Date Night Ideas: Get Outside and Move

Date nights were hard enough to come by before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now finding an available sitter, who responsibly socially distances, plus designating the time and money for a date night seem like an impossible luxury. Even if you manage to overcome those hurdles, what do you do? Where do you go? Most typical date night places are closed, bars are breeding grounds for coronavirus, and restaurants continue to close indoor seating due to employees contracting COVID-19. 

But Toledoans are never deterred. When faced with an obstacle, we simply think outside of the box and devise a solution. For the perfect date night away from the kids, try one of these active and socially-distanced options: 

Bike along the University/Parks Trail and stop for a meal.

• Bike or rollerblade down the University/Parks Trail before stopping for a bite to eat. Just plan accordingly–the trail closes at dusk! But who are we kidding? We parents eat at 5PM anyway.
• Make it memorable by grabbing carryout from Sidon Lebanese Grille & Bakery or something yummy from one of the nearby rotating food trucks, and then enjoy some craft beers on the outdoor patio at Patron Saints Brewery. Check Patron Saints Brewery Facebook page for the food trucks available each day, like Lyle’s Crepes, Rosie’s Rolling Chef, Jera’s Heavenly Sweet, The Beastro Burger, and The Saucy Slamwich. 
• For trail access, park at Tam-O-Shanter, the McCord Road entrance, Wildwood Preserve, Ottawa Hills Municipal Building, University of Toledo Southwest Academic Center or Ottawa Park. 6.3 miles one way. 

Dinner and drinks after a stroll on The Sylvania River Trail.

• Stroll down the scenic Sylvania river trail, just south of downtown Sylvania, that runs along Ten Mile Creek from Main Street, passes through the SOMO district, and ends up near the Burger King on Monroe Street.

• River trail access and parking are available at Root Learning near the Wingate Hotel on Main Street. The trail is ¾ mile one way. 

Dinner and scenic river views at Perrysburg Riverside Park.

• Park in downtown Perrysburg and cross Front Street to take a short walk to reach the seated area built for gazing upon the natural beauty of the Maumee River. Lounge chairs allow you to sit together comfortably while watching the wonder before you.
• Stop for dinner before or after Riverside Park at the plethora of restaurants available in downtown Perrysburg, most of which include outdoor seating, such as Swig, Stella’s Restaurant and Bar, and Zingo’s Mediterranean.