These fun, budget-friendly date ideas are perfect for Valentine’s Day
Illustration by Frankie Ho.
It’s no secret that Victoria is an expensive city to live in, especially with the rapidly increasing costs of housing, groceries, and other essentials, which makes it difficult to find an affordable night out. Whether you’re going out with your significant other, some friends, or by yourself, these five inexpensive date ideas are perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Dumpling Drop
If you’re exploring Chinatown, make sure to visit Dumpling Drop for a unique dining experience. This local business was created by Tarn Tayanuth to support her mother, Toom, following her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2016. Their regular menu offers pork belly and vegan dumplings, along with a rotating weekly special. It’s $8 for five deep-fried dumplings, which they top with their house-made chili oil, cilantro, and crispy onions. If you prefer a night in, Dumpling Drop also offers hand-rolled frozen dumplings made fresh every day. They’re open Monday to Wednesday 12–6 p.m. and Thursday to Sunday 12–9 p.m. The restaurant also transforms into Chaiyo by Dumpling Drop, which offers authentic Thai cuisine, every Thursday to Sunday night.
Art Workshop at 4Cats
Feel like getting creative for Valentine’s Day? 4Cats Art Studio has a variety of workshops available throughout February. They offer self-paced workshops, which allow you to follow the project steps through video tutorials with an instructor nearby to answer any questions and offer support. Their February workshops include the “Little Birdie” vase, a stoneware “Acorn Home” pot, and the “All You Need Is a Love Mug”. These self-guided workshops are approximately $10–$20 depending on the project. 4Cats also offers instructor-guided workshops, though they are slightly more expensive, ranging from $15–$44. 4Cats has two locations in Victoria, in Oak Bay and in Uptown.
Quazar’s Arcade
If you’re looking for a unique date spot, try Quazar’s Arcade. Tucked away down a staircase at the base of historic Trounce Alley, this all-ages ’80s inspired arcade offers a wide variety of arcade and pinball machines, including classic games like Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, and Tetris. Their tokens are 50¢ each. The majority of their classic arcade games cost one token and their Pinball machines cost two to three tokens. They’re open Monday to Thursday 12–10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–11 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Explore Royal Roads University
Royal Roads University is home to the beautiful Hatley Castle. Though guided tours of the castle are closed for the season, the grounds and 565-acre gardens are free for visitors to access daily from 10 a.m. to dusk. The stunning castle is also a beautiful place to take photos. Beyond the castle and gardens, Royal Roads also has dozens of forested trails to explore, including old growth forests home to some of the tallest Douglas fir trees in Greater Victoria. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash and remain in the designated areas. Though the service is rather sporadic, the 51 bus will take you from UVic to Royal Roads in about 40 minutes.
In The Flesh: The Nude in Art, Past and Present
Looking to explore the art in Victoria? Visit the Victoria Art Gallery to see this unique collection of works with one common theme: “the nude as a subject for artistic expression.” This exhibit combines the works of prominent historical artists such as Pablo Picasso and Pierre-Auguste Renoir with modern Indigenous and Canadian artists, including Susan Point, Carole Sabiston, and Evergon. Though general admission is $15, it is free for people under 25.
