Far from the Monday - Friday grind that usually populates your To Do list, try one or a combination of our long weekend must-do’s in celebration of BC Day Monday, August 1st.

R + R Starts Here

Indulge in Patio Season! We rounded up our favourite summer outdoor dining spots in a recent post, and there’s something for everyone on the list. From chill late night eateries featuring the best in west coast cuisine to people-watching meccas and patios showcasing views for miles, you could spend all weekend dining outdoors.

To Be or Not To Be

Get your culture on at Western Canada’s premiere Shakespeare festival and catch a show at Bard on the Beach in Vanier Park. With breathtaking sunset water and mountain views behind the main stage, you’ll never experience anything else like it. On the programme for this year is The Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo and Juliet, Othello and Pericles.

Sip Your Way to Satisfaction

Play tourist in your own town the grown-up way with the Craft Beer ‘n Bites Tour. Hosted by Vancouver Food Tour which was founded by Local Entrepreneur of the Year 2011, Melody Fury, you’ll sip your way through Gastown’s craft beer scene tasting the best on tap paired with carefully selected nibbles. You’ll discover hidden gems while learning about beer’s history and aspects of the brewing process.

Light up the Night

The annual Celebration of Light wraps up on Saturday, July 30th with an amazing spectacle of fireworks by the USA. Sponsored by Honda, the celebration features more than just fireworks. There’s also the Shorefest Sunset Beach live music festival and The Stanley Park Brewing Sunsetter Lounge to enjoy a few cold ones while waiting for the light show to begin. Check out their website for transportation and other tips.

Spa-aah

Escape to the Scandinave Spa in Whistler where silence is embraced as the key to the success of finding one’s inner stillness for total relaxation. This 20,000 square foot Nordic day spa is known for its outdoor thermal baths and Thai yoga massage. Re-energize by alternating between warm and cool with the waterfall baths, steam rooms, saunas, and showers before chilling in the hammocks by the outdoor fireplace with beautiful mountain vista views and Whistler Blackcomb’s valleys to keep you company.

What’s your favourite way to play this long weekend? Share on our Facebook page!

Known fondly around town as “Kits”, the neighbourhood has undergone several personality shifts since the early 1800s when the Squamish people moved into the area. Named for their chief August Jack Khatsahlano, the area stretches between West Point Grey, Fairview and is bordered by the south shore of English Bay. Largely residential, the remnants of a 1920s apartment boom is still apparent in the Tudor Revival along Cornwall Ave. But beyond the eclectic mix of architectural styles that make up the neighbourhood, Kits is better known for its two main retail areas along West 4th Avenue and West Broadway, restaurants, and organic specialty stores.

History

Two of Kitsilano’s best known landmarks were constructed in the 1930s: the outdoor saltwater public pool right on Kits Beach and the Burrard Bridge that irrevocably expanded downtown Vancouver to the Westside. After the Squamish people relinquished their hold on the reserve land to the federal government in 1946, Kits went through a hippy phase in the 60s as an inexpensive place to live. The Naam restaurant at 4th and Macdonald still stands as a reminder of those days, serving up vegetarian, vegan and natural foods.

Today

Kits still plays host to Greek Day and the outdoor Shakespeare festival Bard on the Beach in Vanier Park as a testament to the area’s varied cultural past. Slowly gentrified by yuppies and young families, the neighbourhood retains a relaxed atmosphere with easy access to 17 beaches, parks, and close in proximity to both downtown and Granville Island. It’s also home to current and former famous residents David Suzuki, actors Ryan Reynolds and Joshua Jackson, and hockey players Trevor Linden and Ryan Kesler. Not to mention that Kitsilano is fittingly the birthplace of famed yoga brand Lululemon Athletica.

Keep an eye out for our listings in lovely Kitsilano! Looking for something even more posh? Read our spotlight on Shaughnessy. You can always contact us for a consultation, as well.

In celebration of the best guy around, we’ve rounded up our favourite boys’ day out activities to make Sunday, June 19th unforgettable this year.

Our Top Five Things To Do This Father’s Day Weekend

1. Kick off the weekend with a BC Lions football game versus the Calgary Stampeders Friday, June 17th. Get your tickets here! More of a European football fan? The Vancouver Whitecaps are playing New England Revolution Saturday, June 18th, tickets available here.
 
2. More the adventurous type? Have lunch 2,000 feet above sea level. About an hour’s drive from Vancouver, the 11km adventure hike that is the renowned Stawamus Chief overlooks the town of Squamish with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and water. Choose from old-growth forest trail or one with views of Shannon Falls. Feeling particularly daring? The front face of the Chief is popular for experienced rock climbers.
 
3. If chilling’s more the order of the day, stop by The Liberty Distillery’s Cocktail Lounge on Granville Island. Sip one of the Distillery’s artisanal premium spirits, handcrafted on site “from grain to glass” at the 110-year-old antique bar. Service starts at 11am; meaning on boys’ day, any time is a good time to try the good stuff.
 
4. Get cultural and take in a play at the annual Bard on the Beach festival. There are two preview performances of award-winning The Merry Wives of Windsor on Sunday, June 19th. This classic tale of mischief and sweet revenge is set against the beautiful back-drop of mountains and water at the Bard tents in Kitsilano’s Vanier Park. For more performances, check the official schedule here.
 
5. A short, thirty-minute drive out of the city will have you on the Redwoods Golf Course doorstep. This lush, 18 hole Ted Locke Championship course offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains beyond the tree-lined green. Redwoods also offers a Driving Range, the Grill, and flexible bookings from a one-time tee time to seasons’ passes.
 

No matter how you choose to spend your guys’ day, we wish you and all the dads out there a Happy Father’s Day!

Photo credit: Juan Gomez