Start your Valentine's Day with a late-morning wander through the vibrant Granville Island Public Market, where the air is filled with the scent of fresh pastries and seasonal flowers. Grab a decadent, artisanal hot chocolate from a local favorite like Petit Ami to warm your hands while exploring the colorful stalls and whimsical shops of the nearby Kids Market.
After your morning treats, make your way to the Vancouver Seawall for a refreshing stroll along the wooded edges of Stanley Park. As you loop toward English Bay, stop to explore the whimsical A-maze-ing Laughter bronze statues which offer a perfect, lighthearted photo opportunity for the whole family.
As the sun sets, head to the shimmering waterfront of Coal Harbour to take in the evening city skyline and the glowing Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza. Conclude your Valentine's Day by warming up at Thierry Chocolates on Alberni Street, where the family can indulge in decadent liquid chocolate and a selection of hand-crafted, heart-shaped macarons.
Start your Sunday morning with a scenic 12-minute SeaBus journey across the Burrard Inlet, offering the kids a front-row seat to the bustling harbor and city skyline. Once in North Vancouver, explore the vibrant Lonsdale Quay Market with a leisurely stroll through the artisanal stalls and a climb up the iconic Q Tower for sweeping views. Before heading home to start your Valentines baking, wander the historic boardwalk at The Shipyards to soak in the mountain backdrop and pick up specialty ingredients from the local shops.
Transition from the breezy waterfront to the warmth of your kitchen for a festive session of Heart-Shaped Cookie Baking. Let the kids lead the way in rolling out the dough and using Valentine's Cutters to create sweet treats that will fill the house with the scent of vanilla and butter. This hands-on activity provides the perfect creative outlet as you prepare a batch of personalized snacks to enjoy throughout the rest of your holiday weekend.
Wrap up your Sunday by cozying up with your freshly baked treats at Waterfront Park, where the twinkling Vancouver Skyline reflects beautifully over the water. As the evening chill sets in, return home to share your favorite family stories while watching the lights of the Lion's Gate Bridge sparkle in the distance.
Kick off your Monday morning by setting up a dedicated creative station at your Vancouver Home Base for a heartfelt Valentine's Day Card Crafting session with the kids. While they design personalized masterpieces using festive supplies from Daiso or Michaels, you can begin light meal preparations for your celebratory evening, sourcing fresh, local ingredients from a neighborhood spot like the Kitsilano Farmers Market to ensure a delicious homemade dinner.
After your crafting session, bundle up for a scenic walk through the towering evergreens of Pacific Spirit Regional Park to stretch your legs and enjoy the quiet winter atmosphere. Spend the latter part of the afternoon in the kitchen together, prepping your specialized menu and setting a beautiful table with artisanal touches from The Cross Decor & Design to perfectly transition into your celebratory evening.
As the winter night sets in, gather around the table for your signature Home Candlelight Dinner, where the kids' handcrafted cards serve as the perfect décor under the warm glow of votives from Circle Craft. Complete this intimate family experience by dimming the lights and sharing a decadent dessert platter featuring artisanal treats from Thomas Haas Chocolates to celebrate your Valentine's bond in total comfort.
Kick off the morning with a visit to the lush, indoor tropical paradise of the Bloedel Conservatory at the peak of Queen Elizabeth Park to capture final group photos. These snapshots will serve as the centerpiece for your Family Time Capsule project, which you will begin assembling together while reflecting on your favorite memories from this celebratory Valentine's getaway.
Transform your living room into a sprawling Indoor Tent Fort using soft linens and shimmering fairy lights sourced from Indigo at Robson Street. Once the sanctuary is complete, gather inside to finish your Family Time Capsule by adding handwritten letters and small souvenirs from your trip, creating a tangible bridge to this year's shared Valentine's memories.
Settle into your cozy living room sanctuary for a festive indoor campout dinner featuring organic, family-style pizzas from Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. and decadent scoops of artisanal Earnest Ice Cream. As the holiday draws to a close, gather for a final round of stories by flashlight within your glowing retreat before carefully packing your Valentine's Keepsake Box for the journey home.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Granville Island Public Market | Free |
| Petit Ami | $8 |
| Kids Market | Free |
| Vancouver Seawall | Free |
| Stanley Park | Free |
| English Bay | Free |
| A-maze-ing Laughter | Free |
| Coal Harbour | Free |
| Jack Poole Plaza & Olympic Cauldron | Free |
| Thierry Chocolates | $20 |
| SeaBus | $6 |
| Lonsdale Quay Market | Free |
| Q Tower | Free |
| The Shipyards | Free |
| Heart cookie baking (supplies) | $5 |
| Waterfront Park (North Vancouver) | Free |
| Daiso | $10 |
| Michaels | $10 |
| Kitsilano Farmers Market | $20 |
| Pacific Spirit Regional Park | Free |
| The Cross Decor & Design | Free |
| Circle Craft | Free |
| Thomas Haas Chocolates | $12 |
| Bloedel Conservatory | $7 |
| Queen Elizabeth Park | Free |
| Indigo at Robson Street | $15 |
| Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co. | $30 |
| Earnest Ice Cream | $8 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $171 |