10 Offbeat date ideas in DC
So you've met that someone new and are having a blast dating….except you're burning
out on the dinner-and-a-movie routine. We can help! Here are ten offbeat date ideas
that will get you enjoying the District a deux
in a whole new way.
Wander amongst the flora
At the U.S. Botanic Garden, you can escape the modern-day hustle and bustle and pretend to be Adams and Eves (clothes on, of course) by wandering through this three-story-high greenhouse of vines, mammoth trees and enormous ferns. Amble through The Jungle Room, breathe deep in the Orchid Room; it leave you feeling refreshed ... and a little amorous. Botanic Garden, Avenue, 202-225-8333, www.usbg.gov
Do dessert
If you've seen Warren Brown's Food Network show Sugar Rush, you'd know that when it comes to sweets this fella isn't fooling around. Sure, you could watch the show and jot down his recipes but if you're feeling lazy (but still want the goodies) why not stroll over to the store that started it all? Stop by Brown’s CakeLove on and split a slice of his New German Chocolate cake. Still want to learn how to make it? Take a class together with the cake-master himself at his store’s location. CakeLove, NW, 202-588-7100, www.cakelove.com
Let your spirit soar during Sunday brunch
Gospel isn't just for religious sorts; it can be an amazing backdrop during a date, too. Wow someone by suggesting brunch at the Museum. Twenty-five dollars per person (which includes admission) gets you seated at a crisp white-cloth-covered table in the museum's Café de Artistes. Help yourself to rows of delicious buffet selections and soak in the soaring sounds of the choir as their voices rise to the lofty ceilings. Afterwards, take a stroll and peruse the Corcoran's collections as the uplifting music permeates the entire museum. Corcoran, NW, 202-639-1700, www.corcoran.org
Look to the sky
Get an adrenaline rush at Hains Point, located in the East Potomac Park. Although this spot, where the and Anacostia rivers meet, can be scenic in the daytime, it's best to go at night (note that the park closes at 10 p.m.). How so? Planes come roaring into the just to the west. Park your car, lie back and watch them as they hover over your head, their lights illuminating all below. It’s quite a show! Hains Point, East Potomac Park SW, www.washington.org
Be a brewmaster
More of a beer than a wine person? Brickskeller is the place to be. This basement pub filled with old wooden chairs and tables will get you feeling instantly down-to-earth with each other. And you've got more than a thousand beer options at your disposal, literally. Make a game of it and order beers based on your ancestry (they've got everything from Ethiopian to Lithuanian), and be sure to sample each other’s choices. Brickskeller, NW, 202-293-1885, www.thebrickskeller.com
Kayak the Potomac
Avoid the tourist crowds that cram into ferry tours by opting to kayak the river instead. Underneath the Bridge, you'll find Jack's Boat House, where you can rent a tandem (two-seater) kayak for $15 an hour, $25 for two, or $35 all day. When your adventure’s over, walk a couple blocks to the waterfront and reward yourselves with refreshing mango margaritas at Cabanas. Jack's Boat House, NW, 202-337-9462, www.jacksboathouse.com. Cabanas, NW, 202-944-4242, www.dcseafood.com/cabanas/
Have a picnic for two
Don't let the students deter you: Jetties is a place for serious sandwich-lovers (and a great location for regular ol' lovers to flirt). Enter this laidback shop, grab a pen, and customize your sandwich on an order form to the tiniest detail. When it's warm out, call ahead and order a favorite like the Surfside (roasted turkey, bacon, Havarti cheese, avocado, whole grain mustard on sourdough)—this way you'll get dibs on the umbrella-shaded picnic tables outside. Jetties, NW, 202-965-3663, www.jettiesdc.com
Indulge in luxury
Pretend you're a couple of millionaires as you walk around the grounds of the Hillwood and Gardens, the former home of the debutante philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post. Her Fabergé egg collection will amaze you, but the best opportunity for a stolen romantic moment can be found in the Japanese garden located in the 25 acres of the mansion's front yard. It's hard to believe you're still in the District as you skip stones and walk on footbridges over streams. Sit on a nearby bench, open a bottle of wine and take it all in. Hillwood Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, 202.686.5807, www.hillwoodmuseum.org
Cozy up at an inn
Avoid the hipster lounge scene by opting for a drink at the Tabard Inn instead. It's impossible not to feel comfy in one of the dark mahogany parlor rooms. Order a bottle of wine and sit back in an overstuffed leather chair by a crackling fire or listen to live jazz. If you haven't fallen in love within minutes of relaxing here, clearly it just wasn't meant to be. Tabard Inn, 1739 N Street NW, 202-785-1277, www.tabardinn.com
Shake your booty
Looking for a break from the usual bump and grind you find at most clubs? Uncover your dancing-fool side in front of your sweetie without fear of embarrassment at DC9's Electrotease Dance Party. This party is unleashed the first Saturday of each month in which club-goers shake it and gyrate it like you've never seen before. Put all of those date jitters to good use by going wild. Trust us: It's the only time you'll be able to get away with it. DC9, NW, 202-483-5000, www.dcnine.com
Kristin Coronado lives in the area where she works as an editor at AOL CityGuide. She's a self-professed museum geek with an unashamed love of eighties music.