by Angela May

Date nights at our house are like rainbows; they’re rare occurrences but when one happens it’s an amazing moment. The Lowcountry offers an abundance of fun date options that break from the traditional dinner and a movie format.

If you want to plan something special this Valentine’s month (I avoided saying ‘day’ because a Tuesday night on the town isn’t the most ideal for parents or the kiddos), here’s my list of ten fun out-of-the-box date night options. But if money’s tight, scroll to the bottom to see how easy it is to plan a free date night you’ll both enjoy.

LOWCOUNTRY BLUES BASH: February 8-21. 14 days, 25 venues, 59 acts, 100 shows. An annual event now for 22 years, many performances are free and offered day and night.

SOUTHEASTERN WILDLIFE EXPOSITION: February 17-19. Now in its 30^th year, this three-day celebration of nature offers dozens of events for the more than 40,000 people who attend. 

COUPLES’ PAINTING NIGHT: No artistic abilities needed. Sign up for a class at Bottles n’ Brushes in Summerville. Professional artists teach you how to paint step-by-step, while enjoying a glass of wine or beer. Check out Fear No Easel as well in Mt. Pleasant for fun art classes. You’ll leave with your own masterpiece and fun memories. 

POTTERY AND GLASS ART: Share your love of art together at earthArt Pottery & Art Studio in West Ashley. Learn the art of glass fusing, paint some already made pottery or get your hands really dirty by making something out of clay.

COUPLES’ COOKING CLASS: Learn the art of fine cooking and enjoy your culinary creations together by taking a cooking class that whets your appetite. Charleston Cooks! in Downtown Charleston and The Coastal Cupboard in Mt. Pleasant offer an extensive list of mouth-watering classes. 

CHARLESTON WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL: March 1-4. Order your tickets, book your babysitter and mark the calendar for the most delicious event of the year. It’s an annual celebration of food, wine and Charleston culture.

GET OUT ON THE WATER: Charleston Parks Conservancy and Nature Adventures Outfitters are offering a guided kayak tour through a saltwater marsh of Shem Creek out to Crab Bank, a 22-acre island preserve for thousands of nesting shorebirds. Learn about the estuary’s ecosystem while looking for visiting dolphins, pelicans and manatee.

GIBBES MUSEUM OF ART: It’s a perfect place for a fun and enlightening stroll. While you’re downtown, make plans to visit some of the other amazing museums Charleston has to offer. Museums are not just for class field trips!

NORTH CHARLESTON COLISEUM & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: Musicals, concerts and even the circus. There are so many great venues coming to town. Buy a ticket as a Valentine’s gift now to enjoy later. The anticipation of this extra special date night is fun in and of itself.  

BE A KID: Share some laughs by challenging each other to a friendly game of miniature golf, ride the go-carts or enjoy the arcade at Blackbeard’s Cove Family Fun Park in Mt. Pleasant. Another great place is Frankie’s Fun Park in North Charleston. Who says you have to take the kids?

If you’re strapped for cash, do what my husband and I do sometimes---have a romantic evening at home after the kids go to bed. Cook a meal together and enjoy it by candlelight and with some good music. Then do something special together, whether it’s playing a board game (Scrabble is one of our favorites), massaging each other’s feet, or well, you know. Our editor-in-chief did say this issue of Newby Mom is about sex! 

Bottom line, it’s about creating time to enjoy each other’s presence. May you openly give and receive love this Valentine’s and all throughout your years.

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