While winter is the bona fide “cuffing season,” or the time to find a significant other to stick with during the colder months, summer has unfairly been marked as the season of break-ups and casual hook-ups. In Fort Collins especially, there are tons of romantic date spots that are perfect for summer nights, and whether you’re scrolling through Tinder or Bumble, there isn’t enough time to waste on this short warm season for opportunities to impress your date.
Here are five summer date ideas for young romantics in Fort Collins.
- See a drive-in movie
There’s nothing more romantic than a drive-in movie — just ask every romance film set in the ‘60s. Located on Overland Trail, Holiday Twin Drive-In Theatre offers weekly showings of new blockbuster releases throughout the summer. Audiences should come equipped with blankets and snacks to prepare for a long night, as the theater showcases back-to-back double features that often go from sundown to past midnight. This is the perfect date for some good old fashioned cuddling, and it also doesn’t hurt that viewers are getting two movies for just $10.
- Watch the sunset from a high point
Fort Collins has no shortage of scenic spots that don’t require a long drive or years of outdoors experience to reach. Going for a drive around the winding roads to Horsetooth or hiking to the peak of Lory State Park while the sun is setting are great ways to bond over some beautiful scenery.
- Go to a free outdoor concert
Every Thursday in Old Town Square, Bohemian Nights hosts “Thursday Night Live,” which is a series of free concerts starting at 7:00 p.m. for anyone to enjoy some live music. If you’re of age, get some drinks and go listen to some up-and-coming Colorado-based artists while the weather is still warm.
- Hit a rooftop bar
As the nights heat up, folks should take advantage of the outdoor bars and patios until winter forces people to casually drink indoors. For a nicer occasion, people 21 and over can enjoy the nice view and exotic drinks at Sunset Lounge and perhaps stop by for some live jazz on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. For a more casual setting, local favorites, such as Illegal Pete’s, offer outdoor seating for people who want a better view of downtown Fort Collins.
- Go to an art gallery
Fort Collins offers a growing scene of eclectic art. Folks can stop by the Carnegie Center for Creativity for the free “Image and Illusion” art gallery, which will be open until June 29. The Museum of Art also hosts monthly galleries, and people can view Erika Osborne’s gallery until July 12. Tickets to Osborne’s gallery, which focuses on environmental sustainability in the West, can be purchased for $5 for adults, $4 for students and free for children under six.
Elena Waldman can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @WaldmanElena.
