52 Romantic Outings in Greater Cleveland by Miriam Carey | Cleveland Books | Gray & Company, Publishers | Guide and Gift Books about Cleveland, Northeast Ohio, and Ohio.

Description

* New edition, revised and updated . . .

These 52 carefully planned outings lead Clevelanders away from the tired old dinner-and-a-movie routine and into a realm of romantic discovery.

Here are plenty of options—from a simple lunch hour to a luxurious full day together, and in all price ranges, from totally free to truly decadent. They'll pique a wide range of interests: activities include a wintery sleigh ride followed with hot chocolate by a cozy fire; stargazing at an observatory; ballroom dancing; “love golf;” . . . even target shooting!

Successful romance doesn't have to be hard work. This guide lightens the workload and lets you concentrate on having fun together. Use these outings like recipes: start with the suggested ingredients, follow the instructions, and then savor an enjoyable outing for two. Reuse the recipes you like again and again by sprinkling in new ingredients. (Variations are supplied for each outing, or you can add your own ideas.)

Book Excerpt:

Outing 4

Season: Spring/Summer/FallTime: 3–5 hours Location: SouthIntimacy level: Cost: $Advance Planning: Some

What You'll Do

Rent a tandem kayak.

Paddle around Hinckley Lake

Gliding on the water can be a mystical experience. Even just a few feet from shore you'll notice that the workaday world starts to slip away. Traffic noises give way to the sounds of gently lapping waves, while your visual landscape is reduced to water and horizon with a receding shoreline in the background for reference. Fish swimming silently under the water are suddenly the most interesting sight to behold.

Kayaking is among the most intimate ways to experience the water without swimming in it. Small and efficient, kayaks allow you to skim through the water with ease— with a little help from your own upper-body strength. Acquire a kayaking habit and you'll enjoy a sport that allows a quick getaway from land to water without the hassle of an expensive sailboat or a cumbersome canoe. A kayak is easy to load onto a car or truck, light and handy to transport to the water, and provides an impromptu escape whenever the mood strikes you. If you don't own a kayak, try renting one at the Hinckley Reservation Boathouse to test-drive the sport. Rent a single kayak and compete to see who gets the hang of it first, or ask for a tandem kayak that will have you working together for an afternoon of paddling fun.

3 p.m. Arrive at the Hinckley Lake Boathouse ready to paddle. The boathouse, located in the Hinckley Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks just off State Road in Hinckley Township, offers kayak rentals from April to October. In the summer, late afternoon is a good time to kayak, as the sun's harmful rays are beginning to . . . [ Read More Free Samples ]

Reviews

Carey builds the outings like she was assembling a fine meal. — Ashtabula Star Beacon

Includes dates for those with money to spare, those with no money at all, sports fanatics, theater enthusiasts, history buffs and more, for every season and time of day. It's a valuable handbook for planning dates and an effective jumping-off point for those who prefer to add their own personal touch . . . If you follow her directions, organizing these dates practically is a no-brainer. The tough part is choosing among them . . . an invaluable resource for everything from the perfect pre-proposal evening to a solution for those aggravating “What do you want to do? . . . I don't know, what do you want to do?” conversations. — The Bulletin

You don't have to book two tickets to Paris to put some romance into your life. Staying right here in Northeast Ohio is as romantic as anywhere, if you know what to do and where to go . . . [Miriam] Carey makes it all sound inviting. — Scene Magazine

[Miriam Carey's] 'recipes' give both the inspiration and the info needed to go dashing through the snow in a horsedrawn sleigh, to steal a kiss beneath a covered bridge or to view the starry skies with someone special. — News Herald

So user-friendly it could have been named The Idiot's Guide to Romance . . . Carey thought of everyone . . . this kind of planning and direction is inspirational . . . Sure to entice first-time couples and seasoned lovers alike. — The Plain Dealer

How can you pitch your woo on [Valentine's] day and the rest of the year? Miriam Carey answers that question with originality and humor. — Free Times

Couples stuck in the dinner-and-a-movie routine can grab hold of [this] book to lift them out of that rut. — Sun Newspapers

About Miriam Carey

Miriam Carey began her career writing about travel for Ohio Week Magazine and became travel editor at Ohio Magazine. She launched LongWeekends Magazine for Great Lakes Publishing, and also edited the Zagat Survey for the Cleveland and Columbus markets. Carey currently lives in Chicago where she is the managing editor for Info.com More About Miriam Carey

Contains References to:

Bar Hopping, Bowling, Candy, Cleveland Beaches, Cleveland Dating, Cleveland Food, Cleveland Relationships, Cleveland Restaurants, Cleveland Romance, Cleveland Singles, Golfing, Hiking, Lake Erie, Massage, Movies, Ohio Wineries, Picnics, Scenic Drives, Shopping, Theater