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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Date night, without the night

...unless it leads into the night, that is.***


It must have been those old fashioned vampires that designated dates to occur only at sundown. But for us day walkers, who said date night HAS to be at night?

With summer finally at its peak, it makes all the sense in the world to use up your days as much as possible. Now, we're able to run our errands as soon as the sun rises, so we're able to enjoy the warm afternoons and the cool and balmy nights.

If you're looking for a casual date or an energetic rendezvous, your best bet is to set a weekend date that is earlier rather than later. You'll be at your freshest and start your day in a great mood.

For the active or adventurous types:
Take a walk or bike ride. Really. It's good to get out, people.
  • A light breakfast. It doesn't matter if you hit a Starbucks or your neighborhood Austrian Gem...you'll have time to sit down, share a cup of coffee, and discuss what's planned for the day.
  • Think about a place you haven't explored and is easy to get to. Even if you're active, you don't want to wear yourself out so much that you're tending to new blister friends.
    • If you're a north-sider, try a location like Lincoln Square, Loyola, or even Evanston! If you bike over by the lake, pack a light snack or a picnic.
    • You won't have to rely on public transportation, so use common streets you know of to lead you in the right direction.
  • Taking more of a leisurely bike ride?
    • Ride over to a local market (such as Stanleys), and stock up on fresh and cheap produce. Or, for little gourmet nibbles, head to Pastoral for luxurious cheeses, over-the-seas olives, and authentic fresh bread. Going to the grocery store on foot, by car, or by train get be a big hassle and you end up getting more than you need, with sore arms and a dented credit card.
  • Take advantage of a chilly summer afternoon and hit a brew tour or coffee tour.
Don't have a bike, but you have a tennis racquet?
  • Here are all of the tennis court locations in Chicago. This website shows how many courts there are, if there are lights, a fee, or if the courts are covered. My GO-TO list, for sure!
Ravinia
If you've lived in Chicago for more than one summer and haven't explored Ravinia, you MUST!
Pack some wine, cheese & crackers, and a blanket with lawn tickets. It's a win-win situation.
Architecture Tours
I still have yet to go on one of these bad boys. Nice way to get a tan and explore the city.
Segway Tours
I've wanted to do this forever, perhaps THIS is my summer. Here are the popular companies--look out for Groupons, too!

For the "I just wanna get out of my apartment!" crowd:
Ever hear of a matinee? If it's one of those rainy summer weekends, there's no harm in catching a new flick during the day. It's cheap and if it's early enough in the day, you won't fall asleep!
  • Switch it up and go to a foreign/indie film or catch 2 in a row with a built-in bar!
Go bowling. Yes, bowling. These days, you'll actually be able to drink while operating heavy equipment. Don't forget to keep score for boasting rights later :)
For the homebodies:
Make time to plan ahead for these suggestions.
  • Try cooking together. This could be your time to shine or your time to learn. If it's nice, take your fixins outside! Treat your palate and hit Old Town's Spice House to round up some truffle oil or granular heat for your buds!
  • Try brewing together. This could be a new experience for both of you! Whether or not you drink beer regularly, view this as a challenge. Not many people can say that they've made their own beer. Plus, you'll be creating something together that you'll ultimately be able to share together, too, or with others! (like me)
  • Catch up on a season of TV you've both shared an interest in but never got around to watching.

And don't forget about all those summer festivals! Most require a donation fee, so don't forget some extra dough.

***If your day-date does last into the night, go here to view my favorite recos for a fun and romantic dinner!***