Date Ideas

Do you associate board games with a thrilling evening, full of heart-pounding twists and thrills? Or is that just me? I’m a fiend when it comes to games of all sorts. Whether you’re interested in the classics, modern fare, or something a bit more avant-garde, I can find something to suit your fancy. Do you want to build a family and see where Life takes us? Settle in Catan and see what the wildlands have to offer? Or perhaps something light and sweet like Unstable Unicorns? No matter what your taste, I’m here to satiate it.

• Play Hoboken in Hoboken, NJ.
  The Uncommons in Greenwich Village

Though I adore game houses, I also love curling up with a good game at home!

Have you noticed I have a certain fondness for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? I grew to love tea separate from my fascination with Alice, but why not combine the two? Tea houses will have you feeling like you’ve stepped through the looking glass with their old style charm and flair for the classic. I’ll wear a simply darling dress, fluttering my lashes as we move through courses of finger sandwiches and scones, and sampling the variety of teas offered.

• The Cozy Cupboard in Convent Station, NJ
• Harmony Tea Room in Westwood, NJ
• High SocieTea in Wayne, NJ
• Sally Lunn’s in Chester, NJ
• Mulberry House in Westfield, NJ
• Kettl in Brooklyn
• Puerh in Brooklyn
• T Shop in Lower Manhattan
• Bosie Tea Parlor in the West Village
• Radiance Tea House and Books in Midtown (East and West locations)

Let’s face it: everyone likes to be pampered, and I’m no exception. After a massage, I’m essentially putty! I’ve learned that while my suitors love taking care of me, they rarely take enough time to allow themselves to relax. Why not combine two good things into one and spend time at the spa together? Allow yourself to unwind, whether it’s with a soothing massage, some time in the hot springs, or sweating it out in the sauna. You and I will both be on cloud nine!

• Depasquale the Salon in Morris Plains, NJ
• The Fountain Spa in Ramsey, NJ
• Elements Salon and Spa in Vernon, NJ
• Sojo Spa Club in Edgewater, NJ
• Aire Ancient Baths in Tribeca
• Cornelia Spa in the Upper East Side
• Shibui Spa in Tribeca

Feeling a bit nostalgic? I have to admit, I love the idea of watching a movie from the comfort of a car. This has been on my bucket list for a while, but thanks to COVID, drive-in movies are coming back into fashion! Let’s socially distance and catch one of the classics.

• Delsea Drive-In in Vineland, NJ
• Warwick Drive-In in Warwick, NY
• Demarest Farms in Demarest, NJ
• Queens Drive-In in Corona, NY
• Cross-County Center in Yonkers, NY
• Ramsey Drive-Up Movies in Ramsey, NJ
• Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ
• Cranford Drive-In in Cranford, NJ

Have you ever been to one of those “paint and sip” classes? There are many iterations of this idea with new locations opening each month. We can follow along with an instructor as they teach us how to recreate a masterpiece on canvas. We can learn about melding chunks of glass together into a unique masterpiece of our own! We can get our hands dirty with clay, or glaze a piece that has already been sculpted. The possibilities are endless!

• Glassworks Studio in Morristown, NJ
• Arts & Creations Pottery Studio in Woodland Park, NJ
• Paint & Palate in Englewood, NJ
• Paint & Sip Studio New York in the Upper West Side

I can’t pretend not to love something interesting happening alongside my meal! There’s something on the list for everyone, as long as you come prepared with a sense of humor and are ready to laugh! Some spots are kitschy, some spots are classic, but each one has a unique twist I would love to explore.

• Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, NJ
• The Melting Pot in Westwood and Red Bank, NJ
• Archetypus in Edgewater, NJ
• The Grilled Cheese & Crab Cake Co. in Somers Point, NJ
• Tokyo Record Bar in Greenwich Village
• Syndicated in Bushwick
• Blue Hill in Westchester
• Max Brenner in Greenwich Village
• La Caverna in the Lower East Side
• Jekyll & Hyde Club in the West Village
• Lucky Cheng’s in Hell’s Kitchen
• The VNYL in the East Village
• BeetleHouse in the East Village

Looking to arrange something that will leave our hearts fluttering? Eyes lock over our glasses of wine, taking in the unmistakable chemistry flowing between us. While my unique dining experiences (above) are perfect for a jovial night on the town, sometimes you want to feel like we’re the only two people in the room. These restaurants have the perfect atmosphere to leave us aching for more.

• Chart House in Weehawken, NJ
• Haven in Edgewater, NJ
• Bella Luce in Nutley, NJ
• Cafe Matisse in Rutherford, NJ
• Rat’s Restaurant in Hamilton, NJ
• The River Cafe in Brooklyn
• Buvette in the West Village
• La Mercerie in Soho
• L’Artusi in the West Village
• The NoMad Restaurant in Midtown

Tell me: do you have a wild side? I’ve always loved visiting local zoos, especially when there is a chance to interact with the animals! A number of locations in our region offer such encounters, all modified to follow appropriate COVID guidelines. Pet a sloth, feed a giraffe, even cuddle with a cheetah!

• Cape May County Zoo in Cape May Court House, NJ
• Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, NJ
• Bronx Zoo in the Bronx, NY
• Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, NY
• Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, PA

Looking to revisit your childhood? I grew up visiting the Jersey Shore and having a blast at the local amusement parks. What’s better than a hot day, an ice cold drink, and a bit of fun and games? There are lots of options in South Jersey, but also some similar locations further north in the state.

• iPlay America in Freehold NJ
• Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
• Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ
• Wild West City in Stanhope, NJ
• Keansburg Amusement Park in Keansburg, NJ
• Steel Pier in Atlantic City, NJ