It’s cold, festival season is as far away the planet Tatooine is in light years and the subtle signs of cabin fever are stating to creep up. You may even have begun to forget what seventy degrees feels like (heaven). It’s time to get out of the house and grab our significant other, for a much-needed day on the town, chilly fingers and all. If you’ve had it up the here with “Netflix and chill” suggestions, here are some ideas to help beat the winter blues in chilly, brew city.
These also make for great friend-dates!
For just $30, Bayview Printing Co. will provide you and the current apple of your eye with all of the ink, paper and guidance that you will need to create your own print piece. Also, you can bring whatever snacks or beverages you may want to enjoy while there. Maybe you’ll bring Oreos, or maybe you’ll bring last night’s meatloaf. Either way, the snacking options are limitless.
You can frame that inside joke you share in print form, or maybe you’ll cover the entire sheet with F-bombs. Either way, you can spend some time indoors, out of the bitter cold being all artsy.
- Go on a Candlelit Hike $8 (Price varies)
If Wisconsin’s cold is nothing new to you, and you consider temperatures in the single digits “balmy” weather, then heading outdoors for a trek across the snow is right up your alley. With the proper bundling and instruction from the skilled park staff, you can reap the rewards of a fanciful view of a snow-laden trail by candlelight. Several dates are available for the excursions, with options of skiing, hiking or snowshoeing. As your hamstrings burn from the exertion, so will the passion you feel for your date. Or maybe that’s just your thigh.
- Burnhearts Mitten Fest FREE (Donation Suggested)
Who says block parties are only for the summer? This outdoor event takes place in the Bayview and features a cool music line up with artist such as Midnight Reruns and The Whiskeybelles . Much like the name suggests, you’ll want to stuff your hands into your warmest mittens so that you can death-grip your beverage of choice in one hand and your partners hand in the other. An extravagant beer-holding glove may even be in order. However you choose to accessorize, plan to attend this awesome outdoor music and snow-filled event. It beats staying in and listening to that Spotify playlist you don’t really like but listen to anyway.
- Coffee Shop Astrophysics at Anodyne Roasting Co. FREE (besides coffee)
Perhaps the cold DOES bother you, no matter how many times you sing “Let It Go”. If that should be the case, head over to Anodyne for an informal lecture series about all the space goo that makes up the universe while sipping on a fine cup of Joe. Whether or not you’re into science, learning something new alongside your date is a great way to make a stronger connection. When the lecture is over you can head over to any of the restaurants that are within walking distance. If your brain is still craving stimulation, check out an antique shop such as Clinton Street Antiques to gaze shelf upon shelf of oddities from days gone by.
Now you can keep your headphones on during a date without seeming rude. The Milwaukee Museum After Dark event provides a pair of light-up headphones indicating your music choice of the two battling DJs. If hopping around isn’t your scene, you can always spectate or check out some of the other interesting tidbit such as live body painting or an “emoji art challenge. If you’re tired of standing on the slush and beer stained floors of the North Avenue watering holes, while drinking yet another PBR in your overstuffed down-coat, head over to the MAM for a change of scenery.