Whether you've been together for eight weeks or eight years, date night is always a fun way to spark fun and spontaneity in a relationship. But, what happens when the same dinner-and-a-movie date starts to get a little... routine? You think outside the box, and do something new! Luckily, Fairfax County has many unique places to visit with your better half. Give one of these ideas a try on your couples getaway, staycation, or next time "date night" pops up on your calendar.
Light Up Their Life
Candles and cocktails, anyone? Take your special someone to Paddywax Candle Bar in Reston to create your own personalized candles from start to finish. Choose your favorite "vessel" and fragrance, and you'll be led through the candle-pouring process. You can even bring your own wine! It'll be a scentsational time!
Hot tip: Make your candles for each other, and do a sweet gift swap after the workshop!
Take Your Relationship to New Heights
Dates don't always have to consist of dressing up and being fancy! It can also be fun to learn a new skill and get active. Challenge and encourage each other to learn a new skill by heading to an indoor rock climbing class at The St. James in Springfield! They offer 1-hour introductory classes and private lessons with personal instruction for all ages and skill levels. (Closer to Tysons area? Check out the new Vertical Rock Bouldering & Fitness Center for a non-ropes climbing experience.) You'll feel a sense of accomplishment for both yourself and your partner as you work together to learn something new. Afterward, grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants in the area.
Escape the Joker's Trap
OR save the White House! OR time travel to find the cure to a disease! OR catch the ghost of a little girl! Put your problem-solving skills to work at one of the many adventures inside of Bond's Escape Room in Fairfax, the largest escape room venue on the East Coast. See if you can work together to solve the mystery within the time frame you're given. Bonus points for escaping with time to spare!
DIY Your Own Sweet Treats
Indulge in something just as sweet as your love: chocolate! At River-Sea Chocolate Factory, you can enjoy multiple different chocolate-related experiences (just be sure to book in advance!). Here are just some of the experiences they have available now:
Tasting Flight and Tour: Explore the world of craft chocolate and get to try a selection of chocolates made at River-Sea! One of their Chocolate Jedi Knights will guide you through the tasting notes of five bars made at our factory. This flight includes five pieces of chocolates per person. Then you'll get walked to observe the production, where you can see the different machines and learn about what each one does to make delicious small-batch bean-to-bar chocolate!
Chocolate Bomb Making: River-Sea will provide shells and all the ingredients needed for you to make hot chocolate bombs! Each person will get to make 4 bombs with their delicious craft chocolate, different types of marshmallows, fruit powders, sprinkles, and spices.
Wine and Chocolate Tasting: You've been to a winery wine tasting, but, have you been to a chocolate factory wine tasting? See how chocolate is made while sipping on perfecting paired wine. River-Sea selects wine from vineyards and wineries located abroad that follow sustainable growing practices. You'll get to learn about "bean-to-bar" and the exquisite flavor of freshly roasted cacao ground into chocolate here at River-Sea. In this guided experince you will be sampling five chocolate bars and three wines. Then you'll get walked to observe the production, where you can see the different machines and learn about what each one does to make delicious small-batch bean-to-bar chocolate!
See the Latest Production at a Professional Theatre
There's a myriad of professional theatres here in Fairfax County - and behind them, the busloads of talented actors, writers, set designers, lighting professionals, and more that make each production memorable. From intimate black box theatres to larger-scale productions, here's our guide for where to see professional theatre productions in Fairfax County.
With all of these ideas, there's no excuse for a dull date night! What are some places you've visited for an unconventional date night? Don't forget to use #FXVA for a chance to be featured - we can't wait to see your photos!
