date ideas

Graphic designed by Dottie

A few months ago I posted a list of 52 inexpensive date ideas. I had so much fun coming up with that list and actually refer to it often when Henry and I are planning our weekly dates. Another thing we like to do when we get the chance is go away on a couple’s weekend. I thought it’d be fun to come up with a list of potentially expensive weekend trips for couples. These work well for birthdays, anniversaries, or just plain old reconnecting. However you use them, they’re guaranteed to put a little spice back into your relationship (especially if you have kids – any time sans spawn brings back a little spice!).

Here they are in no particular order:

• Beach
• Spa (April 15-21 is Spa Week. Many spas offer discounted services during these dates. Click here to find a participating spa near you. How many times can I say spa in this post? Spa.)
• Golf – head to a golf resort or head to an area known for golfing, like North Carolina.
• Sailing or sailing lessons. You can also stay on specialty sailboats over night, like Sandbar Cruise in Baltimore or The White Elephant Floating Inn in Boston.
• All-inclusive resort like Atlantis or Sandals.
• Bed and breakfast in a quaint town, in the country, or anywhere you choose!
• A night or two in a fancy hotel close to home paired with local sightseeing you wouldn’t do with the children.
• Visiting a quaint or historic town such as Asheville, NC; Williamsburg, PA; Nantucket, Massachusetts.
• Spend the weekend at a waterpark resort like Great Wolf Lodge.
• Similarly, go to a large local theme park like Disney, Six Flags, or Busch Gardens.
• Seclude yourselves in a cabin in the woods.
• For the more adventurous, tent-camp in the mountains.
• Go to a winery, or on a wine tour in places like Napa Valley, CA.
• Go to a nearby natural wonder such as The Natural Bridge (Virginia), Niagra Falls (New York/Canada), Deep Creek (Hesperia, California) or ANY National Park.
• Visit nearby cultural centers like Amish Country (Ohio, Pennsylvania).
• Plan a weekend around an out-of-town sporting event.
• Find a festival around something you’re interested in (music, renaissance, battle reenactment, art, film, etc.) and GO!
• Try horseback riding at a Dude Ranch .
• Go to race car driving school  .
• Try a quiet lakeside resort  and try your hand at summer sports like waterskiing, tubing, or fishing.
• Try out a new or familiar winter sport like skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding.
• Go to a high-end resort like The Greenbrier, The Homestead, or The Grand Hotel.
• Take a scenic train trip.
• Explore nearby orchards and pick-your-own farms in nearly every state in the nation from cranberry bogs in New England, cherry orchards in Michigan, and apple orchards in Washington State.
• Take a river cruise.
• Race in a new city (whether it’s a 5K, marathon, or a bike race– try a new town so you can visit it while you race through it… and afterwards. There are soooo many fun races out there like the Hot Chocolate 15/5k, The Zombie Run, The Krispie Kreme Challenge, or the more serious Tough Mudders.
• Follow a scenic byway, stopping here and there as your day unravels.

Okay, whoever’s now in the mood to travel raise your hand. (*hand shooting into the sky).  Do you have any ideas we can add to the list?