[ktcl]

DW and I go on dates occasionally...it's not a frequent occurence. AS a result, we always feel some sort of pressure to make it a really great thing when we do go, but we don't always know what to do besides dinner out...which is nice, but I'd like to try some other things. I know that part of the problem is that we don't plan more than about a week in advance. But given that that is the way we do it...any ideas?<br><br>
Thanks!

 

[fek&fuzz]

If I go on dates in Cambridge we go to the Hi Rise Bakery, then Formaggio Kitchen and buy yummy things. Then we go to the Harvard Bookstore and wander around for an hour, then stop in Lush maybe and look at soap, then drive back to the South Shore. So, maybe you could go to the South Shore on your dates. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> Scituate Harbor is lovely, Hingham Square. Well, maybe not.

 

[Doodlebugsmom]

Oh, you all will love this...Dh and I have a babysitter one night each week. We usually do really, really exciting stuff like go to the coffee shop for a bit then go to Lowes to pick up stuff for home projects. Then occasionally we'll go to the grocery store and do our shopping child-free. Even though we're usually running errands, it's nice to have a few hours to talk without interruptions!

 

[oddeebean]

Go to a hotel. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/innocent.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shy"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

 

[Leersia]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>oddeebean</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7954419"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Go to a hotel. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/innocent.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shy"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"></div>
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Boy, I wish my marriage was this zesty!<br><br>
We often opt for the standard bistro dinner and movie. One night when the boys were at their grandparents, we took walk under a full moon in a natural area - that was really special.<br><br>
I'd love some ideas . . . .

 

[KimProbable]

Our standard date since day one has been dinner or coffee then a trip to the second hand book store. Books are our one "addiction" so we indulge quite often.<br><br>
We've also played mini golf, gone shopping with the gift cards that always seem to pile up in my wallet, and gone for walks in the river valley.

 

[kijip]

We go for long walks or to cheesy movies. We will also go out to eat, to the same ol' places for me or to some crazy new place for him. We will also give ourselves $5-10 and buy cheap used CDs, which takes a lot of time since to find one you want you need to look through huge stacks of ones you don't. If it is a special occasion or a really good band, we will go to a show. When my dad lived with us, we would go to a hotel. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">

 

[kkeris]

On our *rare* dates, we usually only have enough time to eat a nice loonngg slow romantic meal together and thats about it. If we have extra time, we'll probably go check into a hotel and then have our romantic meal together <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/innocent.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shy"> Oh, or a nice movie!

 

[GuildJenn]

We haven't taken many dates Since Child, but I have to say that our best dates lifelong have almost always been going to a bakery for some bread, cheese, and goodies, and taking them to the lake or other park like spot. I love fine dining too but there's something about sitting on the grass together that has made for great reconnections. And if we've smuggled a bit of wine down in coffee mugs too, so much the better. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
ETA: Oh in winter we go to a gallery or museum, or sometimes a trade show. The other thing we like is concerts but they take major planning. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Jster]

I'd also suggest going outside, enjoying a park for the tranquility and maybe some cuddling, watch a sunset.<br><br>
Though dinners without interruptions are quite a luxury.<br><br>
Have fun!

 

[CandyApple]

Our favorites include:<br><br>
Long walks, we live near a great Lake Mi beach<br>
Breakfast out, instead of an evening date<br>
Drives to new places, sometimes the ride is as fun as the destination.<br>
Put-put/gocarts and icecream<br>
Picnics, I agree with GuildJenn there is something about eating together on the grass<br>
Tennis or biking<br>
Snowball fights, cross-country skiing and sledding in the winter<br><br>
It doesn't really matter what we do, as long as we're alone and focused on each other. We've also done the home-improvement shopping, grocery shopping and hotel thing too! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Great idea for a thread, I'm excited to hear other responses!

 

[pinksprklybarefoot]

We are going on our first post-baby date in a few weeks to see a dj (Paul Van Dyk). Seeing techno shows will probably become a "standard" date for us because the good djs come to Minneapolis infrequently and we don't have a lot of people living nearby that we would trust to watch the little dude.

 

[mistymama]

We like to pick a nice restaurant, one where we can take our time and eat, drink and talk for hours. Sometimes we'll do a movie, but usually we just like to sit and talk together. That's my favorite kind of date!<br><br>
What kinds of things do you guys like to do together? You could walk in a park, take a trip to a nearby destination you've been wanting to see, catch a local band ...

 

[hakeber]

Jamie and I usually go out twice or three times a month. We always try to make one of those nights dinner and <b>dancing</b>...clichéd yes, but also very fun. We go to night clubs and dance our hearts out, and get really tipsy. We also try to get to new and unusual restaurants that are opening around town, and review them verbally together. Once in a blue moon we head to the theater or the ballet, but usually it's only if a friend is performing.<br><br>
We TRY to get a to a movie once every other month or so, but it doesn't seem like a very good use of our alone time anymore. We also go to a lot of parties, and try to grab dinner alone before, or if not, sneak off early so we can have a few hours alone on the babysitter's watch.<br><br>
Once we had a day time date, we went to a foot massage place and got foot massages in this really lovely quiet room, with candles and everything. It was VERY relaxing, but he fell asleep in the chair.<br><br>
I don't think it matters what you do on the dates. So long as you make the time to be alone and be lovey dovey.

 

[hakeber]

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<div style="font-style:italic;">... <b>catch a local band .</b>..</div>
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Concerts are always a good date! Music, dancing, food, beer/wine...what else can you ask for?

 

[CandyApple]



We also try to get to new and unusual restaurants that are opening around town, and review them verbally together.

<br><br>
That sounds like a great idea! We always just go to our favorites, and then complain cuz we are bored of them. Verbally reviewing would be fun, more creative spin.

 

[willsmomm]

We usually just catch a movie, but our favorite time together is on the couch at home with a movie and takeout or a fun snack. If we go out we still will do this sometimes afterward just because it's more fun for us.

 

[UmmBnB]

Dinner, movies, comedy shows, museums, wine tastings, parties, shopping, etc. We go out a lot with friends.<br><br>
Someone mentioned critiquing new restaurants...we have a friend who is a local food critic and get to go out with he and his wife once and awhile. Now <i>that's</i> fun!! It's like living my dream job...and not having to actually go write up the review!

 

[annethcz]

We go out for dinner. Sometimes dinner and a show or dinner and a concert. We used to go on long hikes together, which I still love, but now the kids are big enough to come with us.<br><br>
We're trying to shake things up a bit, we've decided that we're going roller skating on our next date night.

 

[whateverdidiwants]

We had theater tickets this season, so we went out once a month to whatever show was on.