Jacksonville February 2010 : Page 54
5. For art lovers, there’s always the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens or Museum of Contemporary Art. And with admission less than $10 per person, you’ll still have money to grab a quick bite or buy her something in the gift shop. Or check out works by local artists at ArtWalk, a free, self-guided tour of Downtown galleries held the firstWednesday of the month, then stay Downtown for dinner at Burrito Gallery, Chew or a restaurant at The Landing. 6. Don’t know a pinot noir from a pinot grigio? Not to worry. There are a host of wine tastings throughout Northeast Florida from Roy’s and 95 Cordova to The Grape and Riverside Liquors & Village Wine Shop. Most start around $15 per person. (Check out wineinjax.com for a comprehensive list of upcoming tastings.) And if you’re more of a beer lover than an oenophile, you can always head up to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery for a free tour—and brewsky samples—instead. 7. Falling on your derriere typically isn’t the best way to impress a date, but when you live in Florida and you’re ice skating, it’s understandable. And actually, it can be quite endearing. Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex (right) has $9 matinee sessions every afternoon (which includes rentals) and evening sessions on Friday and Saturday that start at $9 for admission. 8. There’s something romantic about old movie theaters, and at 72 years old, the San Marco Theatre certainly fits the bill. The theater screens a selection of first-run films, as well as independent, cult and art-house flicks, and serves pizza, quesadillas, sandwiches, beer and wine. Tickets are $8 for adults. 9. Maybe it’s not the movie theater that’s romantic but the sitting in the dark, which is why she might also enjoy a trip to the Museum of Science and History’s plan- etarium. During the summer months, the planetarium hosts Cosmic Concerts with lasers andmusic. Museum admission is $10 per adult. 10. Hopefully, she’ll feel some sense of empowerment by watching the Jacksonville Roller Girls, the city’s premier flat-track roller derby league, brutalize their opponents. Though, if her fear of being rolled over or taking an elbow to the schnoz has her curling up closer to you, that wouldn’t be a bad thing. The 2010 season starts February 28. FOR THE AVERAGE JOE: dates up to $100 1. There’s no better way to heat up your relationship than to get things cooking. Literally. Publix Apron’s Cooking School offers a variety of hands-on demonstra- tion classes, some designed specifically for couples, starting at $70. Blue Bamboo offers cooking classes twice a month for $38 per person. Both include meals. 2. St. Augustine has its share of ghost tours, some more comical (read: less scary) than others. The Ripley Ghost Train Adventure might just be the creepiest and most likely to lead to rapid heartbeats and fervent handhold- ing. Tickets are $26 apiece, but you get a few bucks off if you buy them online at ghosttrainadventure.com. 3. A perennial favorite for riverfront dining, River City Brewing Company on the Southbank also boasts an 54 | JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM FEBRUARY 2010 award-winning brunch complete with made-to-order omelets, pastries and seafood. The all-you-can-eat buf- fet is $21.95 a person, not including alcoholic beverages. Follow it up with a stroll down the Riverwalk to take in the view—and work off those omelets. 4. You’ve seen them clopping down the streets of St. Augustine, but have you ever ridden in a horse and car- riage? Avalon Carriage Service & St. Augustine Transfer Co. offer narrated and unnarrated versions (for those who want to whisper sweet nothings) that tour in and around the historic district. Private carriages charge a minimum of $75 per ride. Bring your own bubbly, hot chocolate or whatever else keeps you warm. 5. The reinvigorated Alhambra Theatre & Dining is per- fect for date nights since dinner—prepared by Chef Matthew Medure, no less—is included with the perfor- mance for $49. Upcoming shows include 42nd Street, The Foreigner, TheWedding Singer, and The King and I. 6. You don’t have to be creative or have any artistic tal- ent at all, for that matter, to make beautiful paintings together at Yes You Canvas. For $35 per person, you’ll get all of the supplies and stroke-by-stroke instruction (you can bring your own snacks and drinks if you wish). Within a matter of hours, you’ll have a painting so pro- fessional looking, you won’t believe you did it yourself. 7. The way to a man’s heart is his stomach, but the way to a woman’s heart is the dance floor. Several dance stu- dios such as A Social Affair offer introductory packages for around $60, which include three private lessons and two group lessons. 8. You don’t have to know how to cook to prepare a home-cooked meal. Surprise your sweetie with a gourmet meal—that you picked up at Bottega di Bella Sera or TAG (Take Away Gourmet), heated and plated all by yourself. 9. Make a run for it (together). The 33rd annual Gate River Run on March 13 is a test of endurance, but it also is a lively event, complete with a post-race celebration with beer, food and entertainment by Big Al and the Kaholics. Registration for the 15K is $30 per runner through the end of February, and increases to $40 March 11 and 12. 10. Regular season performances at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra run through May, with Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte playing Valentine’s Day weekend. Twomen bet that their respective fiancées won’t stray, then try to seduce each other’s betrothed to test the women’s faith- fulness. Tickets to the opera, which is sung in Italian with English supertitles, start at $35. Average Joe date #10: Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra BELOW: COURTESY OF JSO
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