10 ways to have some physically-distanced fun in Vancouver this long weekend

Happy Labour Day long weekend! 

With Environment Canada calling for some toasty temperatures and bright sunshine across Metro Vancouver over the three days, there's never been a better time to get outside and enjoy some physically-distanced fun before the fall weather starts rolling in. 

Here in B.C. we are in Phase 3 of the province's "Restart" plan, which means many of us are venturing out more, and making the most of the end of summer. Of course, large gatherings are still not on the menu, so any "food events" on this list aren't taking place in the traditional sense. These are not big get-togethers that will find you in crowds and bumping elbows with strangers, or mingling with a few dozen folks. We're talking organized, physically-distanced, COVID-conscious revamped events, as well as food specials and promos going down across the city this month. 

If that still doesn't sound like your jam, don't stress - we've included a couple of solo or small-group adventures on this list that will still ensure your long weekend is a fun one. 

1. Eat a cheeseburger 

Fable Diner: Brunch Burger. Photo courtesy Le Burger Week

It's Le Burger Week in Vancouver! From September 1 through 7, diners are encouraged to visit participating restaurants in their area, and order up the Le Cheeseburger Week offering. Rather than gather votes this year as in the past, Le Cheeseburger Week is focusing on charity partnerships. Proceeds from select burgers will benefit Centraide and United Way. Launched nearly a decade ago in Montreal, the annual event has brought burger lovers together in numerous Canadian cities since 2017. For 2020, Le Burger Week has made cheese (or "fauxmage") mandatory, and they've redubbed the event accordingly. Check out which Vancouver-area restaurants are taking part this year, and then go eat some burgers!

2. Hike to a waterfall

Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park in Chilliwack, B.C. Photo: Getty / LeonU

Just because summer is ending doesn't mean hiking season has to - especially when the weather is looking this good. We've rounded up 10 nearby waterfalls that might be a little out of the way, but still make for a great day trip from Metro Vancouver when you're looking to beat the heat with a misty set of falls. (A hike is also a great pre-burger activity, if you ask us.)

3. Cool off with a cold drink 

Iced coffee / Photo: Getty Images

Get a sip of summer while you can, thanks to Vancouver Foodster's Iced Summer Drink Challenge. Participating cafes and restaurants across Vancouver have got some delicious drinks to enjoy during these last days of the season, and you can help choose the best ones. Some have entered their most popular creation from their menu and others created a special Iced Summer Drink creation just for this challenge. Get some friends together and make a day or night of it, visit two places or more to taste the different Iced Tea creations or go solo or with a friend– just remember to vote for your favourites.

4. Play Vancouver-Opoly

Photo: Outset Media

This might be the only slice of real estate many of us folks in Vancouver can afford, tbh. The catch? It comes in the form of landmarks on the limited edition Vancouver-Opoly, which launched again this month both online and in stores.

A spin on the classic Hasbro board game, Monopoly, the Vancouver version features Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver in the pricey spots of the original Boardwalk and Park Place. Instead of getting trapped in jail and having their turn delayed, game players get trapped in traffic jams. Canadian owned and operated Outset Media partnered with Walmart to create and sell the game, available now, here.

5. Satisfy your fall cravings and treat yourself to a cinnamon apple bun 

Grounds For Coffee's limited edition fall Apple Buns. Photo: Grounds For Coffee

Yum, yum, apple buns! Grounds For Coffee is at it again, baking up trays of their signature cinnamon buns with seasonal toppings. This time, it's all about them apples. For the Labour Day long weekend only, the classic taste of fall will come head to head with their OG cinnamon buns. "In a clash of epic deliciousness, ooey gooey fresh from the oven buns will be topped with fresh apple filling," says the cafe. Pre-orders can be made over the phone at (604) 224-5282 or in store at either of GFC's two Vancouver locations (Alma or Commercial Drive).

6. Snap a selfie with Snoop Dogg (kind of)

And while you're at it, try out his new wine! The rapper's new collaboration with wine brand 19 Crimes hit B.C. shelves recently, and to celebrate, a massive seven-foot tribute to Snoop Dogg, created by local artist Carson Ting and his award-winning studio Chairman Ting, was installed Friday at a Vancouver BC Liquor Store. 

The 3D gold sculpture commissioned for the wine's B.C. launch features the Long Beach, Calif. legend standing atop a massive wine cork, as well as custom hand-painted illustrations Ting created using paint mixed with Snoop and 19 Crimes' new product, Cali Red wine. The larger-than-life creation, titled "Snoop Uncorked," will only be on display for a limited time at the BC Liquor Store's 5555 Cambie Street location. 

7. Learn about growing your own food during this fun scavenger hunt 

With over 30 edible gardens ready for discovery as part of the LifeSpace Lonsdale Garden Hunt on Saturday, grab your friends and family and race around Lower Lonsdale and learn about growing your own food while discovering hidden prizes provided by awesome local businesses. While the event will be fun for everyone, please make sure to respectfully keep your distance. While on the hunt, keep your eyes out for Treasure Tokens that can land you tasty treats like free pizza slices and ice cream and more.

The event is set to take place on Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Shipyards Garden District and LifeSpace Gardens grown by local businesses. All prizes and clues are discoverable between Waterfront and 3rd and Mahon and St. Georges. Map and details are available online.

8. Check out these mesmerizing garbage bin murals

Mural painted by Tyler Toews, in partnership with the Gastown Business Improvement Society and the Vancouver Mural Festival. Photo submitted by Keith Bell.

We all know one man's trash is another man's treasure, but sometimes one man's trash bin is another man's canvas. At least that's the case in a new series of murals that recently popped up in Gastown, titled “waste wear," by B.C.-based artist Tyler Toews (AKA Ty Mural Guy, or @canadianmurals on Instagram). The project was created in partnership with the Gastown Business Improvement Society and the Vancouver Mural Festival. 

The seven-painting series "addresses issues surrounding pollution and climate change, both in our communities and the wider world. They're located in an alley off Powell Street, beside Italian restaurant Robba da Matti's newest location. Stroll through the neighbourhood to check them out in person (while keeping a two-metre distance between yourself and others, obviously), or have a look using the Vancouver Mural Festival's new app. 

9. Go mustard tasting 

A taste of Toronto will be here in Vancouver as butcher shop Pete's Meat on Arbutus hosts a Mustard Tasting, featuring the lineup from the 6ix's Caplansky's deli. Pete's will be serving up some of Caplansky’s fantastic mustards on some delicious meats on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

10. Watch this new movie starring a Vancouver actor 

Dean (played by Vancouver actor Dylan Playfair) takes stock of his rag-tag team in the coming-of-age hockey film Odd Man Rush, out Sept. 1. Image: Odd Man Rush

In an early scene in Odd Man Rush, a player scores the first goal of the game then skates over to the boards to collect his reward – a paper bag full of groceries for the week.

“That’s a real thing,” says Dylan Playfair. “That’s where the comedy comes in: why do these guys continue to chase these dreams at 30 in these far-off leagues? There’s a reason why they’re there.”

Based on the memoir by Bill Keenan and directed by Doug Dearth, the film focuses on the so-so hockey career of Bobby (The Society’s Jack Mulhern), who racks up more injuries than goals playing stateside and finds himself bouncing around in the European minor leagues, where he is ignominiously traded to a Swedish team for a washer/dryer combo. Also featuring Letterkenny star and real-life former hockey player Playfair, Odd Man Rush is now available on digital and on-demand. 

- With files from Lindsay William-Ross, Sarah Grochowski and Julie Crawford