Love is in the air; so are sun beams and bumble bees and the sweet songs of birds. Take your next adventure outdoors with these ten date ideas for spring.

“In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”

—Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Now that spring is here I’ve reminded my husband that it’s time to start dating again. I say dating again because our wintertime “dates” usually involve Netflix and a bowl of popcorn, so it’s as if we’ve been in a dating void for the past three months.

While a dinner and movie combo certainly counts as a classic date, it doesn’t take advantage of the longer days and milder weather. I recommend an outdoor experience to get your own juices flowing and to add some romantic fun to what may have become a lounge act (sitting at home together in sweat pants) over the wintertime.

Here are my top 10 springtime picks:

1. Dining al fresco.

It doesn’t matter where you do it or how you do it, just break some bread outside! A street side café is lovely. So is a picnic. But grilling on the deck is just as nice. No matter where you are, you can still see the stars if it’s a clear night.

2. Moving.

When I say moving, I don’t mean packing up your furniture and heading to a new address. I mean getting outside and moving your body! Take a bike ride. Go on a hike. Volunteer to take shelter dogs on walks at the park. Get your body moving and it may just continue moving once you come inside. Me-ow!

3. Communing with nature.

This could be a quick jaunt to the botanical gardens, or a ride over the river and through the woods! You could visit a lake or a beach. You could take a drive in the mountains. There are so many opportunities to take in some fresh air and de-stress—together!

4. Attend a local festival.

This might be one of my all-time favorite things in the world. Arts, crafts, music, food, fun! I’m convinced that no matter what the festival there’s something for any kind of person. And if the festival is in the next town over, maybe it turns into a day trip. If it’s farther away, you might get a whole weekend out of it!

5. Be a tourist in your own town.

Get on your town’s website and pick something you’d never do because you live there. When you look at your town with fresh eyes, you might also look at your date with fresh eyes, too.

6. Visit a state park.

If you’re looking for some longevity with your date, this is the one for you! Visiting state parks can be a bit addictive as once you visit one you want to find another and another until you’ve hit everything within driving distance of your town. And then you start going for the overnighters!

7. Farmers’ markets.

These are almost at much fun as festivals, but with a twist! You can buy beautiful fresh foods and then go home to make something spectacular together. Enjoy in your yard, on your patio or even on your stoop.

8. Visit a local farm, orchard or vineyard.

Oh, the joy of harvest! Find out what’s growing in your area and get to the source. I have a lavender farm on my list.

9. Mini golf.

There is nothing that says romance more than trying to get your ball through the windmill. Well, ok, there probably are a few things, but having a date that’s all about play is an opportunity to be a kid again while not having to worry about a curfew.

10. See a film at a drive in movie theater.

You may have to work a little bit to find one that’s still in operation; but, when you do, you’ve hit date gold! The only minor drawback is that most of our cars these days have bucket seats. Damn.

Paris in the springtime may be the most romantic place in the world; but, everyplace is romantic in the spring. So it doesn’t matter where you’re located as long as you get outside. Daytime or nighttime, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy love.

[image: via Ian Burt on flickr]