Some couples have been able to return to date night as normal, just wearing a mask now. Others are limited in their activities because of childcare needs, due to them being high risk, or because they’re making efforts to stay physically distanced from as many people as possible. For those couples who aren’t able to return to “date night as normal” quite yet, I wanted to provide you with some date night ideas you can still enjoy, despite the current restrictions and how that limits you!

Go on a winter hike

Even though this winter has been mild, the waterfalls in the mountains have still been freezing and are gorgeous to see. I love seeing the various hikes that others in our county have gone on and shared on social media. Because of the colder temperatures, less people will be on the trails, which makes this a great activity. Discover Davis has a great hiking trail series with details on each of them, over on their site; click here to access it. I’d also suggest clicking here to check out a full map of all of the trails in the area. Be sure to dress warmly and bring the necessary equipment needed to hike safely in the area you plan on visiting.

Take a walk together on one of the local trails

In addition to great mountain trails, Davis County boasts a lot of good trails down in the valley, right in the middle of where we live. They’re gorgeous to explore, even when the weather isn’t sunny and warm. With the mild temperatures we’re experiencing this year, a walk makes the perfect date. Even when the weather is colder, getting outside in the fresh air can be nice, if you’re bundled up and warm. Just be aware of the condition of the trail, and watch for icy patches. Once again, the Davis County Trails map has all of them labeled and you can pick a new one to take a walk on as part of your date.

Participate in an At-Home Taste Off

The Utah Taste Off has been putting together at home taste off kits each week since all of the chaos began last year, and they’ve been amazing! Some of my favorite taste offs they’ve put together have been salsa, sweet rolls, rice krispie treats and mac & cheese. If you aren’t able to participate in one of the Utah Taste Off kits, you can create your own taste-off at home using these tips.

Related: DIY At Home Taste Off

Grab takeout and have a car picnic

One of the things our kids love to do the most is to have a picnic in the back of our car. I’m not sure what makes it so glamorous, but they love it. If you have kids in tow, you can grab meals for everyone and put a movie on for them in the backseat, either on your car screen or one of your devices. Then the two of you can talk in the front seat, and have a date of your own. I suggest picking one of your favorite scenic overlooks to park and enjoy the view while you’re eating.

Explore Antelope Island

This time of year is great for exploring Antelope Island because it’s too cold for the awful bugs to be out. Hike on one of their trails, go for a horseback ride or rent an e-bike to explore the island with. You could stay until dark and enjoy an amazing view of the night sky, since Antelope Island is an International Dark Sky Park.

Support local events and businesses

There are a lot of local events still happening, with social distancing protocols in place to keep people safe. Click here to view our upcoming events calendar with details on what events are available and what they’re doing to keep people safe. If you feel comfortable supporting your favorite local restaurants in person, find out what their current regulations are, and plan a dinner out. I highly recommend making reservations in advance for your activities and your meals. Almost all venues are operating at half capacity and fill up quickly as a result, especially with outdoor dining not being an option right now.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to find some fun and socially safe ways to get out for more date nights right now!