11 Unique Indoor Activities To Do When It's Raining In Vancouver
It's about that time of year when Vancouverites need to start preparing for 5 full months of rain.
Everyone seems to start the hibernation process, and staying inside becomes far more appealing than facing the urban rain forest that is our city.
If you're anything like me though, no amount of moisture is going to stop the continuation of fun through the wet mucky Vancouver winter. There are only so many times I can handle playing Pictionary in the living room before craving something a little more exciting. This is when those indoor activities become absolutely essential.
Here is a list of unique indoor activities to keep things fun and exciting through the rain.
1. Go-Karting
Where: SPEEDERS Indoor ProKarts - 13471 Crestwood Pl, Richmond
Speeders is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon with friends! You can do it at any level because they give you a full tutorial before you start racing. They aslo have other games to play in between races and makes for a blast of an afternoon!
2. Head to Vancouver's indoor trampoline park
Where: Extreme Air Park - 14380 Triangle Rd, Richmond
With two awesome locations there is possibly nothing more fun than an indoor trampoline park. You can play 3-D dodgeball, zero gravity basketball, or just jump around (which is most likely what I would be doing) and you can do with friends or by yourself!
3. Go to the East Side Flea
Where: Ivanhoe Hotel - 1038 Main St
Believe it or not, I happen to be a fan of anywhere that allows you to drink and shop within one establishment, so the East Side Fleas checks off all the boxes. It happens every other weekend at the Ivanhoe Hotel and is a great rainy day activity. There are tons of venders to browse through, and you can do so while enjoying an absolutely fantastic dark and stormy.
4. Spend the afternoon in the Granville Island Public Market
Where: Granville Island
There are so many interesting vendors to look through in the Granville Island Market. You can get fantastic teas, look through hand-made jewellery and soaps, or try some incredible food. What ever you do, it's sure to be a lovely afternoon!
5. Visit FlyOver Canada
Where: 201-999 Canada Place
It's like taking a plane ride across Canada giving you a birds-eye view of some of it's most stunning landscapes, but it's all virtual. It's located in Canada place and rides run from 10am-9pm. You can even head there for a Halloween themed ride!
6. Do a Wine and Paint night
Where: Best Western Plus Sands Hotel - 1755 Davie Street
Even if you're not the best painter in the world, wine and paint nights are always a blast. You can do it with friends, or that cute someone, and it's a great way to get those creative juices flowing. There are lots of places that hold wine and and paint nights around Vancouver so just find the one that's nearest you and enjoy!
7. Do an escape room adventure
Where: Lockdown Escapes - 12571 Bridgeport Road
This is great for the Halloween season coming up! You can choose through differently themed escapes, and work with friends to try to get yourselves out of the trap. There are different places that offer escape adventures, a great one being Lockdown Escape located in Richmond. Escape if you can!
8. Head to a climbing gym
Where: The Hive - 520 Industrial Ave
Climbing is a fun and social way to get active! You can go with friends, or do it solo, and either way it's always a good time! You can challenge yourself to try new and harder climbs and you'll probably meet a lot of new people while doing it!
9. Play archery tag
Where: 6Pack Indoor Beach - 13180 Mitchell Road, Richmond
Archery tag at 6Pack Indoor Beach is such a fun way to spend a day with friends! It's similar to paintball but far less painful, which is always a plus in my books. If you're an experienced archer you can go for Combat Sundays for something a little more competitive.
10. Go to the Vancouver Police Museum
Where: 240 E Cordova Street
Many people don't even realize that this museum exists in Vancouver, and it is actually so cool! They have such interesting things to look through dating back hundreds of years. The building actually used to be the old Coroner’s Court, the City’s morgue and autopsy facilities, and the City crime laboratory, and much of it can still be seen! Cool!
11. Take a cooking class
Where: The Dirty Apron - 540 Beatty St
There are so many benefits to a cooking class and the best part is, it's all done inside! Well, I suppose the best part is you get to eat the cooking afterwards... but you know what I mean. The Dirty Apron Cooking School offers tons of classes, on weekdays and weekends so you can fit one in with your schedule.