Spring has sprung! It is my favorite time of year. I love the longer days, the warmer weather (but not so warm and humid it feels like the inside of a dishwasher outside), and the ability to do more outside with fewer bugs than in the summertime. For anyone lucky enough to have a sitter and the chance for a date, here are some date ideas in Central Mass for places to go and things to do. And if you are looking to get out of the house but the kids are in tow, there are a few family-friendly places on the list where you can steal a couple of date moments while the kids are occupied!
Dinner and a Show!
Sometimes people see local/community theater and think the production and acting will be less than what they would see from a touring production in Boston or Worcester. This is absolutely not the case. The actors in local productions are talented and dedicate countless hours to their craft while holding down jobs, having families, etc. Ticket prices to community productions are generally less than a national tour simply because the actors and people who create the production at your local venue aren’t getting paid. They are there because they love to create art and share it with others.
Central Mass has no shortage of theatrical venues to take in a show, and plenty of local theaters have restaurants nearby. Many times, the theater and a local restaurant have a partnership with discounts to one for going to the other, so always ask!
With the Kiddos in Tow
Babysitters are expensive! Worth it, absolutely, but when you add that price onto dinner, parking fees, movie/show tickets, or whatever, it can make a date night seem not so worth it.
Enter breweries and wineries! There is no shortage of either in Central Mass, most with great outdoor seating areas, some with games, the ability to bring in your own food, or they have food trucks right on site. When my other friends with kids want to get together on a sunny day, we gravitate towards this option. It gives us the chance to chat with a delicious beverage, and the kids a chance to run around and make new friends.
Orchards and family farms are another great outdoor venue to have a date day or a meetup with friends. Very often in the nicer weather, these places host festivals, have live music, and generally, people who are there are much more accepting of kids running around, being loud, and acting like, well, kids!
Date Ideas Sans Kids
We aim for a monthly (it’s sadly usually less than that) date time just my husband and me. On those rare occasions, the stars align, I don’t want a simple dinner and a movie date. We watch a lot of movies at home (and not only ones found on Disney+!), so I try to look for something different. I love mini-golf! You don’t need to be athletic to have fun at mini-golf, and without the kiddos there’s no arguing over who gets what color ball!
Rainy or colder evening options also include bowling or rage rooms. Rage rooms are all the rage—pun intended! They are a terrific way to blow off steam and have tons of laughs together. Some rage rooms will let you bring in items that you planned on disposing of anyway (that old CRT TV in your basement), and you can smash it to your heart’s content. Dress for a mess and then follow it up with some dinner. After beating on objects for 30-45 minutes, you’ll have worked up quite the appetite!
No matter your budget, no matter whether it’s a date night for two or a date day with friends, Central Mass has a slew of options. Call the babysitter and get out there! If you have any unique date ideas in Central Mass, let us know in the comments!
