Whether you’re in a relationship or wading into the dating pool for the first time in a while, the summer season offers plenty of unique dating opportunities. Here are a few activities worth trying out with that special someone while the weather is warm.
Practice your swing together at LaunchPad Golf
Whether you’re a beginner golfer or the next Tiger Woods, LaunchPad Golf offers a fun and approachable environment to practice your swing together or play a full game of golf without walking an entire course. At LaunchPad, you get your own suite where you use real clubs to hit balls out at targets on the grass. A virtual screen shows stats like who has the longest drive, or you can play a full game of virtual golf. LaunchPad also offers a menu of classic pub fare that you can order right to your suite while you play.
34122 East Harmony Tr., Calgary and 31 Heritage Pointe Drive, Heritage Pointe, launchpadgolf.com
Go shopping and snacking at a local night market
Night markets are a great way to explore a community on foot while perusing local goods, enjoying snacks from food trucks, listening to live music and more. Some markets run weekly, like the Heritage Park Night Market or Currie Market, while others occur monthly until August or September.
Read more: Summer Night Markets in Calgary
Have a romantic picnic by the river
What could be more romantic than a picnic along the Bow River? While you can certainly pack your own, there are also a few local options if you want to purchase a picnic meal to enjoy together on a date. River Café makes things easy with its summer picnic baskets that you can pre-order online. You can also order one of the five East Village picnic basket options from Connie & John’s Pizza, 8 Cakes, Deane House, Hilton Garden Grille or Chix Eggshop. Once you have your basket, simply find a picturesque spot along the river and enjoy.
25 Prince’s Island Park, 403-261-7670, river-cafe.com
Watch an outdoor movie together
Outdoor movie screenings bring a whole new dimension to the typical movie date night. Often set in scenic park settings, you can cuddle up on a blanket or chairs and snack away while watching flicks like The Super Mario Bros. Movie or Back to the Future together.
Read more: Where to Watch Outdoor Movies in Calgary
Get some ice cream and go on a self-guided mural tour in the Beltline
Thanks to Calgary’s BUMP Festival, the Beltline is full of more than 100 huge, colourful murals that are ready and waiting to be discovered on your next date. Order some ice cream from nearby spots like Made by Marcus, Amato Gelato or Village Ice Cream, then use BUMP’s mural map to find murals you want to check out nearby. Select the murals you want to add to your tour, which will appear in order on this handy tour map.
Go mini golfing at WinSport
WinSport’s 18-hole, outdoor mini-golf course is a fun and reasonably priced (only $13 for adults) way to get your competitive spirits going while soaking in the sun. Tee times are available until mid-September. And if you don’t want the fun to end, you can also check out WinSport’s downhill karting experience after your game.
88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W., 403-247-5452, winsport.ca, winsport.ca
Say hi to the animals at the zoo
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has no shortage of experiences that would make for a great date. You can try out the Sunday Safari Brunch together, attend one of the adult-only Wild After Hours events to experience the zoo at night or just explore the grounds to take in the animals and installations like WildScapes, which will be on display until mid-September.
210 St. George’s Dr. N.E., 403-232-9300, calgaryzoo.com
Go brewery hopping in Inglewood and Ramsay
Calgary’s Inglewood and Ramsay neighbourhoods are rife with local breweries that boast creative brews, tasty snacks and lovely patios. Start your date night at spots like Revival Brewcade or High Line Brewing, then make your way to Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co., Cold Garden or Dandy Brewing Company, and finish up at Eighty-Eight Brewing Co.