BEST DATE SPOTS IN PHILLY AND DC!!

Most Romantic Dates in Philly and DC

Written by Rachel Vigoda

Rachel Vigoda Perfect Dates Grabbing a slice of pizza or hitting up your former roommate’s girlfriend’s cousin’s house party is all well and good for a regular night, but won’t make much of an impression on a potential love interest. Whether you’ve finally worked up the courage to ask out that hot girl in your biology lab, or you and your boyfriend have been together since high school, score points with unique date ideas that get you away from campus. A few suggestions sure to impress are below. Philadelphia Marrakesh Dim lighting, exotic tapestries, low, plush cushions to sit on, shared platters of hot, sweet food, not a utensil in sight…Restaurants don’t get much sexier than Marrakesh, a Moroccan treat tucked away on 5th and Leithgow Streets, just off South Street. Prepare to spend at least two hours lounging and enjoying the six-course pre-set menu. Impress your date by knowing you have to knock on the door upon arrival and wait to be let in. Price: 4 Service: 5 Romantic Setting: 5 Morris Arboretum Every now and then even the most ardent urbanite needs to leave the skyscrapers and honking horns behind. Make the most of a sunny afternoon by heading to the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, a serene 92-acre park made up of gardens, streams, winding paths and sculptures, plus a low-key café. Skip the tour and wander with your date on your own meandering timetable. Located on the northern edge of the city, the arboretum is easiest to get to via car. Admission is free for Penn students with a PennCard. Price: 2 Peacefulness: 5 Romantic Setting: 5 Max & David’s Kosher dining doesn’t immediately bring romance to mind, but who can argue with inventive, delectable dishes (that just happen to meet with a Rabbi’s approval)? Located in Elkins Park, Max & David’s serves internationally styled cuisine, from Turkish lamb meatballs with pomegranate and pine nuts, to chicken in penang curry. It’s a BYOB; wine must be kosher.  Download a list of suggested bottles at www.maxanddavids.com. Price: 4 Service: 4 Romantic Setting: 3 Mutter Museum Billed as “disturbingly informative,” the Mutter Museum in Center City gives you and your date the chance to test your tolerance for all things creepy and bizarre. Bond over display cases containing sliced sections of the human head, a piece of John Wilkes Booth’s thorax, a 7’6”-tall skeleton, and an exhibit on Siamese twins. Bring your student ID to save $4 off admission. Price: 2 Romantic Setting: Questionable North Bowl Knock out a strike -- and revel in those ugly shoes -- at North Bowl, a retro bowling alley/bar/restaurant in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighborhood. Nosh on tasty tater tots prepared with a variety of accoutrements, washed down with $2 Pabst. When you’re finished at the lanes, test your skills at one of the vintage arcade games or challenge your date to a round of pool. Price: 3 Service: 4 Peacefulness: 1 Washington, D.C. Love Café The name says it all. An unpretentious, WiFi-equipped eatery on the corner of 15th and U Streets, Love Café is perfect for couples looking to snack on tempting treats from famed bakery Cake Love (located down the street) while kicking back in a low-key setting. You can even design your own cupcake at the cupcake bar -- and what’s sweeter than that? Price: 2 Romantic Setting: 2 Peacefulness: 3 National Museum of Crime & Punishment Practice your aim in the National Museum of Crime & Punishment’s Wild West-themed shooting gallery, then check out the displays on criminals from Medieval times through today. Head over to the interactive Computer Hacking and Safe Cracking exhibits and see which one of you is better suited to a life of crime. The museum is located on 7th Street between E and F Streets. Price: 4 Romantic Setting: 1 Etete   In a city chock full of Ethiopian restaurants, Etete stands out with authentic, spicy cuisine and a chic-yet-cozy setting. The dishes, which are shared, are eaten by scooping up stews and sautés with crêpe-like bread, rather than with utensils -- creating an exotic dining experience for two. Ample options are offered for vegetarians. Price: 2 Romantic Setting: 3 Service: 4 DC by Foot This isn’t your parents’ walking tour. DC by Foot hits all the highlights -- the Lincoln Memorial, the White House, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and more -- without a hint of the cheesy spiels you had to sit still for in elementary school. Instead, guides entertain you and your date with funny historical anecdotes and irreverent tidbits. Best of all, it’s free (tips are accepted). Tours begin near the Washington Monument at the north corner of Constitution Avenue and 15th Street. Price: 1 Service: 5 Miniature Golf East Potomac Park is a great spot for a picnic or stroll, but did you know there’s also a mini-golf course touted as the oldest continually operating course in the country? Relive childhood by spending an afternoon on the (mini-) links surrounded by scenic cherry trees. The closest Metro station is Smithsonian. Price: 1 Peacefulness: 3 Romantic Setting: 3 +