Date nights are opportunities for couples to strengthen their relationships and have a little fun along the way. A date night also presents an opportunity for couples to experience all their town has to offer, including its restaurant and entertainment scene. A night engaging with the local scene can remind couples why their towns are such special places, and the following are some tips to ensure date night is a hit.
■ Plan ahead. Even small town residents can benefit from some planning ahead of date night. Many restaurants are still confronting staffing shortages that began years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it's best to book a reservation as early as possible. Reservations ensure couples won't have to wait for a table to open up. Planning ahead also is necessary for other elements of a date night, including entertainment. A range of variables has made it harder to score tickets to events like concerts, and even prices for sporting events have risen in recent years. A greater number of secondary market sellers compared to years ago and the rise of dynamic pricing, in which the price of a product or service fluctuates due to real-time market conditions, have helped to drive up the cost of attending unique events like concerts and ballgames. Planning ahead gives couples more time to shop around for affordable tickets.
■ Take in the town.
More than 1,600 community coalitions participate in Main Street America, a program that works to revitalize downtown areas in cities across the country.
The same approach has been adopted by many towns and cities in Canada. The My Main Street program in southern Ontario and the continuation of the Main Street Regeneration Approach, an effort that began in 1979, are some ways that towns and cities across Canada are working to revitalize Main Street with a thriving business sector that can build community pride. Couples can take in their town on date night, strolling through downtown where they can enjoy a meal, have a drink and engage with local businesses in other ways.
■ Get crafty. Couples who want to do something unique on their next date night can look for a way to express their creativity. The paint and sip industry is tailor- made for a fun date night that allows couples to relax with a glass of wine or another preferred beverage as they reproduce a pre-selected work of art. Couples can share a few laughs as they work on their masterpieces. Paint-your-own pottery studios also allow couples to get creative, and much like at a paint and sip studio, couples go home at night with a memento of their fun evening.
■ Embrace your inner athlete. Couples seeking an outlet for their athleticism can do so on date night in a number of ways.
Axe-throwing has become a popular and fun way to break a sweat and blow off steam, while additional activities like bowling and mini golf remain popular date night staples. Couples who want to be especially close on their next date night while still getting a workout in can rent a tandem bicycle from a nearby bike store.
There's no shortage of fun date night ideas. Couples can find many enjoyable ideas for their next date night right in the confines of their hometown.
