dating ideas.... (Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina: movie theaters, income, restaurant)

[meltedsno]

..for 50somethings....recently started dating again...funds are a bit tight, but able to splurge a little now and then...any suggestions on fun, unique, inexpensive places to go other than the typical bar/movie/restaurant routine? I'm fairly new to the area and welcome any and all ideas... thanks!

[Huckleberry3911948]

move effective income reduction machine ever invented, women.

[uptown_urbanist]

I'm not dating, and am not in my 50s, but consider going to one of the lesser-known local museums; the Bakken (museum of magnetism and electricity) is great. You don't need to be at all interested in magnetism and history to find the place fascinating. There's a fun multi-media Frankenstein exhibit/show, too. Cap it off with a stroll around Lake Calhoun (it's located across from the lake). I think it would be a fun, unique, and memorable date, and you'd at least have built-in conversation starters looking at the exhibits.

You might want to look into other area museums, too; some have special events or later evening hours designed specifically for socializing. Or, even on the non-event days, I think museums are fun date destinations. If you're looking for extra-budget, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts is free (although you'll still want to throw a couple of bucks into the donation boxes).

Bakken Museum: Best of Minneapolis St. Paul Museums Award Winner

[kuan]

Cinema Grill in New Hope is not bad. Food isn't very good and it's pretty low tech. But it's pretty unique in that you can drink beer, eat waffle fries, and watch a movie.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I never understood the movie date. Unless you're an established couple, seeing a movie hardly puts you in a situation where you'll be able to chat and get to know each other better. What's wrong with hanging out at one of parks or lakes in Minneapolis or going to Como Zoo/park area? Those dates are free. If your hot date has a problem with it then she probably isn't the one for you anyway.

[DinerCoffee]

Did you mean, "most effective income reduction machine"? That only makes sense if you subscribe to the idea that the man should always pay, and if you do, it's your own fault that your wallet is empty.

As long as you're both in good health, a walk makes an excellent date. If you are walking someplace beautiful or interesting, you can make conversation about the the things that you see, and periods of silence can easily be explained as a time to contemplate your surroundings. You also don't have anything distracting you from paying attention to your date, so you'll learn more about him or her faster than you would doing something else. My favorite dates with my boyfriend are the ones were we take off to some new area of town and explore.

Walks are also free. Maybe you could go to Minnehaha falls? The twin cities are great for parks.

I also like bowling and mini-golf for dates. They also give you a chance to interact with the person, combined with the ability to both focus your energy into doing something if there is a lull in conversation.

[meltedsno]

Thanks for the ideas! Slig, I am the female part of this dating duo and definitely do not have any objections to hanging out at a park or the zoo... right now, it is more of a time factor...we are pretty much limited to Friday or Saturday evenings since he travels extensively for work and I have a weird work schedule...the parks will be a great idea once summer arrives.

I do hope that Huckleberry made his comment in jest because, quite frankly, that statement goes both ways. In fact, I have insisted from the very beginning that I will pay my own way. It's only fair, plus I don't have to feel indebted for a night out on the town. We've agreed to take turns with paying and making the plans. So far, it is working out great. We are still very new to one another...not sure I'd even classify it as "a couple", but for now, that's great.

[MnMomma]

It's fun to come up with a list for someone else (never can think of something when it's our date night!):
-rent a canoe at Lake Calhoun and head to explore Isles, Cedar & Brownie Lakes
-bike rides pretty much anywhere (Minnehaha Creek to the Falls...)
-kayak/canoe/float Minnehaha Creek
-walk and ice cream cones at Centennial Lakes while watching the Edina Model Yacht Club's boats
-bowling/darts/pool at Park Tavern
-Como Conservatory
-Science Museum
-out to breakfast (way too many choices to list!)
-games/drinks/dinner at the Chatterbox
-volunteer together somewhere (walk dogs at the Humane Society, help with gardening somewhere)
-picnic at Lake Harriet Rose Garden, Peace Garden and bird sanctuary
-day trips to state parks
-shopping/strolling in Stillwater
-cooking classes (Williams Sonoma, Cooks...)
-wine classes (France44 has great ones)
-stay in and make ravioli from scratch (best with 2+ couples)
-museums (History, Bakken, MIA, Walker, Weisman)
-theater, symphony, outdoor concerts at the parks

[kuan]

Also, this month's Minneapolis/St. Paul magazine has a list of cheap eats.

[judlee]

I see this is an older thread however, since I just came across it, I will add a few of our "over 50" fun date ideas:

~Eat at Mickey's Diner in St. Paul. Dating back to 1937, Mickey’s Dining Car is practically a historical monument in St. Paul. It offers typical diner fare at low prices. It's open 24-hours a day and often packed with colorful locals. Mickey’s is a great place for breakfast.

~There are several drive-in movie theaters in the St. Paul area and at least one in Minneapolis. These are great "retro" dates.

~Snuffy's Cafe has a "back to the 50's look and sells wonderful burgers, chocolate malts, etc.

~Attend a classic car show. The "biggie" is at the Minnesota state fair grounds every summer. There is also one in Hastings and several other small towns around the state.

~Go polka dancing and sing karaoke at Nye's Polonaise in Minneapolis.

~Attend free outdoor concerts at the Lake Harriet bandshell on Sunday evenngs.

~Check out the vintage lanes at Bryant Lake Bowling...great food there as well.