Because going to the Film Series is just lazy. Because Indian Hill will be packed to the gills with couples stargazing and talking about their feelings. Because Thai Gardens is…well…come on…Thai Gardens? Because you spent your best idea on Valentine’s Day, and you’re looking to keep the romance alive all year long. Here are some new and fun ideas for date spots in and around Middletown.
A NEW WORLD LASER TAG
423 Main St., Middletown, CT
Flowers are nice. A heartfelt note is sweet as candy. A candlelit dinner certainly makes them weak in the knees. Yes, you’ve done all these things before and you know they’re reliable, but why not try something new? This year, show that special someone how much you care by shooting a few dozen times!
That’s right! Take your boo to A New World Laser Tag. What better way to play cupid than by shooting your darling in one of six designated kill zones with a sensor-guided electronic arrow? It’s perfect for those passive-aggressive couples looking for ways to express that special brand of love that slowly kills them on the inside: “I’d love to go to the South Asian feminist lecture series with you!” BAM! “Believe me, it was fine when you passed out in my bed and vomited on my back…” BAM! BAM! “No, really, laser tag was a great idea for Valentine’s…” BAM! BAM! BAM!
Shot through the heart? You bet! But you’ll never be too late at A New World Laser Tag.
PREHISTORIC MINI GOLF
680 Portland-Cobalt Rd., Portland, CT
As we all know, Portland, Connecticut is a hush-hush town. Those in the know, including Wesleyan mini golf aficionados, insist that Prehistoric Mini Golf is the town’s best-kept secret.
The course, built into a hill above busy Route 66, appropriately sports a number of terrifying, extremely realistic dinosaur statues. Simply put, this course is yabba-dabba-do-tastic. The place is filled with pterodactyls, tyrannosaurus rexes and plaques at each hole bearing fascinating facts about our prehistoric friends. The course ranks among the most difficult in Connecticut, according to the well respected MiniGolf Connecticut website.
What’s not perfect about an afternoon in the sun with just you, your honey and one very sketchy and strangely difficult mini golf course? Just 10 minutes from campus, Prehistoric Mini Golf is a must-see destination as soon as it opens for the season. Remember, there are no mulligans in love, so why not make this date count? Cash only.
CLASSICAL MUSICAL AT THE PARKING GARAGE
The Parking Garage, College St.
Tired of the same old indie bands that play the same old cutting edge rock? Sick of bobbing your head to another hip hop collective as some guy in an oversized white t-shirt waves a towel around and squirts you with his water bottle? Yearning for a type of music that’s both enjoyable and grating to loitering adolescents?
Well, why not skip Eclectic and WestCo café this weekend and head off-campus for some classical music! That’s right, nestled in the heart of Middletown is the well-known but seldom appreciated melodies emanating from the parking garage on College Street. Specializing in the Baroque and Early Romantic periods, the garage has been blasting classical music for as long as anyone can remember.
It’s a great spot for a romantic picnic: get some wine, get some overpriced brie and goat cheese from Weshop, get in the Prius, get your sweetie pie and head on down. What better way to spend St. Valentine’s Day than to make sweet music on Level 2A? And as a bonus, the garage promises your visit won’t be ruined by skateboarding teenagers, or your money back.
STEW LEONARD’S
3475 Berlin Tpke., Newington, CT
Few things in life are more intimate and romantic than a homemade supper. Though a dinner-date usually begins with the meal, why not make a day of it? Just down the road, legendary food wares store Stew Leonard’s offers not only the best and freshest foods, but a stellar shopping experience to match.
See if you don’t find yourself lost in both the huge tub of sample chocolate chip cookies and each other’s eyes. Enjoy a walk through its food maze with your sweetie on one arm and a fresh ham on the other. Be sure to bring a good list, as there’s no turning around in its hamster-tunnel style layout. But don’t worry about the floor plan; if it’s easy enough for a small rodent to navigate, it’s probably easy enough for your significant other—Classical Studies majors included. If freshly picked produce, incredible prepared food and animatronic cows don’t get you in the mood, you’re probably dead. Or a eunuch. Or maybe a Classical Studies major.
In addition to gourmet treats, Stew Leonard’s also boasts free in-store childcare, a serious florist shop and piñatas. Yes, that’s right, piñatas. Nothing says I-love-you like a candy and condom stuffed piñata. Nothing at all. A five-star choice if your special friend is from a New York City suburb. Relish the opportunity as there are only four of these stores in the world. Kind of like a Maserati dealership.
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