Nanaimo is a beautiful city that has so much to offer and when it comes to great date spots, the possibilities are endless. With the gorgeous views of the mountains and the beautiful water as your backdrop, it’s easy to find a romantic place to enjoy each other’s company together.
If you’re looking for some fun ideas for things to do in Nanaimo with your date then check out a few we’ve gathered together. Each entry lists a fun activity along with a great restaurant that’s nearby so you can park your car and have a great time together in the beautiful city of Nanaimo.
1) Take a walk together on Nanaimo’s beautiful harbourfront walkway and have a bite while you float at Penny’s Palapa
The harbourfront walkway is a beautiful spot to see some amazing views and breathe in the ocean air. The walkway is well maintained and features small cafes and stores all along the boardwalk. On Fridays in April through October, you can also visit the Nanaimo Farmers market located on the upper deck which makes it easy to grab your own fresh lunch for a date.
Some of the best spots to check out along the harbourfront are located at the Pioneer Waterfront Plaza. The plaza includes the Javawocky Coffee House, the Lighthouse Bistro and Pub and Penny’s Palapa which is a fantastic floating restaurant that features Mexican cuisine with a western twist.
Penny’s Palapa is one of the most unique restaurant experiences in the city. Located in the harbour at the edge of the boardwalk, this floating restaurant is a great place to bring someone for some great food and drinks. If you decide to stop in, try their fantastic halibut tacos (3 soft tacos filled with seared halibut, pico de gallo, slaw and a choice of zesty yogurt or chipotle mayo) or one of their amazing mixed drinks like the Hibiscus margarita ( fresh squeezed limeade served frozen with a swirl of hibiscus tea, a salted rim & fresh lime over tequila and triple sec).
2) Enjoy the scenery around Pipers Lagoon and eat some delicious classic bar grub at Pipers Pub
Pipers Lagoon is one of the best natural features Nanaimo has to offer. The lagoon has scenic trails and beautiful ocean views so it’s the perfect place to enjoy a sunrise or sunset. The beach area of the lagoon is a great place to do some beachcombing, bird watching or just take a romantic walk.
The area is perfect for a nature-inspired photoshoot and visitors report the trails are easily walkable. This is a great place for a double date with your four-legged friends as it’s dog-friendly with many places for your pooches to explore.
One of the best places nearby to grab a snack is the Piper’s Pub. Travel west along Hammond Bay road to reach this neighbourhood pub that features classic bar food and fun drinks. Try their Mac & Cheese entree (classic macaroni and cheese with a panko crust and garlic toast) or their Steak Sandwich (7oz striploin steak, crispy onions and bbq sauce on ciabatta garlic bread) for a great meal at a great price.
3) Have a friendly competition at the James Street Games room then enjoy some great grilled cajun food at Firehouse Grill
For a great place to play a few games, try out the James Street Games Room. They offer pool tables, snooker, ping pong and foosball tables for a great price, along with a wide variety of great drinks. They show local sports events such as Canucks games and the games area is well maintained.
The pool hall is open from 2 pm to 11 pm Sunday to Thursday and 2 pm to 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Pool tables rentals are $13.50 for two people per hour, the ping pong tables are $14 per hour and the foosball tables are $13 per hour.
A few doors down from the pool hall is the fantastic Firehouse Grill. The Firehouse Grill specializes in both cajun grill and fusion sushi and they have a number of unique and interesting menu items. Try their Fire Hydrant burger (slathered in BBQ sauce, topped with house-pickled jalapeños and melted asiago cheese) or their Black N’ Blue pasta (Blackened 6oz sirloin steak on a bed of fettuccine tossed with sautéed mushrooms and spring onions in Dijon bleu-cheese cream sauce).
4) Make a break for it at Breakout Nanaimo Escape Rooms and grab a taste of Italy at La Stella Trattoria
Escape rooms are a great idea for a fun and off-the-wall date and Nanaimo happens to have a great one with plenty of rooms to choose from. Breakout Nanaimo is a premier escape room that offers 3 rooms with different themes to challenge you and your date.
- Backcountry Capture offers up a fun story involving family secrets and a hidden gem. Try to make your way through your Uncle’s room and piece the clues together as fast as you can
- Neutralize is a virus-themed escape room where you use your detective skills to try and neutralize the virus before it escapes and takes over Vancouver Island.
- Vanished: The Last Voyage is a nautical-themed room where you’re part of a mysterious ship’s crew. When you find yourself surrounded by mist, it’s your job to navigate back to shore while the clock ticks down.
Each room is 60 minutes long and costs $45 per person for 2 players but the cost goes down when more players are added so this is the perfect spot to have a fun group date.
Located just around the corner is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. La Stella Trattoria serves authentic Italian food while also committing to helping local farmers and growers. Their claim to fame is being the only pizza shop in Nanaimo with an authentic wood fire pizza oven.
Some of the most popular dishes from La Stella Trattoria are their amazing pasta like the Gnocchi with beef ragu ( Crispy golden pan-fried handmade potato gnocchi with
braised beef ragu, tomatoes, sweet onions, with a house-made horseradish crème Fraiche) or try their fantastic pizza selections like the Calabrese (tomato sauce, spicy soppressata, Calabrian chili, fior di latte, parmesan, oregano, and pepperoncini) for an amazing Italian pizza experience.
5) Do some whale watching then have a drink of some amazing local craft beer at White Sails Brewery
If you want a unique, one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience then forget about every other place on the list and take your date on one of Nananimos’ fantastic whale watching tours like Vancouver Island Whale Watch. Keep in mind that whale sightings will vary by season (although some companies like this one, do offer a whale sighting guarantee. If you don’t see a whale, the next trip is free. Check your companies policy) but you’ll still be up close and personal with many other amazing Salish Sea creatures.
Prices for the sea tour start at $149 per person and it includes a 3-4 hour trip. On the trip, you’ll learn about the various creatures living nearby as you cruise through the Gulf Islands. You’ll spend a full hour looking for whales while you hear about their natural behaviour from your local guide.
After seeing some of nature’s most amazing creatures, you’ll likely be pretty famished so swing over to White Sails Brewery to complete your boat-themed adventure. White Sails serves many different local craft beers along with some great food.
The restaurant focuses primarily on showcasing local food businesses on its menu. Some of the biggest sellers are their Brewers Board (a curated selection of Nesvog’s meats, Little Qualicum cheesework’s cheeses and local toasted herb baguette slices) and their Baked Brie ( Little Qualicum cheeseworks brie, baked until gooey and served with red pepper jelly and local herb baguette). Their beer selection includes locally made craft beers like their local Bastion Blonde Ale, Mount Benson India Pale Ale, and seasonal beers like the Chocolate Porter.
Bonus Idea
One of the most amazing natural features in Nanaimo is Neck Point Park. It is well known by locals for its beautiful views and it’s also frequented by scuba divers for its impressive sea life. It’s one of the best places to go for a romantic night or a fun-filled day.
Nanaimo is full of places that are great for taking your date. Whether you want to go all out and do something you can’t experience in many other places or you just want to enjoy the beauty of the city, Nanaimo has a place that will suit whatever type of date you’re planning.
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