Tired of the same old dinner and a movie? Jacksonville Beach has tons of original date night ideas to keep things fresh. Whether you’re just starting out in a relationship or you’ve been married for a while, spending quality time with each other is important. While dinner or a movie are great for a quite night every once in a while, if done too often, it can become boring. With so many activities surrounding our town, why not mix date night up a bit. Here’s some fresh ideas to keep the romance in your relationship.
Beaches Museum and History Park
Act like a tourist! Explore art, history and even live musicians at the Beaches Museum and History Park. As well as offering extensive history of the beaches, the museum also has new exhibits every few months. They also invite musicians to perform. Tickets for these local legends are sold in advance so be sure to get yours early. For more information on hours and featured exhibits, check out Beaches Museum and History Park’s website.
Visit a Jax Beach Taproom
Taste your way to a happy evening at one of the many brewery’s around the beaches.
Engine 15’s Brewpub originated in Jacksonville Beach and offers fifty varieties of craft beer. Join them Tuesday through Friday for various brew related events or enjoy a beer paired with one of the many menu items made on premises. Recommended brews from light to dark include: J’vill Lager, Double Drop IPA, and Nut Sack Imperial Brown. We have it on good authority that if you arrive when a brew master is on staff, you can catch yourself a great tour of the brewery.
Green Room Brewing keeps sixteen beers on tap with a new beer every Thursday. Their top three crafts include Head High, Diamond, and Count Shakula. And, while they don’t serve food on site, they do offer several menus of nearby restaurants who’ll deliver.
Beaches Rock Gym
Get your hearts pumping with a super-date at Beaches Rock Gym in Atlantic Beach. The gym has bouldering style rock walls which uses no ropes or harnesses. They provide a safety orientation for new climbers as well as those wanting a refresher. Challenge your partner as you work to solve the problems marked out on the course. First one to the top gets ice cream!
Romantic Pop Up Picnic
Reconnect with your loved one as you dine at a luxurious picnic at one of our great Jacksonville Beaches. Picnic companies in Jacksonville will handle everything you need to make the night magical. Add a charcuterie box or board from a local shop and settle in for a relaxing evening.
Painting with a Twist
Sip, snack, and paint your way into each other’s hearts at Painting with a Twist in Ponte Vedra. This paint-your-own art studio is geared toward adults-so leave the kids home and bring the good wine. To sign up for one of their upcoming classes, simply pick the art you want to paint from one of the many options provided and fill out the form. Food is not provided and guests are strongly urged to bring their own sips and snacks.
Enjoy a Romantic Afternoon on the Intracoastal
Whether you’re looking for an active day on the water or a laid back romantic picnic on the deck, Beach Marine Boat Rentals has what you need. To rent one of their many water vessels, you must be at least 21, have a valid driver’s license, and have a boater safety card. A link to the FREE Florida Boater’s Safety exam is provided on their website.
For a super laid back evening, take a ride on the St. John’s River Ferry. Also known as the Mayport Ferry, you and your date will be able to connect while the soft lull of the river passes beneath you. Take the ride back across the river to enjoy a meal at one of Mayports oldest establishments, Singleton’s Seafood Shack.
So Many Options
With all these options sitting right here in our back yard, only one question remains. Which place will you and your love enjoy first? Will your inner child come out in the arcade? Will you enjoy a night of trivia and music at the local brewery? Or, will you get all wet with a couple jet ski rentals? No matter what you and your date decide, be sure to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.
Melissa Folette is a Jacksonville Beach native with strong ties to the community. Her family business, Cinotti’s Bakery, has been a staple at the beach since the early 60’s. When she’s not whipping up cakes or hauling children around town, Melissa can be found reading a romance novel or writing her next children’s book. You can find more about Melissa and her many writing rants on her website, Melissafolette.com.
