Have a Picnic
A picnic is a great alternative to going out to eat at a restaurant; not to mention, a picnic can be much more romantic and intimate. Think of your partner’s favorite thing to eat that can either be served cold or that doesn’t need to be heated up. Pack it up along with some refreshing beverages and put it in a cooler or bag. Bring a blanket and listen to music or simply talk and enjoy each other’s company!
Visit the Beach
The beach is a great change of environment and makes you feel like you’re on a full-blown vacation even if you’re just visiting for a few hours. If you don’t have a local beach, do a Google search to locate the nearest beach to you. Even if it’s a few hours away, your only expense will be the gas to get to and from there and possibly an entry fee. You can bring everything else you need with you.
Go Hiking
Visit a park or mountain near you and go for a hike. It’s amazing how different thing can look from the top of a mountain. You can live in a town for years and never quite realize how beautiful it is until you see it from afar with a better view. Hiking is great because you get a good workout, pretty views and it’s either free or cheap for admission/parking.
Go for a Walk
If hiking is a little bit too strenuous for you or you don’t have any mountains or hiking trails close by, go for a walk. One of my favorite things to do with my husband in the warmer months is take our dog on the trail and walk into town and grab a smoothie or a coffee. Even just walking around our neighborhood is great because we’re disconnected, so we just talk and are totally focused on each other.
Ride a Bike
Go on a bike ride together, whether in your own neighborhood, on a bike bath, at a park or wherever else. Bike riding is a great workout and I love the feeling of the wind against me as I’m pedaling away. It also makes me happy because it reminds me of when I was a kid.
Enjoy Coffee Outside
Our local Starbucks has tables outside and I love to drink a coffee while sitting outside on one of those tables. If you don’t have a similar set up, you can buy a coffee and sit on a bench somewhere. There’s just something about doing regular things outdoors that makes it so much more enjoyable.
Explore a Farmers Market
The warmer weather tends to be the time of year where the farmers markets start back up. Bring you partner and visit your local farmers market and pick up some fresh ingredients. See what you find there and then decide what to make based on what you purchase. For example, if apples are in season, find a recipe to make with them, such as apple crisp or apple pie.
Visit the Zoo
I love animals. I could stare at them for hours on end and not be bored. They are fascinating. Bring your partner to the zoo. Most zoos are non-profits, so it is also nice to contribute and help support your local zoo to ensure the animals are well taken care of.
