Don’t leave anything to chance this fall; here is a list of our top 16 romantic date ideas:
1. PACK A PICNIC. This is an old fashioned way to wine and dine your way into her heart. Bring a blanket to sit on, a fine bottle of wine, and don’t forget your most winning irresistible smile.
2. GO FOR A BOAT RIDE. If the weather is brisk and the leaves are a mosaic across the lake, how about you take a trip on the Smith Mountain Lake State Park. A boat ride is always high up on the romantic scale, and they will serve you and enjoyablelunch or dinner to boot.
3. STAY OVERNIGHT IN A ONE ROOM EFFICIENCY. We may as well call these quaint little cabins what they are “cuddle cabins” as the bed is in the same room as the fireplace, baby you can light my fire!
4. WATCH A SUNSET. Every state park offers one of these magnificent complimentary romantic add-ons per day per person. If you are staying overnight, then catch the sunrise with a hot mug of coffee from your tent or cabin.
5. RIDE THE BRIDGE ON A TANDEM BIKE. High Bridge State Park offers the perfect level rail trail for you to ride as a team. If you don’t have a tandem bike, you can rent one in Farmville.
6. GO TO A PUMPKIN PATCH OR FALL FESTIVAL. Nothing screams tender romance better than holding hands, sipping hot fresh pressed apple-cider and picking out a pumpkin to carve, together. This is a special event, so wear flannel.
7. TAKE A LONG STROLL ON A BEACH OR TRAIL. We totally have you covered for the romantic walk department, from the beaches along the Chesapeake Bay to the scenic overlook trails, just the two of you.Bring your cell phone camera so you are ready when a selfie opportunity presents itself. If you hadn't worked it out by now, this is yet another chance to get close.
8. GO ON A HORSEBACK RIDE. You can rent a horse or two at New River Trail State Park at Foster Falls Livery, or any of the neighboring stables near a park of your choice. Time to cowboy up!
9. GO FLY A KITE. No, that was not an insult; we mean that in the literal sense. Many of our parks have large open green areas perfect for flying kites, like Staunton River State Park. If you want to show off then run and tumble and keep on flying the kite! You have to agree, kites are cool.
10. HUNT FOR FOSSILS. There are plenty of programs to do this or you can just wing it! We have a few beaches along the Potomac that offer plenty of fossils, like our state fossil Jeffersonus Chesapectin.Chippokes Plantation State Park comes to mind if you want a beach that is laden with fossils. Try to see who can find the biggest fossil or shark’s tooth, yes sometimes size does matter.
11. GO ON A HAUNTED HAY RIDE. You are strong and safe but the hayride is dark and scary, what better way to prove you are there for her, a fortress. Just don’t scream like a little girl or it’s all over!
12. MAKE DINNER TOGETHER. If camping, then there is an open fire with your name on it. Grill a couple steaks and potatoes over the open coals as you sit close around the campfire.If you opt for a cabin meal for two, set the table with some linen you brought from home. Nothing shouts I love you better than cloth napkins.
13. GO TO A WINE TASTING OR WINE FESTIVAL. Caledon State Park has one of these scheduled for November 1, that gives you plenty of time to plan for it.You don't know where-the-heck Caledon is located? Well just click the link we just gave you above. See, you have no excuses.
14. LINGER OVER A KISS. Pick your favorite picturesque location, like the view of the blue hued rolling foothills off to the West fromGrayson Highlands State Parkvisitor center, and plant one.This will be especially romantic if this is your first kiss. You can thank us for this later!
15. KAYAK OR CANOE TOGETHER. As the weather gets chillier many of programs begin to secede into their natural dormant state, but York River State Park is offering scenic boat rentals into mid-November. You may even score double-time by seeing a bald eagle or two!
16. GO FOR A TREASURE HUNT. Every state park has GPS unit rentals, imagine the two of you trekking along the trails arm in arm on a geocache adventure. When you find one make sure you surprise her with a warm hug or pick her up off the ground swirling her around proclaiming boldly “Eureka we found it!”
