Great Dates: A Recipe for Success

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Whether you are single, engaged or married, it is important to have an enjoyable time when you’re out on a date. Northern Virginia offers so many great and fun places. Here are a few tips I thought I’d share with you.

Vary your activities. You can plan a romantic evening atop one of the region’s many rooftop terrace hotels or restaurants and enjoy a breathtaking view of monuments. Or take in a live show or concert at a hot-spot restaurant or lounge. Of course, there is always the quintessential boat cruise along the Potomac. You have romance, fun and a little adventure all rolled into one.

I remember a good time I had at a local bookstore; believe it or not, my date and I had a blast reading our astrological signs while drinking coffee. Booze doesn’t have to be present in order to have fun. The key is you. Make your own fun. Avoid being that couple who listens to other conversations at the next table. Talk to each other. As my middle school math teacher once said, “Are you going to live life or watch others live it?”

Be receptive to new ideas, opinions and world views. You might learn something new. I’m not advocating changing your opinions necessarily, but be responsive. This way you avoid placing too many expectations on your date or the evening. 

What makes a date successful from your perspective? Do you have favorite places when it comes to romance, adventure and fun? Email me with your thoughts or share your stories at littleredbook@northernvirginiamag.com, and be sure to check out Northern Virginia Magazine’s May 2010 issue to read my picks for top 10 first date spots.

–Katie

Tags: bookstores, coffee, Dating, first dates, Katie Greenan, Little Red Book, monuments, potomac river, relationships, romance, rooftop dining, Washington D.C.