Ok, ok. So this wasn't my idea. I came across this great article in the Nest
[ www.thenest.com ]. I thought it was fantastic. So, what I've done, is used some of their suggestions and added some of my own ideas, as well as how to put these ideas to good use! The economy may be crippling and creating lots of stress in our lives, but aren't we supposed to be excited for the weekend so we can do something FUN and new with our sweetest hunny buns? That's what I thought.
So here's a little key to help out with how much particular dates might cost:
Key:
$: $1 - $6
$$: $7 - $14
$$$: $15 - $20
For all you outdoor enthusiasts and sporty couples:
Hiking $- Dig out those sneakers or hiking boots. Pack some trail mix or granola bars, and two big bottles of water. There's great hiking trails around. Bash Bish Falls in MA has beautiful water falls and scenery.
Things to know about Bash Bish before you go...
- The park is open from sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Access is free.
- Parking is allowed only at the designated lot; on-road parking is not permitted.
- Be prepared: No services are available. Carry-in, carry-out all your belongings and trash.
- Pets are permitted. Must be on a 10-foot maximum leash and attended at all times. Must have proof of current Rabies vaccine. Please be courteous and clean up after your pet.
- Prohibited: swimming, diving, access inside the gorge and rock climbing; dangerous conditions exist.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on all state lands.
Beachn' It$-$$ Grab your beach chairs, a cooler with some waters and sandwiches, and head out to your local watering hole. Catch up on that book you're been meaning to read for a year, join a beach volleyball game, play some frisbee....really, the opportunities here are endless! Local beaches to strut your new amazing bikini at are: Lake George, Grafton Lake, and Lyons Lake.
Rollerblading or Bike Riding$, well i guess the only price would be if you didn't have either of these, and that can get pretty pricey. In the market for a bike? Check out local yard sales and Craigslist. If you take a spill, you'll have to pay the hospital bill...maybe we shouldn't think about that.
Minor League Baseball Games $$-$$$ Check out the Tri-City Valley Cats Games! Tickets range from $5-$9 for regular seats. Opening day is June 20th!
Artsy Dates
Art Galleries and Street Fairs $ Most art galleries are free. Check out local art shows or art festivals. On Lark St in Albany,NY-The 1st Friday of every month brings people from around the region to view local museums, and galleries, and exhibits. In June, be sure to make it out to Art On Lark, an event that's focused on highlighting Lark St as an arts district. Artist booths, Project Larkway, Lark Idol, sidewalk chalk drawing contest, and one-day art installations are among some of the days events. September boasts Lark Streets biggest turn out when it hosts LARKFEST. Five different stages of musical and dance performances, artist vendors, and food booths. Last September(2008) LARKFEST saw it's biggest turn out yet with nearly 80,000 people!
fun fact: On the Last Friday of every month, an event in Troy,NY named Troy Night Out, becomes home to local artists and musicians to place theirs talents on display.
Local Concerts and Plays$ Ever heard of the Metroland? It is like the bible of newspapers for capital region dwellers! Pick it up some time! A new issue comes out every Thursday and there are always tons and tons of concerts and events for the upcoming week(s). Here's a few suggestions on FREE CONCERTS and PLAYS. IT'S FREE! Check them out immediately!!!!!
-Starting in June, every Thursday on the Riverfront in Albany is Alive at 5. With a different band or singer every week. Check out http://www.albanyevents.org/events/event_detail.cfm?ID=3 for more info!
-Father's Day Pop's concert. Enjoy a free(!!!) evening on the riverfront listening to amazing Jazz! It's different every year, and definitely worth it to spend the evening with the family!
-Park Playhouse in Washington park runs from mid July-mid August. Different Plays every year, free and a fun way to spend the night snuggled up with your sweetest love muffin under blankets watching Broadway plays come to life in front of you.
-September 12 sets the date for Albany's Jazz Fest. Celebrating it's 8th year, jazz greats will surely entertain and satisfy the Jazz bug in you. Great food, Great music, great beverages....oh, and did I mention this event is FREE! How fabulous to live in place with so many wonderful and fun Free things to do!
Local Coffee Houses $-$$ Grab your hunny, the book you keep meaning to read, the iced coffee flavor of the day, and spend a few hours just relaxing. There's a reason Dunkin Dounuts slogan is on the run or something like that, and why you have to spend hours in line at a starbucks just trying to decipher their menu. Support local businesses and feel good about it! Most independent coffee houses offer free wi-fi....does it get any better?
At Home Dates
Spa Night $ Break out all those bath salts and bath bubbles and lotions you've been stock piling with s night like this in mind. Pour a glass of wine for the both of you, light some fragrance free candles and take a relaxing bubble bath together. It'll be a nice treat to just be able to relax, enjoy being close to the love of your life and not have to talk or worry about anything stressful in those moments. No tub? Give each other a full body massage with all those lotions you never(but fully intended too) use. You can use those candles and download some soothing music on iTunes. Want to take this romantic evening up a notch? Stop by your local flower market and pick up some rose petals. The Lark St Flower Market sell them for $3-$5. Rinse off the lotion with a quick shower together afterwards and cuddle up together with a book for the rest of the evening.
Movie Night $-$$$ When Tyler and I find a movie we can't wait to watch, we'll visit our local pizza place and pick up pizza dough and fresh mozzerella cheese. We'll get veggies and sauce from the market and make our own homemade pizza. Of course, other night's we'll pop some popcorn in our air popper and pick out small bags of our favorite candy and settle in for a night of cinematic thrills! ( On rainy or chilly weekends, we might even stay in for a few movie series!)
Satisfying your hunger
Farmers Markets$-$$$-Every Saturday on the waterfront in Troy( open from November-April in the Uncle Sam Atrium), you'll find nearly 50 food growers, bakers, chefs, and local artists. It's local, it's handmade, it's the freshest of fresh. Why wouldn't you want to add any of these ingredients to your Sunday evening romantic dinner?
What do they sell at the market?
* Fresh Produce: vegetables, herbs, berries, tree fruit
* Meat, Poultry, Dairy: beef, elk, pork, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese
* Baked Goods: artisan breads, pies, cakes, cookies, pastries
* Condiments and Preserves: jams, jellies, relishes, hot sauces, salsa
* Sweeteners and Sweets: honey, maple syrup, chocolates and candies
* Catered Meals: soups, stews, sandwiches and entrees
* Flowers and Plants: cut & potted flowers, potted herbs, bedding plants
* Household Items: soaps, lotions, cleaning products, textiles
* Artisan Wares: pottery, wool and knitted goods, paper, photography
tip: When visiting the market, bring your eco-friendly or recycled grocery bags to pack your market goods in!
FUN FACT!!! Tight Knit, an independent event founded by Rachel Naylor and Zhenelle Falk, can be found just a few steps away from the market. An open-air market packed full of local artists and crafters showing off their handmand goods! Headbands and bangles and paintings! OH MY!
Local Food Festivals$-$$ At the egg every summer, There are tons of different festivals to attend. Latin Fest and Food Festivals! Check online or the Metroland for dates.
Original Dates
Amatuer Comedy Shows and Open Mic Every Sunday night at Tess's Lark Tavern is Comedy on the Park, a free night watching local comedians perform Stand-up. Lots of coffee houses will have open mic night for comedians, musicians and poetry readings.
Karokee and Trivia Nights$ Keep your eyes open for local bars who have trivia and karokee! You can win some great prizes and show off your knowledge of early 90's sitcoms or music!
For the humanitarian in us All
Volunteer $ local food drives and soup kitchens can never have enough help. Call your local shelter or equinox and ask what you and your other half can do to help. Love the outdoors? Search for local organizations that clean up parks, or plant trees and plants. Habitat for Hummanity is a nonprofit organization seeking to elimiate poverty and homelessness and to make a decent shelter for families. You and the strong man sitting on the couch in the next room can volunteer with your local Habitat for Humanity and help build homes for these families!
Ok, if this did not make you jump up and down and write down your plans for the weekend, than there is no hope! I got excited while writing this and doing some research! Pick up your local newspaper, search the web, keep your mind open! There's tons and tons of things to do out there, and you're creative and wonderful and your hunny will love how you planned the day for both of you to enjoy(all while keeping his wallet satisfyingly full!)!
Au revoir! xoxo
