Shake Up Date Night, Edmonds Style
Did you know there is a good reason to change things up when it comes to your dates? It’s true and it involves a bit of science.
One key to keeping your relationship fresh is to get your brain chemistry working for you in the form of dopamine and oxytocin.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for our brain’s pleasure center. In a nutshell, it’s what gives us that hit of excitement, especially at the start of a new relationship. And while it can fade over time, the easiest way to get the dopamine flowing again is to simply try new places and things together.
Additionally, when you share a new experience with your significant other, it promotes the release of oxytocin, otherwise known as the “cuddle hormone”. Oxytocin helps you emotionally bond with your partner making you feel more lovey-dovey toward each other. Always an excellent result of time spent together!
So if your dates have fallen into a predictable pattern of only visiting familiar favorites and you’re now itching to try something out of the ordinary, here are our suggestions!
Travel through Time
Edmonds is positively bursting with rich history, make a date to soak it all in!
First stop, the Edmonds Historical Museum where you’ll discover fascinating facts about our town on the lower level permanent display. Then venture upstairs to see the rotating exhibit, the next one opens on February 10th.
Next, head over to Chanterelle for a bite to eat. The historical building there was initially a hardware store at the turn of the 20th Century and had several iterations until becoming Chanterelle in 1986. Their famous tomato soup is a great option and they also feature delicious seasonal dishes and specialty cocktails.
To round out your night, pop over to Engel’s Pub. Open since 1932, Engel’s is the oldest bar in Edmonds. They feature live music every weekend and the dance floor is always hoppin’.
Expand Your Knowledge in Tandem
Start off by investigating your dream vacation! The Savvy Traveler offers free seminars on most Saturdays about a variety of locales and types of travel.
From there, you can walk a few blocks south and partake in a wine tasting session at the popular Arista Wine Cellars. Every Saturday from 1-4:30pm the folks at Arista offer a free tasting with an opportunity to glean knowledge from the guest winemaker on hand.
Round out your date by heading over to Glazed & Amazed to learn how to paint your pottery and create a personalized memento of your date.
Get Into the Art Scene
Take in a live show in Edmonds! Edmonds Center for the Arts offers a full calendar of music, dance and more featuring performers from around the world. And the Driftwood Players showcase local talent throughout the year on the stage at Wade James Theatre just up the road.
Every third Thursday, you can stroll through dozens of local businesses while experiencing a wide variety of art during the monthly Edmonds Art Walk.
And if you have the itch to create together, swing by ArtSpot to grab some supplies from their bountiful selection and head down to the beach to capture the gorgeous Edmonds scenery.
Make your next date memorable by trying something new. Edmonds is full of places to dine, shop, learn something new and appreciate the arts. Enjoy!
Written by Kelsey Foster, photography by Matt Hulbert