We were pretty inspired by the epic first-date episode of Master of None. If you haven’t seen it yet, Aziz Ansari’s character, Dev, and Rachel, the girl he *just* started dating, go on a weekend trip to Nashville. It was sweet, funny and made us realize that Aziz Ansari has taught us quite a bit about love. Traveling solo is great, but traveling with someone you’re dating tells you so much about who they are — and who you are as a couple. What better way to find out if you’re compatible than by spending a full 48 hours exploring a new place together? While Nashville seemed like a perfect getaway, here are 10 more fun weekend cities to explore with your new boo.
1. Flagstaff, AZ: If you’re into outer space, Flagstaff is your place. It’s home to Lowell Observatory, the nation’s first astronomical research facility, as well as Meteor Crater, a huge (you guessed it) crater caused by a meteor just 35 miles outside the city center. The observatory offers nightly telescope observing, and is there anything more romantic than star gazing in the middle of the desert?
2. Richmond, VA: Named by National Geographic as one of the world’s top food destinations, RVA is an ideal date spot for you foodie couples who are looking to eat your way through a new city. There’s also an awesome art museum, a new bike trail along the James River and a festival going on every weekend during the summer. Take a street mural tour of art created by the Richmond Mural Project initiative (they aim to create 100 murals annually), shop the indie stores in Carytown and catch a concert at the National, a historic theater turned music venue.
3. Madison, WI: Madison has all of the makings of a truly memorable weekend away: beer, Frank Lloyd Wright, farmers’ markets and cheese. This gorgeous Midwest university town offers as many art and music options as it does outdoor and adventurous ones. Take a tour of several of Wisconsin native Frank Lloyd Wright‘s architectural masterpieces, have a drink at the University of Wisconsin’s Memorial Union Terrace, and take a romantic stroll through the lush Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
4. Palm Springs, CA: Sweat out your first date butterflies in the California desert. Take in the mid-century modern palm tree paradise — without the Coachella infiltration — at a leisurely pace. Palm Springs is all about rest and relaxation, so you and your boo can swap sibling stories while lounging poolside at The Parker. If you can’t sit still, take a trip up the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway (the largest tram in the world) for some jaw-dropping (and possibly vertigo-inducing) views of Coachella Valley.
5. Portland, ME: While the West Coast Portland usually gets all the love, Portland, Maine is just as worthy of a weekend trip. This small city has an incredible food scene and is full of outdoor adventure options if you want to get physical with your new love. Take a ferry to Peak’s Island, rent a bike and cruise the perimeter before settling in for some oysters at a resto on the water for the perfect Portland afternoon.
6. Savannah, GA: Spanish moss, haunted houses, lush squares — there’s no more romantic place in the country than Savannah. For super new relationships, the open container policy doesn’t hurt anything either. Grab two mint juleps and stroll through a few of Savannah’s 24 historic squares to see the best of the city’s charming antebellum architecture. If you’re both into ghost stories, visit the gorgeous and kinda spooky Bonaventure Cemetery.
7. Austin, TX: With so much to see, do, shop and drink, Austin will keep you and your bae busy all weekend — eliminating any chance for an awkward “what next?” conversation. Hit up vintage stores and taco stands in the afternoon and music venues (try the White Horse and the Paramount Theatre) and barbecue joints in the evenings. Take a power nap (or fit in anything else…) at the Heywood Hotel, then drink like the locals by hitting the bars on Rainey Street, such as the Lustre Pearl, a renovated house turned bar.
8. Montreal, Quebec: Dust off your high school French, grab your passport and head across the border to get lost in North America’s answer to old Europe. The hundred-year-old buildings and cobblestone streets are steeped in a crazy amount of history, so you and your new S.O. can learn each other’s favorite movie and the city’s origin story in the same afternoon. Check out Anthony Bourdain’s must-visit Montreal spots to get the insider track.
9. Louisville, KY: Book a room at the 21c Museum Hotel and grab an Uber to the nearest bourbon distillery to start a weekend full of fine drinks and modern art. Put a little skin in the game (wink, wink) and get in on some friendly and flirtatious horse race betting at Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby.
10. Gatlinburg, TN: Indulge your inner tourist and head to the Smokey Mountains for a thoroughly entertaining weekend filled with the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum of oddities and Dolly Parton’s amusement park, Dollywood. Does your new bae love Christmas? Stop by Christmas Place to experience all the lights and decorations of Christmas year-round. Gatlinburg is all kitsch, all the time, and will provide endless silly stories and inside jokes once you get back home.
Have you ever taken a weekend trip with someone you recently started dating? Tweet us @BritandCo and tell us where you went!
(Photos via Getty)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.