7 Great Date Spots in Central Mass

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Meghan Ottolini, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Get a large popcorn at the Elm Draught House Cinema for $3. Photo: Flickr, SkypaxPictures.

It’s date night! Whether it’s your first date or your fiftieth, treat your special someone to a different kind of outing. There’s no need to drive all the way to Boston for change of pace.

The Leicester Triple Drive-In Theatre

Get romantic Grease-style at the Leicester Triple Drive-In Theatre, which dates back to 1966. Movies begin after dusk, the box office opens at 6pm, and it’s $20.00 per carload. Treat your sweetheart to popcorn and soda from the concessions stand.
Movies are shown Fridays and Saturdays from late spring until mid-June; 7 days a week Mid-June until the end of August: http://www.leicesterdrivein.net/.
1675 Main Street, Leicester, MA
Call (508) 892-4400 for up-to-date show information

Worcester Art Museum

This museum is a work of art in itself; stroll through the beautiful stone halls that contain over 35,000 works of art and culture. Pieces include European and North American paintings, photography, Asian art, and Contemporary Art. Grab lunch at The Museum Cafe, and dine on the outdoor deck in the summer. Preview exhibitions online at: http://www.worcesterart.org/.
Admittance for Adults: $14; College students with ID, Seniors: $12.
Gallery Hours are Wednesday-Friday, Sunday: 11am-5pm; Saturday: 10am-5pm; 3rd Thursday of every month: 11am-8pm.
5 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA

Higgins Armory Museum

Want to be her knight in shining armour? Take your date to the one-of-a-kind Higgins Armory Museum, home to over 4,000 pieces of armour. Tour collections from Renaissance Europe, Ancient Greece and Rome, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Japan.
Check out the events calendar for special shows on swordplay and falconry: http://www.higgins.org/calendar
Admittance for adults (age 17+) is $12.00, $9.00 for seniors and college students with ID, $7.00 for children (age 4 to 16).
100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA

Keep your sweetheartwarm snowtubing at Ski Ward. Photo: Flickr, Carl Lender.

Snow Tubing at Ski Ward

Bundle up and hit the slopes with your better half for a fun winter afternoon tubing. All tubing equipment is provided: http://skiward.com/tubing/tubing-overview/. Dress warmly and cuddle on the ski lift!
Weekdays from 4-8pm; Saturdays, Holidays, and School Vacations 10am-8pm; Sundays 10am-5pm. Weekdays $21, Weekends, Holidays, and School Vacations $23.
1000 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA

The Elm Draught House Cinema

Known simply as the “Elm” by locals, this cinema house is like no other. Enjoy beer and wine while you watch a flick. The movie selection is thinner than your usual multiplex, but tickets are only $4.50 and you can buy your date a large popcorn for $3.00. The Elm also shows live sporting events on the big screen at no cost, so cheer on the Sox with your significant other.
35 Elm Street, Millbury, MA
Call (508) 865-2850 for movie times

Visit and Tour the Wachusett Brewery

Tour this microbrewery together, founded by Worcester natives. Get a brief history of the brewery and beer samples, all free of charge: http://www.wachusettbrew.com. Voluntary contributions go to the Westminster Benefit fund for families in need.
Reservations: (978) 874-9965, ext. 21
175 State Road East, Westminster, MA

Performing Arts at the Hanover Theatre

Catch a show at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, whose original structure dates back to 1904. Performers range from the Blue Man Group to productions of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Check the website for upcoming shows: http://www.thehanovertheatre.org/shows/index.php.
Ticket prices typically range from $25 to $75.
2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA