While we love Columbus all the time, summertime is when the city really comes alive.
Outdoor sports like Clippers and Crew games are in full swing, all of the Metro Parks are lush and green, and your favorite restaurant’s patio is open for the foreseeable future!
If you are looking for new ways to spice up your dating life or are trying to just try new things around the city, may we humbly present to you this awesome list. Feel free to do all of these in one day or each one on a different day, we’re not here to judge. Just make sure, above all else, you soak it all in because summer won’t last forever!
Kayak The Scioto River
One of the most picturesque views in the entire city is on the Scioto Mile. That favorite picture of Columbus you have on your phone? It was probably taken on the Scioto Mile. This path offers great views of downtown CBus to the east and the Scioto River to the west. But the views get even more gorgeous and more unique if you are actually on the river. Several companies offer kayaking rentals and tours down the Scioto, making for a perfect date that allows you to cool off in the sweltering summer sun. Find our full guide to Central Ohio kayak rentals here!
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
A slice of heaven tucked away downtown, the Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are, no exaggeration, a true romantic paradise. Everything from the architecture to the plants just oozes romance. If you leave here and aren’t exuding pheromones, then I don’t know what to tell ya. Maybe if you walked in drenched in water from kayaking on the Scioto River, it might’ve put a slight hamper on the romance, but it certainly makes a great story regardless!
CAPA Summer Movie Series at the Ohio Theatre
Ahhh yes, what would a list of date nights be without the classic date night at the theater trope?! There’s a reason why going to the movies is a staple in the date night scene… it’s super romantic and fun, especially if you go to the CAPA Summer Movie Series. 28 films will be shown over the course of a month and a half at the absolutely breathtaking Ohio Theatre starting on July 12, and tickets start at just $6. It’s honestly a no-brainer and it really does make going to the movies feel extra extravagant when you’re watching it in a beautifully breathtaking and historic place such as the Ohio Theatre.
More info here.
Romantic Stargazing at Perkins Observatory
Perkins Observatory at Ohio Wesleyan University is an active research and educational observatory that opened in 1923, and is the only observatory in Central Ohio that offers hundreds of programs and events for thousands of visitors each year. Particularly, the regular programming that occurs most Friday nights is super special, where visitors may (weather permitting) get a chance to observe the night sky with their powerful telescopes, get a tour of the observatory, or receive a talk about the wonders of the night sky. Plus, Delaware is far enough away from downtown Columbus so the affect of light pollution is very minimal, making it truly a romantic and unique date night.
More info here.
