15 Date ideas for a COVID world.
It’s super hard to “date” right now, especially dating with the traditional sense of the word in mind. The first question we have to ask ourself is what we consider a date to be? Previously the answer would’ve been something along lines of: dinner and a movie, a music concert, a book signing, or jumping on a plane to Chicago for the weekend. You know, normal Friday night things. Anything was considered a date, as long as you were dressed up for it.
Because we’re not super dressed up anymore, anything done inside feels like another Tuesday night, regular. We spend so much time with our loved ones watching movies, cuddling in bed, eating and making dinner together. These are all dates, and can be dates if we want them to, but what made dates special were, getting to know someone outside of their comfort zone, outside of your comfort zone.
As far as I’m concerned, a date is described as anything with wine, ice-cream, or dessert involved.
Drive-In Movies - The obvious choice for a COVID filled world. A drive-in movie, gives the perception that everything is back to normal. All you have to do, is bring a blanket, some wine, maybe some popcorn, and if your partner is on the bougie side a charcuterie board probably. Oh, and don’t forget a mask in case you need to get out and go to the bathroom.
Couples massages - We’re all stressed, and so are you, and your partner. For a thoughtful date night, you do have options.
Bathhouse is an Avi&Javi favorite, however it may run you a couple hundred dollars for an hour or two. Don’t be swayed, there are other options open right now with many COVID safety measures in place.
Shop the Markets - The holiday shops are open! The perfect low-key date for those who are just getting to know each other, and those who know each other a little too well. The perfect date to hold hands while walking around, sipping hot chocolate and eye all the cute little bobbles you’d otherwise find on Etsy.
Brooklyn’s Holiday market at city point is Brooklyn‘s largest shopping and dining destination it’s from now until December 20th.
Empire outlets is the first outlet mall in New York City(Staten Island). It sits on a waterfront space and it’s currently decked out as a winter wonderland for the perfect winter date night. Make this date night super romantic with a ferry ride to Staten Island, then a short walk to Empire outlets for sights, drinks, food, and more.
Turnstyle underground holiday market is located underground, in the subway at Columbus circle 59th street stop, on the ACBD1 train lines.
The Brooklyn Flea
Lights! Lights! Lights! - It’s stiil NYC, which means lights are going to be lit up for the holiday season.
The Rockefeller Christmas tree is back and it’s already lit. The only caveat, you have to join the queue to see the tree.
The Bronx zoo Holiday lights are litter than ever. The global safari in lights featuring illuminated animals from all over the world.
LuminoCity Festival is lit, lit, lit. It sprawls across several acres of Randall's Island with an immersive art experience, and the best instagram photos you can find.
Bowling Alleys - Did you not get the memo? Bowling alleys been open in New York City. Currently they all close at 10, so it’d have to be an early date.
Ice-skating - The quintessential romantic date night activity. Hold hands, grab a hot chocolate, and skate around the rink a few times before frostbite kicks in. Perfect date.
Heated outdoor dining -Join in on the Covid bubbles craze. Dine in an heated igloo on a rooftop, or sip on a glass of pinot in a heated bubble on the street side.
He;re’s a list here, which shows every private dining bubble in NYC.
Check out all the exhibits you saw online.
ARTECHOUSE, located at the historic boiler room of Chelsea Market houses a new immersive art space you’ve probaby seen all over instagram.
Museum of ice cream is back with Pinkmas! Some of their exhibits are closed for safety reasons, and they added new exhibitions to the mix.
Hudson yards - Hudson Yards has it all: From the edge, to the Vessel, and The Shed. You can also go shopping, watch an out door movie, sip on wine, dine out, talk to Santa (virtually), and so much more.
Visit a Cemetery together. No seriously, bring a blanket, some wine, a record player and a small notebook. You can plan out your death together.
Cook together - Get an Air-bnb, or drive out town and get a cozy cabin. Plan a four-course meal together, create menus, write out cooking instructions, go grocery shopping, come back home cook, and finally, eat.
Book store - Some of your favorite book stores, and used book stores are going out of business. Thanks amazon. Go on a book date, and buy a couple of books. Take turns reading passages from book you find interesting, buy each-other a book, then go grab dessert.
Ice-Cream - *New Rule* If ice cream is involved, its a date. Find a local ice-cream shop, eat some ice cream and talk about your childhood traumas.
Go to ikea, jump on beds, pick out furniture for your future unborn kids, they’ll call you crazy, you’ll scream “this is what couples do” you’ll break up in the ikea market place, and viola you can sttart this list over again.
Dress - & Other Stories | Bag - Telfar | Shoes - Club Monaco | Glasses -my boyfriend’s closet
