Let’s be honest — sometimes the last thing you want to do after work is drive into Edmonton just to have a night out. The good news? You don’t have to. Whether you live in Strathcona County or Fort Saskatchewan – the area is quietly brimming with date-worthy spots, from taprooms and trails to wine tastings and cultural gems. Here are some ideas for a great evening (or afternoon) right in our own backyard.
1. Craft Beer Flight & Pizza at 70 Acre Brew Co
Sherwood Park’s very own craft brewery is the kind of place that feels like a date spot without even trying. Order a flight, grab pizza or a pretzel (sourced locally and finished in-house, they are ridiculously good), and settle in. The taproom has a genuinely great vibe, there’s a casual dog-friendly patio for the warmer months, and if beer isn’t your thing, they’ve got other options on the menu. If you want something more elevated for food – we love the beef carpaccio and the mussels to share.
*Tip* Go on a weeknight for a quieter atmosphere. Check their socials for live music or other special events.
2. A Winery Visit at Barr Estate
There’s something undeniably romantic about a working sheep and fruit farm with a winery attached. Barr Estate Winery, just south of Highway 14 near Sherwood Park, produces four distinct wines and offers tours and tastings by appointment. It’s unhurried, it’s local, and it’s the kind of date that makes for a great story. Pick up a bottle to take home and you’ve got the evening sorted.
Book ahead — this one’s appointment-based. Pair the visit with a sunset walk nearby for bonus points.
3. Golden Hour on the Riverside Nature Trail
Sometimes the best dates are the simplest ones. The Riverside Nature Trail winds 5.5 km through the trees and along the river, with stretches that open up to truly beautiful views. It’s pet and bike friendly, connects all the way to Fort Saskatchewan, and if you time it right, the golden-hour light through the trees is something else. Bring a thermos of something warm and enjoy it.
Bonus: keep your eyes open for the nesting pair of bald eagles that call this trail home. Not a bad backdrop for a date.
4. History, Mystery & a Good Meal in Fort Saskatchewan
Fort Saskatchewan punches well above its weight for a date day. Start with a walk through the Heritage Precinct, the historic Fort Saskatchewan Canadian Northern Railway Station is a genuinely beautiful stop, and the downtown trail loops along the river for a scenic stroll. Then reward yourselves with dinner at one of the great local restaurants.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more offbeat, check out our Favourite Haunts section — Fort Saskatchewan has some legitimately spooky local history worth exploring together.
Explore Fort Saskatchewan’s trails and history
The Heritage Precinct Loop is only 1.2 km — easy to do before or after dinner. Combine it with the Bridgeview Trail for a longer riverside walk.
5. Sunset at Elk Island National Park
Just 15 minutes east of Sherwood Park, Elk Island is a nature lover’s dream. Pack a picnic, grab your binoculars, and head out at dusk. The wildlife viewing here is remarkable – bison wander freely, and the park is home to over 250 bird species. In the summer months, you can also rent a canoe or kayak on Astotin Lake for a paddling date that feels a world away from the suburbs.
For the truly adventurous, the park offers camping and cabins – a great excuse to extend the evening into a full weekend. The region is a dark sky preserve and the stargazing can’t be beat.
Plan your visit at Parks Canada
June is prime time for spotting the little red bison calves. Show up at dawn or dusk for the best wildlife encounters.
6. Burgers and Golf
Do you both enjoy golf? Tee up your date at the Golf Den for some indoor golfing on their simulators and enjoy a delicious burger from Woodshed Burger. Or head over to Longshotz, enjoy some snacks and follow up your golf with some arcade games.
Monday nights at Longshotz are half-price wine and bar snacks! Woodshed features Two Toonie Tuesdays ($4 burgers).
7. Happy Hour + Live Music, Right Here at Home
Keep it simple and keep it local. Our local restaurants and venues regularly feature live music and entertainment, and happy hours make it easy to enjoy a couple of drinks without breaking the bank. Check our community events calendar to see what’s on – you might be surprised at what’s happening on any given Friday or Saturday night, no highway required.
Some safe bets?
Caffrey’s in Sherwood Park – live music Friday & Saturday nights and great food specials daily
The Bear’s Den in Fort Saskatchewan; Crooked Mouth Pub and Sherlock Holmes in Sherwood Park – live music most weekends
Submit your own event to our free community calendar so others can find it too!
See what’s on: Community Events Calendar
8. The Classic “Dinner and a Show”
We have so many great restaurants in Sherwood Park and Fort Saskatchewan, it’s hard to pick just one, but when we’re looking for a fancier adventure, these are our top picks, reservations recommended.
- Fort Sask – Mr. Mike’s
- Fort Sask – 10 Downing Street
- Sherwood Park – Vicky’s Bistro & Wine Bar
- Sherwood Park – Cafe Celeste
- Sherwood Park – Mexico Lindo; or La Patrona
- Strathcona County – The U-Turn Local Eatery
In the Fort – catch a show at the Shell Theatre. The venue draws some exceptional talents with really affordable tickets.
Sherwood Park – check out what’s on at Festival Place or catch a movie at our local movie theatre, Cineplex.
9. Get out and support the Sherwood Park Crusaders! Date night for under $50. Seriously.
Enjoy some entertaining hockey and support our local BCHL Junior Hockey Team. The players are 16 – 20 years of age and a tonne of fun to watch. Enjoy popcorn or snacks from the on-site lobby concession and you’ll still be under $50 for the night.
Prefer adult beverages? They’ve got them – in the ‘VIP Lounge’ in the northeast corner.
Keep It Local
The best part about all of these? Your money stays in the community. Every pint at 70 Acre, every bottle from Barr Estate, every dinner at a local restaurant supports the people and families that make our community what it is. So skip the commute, explore your backyard, and let us know what your favourite local date night spot is in the comments.
Have a great spot we missed? Reach out and tell us about it. We’d love to explore it.
Written by Jennifer Hillmer, March 2026. Jennifer is the Founder and primary blog writer for ExploreStrathconaCounty.com and HillmerDesign.ca. She has been a resident of Strathcona County since 2006.