Are you looking for something new to do for an upcoming date night? Well, we've got five great options for your next night on the town in Jacksonville with your special someone.
1. Paint a Pot
A great way to have a crafty experience together is to go to a paint-a-pot shop that lets you paint your own designs onto pottery, then fires it for you. It's a fun idea for commemorating an anniversary -- you can both paint plates with images that represent your relationship to you. There are several good options in Jacksonville for doing this; we recommend either Pottery Works on Baymeadows Rd. or Doing Dishes on San Jose Blvd. Both locations offer great variety in the objects you can choose to paint, and both will let you bring your favorite drink in with you to heighten the experience. The best time for this is on weeknights, as you'll generally avoid the family crowd then.
2. Adventure Landing (it's not just for kids!)
Anyone who grew up in the First Coast area probably spent at least a few summer days at Adventure Landing. Sure, it's kind of a kids' place, but sometimes it can be fun to release your inner kid with the one you love. Play go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, and then finish the day off by winning your date something from the arcade's prize shop. Make it a day trip when both of you have the day off; it's best to go on weekdays when the little kids are usually all in school.
3. Dinner and a Show
The Alhambra Dinner Theatre on Beach Blvd. has long been a Jacksonville institution, with the exception of a brief shutdown in 2009. It's the only such venue anywhere near the First Coast, and the oldest U.S. dinner theatre that's still in operation. At dinner, you choose your meals from options pre-determined by the executive chef. Following dinner, guests enjoy a show, with this year's offerings ranging from The Wiz to Beauty and the Beast. The venue also has a bar area that was redesigned in 2009. It's a very classy date night experience -- as such, it's not particularly cheap. But if you're willing to dish out for an upscale dinner theatre experience, the Alhambra will not disappoint.
4. Take Flight with A-Cent
If you're really willing to dish out, consider a private, romantic flight around the city. The locally-based A-Cent Aviation will take you up in the sky on your own private flight. It will cost you $199.99 for a little over an hour. While that's certainly not cheap, it certainly is a great way to impress your date if it's something you can manage. Their special romantic package takes you up to watch the sunset from your private plane with champagne provided. They're even working on a "Mile High Club" package featuring "a curtain for privacy"... That part is kind of weird.
5. Laugh It Off
Perhaps one of the most undersold aspects of Jacksonville culture is its comedy scene. The First Coast boasts two great comedy clubs -- the Comedy Club of Jacksonville on Beach Blvd., and The Comedy Zone at the Ramada on San Jose Blvd. at I-295. Both venues have reasonable ticket prices, and feature national-level comics. They both usually have shows on Friday and Saturday night each week at the very least. Both venues boast pretty decent food menus, as well. Their calendars can be found on their websites, where you can also buy show tickets.
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