Top 10 New England Winter Date Night Ideas

With Thanksgiving right around the corner and Old Man Winter knocking at our door, it's the perfect time for hearty New Englanders to start thinking about romantic ways to keep warm long after the snowflakes fly. 

If you live here in the Northeast, or anywhere that "does winter" you understand that cabin fever can be overwhelming. But with a little creativity, a little activity, and a daily dose of vitamin D, winter can be bearable...and even enjoyable.

If you live in Massachusetts, this list is for you. 

But, even if you don't, use this list as a springboard for your own winter fun. 

1. Ice skating at the Boston Common Frog Pond. Lace up, hold hands and skate for the gold in the heart of Boston Common. Afterwards, cuddle up with a hot chocolate or a cognac. 

Source

2. Feeling adventurous? Try dog sledding! Based out of Central Mass, New England Outfitters will give you and your partner-in-crime the experience of a lifetime, mushing behind a team of dogs that run for the pure joy of it. Or if dog sledding sounds too intense, how about a romantic sleigh ride?  

3. Channel your inner Julia Child and Jacques Pépin. Culinary Underground, on Route 9 in Southborough, offers special Couples Classes, like American Steakhouse, Cocktail Party and Feast of the Seven Fishes, designed to help you and your honey cook up some romance in the kitchen and out. Your local Sur La Table also offers date night cooking classes. 

4. Cursed Blessed with wanderlust? Learn a new language at the Boston Language Institute, where you can pick up that high school French again and plan a romantic Parisian getaway. Or brush up on your Italian . . .Tuscany awaits. If Boston is too far of a commute, check out free online language learning options. 

5. Get close and dance the night away. The Salsa Loft offers classes in salsa, bachata, merengue and cha cha, as well as monthly socials and weekly Latin nights at some of the hottest venues in central Mass, like Bocado's Tapas Bar.

6. Run away. At least for a while. Check out New England's hottest hotels and bed and breakfasts and plan a romantic weekend getaway for two. Or see if you can score a deal on an online bidding site, like Priceline.

Thank you, Boston Park Plaza!

7. Get outside and play. If you haven't gone snow tubing, you're in for a treat. At places like Ski Nashoba, you will be pulled up a giant hill by a rope tow and fly down the slopes with a giant inner tube. This brings out the kid in us all. 

And if you're skiers, New England has plenty of resorts to ski and stay.

8. Pancakes . . .what's not to love? And if you're from New England, only the real maple syrup will do. When brunch calls, check out Parker's Maple Barn for the most amazing pancakes on the planet. There is always a pancake of the month and if you or your love is more of a meat and potatoes kind of eater, they even have maple glazed ribs. 

9. Planning a warm tropical escape? Want to swim with the fishes? Just kidding. Nothing says romance like buddy breathing. Learn to scuba dive. Do your pool work locally and then do your check-out dives in the Caribbean. Central Mass Scuba does it all . . .certification and check-out dives both locally and in the tropics. 

10. Stay in and do whatever your hearts desire. Create the perfect staycation night at your own casa de amor. Build a romantic playlist, assemble a charcuterie like this one below, make a homemade pizza, open a bottle of wine. Relax...enjoy...love.

What are some of your favorite winter date night ideas?