Romance Awareness Month - Creative Date Nights

It's Romance Awareness Month and so far I've talked about how the little things count when it comes to romance, and alternative dinner venues. This week, I turn to alternative ideas for date night. Sure dinner and a movie is a wonderful date night, but there are so many other creative options out there.

Here are just a few:

Visit a planetarium. If you're lucky enough to have a planetarium where you live, this is a perfect romantic date. What's more romantic than gazing up at our amazing universe (or a scientifically created replica) with the one we love? Some planetariums have concerts. Those are really fun!

Take in a free outdoor play. Summer is a great time to enjoy the warm evenings with a little Shakespeare in the Park.

Baseball anyone? If your city has a major league team, or even a minor league team, take him out to the ball game. Have some peanuts and Cracker Jacks! Maybe you'll catch a foul ball as a memento.

Take a stroll. With the lingering light summertime offers, you can take a stroll hand-in-hand in your favorite park, along the river, or along the beach. Watch the sun set and the stars come out.

Take a drive. Put on your favorite tunes, map out some back-country roads and take in the scenery. Maybe you'll stumble across a charming restaurant for an impromptu dinner or drink.

Park. Come on, you remember parking, right? Cuddle up with your honey in some dark, out-of-the-way place. Just be careful out there! You don't want to get arrested for indecent exposure. Nothing douses a hot date like finding yourself and your honey in the clink.

Visit an amusement park. It doesn't have to be Disney World or Universal Studios to be fun. Some communities have local amusement parks with games, rides, those yummy, but oh-so-bad-for-you, funnel cakes. Throw caution to wind and eat all those artery-clogging foods, hold hands on the ferris wheel, take home a five foot teddy bear, because everyone needs a five foot teddy bear in their life. Be a kid again.

Go for ice cream (or gelato, or frozen yogurt). If you can ride bikes or walk to the ice cream shop, even better. Order different flavors and share.

Go out for a progressive dinner. Have drinks at one spot, appetizers at another, entrees at another, and dessert at yet another. If they're all within walking distance, enjoy a stroll between courses.

Go bowling. Midnight or Disco bowling is even better. Get your groove on with some disco music and a mirror ball. And nothing says cool like a pair of bowling shoes.

What are some of your alternative date night ideas? And don't forget to check my Facebook page for this week's giveaway.