Are you looking for a romantic and affordable date night this holiday season? Look no further! The Dawes Arboretum’s Winter Wonders Walk is the perfect solution for you and your partner. Whether it is your first date or your 40th, you’ll find beauty, wonder, and joy at The Arboretum. Here are ten tips to have the best date at Winter Wonders Walk this December!
Late Night Means Sparks Shine Bright: Book the 7:30-9 Time Slot
Being early at an event is great, but choosing the second time slot at Winter Wonders Walk is even greater. The velvety dark of the later hours makes the beautiful light displays twinkle even brighter. Wander a quieter trail and warm your hands together by the warming barrels, stop for a nice hot chocolate or coffee at the food trucks, and laugh through fun activities that capture childlike joy of the season like crafts, visiting Santa or petting reindeer.
Meet those ‘Couple Goals’ with Photos for the ‘Mems’
You’re going to have so many great opportunities this year for photo ops that you can use for your annual Christmas card, posting on socials, sharing with friends and more! Capture that twinkle in each other’s eyes under the light arch. Celebrate the joy of the season with pictures with Santa Claus or one of his reindeer. Make unforgettable memories with a snapshot with our mascot, Darby! We’ll also have an ice sculpture demo that will turn into a selfie station on December 12.
Cozy Up by Sharing a Hot Drink
Are those rosy cheeks the warm drink, the chilly night or love in the air? Maybe all of the above! Kickoff the night with a stop at the BH Coffee Food Truck which will be available for purchase every night of Winter Wonders Walk. Share a hot chocolate or coffee, warming you for that lovely winter .8 mile paved walk. Take in the beautiful uplit trees on the Parkwoods Trail with warm hands and hearts.
Win Over Their Heart with the Beauty of Live Music
Hold hands, sway together and enjoy classic Christmas carols from local choirs as they serenade you with their melodic voices in the Sunken Garden by the historic Daweswood House. Local choirs will be visiting on December 5, 6, 12, and 13 and will provide a perfect opportunity for you and your date to enjoy a mini-concert beneath the stars.
Start an Annual Crafty Tradition
Work together as a team and create a holiday craft in our Visitors Center. It’s a fun, creative way to create a piece of your shared history with an ornament you can take home and hang for years to come. Sign and date the back for a lasting memory. This could start a holiday tradition that includes visiting The Arboretum every holiday season!
Show Your Generous Spirit and Share in the Giving
This holiday season, The Arboretum is supporting three local food pantries: Jacksontown Food Pantry, The Food Pantry Network of Licking County, and Clintonville-Beechwold Resource Center. You can show your generosity and your shared commitment to supporting the community by dropping off non-perishable food items and grocery store gift cards at the front desk in our Visitor Center. To learn what pantries are requesting this holiday season, learn more here.
Hold Hands as You Walk the Parkwoods Trail
Make sure you leave time to walk around and admire the beautiful uplit trees on the Paved Parkwoods trail! Learn about each other while you learn about nature and the trees we have here at The Arboretum.
Start a New Date Ritual with a Discount Membership
Looking to start a new habit of couple walks among nature? Dawes has over 2000 acres to explore. Gifting your date a membership gives you a peaceful, beautiful, safe space for regular walks where you can explore and connect with each other and nature. Members of The Arboretum pay a one-time annual fee and receive special perks, free admission year round, as well as discounts on events like Winter Wonders Walks. You can purchase a membership during your date or online by visiting here.
Those Who Shop Together Stay Together
Want to surprise your date with a gift? Visit our gift shop, pay attention to what they are interested in and purchase it before you leave. Are both of you looking for last minute Christmas gifts for family members or friends? A visit to the gift shop is a great opportunity to shop together and find unique gifts for every person on your list: outdoor toys for kids, ornaments, handmade-jewelry inspired by the outdoors, warm hats, gloves and scarves, maple syrup, Dawes Arboretum-specific merch and more! Make sure to also pick up a memento to remember your date before you leave.
Join Us on Socials
We love seeing our visitors have fun and explore The Arboretum – so tag us in the photos of your date @thedawesarboretum. We’re on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and BlueSky.
We look forward to seeing you for Winter Wonders Walk this December! To learn more about dates, time slots and admission costs, please visit here.