking about me here)! If you can relate, I have good news for you. There is a lot more to this city than the great outdoors.
Here's a little list that I've accumulated over the years of some of my favourite non-nature activities for Vancouverites after my own heart.
Catch a re-run at the Rio Theatre
When: Check the calendar for showtimes
Address: 1660 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: I'm not sure who the cinephile is that's personally responsible for the curation at the Rio, but they're killing it. While the Rio does show newly released films, a big part of the Rio's draw for me are the seasonally-appropriate throwback films it premieres.
Their calendar is updated on a month-to-month basis, so whether it's date night or a play-hookie-and-see-a-matinee day, you can plan ahead and make sure you don't miss those classic throwbacks and cult favourites.
Plus, October is around the corner, which is the perfect time to go here and get your Rocky Horror Picture Show fix.
Try your luck at Planet Bingo
When: Sunday to Thursday: 1 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., Friday to Saturday: 1 p.m. until 11:15 p.m.
Address: 2655 Main St., 1st Floor, Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: This is probably my biggest wild card, but Planet Bingo is a Main St. institution we've all passed but you've probably never gone into. One Friday night I was feeling restless and jonesing to do something I'd never done before. I'd been aimlessly driving around when I passed Planet Bingo and decided this was the day I was going to make history.
Be warned, walking into the bingo hall is more daunting than you'd imagine. The Planet Bingo clientele is not messing around — the "omas" and "opas" here are anything but sweet, and they are not here to make friends. They're in it to win it. So, watch a YouTube video on Bingo rules and game theory before stepping foot on the floor.
Visit the Lonsdale Quay Market
When: Varies by vendor
Address: 123 Carrie Cates Ct., North Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: Though one of the city's big tourist grabs, suggesting a trip to Granville Island via Aquabus felt a bit too obvious. That's why I opted for The Lonsdale Quay. Same energy, but in a different location.
The Lonsdale Quay is a lesser-known vendor market in North Van. I won't lie, the selection isn't as large as Granville Island— but the prices tend to be lower!
Pro Tip: Anytime you're in North Van you've gotta take a trip to Deep Cove's Honey's Doughnuts for their signature
"classic honey." I like to grab a six-pack and post up on a park bench overlooking the water. It may not seem as breathtaking as catching the sunset from the top of the mountain, but in my life, I've found the days you think you'll forget are sometimes the ones you remember most.
Take a scenic drive through West Van
Address: Start at Lion's Gate Bridge and drive along Marine Drive to Whytecliff Park
Why You Need To Go: Now that we're on the other side of the Lion's Gate Bridge, I have to give West Van its due. Even though I was raised across the water and grew up driving the UBC to Spanish Banks loop, in my later years I discovered Whytecliff Park – and it was a game-changer.
This drive could not be simpler or more intuitive. When I was younger and I had nothing to do and nowhere to be, burning gas in my best friend's Corolla while we solved world problems (A.K.A. why we were done with dating boys in high school) was my Saturday night.
This, to me, was my version of being in nature. I got to see it all from the passenger's side of my best friend's ride. Window crank rolled down, feet kicked up, and the tallest Douglas firs you've ever seen whipping by.
Try some of the 238 flavours at La Casa Gelato
When: Open daily from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Address: 1033 Venables St., Vancouver, BC
Why You Need To Go: This East Vancouver ice cream parlour has been around for 40 years and even earned a spot in the Guinness World Records for "most flavours of ice cream commercially available." That's 238, to be exact!
The Italian-owned gelato joint is just a stone's throw away from Commercial Drive on Venables. The pink brick building is unmissable and Casa Gelato even owns a sizable parking lot across the street. I mean, at this point a visit is pretty much a no-brainer.
Pro Tip: This is a low-key date night stop that I think is the perfect mix of simple and sweet (pun intended, of course).
Hunt for hidden treasures at estate sales
Address: Varies, check online for auction times
Why You Need To Go: Estate Sales are my best-kept secret, so I can't even believe I'm telling you about them right now. Every second-hand seller you've DM'd on Facebook marketplace or any antique store you've ever been to? Definitely secured some of their best pieces from estate sales. Which would be totally fine, if they weren't making bank marking up the prices.
So, why let other people do for you what you could do for yourself? One of the best things about this activity is how tailored it is to indoor people — in some cases, it doesn't even require you to leave your house! Yes, there are plenty of estate sales that happen in person, but a lot of Vancouver's estates have gone fully online. There are so many great auction houses that open online bidding on a weekly basis.
If you win the bid, you can then pick up the piece — simple as that. Check out a couple of my favourite websites listed below to see what auctions are being held in your area.
Whether you're lounging at a cozy spot or trying something new, Vancouver's got plenty to offer beyond the trails and beaches. So go ahead, embrace your inner indoor kid and make the most of your day off — nature will still be there tomorrow!