Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Summer Lovin'

Summer just officially started over the weekend but I think we've all been in summer mode for many weeks.  The days get longer, the days get busier and the weather gets better and better.  When it stays light out until past 8pm each night, there's much more motivation to get active, make more plans and spend some more time out of the house than there is during other times of the year.  That also means there are so many different options for dates than the usual.  

I can't remember the last time we went out to eat and sat inside.  We've been picking restaurants lately purely based on al fresco dining options.  Maybe it's the extra rough winter we had with those freezing temperatures but eating outside has so much more appeal than eating in.

In addition to al fresco dining, there are so many other fun date options for these warmer months.  Here's a look at my favorite summer date night ideas.




Ice Cream Date
I love how something so simple can be quickly turned into a date.  Another fun factor for me is that this is a date you could squeeze in and turn a boring weeknight with nothing to do into a night with a little something special to it.  Plus, it's tasty and helps you cool off.

Rooftop Happy Hour 
Well, any happy hour outside for that matter.  There is the exciting factor of being on a roof where you can enjoy the breeze while simultaneously taking in the sun and usually the backdrop is a pretty view with a nice sunset involved.

Hiking
You get to spend a whole afternoon disconnected from phone/tv/internet just the two of you, enjoy the nice weather AND get a great workout in all at once.  Puppy friendly and you can reward yourself with a delicious meal afterwards.  At least, I know we will.

Try Something New
With the extra hours added to each day - or so it seems, it's the perfect time to try a new activity or hobby.   Painting, some kind of recreational activity, a food tour, and tennis are topping my lists.

Picnic
I think this one would be on anyone's list but - how easy.  This is actually one we've never officially done yet (not counting back yards and decks) so I'm itching to get out on a blanket and enjoy some sandwiches, wine and grapes out in the park this summer.  It could be breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Be on the Water
Boating, canoeing, a cocktail boat cruise would all make great options.  There's no better way to beat those high temperatures by being on the water with your honey.  

Discover a New Town - Close  By
Take advantage of the nice weather and being outside to explore a new town - within a reasonable driving distance - with your best travel partner.  Adventure for a few hours and then head home; simple as can be.

Drive in Movie Theater… Sort Of
I feel like drive in movie theaters are kind of hard to find now a days, no?  It doesn't have to be fancy - just set up a laptop on the deck, get the proper snacks and candy, cuddle up and enjoy.  Wait until the sun goes down and it will be perfect viewing.

BBQ Just the Two
In our house, if we're grilling for just the two of us, it's usually a small meal during the week so not too long.  It would be a fun date to go all out as if you were hosting people with the set up, food choices, etc. and enjoy the special night just the two.

Other ideas: Wake up early and have a breakfast date to watch the sun rise, bachelorette date night, hot air balloon ride, visit the zoo, restaurant crawl (appetizer one place, main course another place, dessert a last place), pick up the fixings for lunch at a farmer's market, go out to dinner but stroll the streets of town after, road trip for the night, play tourists.


What are your favorite date nights? Give me ideas!

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28 comments:

  1. I haven't sat outside for a meal since the beginning of may because it's been in the high 90s to low 100s here in NC. Breakfast is about the only meal you could stand it right now. Love summer but would take a little less heat so we could do thT more.

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  2. Envious of the rooftop dining option! We don't have that luxury here. I also love your idea of a "drive in". I've been wanting to take the family to a "real one" lately. We actually have one close by so I hope to do that this Summer!

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  3. Great list girl! Rooftop happy hours, ice cream dates, and drive in movies are my favorites! If you don't have any official drive-in movie theaters in your area, check your local city web pages for events that involve outdoor movies such as a food truck night or if the community pool has a "dive in movie" night ;-)

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  4. Yes too ice cream and roof top happy hours! :) I love being outside in the summer but it's been SO hot out here the past few days. I went for a bike ride and almost melted haha! Love your list!

    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  5. i love how simple these ideas are--meaning no crazy amounts of money or set up and lots of room for talk!

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  6. we have a drive in movie right by our house - I am hoping that we get to it this year. The rain here in Chicago has been awful but once it stops its on our list of things to do!

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  7. I really wish we had a drive in near us - that would be so fun!!! i'm hoping to go to a roof top bar this weekend! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  8. In the town where I went to college, there is a snow cone stand named Summer Snow. That way my favorite place to go....and sometimes multiple days in a week! That would be a perfect date, too!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  9. I love summer for all the reasons you've mentioned, haha. Eating outside is so much fun and just makes the date nights that much more special. Roof top bars are great too, I love a warm summer night when the air is like silk and the music is loud!

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  10. Love all those ideas! One of my favorite date nights is making your own cheese and meat plate....I love trying out new cheeses and having a nice glass of wine!

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  11. Great date ideas! Especially cheap ones. When Kyle and I are both home together we usually take a walk together with sophie at dusk when it's finally cooled down.

    liz @ sundays with sophie

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  12. Ice cream dates are my favorite :) I also love picnics, when it's not 95 out like it has been haha!

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  13. Great summer date ideas!! I wish we had cooler weather in the summer down here so we can actually do some of those lol

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  14. Ryan and I definitely need to do a few of these! Lately, our favorite date is the farmers market on Saturday mornings when he doesn't have to work. It's so fun and relaxing to just stroll down Main Street together!

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  15. Simple dates are wonderful. We like to drive around randomly and see where we end up.

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  16. Great ideas, thank you so much for sharing. I'm always down for ice cream and there are TON of fab roof top bars here. I also like to go to the farmers market when I'm not working and I love grilling at home. :-)

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  17. These are all great summer date night ideas! We have a drive in just about 20 minutes from our house and we love taking advantage of it :) I wish there were more of them around, there's just something fun about watching a movie outside!
    Kelsey
    www.thepeacockroost.com

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  18. I can't wait to try some of these ideas! You can't beat an ice cream date.

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  19. Such fun ideas! We got a fancy picnic backpack set thing at my bridal shower and I'm excited to fill it up and go picnic!

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  20. Such fun ideas friend! Hope you get to enjoy each of them this summer (:

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  21. These are darling! Your "Drive-In Movie" reminds me of doing that in Scottsdale when we lives there - but instead of deck chairs we sat in the pool because summer in Scottsdale rarely drops below 100 degrees - even in the middle of the night!! Also, was your "Bachelorette Date Night" supposed to involve watching Kaitlyn on this season with the husby while he mocks the show? If so, we are already doing that every week ;)

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  22. All such fun things to do. It's opposite here, it's way too hot to sit outside to dine al fresco, we do that during the "cooler" months.

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  23. So, so sad it's already too hot here for anymore rooftop drinks :( YES to being on the water, day-tripping to nearby places and all those other cute date ideas I can't wait to use!

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  24. Love all these ideas!! We have a small town about 45 mins away that has so many outdoor restaurants I want to try but can never get myself excited to drive that far for dinner! I need to start thinking of it as more of an experience :)

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  25. I enjoy the summer days and nights because of the dining options and activities that we can do outside! Loving all of your date ideas too! Xo, Stephanie

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  26. I love ice cream dates or snocone dates 😀

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  27. I'm dying for that ice cream right now - thanks a lot!! :-P I am also a big fan of dining outside!! It's been rainy in Boston this week so we haven't been able to do the conference rooftop happy hours - and I think I'm most sad about that!

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  28. I need to get my booty over to a rooftop bar asap! It's one of my favourite summer activities and I haven't gone yet this year!! My hubby and I usually like to go on evening strolls around the neighbourhood once the weather cools down a little bit

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