6 Active Valentine's Date Ideas
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. While a nice dinner, wine and decadent dessert sound tempting, tap into your adventurous side and opt for a less traditional date. Try one of these six active Valentine’s date ideas instead:
1. Take a Hike
Did you know that Cary, North Carolina has more than 30 public parks and natural areas and a greenway system of more than 70 miles? Get some fresh air and connect with your Valentine while enjoying all that mother nature has to offer. Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve has three loop trails ranging from easy to rugged to accommodate visitors of all fitness levels.
2. Cast a line
Depending on the amount of walking that you do, an hour of fishing has the potential to burn up to 340 calories. Not to mention it has great mental health benefits. William B. Umstead State Park in nearby Raleigh features three man-made lakes and connecting streams that are great for both novice or experienced anglers. And since we’re talking about Valentine’s day, grab a blanket and pack a picnic. These chicken salad wraps make a great sandwich alternative.
3. Hide-and-Seek
We don’t mean literal hide-and-seek, though that could be fun too. Join in on the world’s largest treasure hunt--geocaching. Use your phone or a GPS receiver to locate geographical coordinates and discover hidden caches from fellow geocachers. Spread the love and hide a cache for someone else to find. The Town of Cary has helpful guidelines to help you get started.
4. Jump Around
Channel your inner child that’s just waiting to come out and head to your closest trampoline park. What better way to spend Valentine’s day than to laugh and jump all your cares away? If friendly competition is more your style, try a game of trampoline dodgeball or see who can make it farther on the Ninja-style challenge course.
5. Climb to New Heights
If you’re looking for something adventurous, but the weather is keeping you indoors, try indoor rock climbing. If neither of you has been before, Valentine’s day is a great opportunity to try something new together. Triangle Rock Club has locations in Durham and Raleigh with over 13,000 square feet of state-of-the-art climbing walls. They offer an affordable day pass for first-time guests that includes your rental gear.
6. Ice Skating
Opting for an active Valentine’s day doesn’t mean you have to forgo the romance. Lace up your skates and hit the ice at one of the nearby indoor ice skating rinks. Afterward, warm up with a cup of coffee at your favorite local coffee shop.
Need more ideas?
Not only will these active Valentine’s date ideas save you from added calories, but you’ll also be burning them in the process. As an added bonus, you’re much more likely to connect with your partner when you’re actively doing something together. Still prefer a romantic holiday dinner? Skip the restaurant and cook together at home instead. Total Healthcare MD has a library of delicious recipes that won’t leave you feeling guilty. For more healthy meal ideas and exercise tips, follow us on Facebook.
