Keep the Romance Alive: Best Date Night Spots in Columbus
Show your sweetie how you feel by planning a romantic outing during your stay in Columbus
With more than 237 square miles to explore, Columbus takes romance well beyond a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers. Grab your significant other's hand and create memories in some of the city’s most love-invoking places.
Dates of Wine and Roses
Did you promise your love a rose garden? Deliver with a romantic date at the Park of Roses. Savor the fragrance of more than 11,000 roses covering the park’s 13 acres. Hold hands in the Heritage Garden where flower varieties date back to the 1800s. Rose blooms peak in June but continue through autumn, when they're accented by fiery fall foliage. In winter, check out dramatic snowscapes created by arbors and gazebos. Best place for a kiss? Climb the black gazebo tower in the circle beds for a panoramic view of Columbus that’s sure to inspire romantic notions. Want to ramp up the romance? Finish your date at The Wine Bistro for a romantic Tour de Italy wine flight paired with Mediterranean nibbles.
Sweets for Your Sweetie
Go above and beyond the usual box of chocolates with a trip to Anthony-Thomas Candy Shoppes. Learn candy-making secrets as you tour the 152,000 square-foot candy factory. Afterwards, head to the shop area and buy your love a box of a dozen chocolate roses. If you really want to go overboard, pre-order 100 chocolate bars with custom wrappers declaring your love. Best place for a kiss? While there are no hidden alcoves for smooching, your sugar will want to snuggle anywhere since the candy company keeps it a cool 62 degrees! Want to ramp up the romance? Get a double-dose of chocolate creations by visiting Chocolate Cafe for chocolate fondue, dark hot chocolate, and soups or sandwiches that pair nicely.
Take the Long Walk
Buckeye lore states that if you take the Long Walk on Ohio State University’s campus hand-in-hand with your lover, you’ll remain in love forever. Begin at Thompson Library and stroll toward College Road. After your walk, you’ll both be over the moon—literally—if you stop by and see a piece of it on display at the John Glenn Museum on the lower level of Page Hall. Best place for a kiss? The Great Seal of the State of Ohio. It’s practically mandatory. Want to ramp up the romance? Grab a “Loving Couple” special from Apollo’s Greek Kitchen and picnic at the grassy Oval. The special has two gyros—one regular, one chicken—paired up with fries and a pop.
A Loaf of Bread, a Bottle of Wine...and a View
Eat with a waterfront view of downtown at The Boat House at Confluence Park. The restaurant sits where the Scioto and Olentangy rivers merge. Enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and dine on prime rib, cedar-planked salmon, or chicken with a Parmesan crust. Watch the light fade as you dine on the patio or over white tablecloths behind floor-to-ceiling windows. Best place for a kiss? Lush landscaping with fountains and florals provide a few places to sneak a quick peck. Want to ramp up the romance? Stroll along the Lower Scioto Greenway Trail in Confluence Park and watch sunset reflections on the water from the pedestrian bridge.
Take in the Music
Enjoy the elegant atmosphere of the Ohio Theatre, where landmark baroque architecture brims with opulent details&emdash;like a 21-foot chandelier and gold-colored metal leaf. Catch the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Broadway Across America, BalletMet or the 100-or-so other shows gracing the theater's stage throughout the year. Best place for a kiss? After the show, go for a romantic walk along the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse just across the street. Want to ramp up the romance? Grab a drink or a bite to eat at deNovo Bistro, where cozy tables for two promote conversation and romance.
Walk the Green Mile
Stroll arm-in-arm along the Scioto Mile, a pathway connecting multiple parks along the Scioto River. The Mile brims with free concerts and festivals in the summer. In December, marvel at millions of lights illuminating the trees, arbors and bridges. Wear comfortable gear and challenge your sweetie to the climbing wall at Scioto Audubon Metro Park. Best place for a kiss? Take your pick. The Scioto Mile brims with scenic vistas and nooks nice for nuzzling. Want to ramp up the romance? Dine at sunset at Milestone 229 for a front row seat when more than 1,000 jets of the Scioto Mile Fountain come alive with color and music.
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