VAN: Sunday Funday!

Sundays have vast possibilities and endless untapped adventures to explore if you live in Vancouver. With the mountains and ocean at our fingertips, it’s imperative to indulge in some relaxed afternoon activities on this lazy day of the week.

According to the Urban Dictionary, Sunday Funday encompasses an “unlimited champagne brunch” and continues until you “pass out in a gutter, on a bar stool, in the bathroom, or face down in the sand.” We would like to think of Sunday as a balancing act between boozy brunching and laidback outdoor fun. Here’s a list of the coolest, most unique ways to spend your Sundays this summer, away from the everyday tourist attractions. (Psst… It’s important to note these are all within a $20 budget and do-able with a hangover!)

Nooner At The Nat
Picture this: A cold beer in your hand, a hot dog dripping with mustard (or your condiment of choice), the steamy summer sun on your face, and the boys at bat. Our own YVR baseball studs, the Vancouver Canadians, have a handful of scheduled home games falling conveniently on Sundays, from early afternoon onwards during the summer months (check the schedule online). Tickets range from $12 to $20 each (reduced rate if you book with a group of mates).

Bocce On The Beach
Bocce is the ultimate laidback west coast activity, easily portable with minimal set-up. Played in pairs, Bocce can muster up some friendly competition as you lounge on the beach, in your buddy’s backyard, or even at one of Vancouver’s many scenic parks. A basic Bocce Ball set can be purchased for about $20 either online, or at the majority of major sporting equipment stores in the Greater Vancouver area. It’s a worthwhile investment (we enjoy this Sunday Funday activity paired with cold beers).

Mega Jenga
This is a hilariously amusing game to play with your group of friends. It begins by purchasing some cheap wooden beams at your local lumber yard, followed by a few basic handyman instructions to makeshift the blocks. The fun part is when you get to write hilariously awkward, odd rules on the back of each piece (get a few markers and get to work with a crew of close friends with plenty of inside jokes). One of our favourites is, “A squirrel got into your blueberry patch – drink 3.” On sober Sundays, you can play this without the beers, but that’s no fun. Check out this awesome Pinterest board for all the instructions on making the perfect Mega Jenga set.

Hastings Racecourse
Bet on some ponies, dress in your Sunday best (floppy hats for the ladies and ironed whites for the lads) and sip on a few cocktails in the private booths (easily rentable if you chip in a few bucks with a gaggle of geese). Check out all the info online.

Craft Beer Tastings
There are so many amazing craft beers local to Vancouver. Why not book a group tour and tasting at one of the breweries with a bunch of buddies to wrap up a great weekend? We love what the boys are doing over at 33 Acres (amazing amber ales and delectable darks), Brassneck Brewery (great daily growler fills), and Four Winds Brewing (brothers who brew quality beer), to name just a few. For the entire local list, check out The British Columbia Beer Guide.

Corn Hole
Corn Hole is another killer Sunday Funday outdoor activity that requires yet another Home Depot run (no time for Bed, Bath & Beyond here). A wooden plank, a can of paint, and some bean bag balls and you’re set. Played in pairs, this game is enjoyable in the backyard, at a park, or at your local beach spot. Check this official Corn Hole instructional guide  for all the dirty details.

Lawn Bowling
It’s another excuse to dress to impress, enjoy some afternoon drinking, and engage in a social, entertaining, and competitive game that is both challenging and highly amusing. Check out the local lawn bowling clubs for further information by googling ‘Vancouver Lawn Bowling’ (you can even go as far as joining a league, some of which give back to local charities through membership fees and events).

Floating
Step 1: Peruse your local Home Depot on the weekend and purchase a prime floatable lounge chair, or inner-tube of your choosing (prices are usually around $20). Step 2: Map out some good ocean real estate at the local beaches (we enjoy Jericho, Wreck, or Third). Step 3: Float… We recommend group floating with some friends (and portable sip cups).

Do you have a favourite Sunday Funday activity? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.