17 Romantic, Unique Date Ideas in Edmonton for 2024
Whether you’re jumping into the dating scene or you already have a special someone, it’s time to start coming up with some fun and romantic date ideas in Edmonton for you and your special someone.
If you’re wondering “Where can I take a girl on a date in Edmonton?”, or a boy, or anyone else for that matter, you’re in luck! Edmonton is a big city with plenty to do if you know where to look.
According to Statistics Canada, happiness with personal relationships (including romantic relationships) is linked to better overall well-being. One way to improve (or forge) your relationships is by going on fun dates!
Not sure where to start? Let’s talk about it. Read on for some of our favorite unique date ideas in Edmonton for couples.
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Creative Date Ideas in Edmonton
1. Take a Cooking Class
Who doesn’t love bonding over learning a new skill? Taking cooking classes in Edmonton is a lot of fun, and it’s more engaging than just going out for dinner.
If you’re looking for indoor date ideas in Edmonton when the weather isn’t great, this is a fun option. Fantastic chefs can teach you how to make some of your favorite meals so you can recreate them in the comfort of your own home. Who needs a restaurant when you’re your own chef?
2. Check Out the Edmonton Public Library Makerspace
Did you know that there’s an accessible makerspace in Edmonton for local creatives? Get creative together at the Edmonton Public Library's Makerspace!
There, you and your date can explore a variety of arts and crafts activities. You can try your hand at 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital media production for a reasonable price. This is one of our favorite unique first date ideas for Edmonton creatives.
3. Visit the Art Gallery of Alberta
A trip to the art museum is always a fun choice. It’s one of the best winter date ideas in the city because it’s always warm and cozy inside the museum.
You and your date can check out the rotating art exhibitions, participate in gallery tours or attend special events and workshops together.
The museum was originally founded in 1924, so if you visit this year in 2024, you can celebrate its 100th anniversary with your date.
4. See a Live Theatre Performance
When it comes to creative and fun indoor date ideas in Edmonton, it’s hard to go wrong with live theatre.
There are several live theatre venues in the city, including Citadel Theatre and Varscona Theatre (among others), so you should be able to find a show whenever you’re feeling the urge to see some fantastic performers take the stage.
5. Have a Wine and Paint Night
Whether you’re looking for first date ideas or anniversary date ideas, wine and paint nights make great date ideas in Edmonton.
You get to enjoy a fun and interactive painting session led by a local artist while sipping on wine and socializing with your date. You don’t have to be a good painter or a natural artist to give this one a try.
6. Paint Pottery Together
If painting on a canvas isn’t your style, this first date idea in Edmonton might be more up your alley. You and your date can unleash your creativity at a local pottery painting studio in Edmonton.
Choose from a variety of pottery pieces such as mugs, plates and small statues, and spend the afternoon painting and designing together. You’ll have fun souvenirs to remind you of the date.
Outdoor Date Ideas in Edmonton
7. Visit the Edmonton Valley Zoo
The Edmonton Valley Zoo is open every day aside from Christmas, so regardless of when your date is, you can enjoy it! It’s one of the best birthday date ideas in Edmonton for animal lovers.
Discover a variety of animals from around the world, including tigers, lemurs and sweet red pandas. Tickets are fairly cheap making this a great and affordable way to spend an afternoon with your date.
8. Explore the Botanic Gardens
If you’re looking for a romantic date idea in Edmonton, explore the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens. The gardens cover 240 acres, so you have plenty of ground to cover while you hold hands and chat with your date over your shared interests.
Take photos, look at unfamiliar plants and enjoy the nice weather surrounded by stunning plant life.
9. Head to Rundle Park
Does a day of outdoor recreation and relaxation sound like a good date to you? We love active date ideas, and a trip to Rundle Park is a great date idea in Edmonton for couples who love to get outdoors and have fun.
In the winter, the park offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. During the rest of the year, you can play disc golf or go for a bike ride together.
10. Check Out the Muttart Conservatory
If you’ve already seen the botanical gardens but you and your date haven’t had your fill of plants yet, the Muttart Conservatory might be right for you.
It features both outdoor botanical gardens and indoor glass pyramids, making it a good Edmonton date idea for winter as well.
The indoor section features plenty of unique plants from regions all around the world, and you can spend hours just wandering with your date.
11. Visit Fort Edmonton Park
For this date idea in Edmonton, step back in time and explore history at Fort Edmonton Park. Wander through historic buildings and ride a horse-drawn carriage with your date.
Together, you can learn about life in early Edmonton and even explore different eras of time. This is a fun and educational activity that’s super unique.
12. Explore the Edmonton River Valley
The River Valley is one of the largest urban green spaces in North America. If you’re looking for a relaxing and outdoorsy date idea in Edmonton, why not take a look around and enjoy everything the River Valley has to offer?
You and your special someone can stroll along the walking trails and spot local plants and animals, enjoy a scenic bike ride or have a picnic overlooking the North Saskatchewan River.
13. Try Winter Sports at the Edmonton Ski Club
Perhaps you want something a bit more exciting than a walk in the park. If it’s wintertime in Edmonton, you know that winter sports are readily available.
A trip to the Edmonton Ski Club is one of the best Valentine’s Day date ideas for sporty Edmonton couples. Both skiing and snowboarding are available and the Ski Club is beginner-friendly, so whether you’re both well-acquainted with the slopes or you’re still learning, this can be a fun time.
Free & Cheap Date Ideas in Edmonton
14. Explore Edmonton's Public Art
There’s a lot of public art to see in Edmonton, both city-approved and otherwise. This is an excellent free date idea in Edmonton for people who love art.
Take your date on a self-guided tour of public art installations, murals and graffiti scattered throughout the city. Wander through downtown streets and small neighborhoods to look for colorful street art and sculptures. You could even make it into a scavenger hunt.
15. Visit Local Farmers' Markets
This date idea in Edmonton is one of the best low-key date ideas for married couples and new couples alike. Support your local community while spending time with your special someone by visiting local farmers’ markets.
Check out local artisans, farmers and other vendors and buy a few things to bring home. If you buy fresh produce, you can continue the date by cooking together.
This isn’t the best Edmonton date idea for winter as farmers’ markets aren’t as available, but during the warmer months, it’s a ton of fun.
16. Stroll Old Strathcona
Old Strathcona and Whyte Ave are popular for window shopping. When the weather is nice, you can expect a decent number of people wandering around for the eclectic mix of shops, cafes and even occasional street performers.
This historic neighborhood has plenty to see and do, but even if you just sit and people-watch while you enjoy the atmosphere it can be a fun time.
17. Visit the Alberta Legislature Building
If you’re looking for unique date ideas Edmonton has to offer, this one may surprise you. You can tour the Alberta Legislature Building right in the heart of Edmonton.
Admire the beautiful architecture and learn about Alberta's political history. If you go at night, make sure to look at the city lights across the river.
There you have it — 17 brand-new date ideas in Edmonton for you to try this year. That’s at least one per month with a few to spare. Which one will you try first?
Whether you’re taking an educational trip to Fort Edmonton Park or you’re relaxing in the Botanic Gardens, all that really matters is that you’re spending quality time with your date.
For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
