With the beaming summer sun comes heated summer flings. Whether you’re aiming for the stars with a lavish evening or just looking for something to do out of the house, this guide unveils several hot spots for your dates to create priceless memories. The Brazos Valley offers the key to a plethora of romantic escapades.
Not seeing anyone? These experiences can easily be translated to hang-out time with friends or solo dates this summer!
CHEAP
Looking for a date under $50? This is the area to look at! These three experiences are surefire great date ideas with your significant other or a casual date with friends. Some are outside, while one can be enjoyed in the air conditioning.
Travis Bryan Midtown Park
Have some extra time in your day and want to spend it in nature and stay active with your boo? Take a drive or walk to a park in the area and exercise while you listen to music and talk to each other! The park is home to Big Shots Golf, D-Bat Aggieland, the Brazos Valley Bombers, nature-based entertainment and athletic fields.
How to upscale it? Buy your partner a new workout outfit, shoes or even just a coffee beforehand to make it more exciting!
Travis Bryan Midtown Park is located at 206 W. Villa Maria Road in Bryan and is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. More information can be found on the City of Bryan’s website at bryantx.gov/ midtownpark.
Aggieland Wild Animal Safari
Beat the heat with your partner by exploring an over 250-acre plot of land housing numerous species from the comfort of your vehicle!
How to upscale it? Go to your favorite to-go spot and buy some food beforehand so you can make it dinner and a show! You can also purchase food to feed the animals as well as get out of your vehicle at the Wild Animal Safari Center for animal encounters for an additional purchase.
Aggieland Wild Animal Safari’s drive-thru is located at 18075 FM 974 in Bryan and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit animalsafari.com.
The Farm Patch
Let’s make picking up veggies and protein romantic! Go early in the morning or late at night so you beat the grocery store traffic. The Farm Patch has specialty grocery items like peaches in a jar and even specialty coffee. Take your time and enjoy shopping with your partner! Don’t need groceries? The Farm Patch also sells amazing plants to choose from and fresh greenery.
How to upscale it? Buy your partner a new tote bag for groceries or offer to drive! Sometimes, it’s the little things that count!
The Farm Patch is located at 3519 S. College Ave. in Bryan and is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more at thefarmpatch.net.
Not So Cheap
Looking for the in-between dates? These are dates for less than $100! During the summer, it can be difficult to find time to coordinate with friends as many individuals are traveling, but there are some amazing drinks and bites locations within the Brazos Valley to travel to and still have an amazing time. These date nights are sure to be a blast with the person you love!
The Vintage House Restaurant at Messina Hof
Head over to Messina Hof to have fun with your forever brunch date over wine and some beautiful sites, including tasty dishes like the mama rosa meatballs and the gorgonzola steak pasta.
How to upscale it? Join the VIP club at Messina Hof to join the mixed wine club, all red wine club, all white wine club or the all sweet wine club and pick up your minimum three bottles of wine quarterly with your partner when you go to brunch!
The Vintage House is located at 4545 Old Reliance Road in Bryan and is open Thursday to Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. & Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more details on VIP clubs or other winery activities, visit messinahof.com.
Bar Hopping: Blackwater Draw Brewery, The 101, Third Floor Cantina
This date offers a thrilling date night adventure, inviting couples to explore many diverse venues and sip on unique specialty drinks. It’s an exciting journey through new tastes and vibrant atmospheres!
Try specialty drinks from Blackwater like the Contract Killer or keep it classy with a refreshing margarita from Third Floor Cantina. To finish the night, The 101’s live music pairs nicely with a cold domestic beer — it’s sure to be a good time!
Blackwater Draw Brewery is located at 701 N. Main St. and opens at noon daily. The 101 is located at 101 Texas Ave. and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Monday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Third Floor Cantina is located at 201 W. 26th St. and is open Wednesday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. All are located in Downtown Bryan.
Bites Hopping: Ronin Farm & Restaurant, RX Pizza & Bar, Caffé Capri
Embark on a culinary journey with bites hopping, where each stop offers a taste of unique appetizers, entrees or desserts, making every meal an explorative adventure with your date. Grab an amazing appetizer at Caffé Capri with chipotle mozzarella, an entree from RX Pizza & Bar with the Urban Cowboy pizza and dessert at Ronin Farm & Restaurant with the Jasmine Soufflé. Spice it up with your own combos!
Ronin Farm & Restaurant is located at 800 N. Main St. and is open for lunch Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and open for dinner daily from 5 p.m. RX Pizza & Bar is located at 200 W. 26th St. and is open Monday through Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Caffé Capri is located at 222 N. Main St. and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and open for dinner at 5 p.m.
Pricey
These are for the extra fun nights to plan with your significant other! These are roughly at or more than $100 and are exciting ways to elevate some of your date ideas. Whether it is a sporty date, dinner date or a night under the stars, your significant other will be happy to spend that time with you! Read here for the summer musts around the Brazos Valley.
Big Shots Golf
Put putt-putt in the calendar for your next date night at Big Shots Golf in Bryan, where you can play simulator golf games! Fun activities include getting delicious bites off the menu like the B.F.D. burger, handspun shakes and for those of age, tasty drinks like the Bleed Maroon. Not in the mood for the entire video game simulation? Just outside is an 18-hole minigolf course that starts at $12 for adults. With trivia nights occurring weekly, this could become a routine date night!
How to upscale it? Invite your favorite couple friend to make it the perfect competitive double date night for you and your partner!
Big Shots Golf is located at 400 W. Villa Maria Road and opens at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends. More information can be found at bigshotsgolf.com.
Elia Cafe Tapas Bar
This brand-new Spanish restaurant is a must-stop date night spot! With incredible scenery and live music, this is the place to go this summer. With entrees like the paella mixta and the codillo de res, this is sure to be a date for the record books. The tapas come out as the perfect portion to enjoy while not filling you prior to your meal.
How to upscale it? Pick up flowers beforehand or even movie tickets at the local Palace Theater for after!
Elia Cafe Tapas Bar is located at 202 S. Bryan Ave. and opens for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday and for dinner at 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday.
Campfire Restaurant and Star Gazing
Wondering where to have good food outdoors? Head over to the Campfire Restaurant at the Stella Hotel on Lake Walk for a restaurant experience that overlooks the Lake Walk area and waterfront, allowing for an exquisite view of the sky complimented by delicious food such as the ancho rubbed salmon and boursin whipped potatoes.
How to upscale it? Buy a telescope and take it to watch the stars with the person you love!
Campfire Restaurant is located at 4100 Lake Atlas Drive and opens daily at 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. and reopens at 5 p.m. for dinner. Visit their website at thestellahotel.com/campfire-restaurant to learn more.
