Attend a local food festival – Whether you are in a large city or a small suburban town, food festivals are popping up everywhere and for good reason! Food festivals can be traced back thousands of years and to this day, there is no better way to taste the heart and soul of a destination. Similar to farmers markets, food festivals will often promote a certain type of food or consist of a plethora of local foods that have been acquired to introduce variety and new flavors as well as bring the community together. Both a casual and low-maintenance date, food festivals call for great tastes, good company, and celebration!
Inspiration for Daytime Date: Back in October 2014, Morgan and I ventured to Ithaca, New York for the Apple Harvest Festival - the annual apple festival that embodies the rich farm and artist community of Ithaca. Overflowing with apples, local produce, baked goods, and regional wines and ciders, the local tastes were incredibly sweet and overwhelmingly fresh. (Better than many local products I have had in New England I might add!) In addition, many handcrafting artisans were selling their products, including jewelry, clothing, body care, and home décor. I personally walked away with a newfound favorite sparkling wine, homemade lavender soap, and a pair of mittens that had been made from a cozy sweater. If you didn’t already love Ithaca, this will certainly become your reason why!
Inspiration for Daytime Date: Back in October 2014, Morgan and I ventured to Ithaca, New York for the Apple Harvest Festival - the annual apple festival that embodies the rich farm and artist community of Ithaca. Overflowing with apples, local produce, baked goods, and regional wines and ciders, the local tastes were incredibly sweet and overwhelmingly fresh. (Better than many local products I have had in New England I might add!) In addition, many handcrafting artisans were selling their products, including jewelry, clothing, body care, and home décor. I personally walked away with a newfound favorite sparkling wine, homemade lavender soap, and a pair of mittens that had been made from a cozy sweater. If you didn’t already love Ithaca, this will certainly become your reason why!
I don’t know about you, but I personally love afternoon adventures; cheap or elaborate, low-key or jam-packed, daytime dates are the best and easiest way to get out there and learn more about your surrounding community and environment. And who better to do it with than your significant other? When the weekend rolls around, I am always actively looking for something to do with Morgan that does not involve laying in bed all day or heading to beach. Because, let’s be honest, that can get boring after sometime! That is why I have compiled a list of my four favorite daytime dates Morgan and I have done together that encourage and give you a reason to get out and about.
Meander through a museum or two – Most likely the reason why you and your partner were drawn to each other (besides good looks of course) was because of mutual interests and smarts. To maintain your intellectual connection as well as ‘culture yourself,’ why not visit a museum! Ideally, choose a destination that you both find intriguing. Or one that is completely free. Don’t be intimidated to visit a museum neither of you know anything about because learning will only enhance your experience. It is important to plan and make sure you have enough time to meander the various exhibits without being interrupted or rushed for time – the experience may surprise you!
Inspiration for Daytime Date: With Morgan being in Boston for the summer, we made it our mission to try and see as much as we could on the weekends because of our busy and somewhat conflicting week schedules. To kill two birds with one stone, we made the executive decision to visit the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and the Museum of Science. We had originally planned to visit the Hokusai exhibit at MFA and the Pixar exhibit at the Museum of Science. Not realizing our tickets for MFA were for the WHOLE museum, we wondered everywhere but the Hokusai exhibit. Unfortunately, we had only allotted ourselves only so much time at the MFA and had to sooner rather than later to get to Pixar. (Definitely know all the benefits of your ticket before you go!) Despite being twenty-two year olds, we were probably the median age at the exhibit – kids and adults of all ages had come to check it out! If you grew up watching Pixar, the exhibit is as exciting as the movies. Certainly worth the visit if you have the time and/or in the Boston area through December.
Inspiration for Daytime Date: With Morgan being in Boston for the summer, we made it our mission to try and see as much as we could on the weekends because of our busy and somewhat conflicting week schedules. To kill two birds with one stone, we made the executive decision to visit the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and the Museum of Science. We had originally planned to visit the Hokusai exhibit at MFA and the Pixar exhibit at the Museum of Science. Not realizing our tickets for MFA were for the WHOLE museum, we wondered everywhere but the Hokusai exhibit. Unfortunately, we had only allotted ourselves only so much time at the MFA and had to sooner rather than later to get to Pixar. (Definitely know all the benefits of your ticket before you go!) Despite being twenty-two year olds, we were probably the median age at the exhibit – kids and adults of all ages had come to check it out! If you grew up watching Pixar, the exhibit is as exciting as the movies. Certainly worth the visit if you have the time and/or in the Boston area through December.
Go for a bike ride – The couple that plays together stays together. Bike riding provides both an easy way to get moving and to enjoy the outdoors. Plus with the warm weather that comes with the summer season, there is no better time to explore by bike! Whether you go for a ride along a trail, down by the boardwalk or through the city, bike riding aids another perspective that you would not necessarily have while in a car. Sometimes, biking without a destination in mind makes the journey more interesting! It is in those moments you have the opportunity to observe and learn more about your surroundings. To either break up or conclude the bike ride, stop to have lunch that you either packed for a picnic or stop in somewhere for a bite to eat.
Inspiration for Daytime Date: A few weeks ago, Morgan and I went on a bike ride through Chatham. Having only seen parts of Chatham by car, Morgan was pleasantly surprised by some of the hidden corners that we had passed by car on many occasions but never took the time to notice and appreciate. Not only did we enjoy the stunning Cape cottages and the many views of the ocean we rode past, but we also stopped at my favorite café for lunch. *Cue happy boyfriend* Truly a perfect example of a date that keeps you active and engaged with the outdoors.
Inspiration for Daytime Date: A few weeks ago, Morgan and I went on a bike ride through Chatham. Having only seen parts of Chatham by car, Morgan was pleasantly surprised by some of the hidden corners that we had passed by car on many occasions but never took the time to notice and appreciate. Not only did we enjoy the stunning Cape cottages and the many views of the ocean we rode past, but we also stopped at my favorite café for lunch. *Cue happy boyfriend* Truly a perfect example of a date that keeps you active and engaged with the outdoors.
Visit a local winery or brewery – I don’t think there is a better way to spend an afternoon than visiting a local winery and/or brewery. Regardless of the weather or time of year, spending an afternoon with your significant other drinking wine or beer is another wonderful opportunity to not only spend time together, but also educate yourselves about your own as well as your partner’s likes and dislikes when it comes to drink preferences. Additionally, tastings usually call for sitting on a back patio with food. How could you say no to that?! Plus, drinking local like eating local means the freshest and best ingredients relative to the area. Head to your local winery or brewery for an authentic taste of home!
Inspiration for Daytime Date: Having gone to school in the Finger Lakes, I was spoiled to be just down the lake from one of the country’s best wine regions. I, of course, certainly took advantage of that privilege and spent a few Saturday afternoons bopping from winery to winery. Listing my favorite would be incredibly unwarranted because each of the wineries had something completely different and delicious to offer! Despite being grown in the same district, each variety from every vineyard was unique to its neighbor. Whether Morgan and I went wine tasting with ourselves or another couple, both daytime date experiences promoted a learning experience about our likes and dislikes as well as easy, accessible escape from the bustle of our daily lives.
Inspiration for Daytime Date: Having gone to school in the Finger Lakes, I was spoiled to be just down the lake from one of the country’s best wine regions. I, of course, certainly took advantage of that privilege and spent a few Saturday afternoons bopping from winery to winery. Listing my favorite would be incredibly unwarranted because each of the wineries had something completely different and delicious to offer! Despite being grown in the same district, each variety from every vineyard was unique to its neighbor. Whether Morgan and I went wine tasting with ourselves or another couple, both daytime date experiences promoted a learning experience about our likes and dislikes as well as easy, accessible escape from the bustle of our daily lives.
What are some of your favorite daytime dates you have gone on?
Alexandra xxx
Alexandra xxx