Get It While It's Hot!

A recent article in Star Tribune examined coffee shops as dating venues. In the article many spoke of the advantages of coffee shops as great first date spots. D.J. Grammar, interviewed in Minneapolis, commented on a coffee shop date saying, "It allowed me to get to know him in a casual way that didn't have the pressure of a first date". The social setting makes the date more comfortable. If you're going to sip a Caramel Macchiato anyway, why not enjoy it with a date? Although coffee shops are located everywhere, here are some personally recommended spots for a hot brew on your hot date.

Uncommon Grounds

Dunn Bros Coffee

Wilde Roast Cafe

Tropical Encounters

Tropical Encounters combines both plants and animals in an

exhibit that can't be missed. So take your date to the rainforest, without leaving the city. Tropical animals such as giant river frogs, scorpions, and freshwater stingrays can be encountered, as well as an anaconda! Authentic plants and a "canopy giant" tree are featured for your viewing pleasure. This date will also be educational as you learn amazing facts about the rainforest. Here are a few facts to get you interested. The rainforest, although covering less than 6% of the earth, is home to over half of all plants and animals. Come prepared to experience the tropical rainforest at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.

For the Gamer

Gameworks is located in downtown Minneapolis on Block E. It's the perfect place for a first date, providing a social atmosphere and a little friendly competition. Gameworks has a wide range of games. There are familiar games such as air hockey and skee ball, as well as new games like Madden Football, Dance Dance Revolution, and Indy 500. Loose your competitive side as you challenge your date to one of these exciting games. For something a bit different, head to the upper level for blacklight bowling. There is also a full bar in the upper level where food and drinks are available. Go to Gameworks and enjoy a thrilling night of gaming.

Basilica Block Party

A local radio station, Cities 97, hosts this great event and over 30,000 people each year. It's a two night spectacular of the year's most beloved bands. Last year's featured artists were Aqualung, The Fray, Train, and Guster. What a show! It's your choice whether the date lasts one night or two, but the performances should not to be missed. The event is held in July each year on the lawn of the Basilica of St. Mary. You and your date can rock out to your favorite bands while enjoying a warm summer's breeze and delicious food. Without even realizing it, you'll be giving back to the city. That's right, each year the funds raised go towards restoring the Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis. Your date will love the live bands and appreciate your charitable giving. Go to the website for more information and keep an eye out for the updated website showing upcoming bands.

Basilica Block Party

More Than Just a Mall

The Mall of America is a great place to start and end a date. With so many attractions, you and your date will have plenty to do. You can either plan out your date activities ahead of time or just show up at the mall and make up the date as you go along. Here are some fun activities that the mall offers. First, there's the Park at MOA. This is an amusement park in the mall with countless rides and thrilling games. If that isn't enough adventure for you and your date, head over to NASCAR for a simulation ride that will have you traveling nearly 200 miles per hour. If racing isn't what you're looking for, take an underwater tour with your date in the Underwater Adventures Aquarium. It's a great time for romance as you walk beneath a sea of fish. Underwater Adventures Aquarium was voted by the Discovery Channel as world's best shark encounter. All these date ideas are quite different, so if you're looking for something more conservative, the mall has an AMC movie theatre and many restaurants to choose from. And if all else fails, go shopping!

The links below contain information on the aforementioned date activities.

Mall of America

Park at MOA

NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway

Underwater Adventures Aquarium

AMC theatre

Recommended Restaurants

Hey Sports Fans

Everyone loves a great game. Whether its baseball, basketball, or football, get out there and cheer on your favorite Minnesota team. In the summer, the metrodome hosts the Minnesota Twins. Tickets are cheap and can be bought upon arrival. You can both chat and cheer while you watch America's favorite pastime. If you're looking for something a little more physical, check out a Vikings football game in the fall. Games are also at the metrodome and are slightly more pricey than baseball games. In the winter the Minnesota Timberwolves are the team to see. They will be back in town next week with competitive games to look forward to. If you can snag tickets to a Wild hockey game, your date will surely be impressed. Following closely behind Calgary and Vancouver in the conference, the Wild are a force to be reckoned with. After viewing a game of your pleasure, continue the competition be challenging your date to a sport or playing a board game. Click on your favorite team below for more information on their location, schedules, and standings.

Twins Vikings Timberwolves Wild

Paint a Plate for Your Date

At Paint Your Plate, you become the artist. It's a place for creativity and authenticity as you create a masterpiece on your choice of dinnerware. Choices include mugs, plates, teapots, and many more. Brushes and paint are provided. You and your date can spend time designing gifts for one another, or a unique, new piece for your own kitchen. Once you're finished, the items are professionally glazed and ready to be picked up in a couple days. This provides the perfect opportunity for a second date. Paint Your Plate is located in Edina and St. Paul. Just walk in and begin designing. To find out more, go here.

The Sculpture Gardens

It doesn't get much better than this; free admission, beautiful artwork, and a romantic ambiance. The Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens are located in the heart of the city. While admiring the well-crafted sculptures, the skies open to a breathtaking view of the city. Here is where you'll fall in love with the city, and maybe that special someone too. The featured artwork at the time is Jonathon Silver, a New Yorker with a flare for depicting emotion in his figurative artwork. The famous Spoonbridge and Cherry is pictured above. To learn more about the featured artwork, locations, and times, follow this link.

Legendary Food and Music

Come hungry! Famous Dave's serves the best pit smoked St. Louis style spareribs slathered with award winning barbeque sauce. They're finger-licking good. If you're not in the mood for ribs, shame on you, but there are many other options to choose from. Not only is the food some of the best in the Twin Cities, Famous Dave's has live music almost every night of the week. To compliment the live music, the dance floor is open for salsa dancing when Latin groups perform on Tuesday. Come early because the dance floor gets crowded as the night progresses. During the week, the choice is obviously blues. Both local and traveling groups perform to give you a taste of the south.
Famous Dave's: http://www.famousdaves.com/
For the event calendar, click here

There's More Than Just Chemistry

A place where you can always learning something new is the Science Museum of Minnesota. There are new exhibitions all the time, so check out the link below for your current options. For example, the most recent exhibition, BodyWorlds, overextended its stay due to popularity, and continues traveling the country today. Presently, the highlighted exhibition is entitled Race: Are We So Different? The exhibit illustrates, in an innovative and exciting way, the "contemporary scientific understanding of race and human variation". While at the Science Museum you will not only learn about the chemistry you and your date share, but also many other sciences.

MIA

The refined Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) provides classic art with featured exhibitions that will enlighten and intrigue. Whether you and your date peruse the gallery for hours or simply glance over each piece, the MIA is sure to capture your minds. And when you're done, D'amico & Sons italian restaurant is conveniently located inside the museum. The food is relatively low priced and the setting is casual.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts: http://www.artsmia.org/
D'amico & Sons: http://www.damicoandsons.com/

Stroll in the City: Chain of Lakes

The Chain of Lakes consists of 6 lakes connected by Minnehaha Creek. I commonly visit Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles, due to convenience. These natural wonders are surrounded by residential neighborhoods and are easily accessible. Although the lakes are public, privacy can be maintained depending on the activity chosen. If you want to be more active on your date, consider walking, rollerblading or biking. The Chain of Lakes is 13.3 miles long, so your options are open to biking, rollerblading, etc. to go the full distance or simply enjoying the view while walking a distance of your choice. Don't forget to check out the various other activities offered at each of these lakes. Be creatiove! There is nothing like a romantic picnic on the beach. The list is endles when considering possible date activities at the city's best lakes. Great ideas are as follows: street car rides, beach volleyball, swimming, fishing, ice skating, and walking in the Rose Gadens.

For more ideas and information, enter the sites below.

Chain of Lakes

Lake Calhoun

Lake Harriet

Lake of the Isles

Stroll in the City: Riverwalk

There are so many scenic views in the city that it's hard to choose just one. So why not take a walk and see the sights from a new perspective. Not only will you be active on your date, but you can also talk while you walk. One of the most famous views that's worth your time is the Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls. The Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls are pictured on the left. The Stone Arch Bridge was magnificently crafted and constructed over the Mississippi River. It is said to be a "cultural icon" due to the role of the Mississippi River on the city of Minneapolis. Historically the bridge was used to transport goods and people along the railroad. Currently, it is available for pedestrians and bicyclists. Continue reading about the Stone Arch Bridge on this site. Nearby and within walking distance is St. Anthony Falls. The falls have a rich history. Because of this, there is a 2 mile trail (Heritage Trail) in the area and a visitor center that provides information on St. Anthony Falls and the Mississippi River. To find out locations, visitor centers, and other places of interest in the area, click here.

To find out more, follow these helfpful websites.
St. Anthony Falls
Heritage Trail and Riverfront landmarks

Brit's Pub

Located in downtown Minneapolis, this pub is about more than just beer. Burgers and bowling are also on tap. This multi-room establishment encourages social dining by providing weekly movie specials on wednesdays, a rousing happy hour, and lawn bowling in the summers. Well known for lawn bowling, Brit's Pub offers this Bocce Ball-like game that requires a competitive nature. This activity could call for a double date to heighten the competition. The price of lawn bowling is $5 or less depending on the day. The picture above was taken on the bowling green across from the deck, the beautiful cityscape following close behind. While on the topic of sport, Brit's Pub televises english favorites live such as soccer, cricket, and rugby, when in season. Take your date to Brit's Pub!

If you're interested in Brit's Pub, check out http://www.britspub.com/

Take the time to comment and tell me about your experience.

Click here for a review of Brit's Pub.

Dance the Night Away

Take your dance moves out in public. Whatever your skill level, Four Seasons Dance Studio offers lessons that will make you move. There are many dance styles to choose from including ballroom, fox trot, salsa, tango, and swing. Expert instructors are present to encourage and guide. They teach basic and introductory dance techniques for specific styles of dance, as well as specialized routines. Lessons progress throughout the month, so if dancing is a mutual activity of interest, a second date may be in order. The cost is a mere $15 per couple. The lesson is 1 hour in a comfortable group setting. This date activity will provide a social and inviting environment. Dancing offers a chance to show off your moves or learn something new together. It's the perfect opportunity to express your creative and outgoing side.

To find when a specific style of dance is taught, follow this link.

Other dance studios in the area are listed below.

Twin City Ballroom
Arthur Murray Dance Studio

Rendezvous Dance Studio

Essence of Prodigy

For the Intellectual

Whatever you're looking for; film, theatre, art exhibitions, dance, or lecture, Walker Art Center provides a variety of modern art forms to interest both you and your date. The website provides current exhibitions and shows. This center for the arts is packed full of so many different displays. If you are running low on cash, don't have to miss out, visit the Walker Art Center the first Saturday of the month for free! This truly is a place to enjoy modern art and culture.

Walker Art Center

Pizza Luce

Hailed as "best pizza" by Citysearch, Pizza Luce provides more than just great pizza. The menu hosts italian entrees such as mostaccioli, parmigiana hoagies, and focaccia katerina. To get back to the main attraction, Pizza Luce's award winning pizza applaudes creativity with titles such as The Wrangler, Garlic Mashed Potato and my personal favorite, The Bear, topped with pepperoni, marrinated chicken, ground beef, canadian bacon, and homemade italian sausage. These mouth watering concoctions are guaranteed to leave you and your date satisfied. Pizzas are sized to allow for sharing, so take advantage of that. If you're still hungry, order a sweet dessert, and don't forget to ask for two forks. Not only is Pizza Luce conveniently located in downtown and uptown Minneapolis, the energetic and eclectic city surroundings are sure to give you something to talk about. The website provides times, locations, and sit-down and take-out menus. Taste Pizza Luce today!

Other recommendations for sit-down pizza restaurants include:
Broadway Pizza
Broders'

Pizza Nea

Two Birds with One Stone

Now that you are familiar with the classic dinner and a movie date, it's time to take it to the extreme. With locations in Edina and New Hope, cinema grills are a favorite for locals looking for both food and entertainment in one. Once you've chosen a movie, all you have to do is order your food including pizza, burgers, and more. The cinema grill has the "lowest first run prices in the Twin Cities" and the food is reasonably priced as well. Search for movie listings at the Yorktown and New Hope cinema grills.

The Classic

A classic date idea that never fails is dinner and a movie. Although this may not seem creative to some, the Twin Cities has award winning restaurants that are sure to make your taste buds tingle. Weather you're looking for cheap eats or want the meal to be the main attraction, the following restaurants will indulge your diet. The food will be delectable and an entertaining movie to follow will top off the perfect date.

For the Twin Cities best restaurants, check out these sites:
First date spots
Romantic restaurants
Vegetarian
For information on local movie theatres and showtimes, follow this link,
http://movies.aol.com/ or call 651.777.3456

The Complete Package

For summer, fall, winter, or spring, Centennial Lakes in Edina offers the best date activities. When the weather is warm, available activities include paddleboating, miniature golf, lawn bowling, croquet, and concerts in the Edinborough Park Amphitheatre. The concerts are free, as well as dance, theatre, and the performing arts. There are many paths, bridges, and benches surrounding the lake. Take a walk with your date, enjoy the outdoors, and get to know one another. For a closer look, take a virtual walk through Centennial Lakes right now. Once the weather turns cold, come to Centennial Lakes for an ice skate date. The lake transforms into a winter wonderland with decorative lights and outdoor music. If you don't own skates, rentals are under $5 a pair. And when you get chilly, meander inside to sit by the fire and enjoy concessions sold daily. To top off the night, rent an ice sled and give your girl a whirl. All activities at Centennial Lakes are relatively low priced or free.

Times, prices, directions, and more available here