10 Great, All-American Dates
We suppose you could do dinner and a movie again. But better yet, make your next couple-outing special with these truly awesome activities all across the states. By Rachel Mosely, REDBOOK.
Philly is for lovers
The whimsical Love Letter Train Tour run by Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program lets you explore the City of Brotherly Love via murals that, when viewed together, form a string of love notes and messages. Another charming touch: the tour takes place in elevated trains that provide prime views of the city.
All lit up
Sin City may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think "romantic getaway," but it's a perennial favorite for - likely spur-of-the-moment - weddings and honeymoons. Vegas lovebirds eager to escape the casino and club scene should try the Neon Museum, located about 10 minutes off the Strip. With an eye-popping collection of historic neon signs dating as far back as the 1930s, it makes for a one-of-a-kind photo op.
Related: The 50 Best Dates in the 50 States
Scaling new heights
Trust, support, encouragement - once you get these rock-climbing essentials down, handling your next household spat will be old hat. At the brand-new Santa Barbara Rock Gym, couples can climb at half-price every Tuesday night. Many gyms offer couples rates; check with your local facilities to save on membership.
Eau de romance
A classic symptom of the smitten: hanging on to a cologne-doused t-shirt. At Tijon, a perfumery in La Jolla, CA, couples can design their own custom perfumes, meaning you'll know each other's smell from a mile away.
Searching high and low
The 2013 edition of the scavenger hunt belongs to Stray Boots, a mobile tech company that creates apps to take users on unconventional DIY tours through cities nationwide. Its Perfect Date app, currently available in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, takes care of all the planning, so you can focus on the sparks.
Related: Your One-Month Plan to a Closer, More Loving Relationship
Surf's up
Is there anyone who hasn't daydreamed about decamping to an island with nothing but white sand, blue waves, endless margaritas, and a special someone? Well, even if a dream beach vacation isn't on the agenda right now, it's never too soon to prepare. Surf lessons for two at WB Surf Camp, a renowned outfitter based in Wrightsville Beach, NC, are 30 percent cheaper than one-on-one instruction.
Fancy flicks
Movies are date staples for a reason: low lighting and romantically inspiring plot-lines, to start. But there's no excuse for another trip to the local multiplex with some of the unconventional options out there. Los Angeles' Cinespia screens films in the famed Hollywood Forever Cemetery; in Chicago, the Vic Theater hosts Brew & View, where your flick comes with a cold one; and at CineBistro, with locations in Miami, Atlanta, and Vail, CO, to name a few, you ticket is accompanied by a gourmet meal - think New York strip steak and crême brulée.
Related: 50 Old-Fashioned Cheap Thrills
Total knockout
Boxing might seem like a recipe for a dating disaster, but sparring can build mutual respect between partners, helping them to become more in tune with one another. In fact, therapists have even recommended the sport to pairs looking to work through underlying issues. Check with local boxing gyms to find out if they offer couples' lessons, like those available at the University of Cincinnati's fitBOX Center. Or, challenge your partner to see if you can both complete a full week of the new Ultimate Fighting Championship-inspired UFC FIT at-home workout program.
Underneath the stars
In theory, stargazing sounds like a perfect way to kick up the romance. In reality? Not so simple given you may be up against cloudy skies, and the fact that there's slim chance that either of you are astronomy buffs. At Milwaukee Public Museum's Soref Planetarium, however, the night is always clear and experts are on hand. On Valentine's Day, the venue hosts "Romancing the Stars," a special love-themed show.
Vintage valentine
Go retro with an egg cream or a genuine malt. Old-school soda shops, like New York's Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain (restored from a 1920s drugstore) are making a comeback. It's the perfect excuse to split a cream soda - with two straws, of course.
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