Wine and Dine

Birds are singing, warm breezes are blowing and flowers are blooming. Ah, summer love is in the air. Perhaps studying with a summer classmate may spark a new romance and an impressive date is in order. Or maybe a long-time companion is sick of ordering pizza and hitting up the bars. Either way, summer is great for romancing a special someone because it opens up a whole new realm of dating: the great outdoors. Summer also means students generally have more free time to get out and explore the community and its surroundings, and unique date spots are just waiting to be discovered both indoors and outdoors.\nRomantic Rendezvous\nA normal dinner date can turn romantic just by taking advantage of outdoor dining. Scholar's Inn Gourmet Café and Wine Bar, located at 717 N. College Ave., has a large deck with flowers and lanterns that's perfect for impressing a date. After one of the restaurant's famous gourmet entrées, share a dessert for two, like chocolate fondue.\nFourwinds Resort and Marina on Lake Monroe also provides a romantic dining setting. Get a table for two indoors and enjoy a panoramic view of the sunset on Indiana's largest lake, or sit outside Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, said Banquet Manager TJ Lewis. But Lewis recommended those interested in dining during the weekend to make reservations in advance since the resort is popular for dating and recreation.\n"There's a lot to do out here," he said. "It's definitely a good place to go out for a sunset cruise. You could have dinner and go out on a boat, and the beach is just up the way."\nSeveral local restaurants offer outdoor dining, especially those downtown and along Fourth Street. Even Panera has outdoor seating fit for a summer evening meal, so try it.\nFor those who enjoy creativity but don't want to pay restaurant prices, packing a picnic can be just as pleasurable. Head to a local park, or to the shores of one of Bloomington's three lakes -- Lake Monroe, Griffy Lake and Lake Lemon. Lake Monroe, located about 10 miles south of Bloomington, has two main beaches -- Paynetown and Fairfax -- that are open to the public until sunset. Recreation areas at Griffy Lake, located just north of campus, and Lake Lemon, located 10 miles northeast of campus off of State Road 45 (10th Street), also allow evening visitors until sunset. An after-supper stroll under the stars can provide some additional romance.\nTo continue a romantic stargazing session, visit the Kirkwood Observatory, located just off of Indiana Avenue, every Wednesday night from 10 to 11:30 p.m. The campus observatory's 12-inch refracting telescope will help you see stars and planets for free.\nFun in the Sun\nWhether students want a day on the beach for two or a group date with multiple couples and friends, a well-planned trip to one of Bloomington's lakes can satisfy any dating need. \nSeveral places near Lake Monroe offer a variety of boats, jet skis and water skis for rent. For larger groups, pontoons and dual-level boats with slides can make for an inexpensive day of fun -- if the cost is split amongst the group. Lake Monroe Boat Rentals is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is now offering overnight and daylong rentals, said manager Lydia Hamilton.\nFairfax and Paynetown beaches are also nice for lying out or picnicking. For those who are really adventurous, there are also several campgrounds around the lake where groups can try their hand at outdoor living.\nHamilton said the lake and its surroundings are ideal for a unique date.\n"It's something different from what's in Bloomington, but it's so close by," Hamilton said. "It gives people a chance to go outside and have some fun in the sun."\nFor more information on boat rentals, visit www.lakemonroeboatrental.com. \nGriffy Lake provides a day-on-the-lake experience in a smaller setting. Gas-powered boats and swimming are not allowed at the lake, but a boathouse on the northeast shore equips visitors with canoes, kayaks and row boats. Rowing a canoe or row boat together can provide an opportunity for conversation and teamwork. But renting individual kayaks and racing them might appeal to those who have a competitive spirit or enjoy a fun and lively date. Numerous trails surround the lake if hiking is a shared interest.\nLake Lemon does not offer boat rentals, but it does have a park area complete with a swimming area and trails that's open from sunrise to sunset, and people can stroll the shores after dark.\nGo to www.visitbloomington.com for more details on planning outdoor excursions.\nA Twist on Tradition\nDinner or a day at the beach might be romantic, but if a fun date without the wilderness or high price is in demand, check out some other local places \nsuitable for summer dating.\nPutt-Putt, located on Pete Ellis Drive in between 10th and Third Streets, offers three miniature golf courses with varying degrees of difficulty. Putter's Park, located a short drive away in Ellettsville, is a little more ornate. Each hole has numerous decorations and is designed to represent a part of Indiana's history, said owner Juanita Hood. Putter's Park has a large clubhouse area, but right now, it's undergoing renovation, she said. \nBoth miniature golf places have reasonable rates and are open most of the day. Also, both are located next to Jiffy Treet ice cream stores, so whoever loses at mini golf can buy ice cream. \nSeen all the shows IU performs on campus? If so, then take a date to the Brown County Playhouse. Several IU students and professors spend their summers acting and directing plays at this little historic theater in downtown Nashville, Ind., located about 25 minutes from Bloomington. A total of four plays will run this summer -- three from June through August, and one from Sept. 22 through Oct. 21. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The first play, "Smoke on the Mountain," starts this week. Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the performance. Visit www.indiana.edu/~thtr/bcplay.html for more information. \nIf the theater environment is too stuffy, try seeing a show outdoors. Monroe County Civic Theater performs plays on select summer evenings in Third Street Park. This coming weekend is the last weekend for Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," and performances will resume Sept. 15 with "Pericles." Shows start at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, so bring a blanket and curl up together and enjoy free theater under the stars.\nJust don't like theater? Then watch a movie instead. Starlite Drive-In, located just outside Bloomington off of State Road 37, is a traditional drive-in movie theater playing the same movies on the indoor big screens. Shows usually start shortly after dusk, so cuddle in the car or bring a blanket or lawn chairs to sit outside. Bring your own popcorn or buy a snack from the well-stocked concession stand. Check local listings to see what's playing.\nIf something really out of the ordinary sounds exciting, go to Mike's Music and Dance Barn and show off some dance moves. The traditional country dance hall, located about 12 miles east of Bloomington on State Road 46, has live music on Saturdays and Sundays and beginner line dancing lessons every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. There are also billiard tables and concessions. Visit www.craftspirit.com/thedancebarn/index.php for a complete schedule of events.