Three Great Places to Take a First Date in Greensboro, NC

Not Just Dinner and a Movie

Everyone knows the first date is about first impressions. Even if you are going out with someone you have gotten to know somewhat either at work, school, church or a social group, the change of setting from the usual to a first date scenario shows you in a new and completely different light. So in this case, you still have to make a first impression on a different level: your date has graduated from evaluating you as a person in general to a person with whom he or she may want to form a more lasting relationship, so you want to pick a location for your first date that reflects your personality and shows that you put some thought into what might be fun and interesting for your first date.

So, dinner and a movie? Too predictable! What we need on a first date is something interesting to do. The conversation can sometimes lapse into uncomfortable pause over the dinner table if you don't know each other well enough to keep it going. Some people may welcome the respite from having to talk that a movie provides, but a shared experience will give you plenty to talk about. So, the following are great spots to take a first date:

Bicentennial Garden, 1105 Hobbs Road at Cornwallis -The lovely Bicentennial Garden is a perfect spot for a stroll, with plenty of gorgeous plantings and interesting scenery to check out and talk about. Winding paths take you through shady gardens, over a bridge, and past gazebos, sculpture and historical landmarks. There are picnic tables at which you can share a bite of lunch, and there is also a bonus-there is another park right across the street! Cross Hobbs from the Bicentennial Garden's main entrance and you will find the Bog Garden, which features a romantic boardwalk stroll through the trees and flowers to an observation deck overlooking the lovely lakeside from which you can feed the ducks, geese, turtles and fish. These great parks combine to make a nature lover's delight!

If you are feeling more playful, Celebration Station (4315 Big Tree Way, just off I-40 at the Wendover Avenue East exit) features a wealth of activities from go-karts and miniature golf to video games and air hockey, pool tables and more! Follow this link to learn about hours and attractions.

The Greensboro Science Center and SciQuarium at 4301 Lawndale Drive is an amazing combination of museum and zoo. Live animals range from petting-zoo sheep and bunnies to lemurs, a giant anteater, and even a pair of tigers! Peacocks stroll the grounds and display their lovely plumage. Or go inside and enjoy the many displays of gemstones, fossils, historical inventions or even catch a show in the planetarium! The Greensboro Science Center is full of interesting things to look at and learn about, and the accompanying SciQuarium (separate ticket required) is a fantastic experience featuring cute penguins, otters, a touch tank with rays and skates and even a huge shark tank. It's quite an experience!

If you are ready to follow up your outing with a meal and want some great restaurant recommendations, check out my post on romantic restaurants in Greensboro. Good luck and have a great time on your first date in Greensboro, NC!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Photo of the beautiful Serenity Falls at the Bog Garden, on Wikimedia Commons  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BogGardenSerenityFalls1.jpg

Most Romantic Restaurants for a Dinner Date in Greensboro, NC

These Locations Offer Great Ambiance and Food Alike

Summer is in full swing, and love is in the air, is it not? Are you looking for a nice, romantic restaurant for your dinner date in Greensboro, NC? Don't worry; Greensboro has plenty of romantic restaurants for a lovely dinner date. Here is a sampling:

Mimi's Café, Friendly Center - Mimi's is a chain restaurant, but don't assume that means it is not intimate or romantic! Mimi's Café is based on New Orleans-style ambience, with parti-colored glass light fixtures, quirky artwork and decorations with a jazz theme, and even a dining room outfitted like a typical street in the French Quarter, complete with those distinctive New Orleans balconies. You can cozy up to your date in an intimate booth as you sample delicious food from the wide selection of fresh seasonal specials or the large range of permanent menu items. We love this restaurant, which must have a "No Screaming Babies" section, as we have never been plagued by kids running wild (always an important consideration for a romantic dinner date!), and the best part? The prices are great, which means this will not be out of range for even the pre-prom dinner daters among us.

Green Valley Grill, Green Valley Road at the O'Henry Hotel - One of our favorite restaurants in Greensboro. Green Valley Grill features Continental Cuisine, and like Mimi's, has seasonal items and daily specials. This restaurant is not a cozy, dimly-lit place like Mimi's, but despite the soaring, airy feel and dramatically open kitchen, the Green Valley Grill still appeals to the romantic with its large, lovely wall mural and classical music, cut crystal and elegant china, attentive service and delicious food. The staff will be happy to provide flowers for a special occasion. Expect to pay about $30 and up per person at this restaurant, but it is good value for the price paid.

Café Pasta, State Street - Café Pasta is, as you might guess from the name, an Italian restaurant, with menu items ranging from linguine with clam sauce to manicotti and all of your favorite romantic desserts, like tiramisu and fresh ricotta cheesecake. Café Pasta features live music some nights, so cozy up at a white-linen-clad table and enjoy the music as you canoodle over your cannoli. If you have time before or after dinner, you may wish to stroll the adorable boutiques along State Street, Café Pasta's quaint, somewhat European-feeling setting.

If you are a looking for a romantic place to take your date for dinner in Greensboro, the restaurants mentioned here offer a reliably romantic experience. Use the links (click on the restaurant names/addresses in bold) to find out more about hours of operation, specials and more. Bon Apétit!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image from Pixabay http://pixabay.com/en/glasses-sparkling-wine-cheers-213156/ 

(Yeah, I know Greensboro doesn't have a beach. It's a nice picture!)

Review of Ross Dress for Less Stores in Greensboro, NC

If You're Willing to Dig, You'll Find Deals

If you have not yet visited a Ross Dress for Less store, here is some information for the prospective shopper: Ross Dress for Less is a whole lot like the T.J. Maxx and Marshall's stores. If you have already visited those stores, you will know what to expect-great buys, no-frills atmosphere, some disarray, designer names alongside no-names, overworked but pleasant staff. Here is my review of the local Ross Dress for Less stores in Greensboro, NC:

Ross Dress for Less has two locations in Greensboro that I have visited-one is in the shopping center on Battleground Avenue at the corner of David Caldwell (close to Cone Blvd intersection), and the other, newer location is next to PetsMart in the shopping center at Wendover Avenue and Bridford Parkway, across the street from the Super Wal-Mart. Ross sells clothes, shoes, accessories, fragrance and gift items at deep discounts.

I love shopping at Ross because I have always found something cool to buy, but be aware of the following caveat: Check everything very carefully-some clothing may be damaged or made incorrectly, so go in with open eyes. Occasionally I am willing to invest in something like the pair of black pants with one pocket sewn completely shut that I picked up for about $3.99. Hey, it's not Bonwit Teller, but the clothing is new--just figure out what you're willing to work with. 

However, most clothing I have purchased at Ross has had no obvious flaws, unless I am very unobservant. If there is something that is damaged, it is usually marked down even further as a clearance item, but you can ask at the register if they will give you an additional discount since the item is damaged. Most times they will be able to offer an additional 10% off, with the provision that you may not return the item. You can, by the way, try this at any store, not just Ross. It never hurts to ask!

Shoes tend to be hard to shop for at Ross, because they are linked with plastic ties that are too short to allow you to walk without looking like a Chinese princess with bound feet. Skip it unless you really love the shoes, in which case ask someone to detach them for you so you can try them on properly. Ross accepts returns, but who needs to make an extra trip? Overall, this is a low-frills store and things tend to be a bit disorganized (I firmly blame careless shoppers, not employees, for this), but if you can wade through the mess and locate the right size , the prices are fantastic. I definitely recommend Ross Dress for Less, and I am happy with both Greensboro locations of these stores!

You can also find What's Good in Greensbroro? on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Whats-Good-in-Greensboro-848569635208317/ . See you there!

Image by ewucha at freeimages.com http://www.freeimages.com/photo/1402492