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It's a lovely day for a date outdoors
Published April 9, 2010
Spring is finally here, which means the outdoor dating season has officially begun! Dust off those swimsuits, sun dresses and the always-classy plaid shorts, and treat your date an outdoor adventure. Also, with Erica graduating this year and leaving Joe behind in Columbia, we thought this was a good chance to share our bucket list for college couples in Columbia. Without further ado, here are the things you should do with your significant other before leaving mid-Missouri behind:
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Make the 30-minute drive north on Highway 63 to Moberly for a drive-in movie at the Moberly Five and Drive. Why watch a movie in an overly air-conditioned theater when you could be lying on a blanket watching it outside, enjoying a picnic dinner and munching on your 50-cent microwave popcorn from home?
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Although it doesn't sound like the most masculine date, take a visit to Shelter Gardens. You won't regret it. Besides the gorgeous flowers, there are plenty benches and places to relax in the shade and watch the goldfish. There's even live music in the summer.
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Rather than driving, take the Shakespeare's pedicab around The District. Few people take these friendly bikers up on their offers for rides, but it's a fun time and is way more college than taking a horse-drawn carriage.
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Screw the St. Louis Cardinals, and we're not saying that because we're Cubs fans (OK, maybe Joe is). Head west to Kansas City for a Royals game instead. Tickets are cheap, and they have a Cy Young winning pitcher, a ridiculously large HD screen, fountains and games for kids in the outfield concourses. There's mini-golf, for crying out loud!
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Hang out by the Student Recreation Complex outdoor pool. We have yet to use it in three years, and we're paying good money for it. That's definitely happening this month.
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Columbia is an easy drive to dozens of excellent small town festivals and carnivals. Ride the rides, win an enormous stuffed mouse and eat the funnel cakes. Ah, the funnel cakes. Yum.
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Spend an evening under the big oak tree on Burr Oak Road near McBaine. Out in the middle of nowhere with no lights around, this spot makes for some great stargazing. Make sure to bring your camera since you'll want to snap a new profile picture. If this place wasn't so far outside Columbia, it could easily take over the Magic Tree as the most prevalent tree on Facebook.
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Pitch a tent on the campgrounds at Cooper's Landing. The only thing better than roasting marshmallows over a fire is listening to live music by the water while you do.
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If you've never been out to Devil's Icebox at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, it's a great spot for a romantic walk this time of year. It's a little bit of a hike from the parking lot to Devil's Icebox, but don't turn around until you've made it. It's a beautiful walk and the cool (literally, the temperature drops quite a bit) atmosphere at the bottom of the Icebox is very refreshing on a warm day.
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Summerfest on Ninth Street is one of the most entertaining events in Columbia, and the musical acts are always top notch. We're still kicking ourselves for missing Chuck Berry last year, but Wilco two years ago was one of the greatest shows we've ever seen. The first Summerfest concert this year is on May 26, featuring Of Montreal for free. Who doesn't love a free date?
