Tips to Create Unique Date Ideas in Boston
By Christine Bartsch; Updated June 08, 2017Above and beyond the (Boston) Common: Great dates in Beantown
Are you in the mood for a date night more adventurous than the typical dinner and a movie? Transform your evening into a night to remember by taking a look at Boston through the eyes of a tourist. Beantown is teeming day and night with unique locales and activities that will inspire your date to say, “only in Boston.”
A taste of Beantown
Whether you’re a die-hard foodie or simply looking to add new restaurants into your regular rotation, food tours are a great way to find new flavors around Boston. Savor the flavors of local neighborhoods on walking or riding tours with guides who provide a bit of history in between bites at top restaurants. Save a little cash and cut down on the crowds by booking your tour for a weekday. For a self-guided tour that’s easier on the wallet, simply hop on the T and let the subway carry you throughout Boston to track down gourmet food trucks with the city’s food truck map – updated daily. If you’re lucky, you might just find a tasty helping of the dish that gave Boston it’s Beantown nickname.
Enjoy the emerald necklace’s crown jewel
Known as the Emerald Necklace, the highlight of the 1,100-acre chain of nine parks is America’s oldest park – the Boston Common. Pack a picnic of your date’s favorite foods and grab a blanket to spread out on the park’s 50 acres of lush lawn. Get there early for lunch in the spring and summer if you want a spot next to the famous Frog Pond. After lunch, take a stroll through the formal Public Garden and impress your special someone with your knowledge of the park via the garden’s audio tour app. While there, take your sweetie on a vintage swan boat ride – a Boston Common tradition since 1877. The Boston Common is even a date option in winter with open ice skating and skating lessons at the Frog Pond, beginning in late November.
Clambake on an island
During spring, summer and fall, a visit to Boston’s Harbor Islands makes for a unique date to go hiking, boating, swimming and wildlife-watching any day of the week. For an island outing that’s extra romantic, make a Thursday night reservation for two on Spectacle Island to enjoy their famous Sunset Clambake hosted by the island’s Summer Shack cafe. After feasting on clams and lobster, cuddle up on the porch or take a romantic stroll along the beach to enjoy the sunset over the cityscape. Book your tickets early for this special summer-only event as tickets tend to book up quickly.
Tour with a brew
Baked beans may have earned Boston a quirky nickname, but it’s far from the only flavor the city is famous for. Samuel Adams’ Boston Lager became the first of many craft beers concocted by the brewery back in 1984, and dozens of local breweries swiftly followed. Get tipsy on a morning date Monday through Saturday with a one-hour tour of the Sam Adams Brewery. Tours depart every 40 minutes, with the first one departing at 10 a.m., but get there early in the day and skip Saturday altogether if you’d rather avoid long waits and crowds. Make a day of it by taking the subway to tours at some of Boston’s many breweries or book a brew tour and let a professional guide handle the logistics.
Romance on the water
One of the most romantic ways to see and appreciate Boston is from the deck of a ship sailing Massachusetts Bay. See the city at sunset under the sails of a classic schooner or cruise along on a modern yacht enjoying drinks from the bar. Music lovers can take their pick of evening cruises featuring local jazz, funk and even Celtic bands. Just be sure to check the forecast before booking your tickets to avoid stormy weather that leads to rough seas. And remember that the ocean breeze gets chilly even on the warmest days, so bring along a light jacket or a blanket to snuggle under with your date.