We are lucky to live in an area with a plethora of activities to heat up a summer romance, whether it’s a couple venturing out on a first date, celebrating an anniversary or looking for a night out away from the little ones. While we are a stone’s throw away from the nation’s capital, with limitless eating excursions and endless sightseeing, Northern Virginia provides just as many opportunities to liven up your love life. Below are three dates that will allow you and your significant other to explore NoVA while hopefully sparking or rekindling your romance.
First Date
First dates can be intimidating as you explore unfamiliar waters with someone new. An outing to Old Town Alexandria, brimming with local eateries and retailers and colonial history, may just settle those nerves and combat potential awkwardness. You can make your date a daylong Old Town adventure, or if you’re not feeling the chemistry, try just one of our suggestions.
Stop for a bite at Fontaine Caffe & Creperie right off of King Street for a delicious breakfast crepe and some coffee to kick-start your day. The quaint and cozy cafe offers a comfortable atmosphere where you can get to know your date. Then spend the day wandering Old Town’s cobblestone streets, admiring historic sites and 18th- and 19th-century architecture while potentially making your own history. Afterward, snag an ice cream cone at The Creamery—your date’s choice in flavor will give you plenty of insight into his or her personality. Head toward the waterfront to check out street performers and the riverscape.
If the date is still sailing along smoothly, grab dinner at one of the many restaurants right on the waterfront before closing out the evening by cuddling up during a ghost tour with Colonial Tours. After the haunted tales and folklore, grab a nightcap at PX, a 1920s-style lounge with specialty drinks.
Anniversary Celebration
For a formal date celebrating a relationship milestone, put a spin on the traditional dinner and a movie at the Mosaic District. For dinner, Mosaic has restaurants suitable for just about every type of craving. For classic comfort food paired with adult milkshakes or more classic cocktails, get a table at Ted’s Bulletin. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, but you can call an hour in advance to put your name on the wait list, allowing you to spend the majority of your time traveling down memory lane together.
Make sure to bring a blanket so after dinner at Ted’s, you can head straight to Films in the Park for one of its showings while taking in a beautiful Northern Virginia summer night. Movies dates and times can be found at the Mosaic District website.
Parents’ Night Out
Thanks goodness. You and your spouse finally left the little ones in the hands of the babysitter, and now it’s time for a well-deserved parents’ night out. Time may still be scarce, so if you can only carve out enough for a meal, visit traditional Lebanese restaurant Me Jana for dinner on the outdoor patio. While the kids’ taste buds may not be developed enough for the fare here, a night away affords such culinary adventures. Then, if time permits, end the night doubled over laughing at the Arlington Drafthouse, just a short drive from Me Jana. The regular open-mic comedy nights will allow you and your partner to cut loose while watching shows from top comedic talent.
No matter what stage of a relationship you are in, there is always something interesting to do this summer to spice up the romance.