10 awesome things to do in B.C. this weekend

It's set to be another warm, sunny September weekend in Vancouver. 🌤️

On the not-so-bright side, the forecast is also calling for some seriously smoky skies and poor air quality thanks to the wildfires that are still blazing south of the border. So be careful and breathe clearly, but do your best to enjoy the toasty temperatures while they last—a La Niña advisory was officially issued for the Pacific this week, meaning B.C. could be in store for a colder-than-usual winter.

In the meantime, here are a few ways to satisfy your tastebuds, or otherwise keep you occupied and entertained this weekend. Remember, we're still in the midst of a global pandemic (with B.C. reporting 132 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday), so however you choose to spend your weekend, make sure it's at least two metres away from anyone who isn't in your social bubble. 

1. Float down a river (while the good weather lasts) 

(@FAYEWELLER / Instagram)

This late-summer sun won't stay shining forever! 

Spanning an impressive four miles long, the Penticton River Channel offers one of the best floating experiences in British Columbia. The man-made waterway cuts across the breathtaking Okanagan Valley and offers tubers a full three-to-four hours of relaxing fun with stunning vistas in every direction. Connecting Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake, the pristine passageway is considered a bucket list item for the summer (or unusually warm early-fall) season.

2. Challenge your definition of 'cheeseburger'

Facebook photo / Italian Kitchen by Glowbal Group

Looks like a pretty great spot to enjoy a burger to us! 

Burgermania is back at Glowbal until Sept. 18. They have five different burgers to choose from, including Surf n’ Turf Burger (double house-ground chuck patties, buttery lobster & tarragon shaved fennel, béarnaise, brioche bun) served with cheesy fried gnocchi bites. In addition, Glowbal has a vegetarian option, the Veggie Parmesana, with a ‘true veggie patty’, crispy eggplant, parmesan, provolone cheese tomato fondue, basil aioli, rocket greens, multigrain ciabatta and served with fried parsnip chips.

3. Get outside, while getting to know new people 

Couple paddleboarding on the lake. Photo: Getty Images.

Doing something out of the ordinary is a surefire way to spice up your dating life. 

Social activities that push your limits by getting you to do something daring and different will lead to unforgettable experiences with new connections. Together with Events & Adventures, we’re giving singles a mix of unique ideas for social distancing-friendly outdoor dates and virtual meetups—from catching a sunrise to horseback riding to virtual murder mystery games—to engage in with other unique singles in Vancouver.

4. Munch on some mini donuts 

CinCity's mini donuts. Photo: @realjessicakim/Instagram

Chances are you know them - and love them - from local seasonal venues like the PNE, Rogers Arena, or BC Place, but now CinCity Donuts has opened up their own standalone Vancouver shop.

Located at 327 East Broadway (in the space that was vacated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic by the bubble tea and bakeshop Buns + Boba), CinCity Mini Donuts opened up for business at the very end of August. For their East Broadway storefront, CinCity is not only serving up hot mini donuts by the dozen (or baker's dozen, as it often happens), but also has Lemon Heaven lemonades on the menu, as well as hot dogs, cotton candy, and coffee drinks. The shop is also offering delivery via third party carriers UberEats and DoorDash.

5. Check out this wild, free-roam virtual reality experience

The world’s most advanced roam-free VR experience. Photo: Zero Latency.

2020 has been… a lot, to say the least. If you’ve been dreaming of escaping from reality and from this year, we don’t blame you. 

So, why not make that wish come true by going on a space mission or fighting in a zombie apocalypse?

6. Have a picnic! 

Photo courtesy Beetbox

Again, we warn you—these warm, sunny September days are numbered.

Enjoy them while you can, and while you can score some deals on tasty treats best enjoyed outdoors. There are still a couple of weeks left in the first-ever Dine OutSide Vancouver festival. While lots of us might have back to school and pumpkin spice everything on our minds, it is still summer, and there are several restaurants across the city taking part in Dine OutSide that are putting together some amazing picnics you can grab and go.

So pack up your blanket, disguise that vino in a juice bottle (wink!), and head to your favourite park, beach, or yard for a physically-distanced picnic with your closest bubble-mates. We rounded up a few of the best picnic-to-go sets you can still score during the festival, which runs until Sept. 21. 

7. Binge watch Supernatural 

Photo: Susan Gittins

After 15 seasons of demon-fighting, Thursday marked the final day of filming for the cast and crew on the set of "Supernatural."

Actors Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, brothers on screen, returned to Vancouver in August after COVID-19 put a halt on production in March. By that time, there were only two episodes left to shoot. As filming wrapped for the final time, showrunners, cast members, writers, producers, and fans alike took to social media this week to share what the show has meant to them. 

While the 15th season of the show is set to return to TV screens sometime in October, the final episodes – the ones filmed in Vancouver this past week – will air in December, meaning you still have plenty of time to catch up, or reminisce on the last 15-seasons of the locally-filmed series. 

8. Read Mo Amir's latest column 

We recently welcomed a new opinion columnist to the V.I.A. team—and he's awesome. 

If you're an avid follower of politics in this city and province then you're likely familiar with Mo Amir's podcast, This is VANCOLOUR. The show has become a must-listen for many, and now Mo is bringing his insight on quirky, fascinating, or spicy topics to V.I.A's pages (of both the web and print varieties). Check out his latest column about MLA Jane Thornthwaite's stance on the opioid crisis here. 

9. Cross the Butchart Gardens off your bucket list

Heading into the Sunken Garden. Photo by Lindsay William-Ross/Vancouver Is Awesome

The Butchart Gardens aren't exactly off the beaten path - at least not when it comes to the notion of tourist attractions in and around Victoria. Maybe that's why a lot of Vancouverites have opted to skip checking out the century-old venue on the outskirts of the city. But as V.I.A.'s Lindsay William-Ross writes, to not check out these incredible gardens and green spaces in a historic setting is really to miss out on a little slice of serenity and awe.
 

10. Enjoy the flavours of Mexico and Japan 

... without having to hop on a plane or spend two weeks quarantining. 
 

Dishes at Marukatsu. Photo by Mark Yuen/courtesy Aburi Restaurants

Vancouver is now home to an exciting new fusion venture that aligns the foods and flavours of Japan and Mexico. Called Marukatsu, the endeavour is from Aburi Restaurants (Miku, Minami, Gyoza Bar), and focuses on katsu-based dished made with Mexican ingredients. 

The limited-time pop-up takes place at Gyoza Bar restaurant and was created by Aburi's founder and CEO along with the talents of head chef Woojin Kim. Marukatsu's menu is centred on the teishoku, or set menu, experience. The central component is the katsu, which here is made with high-quality proteins like pork tenderloin or fresh seafood, in a special nano-panko breading, deep-fried to a glorious golden crisp on the inside, with a juicy interior. You can also get a burrito and bowl that pairs katsu with pops of flavour from things like pico de gallo and sour cream, along with some other globally-influenced dressings, sauces, and components. Yum!

To check out Marukatsu at Gyoza Bar you can dine-in with reservations (recommended) or by walk-in. Take-out and delivery via UberEats are available.

- With files from Lindsay William-Ross, Elana Shepert, Sarah Grochowski and Bob Kronbauer.