In Nashville, the weather can sometimes feel like the roll of a dice. One day it can snow, and the next, it can feel like it’s boiling. That being said, any outdoor date ideas can drastically change within a few days, making it important to have a backup option.
Heatwave
When it feels like an oven outside, the chances of you and your date becoming a sweaty mess is considerably high. That is why it is important to factor in how you two can cool off. A major part of staying cool is drinking plenty of ice-cold water while outside and taking breaks to go into the shade when possible.
Ice cream is also a perfect quencher of heat. With Taste of Nashville partners Ben & Jerries, Jenni’s and Sarabhas Creamery next to campus, it’s no sweat to find a cone for you and your special someone! Juices — oftentimes healthier — are also a viable option at The Urban Juicer in Hillsboro Village.
A heatwave shouldn’t stop you from exploring Nashville. If you prepare your bottles beforehand, ensuring extra ice in each one, you can defeat the Southern heat! Another great consideration before going on an outdoor date is looking at when and where you two will go, with multiple farmer’s markets bustling in late summer. Take some time to look at vendors at such markets, and if any pique your interest, build your date around the area of that market. After all, nothing can beat homemade lemonade and artisanal pastries, even in the heat!
Sunny
It is quite difficult to pick a “bad” date in sunny weather as long as you do due diligence to plan ahead.
Fail-safe potential dates for sunny days include walking through Centennial Park, outdoor shopping in Hillsboro Village and visiting museums in downtown Nashville — such as the Frist Museum of Art, the National Museum of African American Music and the Country Music Hall of Fame. If your date is a history enthusiast, another great option is researching Vanderbilt trivia and giving them a self-guided campus tour.
Rain
Rain is regularly touted as the bane of any outdoor date. Whether it is a humid drizzle or an absolute downpour, it can dampen any romantic parade.
That is why the best course of action is staying indoors. A tried-and-true indoor date idea is streaming a movie. This can be — depending on individual interests — a scientific documentary, a horror flick or even a feel-good film!
To bring the date to the next level, consider a cooking competition! Find a dish that you both love and buy the ingredients ahead of time. Then, have both of you attempt to cook separately, each with your special twists on the dish. By the end, you both would have had a great time together and delicious food to enjoy with the movie!
Snow
Arguably, snow can make for some of the most romantic scenery. Yes, sunny weather is more convenient and fall is regarded as a cult classic for its sweater weather, but nothing can beat a beautiful blanket of snow on a chilly morning.
The obvious limitations of going on a date in the snow are the cold and the lack of accessible transportation. To circumvent this, purchase plenty of hand warmers beforehand and try planning the date for the early hours of the snowstorm. This way, you two can experience the magic of snowfall without struggling through the snow on your way back.
Although if the snow has already piled up too high, there are still plenty of ways to stay jolly indoors. From rewatching cult-classic Christmas movies to creating handwritten cards for one another, these indoor activities surely won’t disappoint, especially with a side of hot cocoa! Bonus points if you end up watching “The Polar Express” with hot chocolate.
Another idea is opting for a gift exchange. Limit the budget to something reasonable — a good rule of thumb is around $10 or $20 for only one gift. Then, have you two meet in a café, enjoy hot beverages and exchange your gifts to see each others’ reactions!
Going on dates can be great fun, regardless of what weather lies ahead. Think of the heat or snow as not a burden but rather an opportunity to spice up your love life!
