Need a date night out in Shelby County? Don't we all? Last week I polled Shelby County chatter groups and pages from various towns and cities and you all did NOT disappoint!
The occasional date nights out are important for parents to connect and focus on each other. Date nights can "enhance your friendship as well as your emotional connectedness," Dianne Grande, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist wrote in a Psychology Today article called "Date Night: Not a Luxury, a Necessity."
"Usually, the challenge for long-term couples is to get out of the routine that they have fallen into and put in some effort to make their lives together more fun and joyful," she writes.
So find a babysitter, schedule a playdate, or recruit a family member or friend to take over kid duties for a few hours this weekend or even Monday for Valentine's Day, and plan a great few hours away with your honey. Here are five ideas for creative dates in Shelby County:
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Why Does Cupid Get to Do All the Shooting in Shelby County?
Find a new trail to explore together by foot, on bike, or even on snowshoes — depending on the weather! Or grab your ammo and check out some indoor ranges in the area.
- Anderson Falls | Hartsville (just outside Shelby County)
- Dedicated as a State Nature Preserve in 2004, Anderson Falls is a unique area to the otherwise flat county land, with its steep-walled valleys and waterfall cascading down to its limestone bed. Learn more, see videos of the falls, and Google Map directions to the park here.
- Highsmith Guns and Indoor Shooting Range | Greenfield
- With both gun and archery ranges. you and your loved one can reserve a lane by the half-hour. Well-lit lanes are climate-controlled, freshly renovated spaces that you can either bring your own weapons or rent. There is also plenty of ammunition available for purchase. Targets are provided.
- Still Board Shoot | Morristown
- Bring your 12 or 20 gauge store-bought gun and have fun on a Sunday afternoon for $20. A $5 50/ 50 match is optional. Registration is at 11 am. The shoot starts at noon. 10 shots w/ payback of $10 & $2. Concessions are available. At the Blue River Longrifles Gun Club on Blue River Road North of US 52, just West of Morristown, IN. Any questions call Jim Cinkoske at 317-462-5858
Where to eat in Shelbyville?
After working up an appetite on the trail, stop at one of these great lunch and dinner spots:
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Get out that stress
Life have you both feeling stressed out? Relax together! From meditation to couples massages — Shelby County has it all! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Touch of Health Holistic Center LLC | Shelbyville
- Valentines Day Couples Massage Package
- 2509 Massage Spa | Shelbyville
- Walk ins welcome
- Couples massage available all year
- Salon De' Elegance | Greenfield
- Cupids Treat Spa #1: 2 60 minute individual massages and your choice of upgrade
- Cupids Treat Spa #2: 3 60 minute individual massages and your choice of upgrade
- KneadHealing Recovery Therapeutic Massage | Greensburg
Where to eat in Shelby County?
You'll want a nice relaxed meal in the Shelby County surrounding area after getting all that stress out! Try some of the restaurants below for a casual, unrushed meal to enjoy together.
- Wooden Bear Brewing (Greenfield)
- Kopper Kettle Inn Restaurant (Morristown)
- Tarouya (Greensburg)
- Taku Japanese Steakhouse (Columbus)
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Enjoy your favorite attractions... without the kids!
You probably always have kids along when you visit some of Shelby County's best attractions. So leave the kids at home and get out to explore on your own — you might be surprised how you enjoy places in a new way when the kids aren't pulling you in different directions. Here are some of our favorite places to visit again ... without the kids!
- TNT Exotics | Shelbyville
- Give the animal lover in your life a Valentine's Day to remember with an exotic animal encounter. This is approximately 90 min of unique hands-on and educational memory-making time. Get your picture with "Jimmy Hoffa" the Ring-Tailed Lemur or "Aphrodite" the beautiful Red Tail Boa and many of their friends. More info here.
- Shelby County Players Club | Shelbyville
- Love Letters is the love story of Andy and Melissa told through the letters that they wrote to one another throughout their romance. From notes passed at school, to postcards sent during vacations, to letters from college, to greeting cards filled with feelings. Come experience the highs and lows of this couple as they navigate life together and apart. Click here for ticket info.
- Food, Wine Tasting & Socializing from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM | Show Begins at 7:30 PM
- Veal's Ice Tree | Indianapolis (Between Acton and Pleasant View Exit)
- Their FREE man-made ice tree (estimated 10 feet high!) has been a Veal family tradition since 1961! They have chosen to never charge entrance fees or ask for donations. This is a hobby that they love to share. However, this year they realize that the freezing weather that brings them joy brings pain to others. So, they are asking that the money you might have given them, go to Wheeler Mission. Here is a video from WRTV6 to learn more about the history!
- Ruperts Arcade | Shelbyville
- A classic arcade featuring video games, pinball, and so much more! All profits benefit Rupert's Kids Foundation. Just $5 will get you 1 hour of unlimited play. $10 give you all day play! What else could be more fun to take your date down memory lane and with a little friendly competition?
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Take a Night Out On The Town
Where was your first date in Shelby County? What did you love to do together when you were dating? Here are some of our favorite high-energy Shelby County spots that are great for spicing up your Valentine's weekend!
- Capones Speakeasy| Shelbyville
- Live music every weekend! This weekend's round-up:
- Brandywine Creek Winery
- Free tastings every day and special events on the weekends.
- Saturday, Feb 12 | 6-9p | Live Music: Robin Embry | Free admission
- Glasses and bottles, cheese trays, and snacks will be available for purchase. You are able to bring your own food. No outside alcohol is allowed.
- Saturday, Feb 12 | 6-9p | Live Music: Robin Embry | Free admission
- Free tastings every day and special events on the weekends.
- Play Pool or Darts at any of the following locations
Reignite the Flame of Love With an At-Home Datenight
With COVID-19 and flu season among us, don't let leaving the home be a barrier to investing in your relationship. Try these affordable at-home dates to fuel the love train.
- Movie Night
- With Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock and so much more at your fingertips, a movie night at home never has been easier to watch a classic or explore something new!
- Spice it up by buying your favorite movie snacks and popcorn at the local Dollar Tree or Walmart.
- Make Your Favorite Food
- One Let It Out Shelbyville group member suggested taking this up a notch by blindfolding one partner while the other uses their hands to prepare the meal. Another from Waldron Will suggested each person have a course and surprise each other with what you think would be their favorite.
- You could also try a new recipe that you otherwise would have never done before... or would have done because of the kids!
- Double Date with a Game Night
- Euchre anyone? Host another couple over for card games or take a trip down memory lane by everyone bringing their favorite childhood board game! You could even do this with video games!
- Indoor picnic
- Combine a couple of the ideas above and grab a blanket. Set up shop in the living room in front of a movie (and maybe even a fire place) and cozy up for an indoor picnic!
- Dance Lessons
- Youtube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and so much more have loads of different tutorials and dance lessons for FREE! Move the furniture and get ready for a new (and affordable) experience that you will carry on for years!
- Plan a Vacation
- Grab a laptop (or use your smartphone) and plan your ideal vacation and present it to each other. Create parameters or an extravagant adventure if money was no object!
