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Great Dates: Urban walking date

Itinerary

1. Visit Nickel City Cheese & Mercantile
2. Walk up Elmwood
3. Take Bird Avenue to Lincoln Parkway
4. Picnic lunch and walk at Hoyt Lake
5. Exterior visit at Albright-Knox Art Gallery
6. Dessert at Zillycakes
7. Select romantic trappings at Lotions & Potions
8. Shop for your home at Reimagine
9. Drink at Blue Monk
10. Mother Nature Plant Emporium

 

Highlights

Picnic blanket in hand, begin at Nickel City Cheese & Mercantile, where you’ll grab a loaf of Elm Street Bakery bread, a wedge of Ubriacone (red wine-soaked raw cow’s milk cheese from Italy), a half pound of prosciutto, and some olives. Head up Elmwood Avenue until you reach Bird Avenue, and turn right. At Bird and Soldier’s Circle, you’ll see the William R. Heath House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Make your way up Lincoln Parkway to stroll past picturesque gardens and striking architecture until you reach Hoyt Lake. Scope out a cozy spot near the water, throw your blanket on the grass, and savor eating and chatting awhile.

After lunch, follow the path along the water, pause at the Rose Garden, and explore the art outside the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Circle the gallery’s grounds, pausing to ponder each outdoor sculpture, before making your way back to Elmwood. Stop at Zillycakes to enjoy a cupcake—encourage your spouse to depart from the classic chocolate or vanilla and try one of the month’s seasonal flavors. Window-shopping as you continue, pop into Lotions & Potions. Inhale the aromatherapy bar’s lush fragrances before checking out the nook of unmentionables, stocked with beautiful, lacy lingerie and romance-enticing treats. Why not choose a souvenir or two?

Next, slip into Reimagine to explore home furnishings. A vintage furniture boutique, the store specializes in midcentury modern and retro goods, and if you are home-design-challenged, consider inquirying about interior design services. You’ve likely worked up quite a thirst from all that walking, so grab a stool and a cool beverage at Blue Monk. Their beer selection features thirty-two taps of Belgian beers and European and American craft brews, as well as an impressive list of bottled beers. Before you head home, visit Mother Nature Plant Emporium to select a fresh cut flower bouquet to take home as a fragrant reminder of the day.