Need a date night out? Don't we all?
The occasional date nights out are important for parents to connect and focus on each other. Date nights can "enhance your friendship as well as your emotional connectedness," Dianne Grande, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist wrote in a Psychology Today article called "Date Night: Not a Luxury, a Necessity."
"Usually, the challenge for long-term couples is to get out of the routine that they have fallen into and put in some effort to make their lives together more fun and joyful," she writes.
So find a babysitter, schedule a playdate, or recruit a family member or friend to take over kid duties for a few hours on Valentine's Day ... or skip the crowds and celebrate this weekend - and plan a great few hours away with your honey!
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Here are some creative date night ideas:
1. Take a hike!
Find a new trail to explore together by foot, on bike, or even on snowboots — depending on the time of the year! Some of my favorite places to get out in nature:
- Hillsdale State Park, Paola
- Wallace Park, Paola
- Big Bull Creek Park, Edgerton
- Celebration Park, Gardner
- Gardner Lake, Gardner
- Flint Hills Trail State Park, Osawatomie
- John Brown Memorial Park, Osawatomie
- Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park, Wellsville
Where to eat?
After working up an appetite on the trail, stop at one of these great lunch spots:
- K & M Barbeque, Spring Hill
- El Potro, Paola
- Latchkey Deli, Lawrence
- Merchants Pub & Plate, Lawrence
- Pizza Time, Ottawa
- El Patron, Baldwin City
- Tumbleweed Grill, Gardner
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2. Get creative!
Take a class together to get those creative juices flowing and step outside your comfort zone!
- A 1-hour couple's golf lesson at Sycamore Ridge Golf Club, Spring Hill
- The Ceramic Studio, Osawatomie
- The Osawatomie Lake/Golf Course, Osawatomie
- Sunflower Ceramics, Lawrence
- Muddy Waters Studio, Lawrence
- Eudora Scavenger Hunt, Eudora
- Lawrence Scavenger Hunt, Lawrence
Where to dine?
After creating your masterpiece, head to one of these restaurants, known for their innovative and creative dishes:
- Milo's Steakhouse, Paola
- Lawrence Beer Company, Lawrence
- Mass Fish House, Lawrence
- 6 Mile Chophouse, Lawrence
- 715, Lawrence
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3. Release the stress!
Life have you both feeling stressed out? Relax together! From throwing axes to couples massages — we have it all!
- Rejuvenate Med Spa, Gardner
- Relax Skin Studio, Gardner
- Lada Salon & Spa, Lawrence
- Salon Di Marco & Day Spa, Lawrence
- Sensora Spa, Lawrence
- Mud & Lotus: Outdoor Soaking Tub and Sauna, Lawrence
- Elevate Arts of Wellness Massage and Float Spa, Lawrence
- A+ Spa Massage, Lawrence
- Be Well Spa, Paola
- Exclusive Salon & Spa, Ottawa
- Ash & Anvil Cigar Lounge, Gardner
- Hillsdale Archery Range, Paola
- Mill Creek Rifle Club, De Soto
- Cedar Hill Gun Club, Baldwin City
- The Gun Guys, Ottawa
Where to get a drink?
You'll want a nice crisp beverage after getting all that stress out! Try ones of these local wineries or breweries for some more casual fun, and enjoy some unrushed time together.
- Bourgmont Winery, Bucyrus
- White Tail Run Winery, Edgerton
- Davenport Winery, Eudora
- Blue Jacket Crossing, Eudora
- Transport Brewery, Gardner
- ExBEERiment Brewing, Gardner
- Blue Dog Wine Co., La Cygne
- Isinglass Vineyard and Winery, La Cygne
- Nighthawk Winery and Vineyard, Paola
- Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery, Paola
- Somerset School House, Paola
- Fossil Springs Winery, Paola
- 5A Vineyard, Osawatomie
- Serendipity Farm and Vine, Stilwell
- Buck-U Distillery, Ottawa
- Fields & Ivy Brewery, Lawrence
- Z&M Vineyard & Tasting Room, Lawrence
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4. Enjoy your favorite attractions... without the kids!
You probably always have kids along when you visit some of our best attractions. So leave the kids at home and get out to explore on your own — you might be surprised how you enjoy places in a new way when the kids aren't pulling you in different directions. Here are some of our favorite places to visit again ... without the kids!
- KU Natural History Museum, Lawrence
- Lawrence Arts Center Gallery, Lawrence
- Old Depot Museum, Ottawa
Where to brunch?
Have a great brunch before heading out to your favorite attraction! Some of our favorite local brunch spots are:
- Paola Eatery, Paola
- Corner Market, Ottawa
- Wheatfields Bakery, Lawrence
- Homestead Kitchen + Bakery, Baldwin City
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5. Relive your early days
Where was your first date? What did you love to do together when you were dating? Here are some of our favorite classic spots that are great for reminiscing about those early days.
- Enigma 68 Escape Rooms, Louisburg
- The Escape Room, Spring Hill
- Purple Meadows Lavender Farm, Spring Hill
- Dancing Cow Farms, Wellsville
- Little Hawk Farm, Baldwin City
- Vesecky Family Farms, Baldwin City
- Breakout, Lawrence
- Royal Crest Lanes, Lawrence
Where to stay?
If the restaurant you enjoyed on one of your first dates is still open, head there before checking into one of these local options for an over-night stay!
- Sweet Acres Inn Bed & Breakfast, Eudora
- Cedar Lane Bed and Breakfast, DeSoto
- Netherfield Place, Paola
