Beaver Creek Lake is located just off the West 250 Bypass on Brown’s Gap Turnpike in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The largest body of water in the area’s park system, Beaver Creek Lake is punctuated by grassy knolls ideal for unfolding a picnic blanket and napping under the sun. While swimming in the lake is prohibited, the park is open to the public from 7:00am to dusk and provides public restrooms.

I would suggest stopping by the gourmet cheese and meat counter at Feast (416 West Main Street) before venturing out to the lake. While there, grab a fresh baguette for $3 and ask the cheese mongers about a recommendation for a cheese and meat pairing.

Go West on Barracks/Garth Road and make a left on Sugar Hollow Road in White Hall. Take the route past the reservoir and, once the road turns to dirt, you will likely encounter a makeshift parking lot of other hikers’ vehicles. Cross the creek and follow the old fire road for about two miles or 20-30 minutes (the trail runs parallel to the creek). What you’ll encounter at the end of your hike is one of the deepest swimming holes in the area. The mountain water is chilly and crisp (even in the deep heat of summer), so don’t forget to bring a towel. I would also recommend toting a bottle of rosé along with you, as you might need some liquid courage for the rope swing!

Go East from Charlottesville on Route 250 (bypass), to Route 20 North and proceed 16 miles. Barboursville Vineyards will be visible on your right, turn as indicated by the signs. The winery’s tasting room offers several varietals of reds, whites, and dessert wines, harvested by the estate’s resident winemaker, Luca Paschina. Purchase a bottle of your select choice, and venture to the brick ruins of the original estate home, designed by Thomas Jefferson in the early 1800s. You can sit there amongst the columns and take in the scenery of Barbour Era Orange County.

Just on the other side of Belmont at 221 Carlton Road, Aqui Es Mexico offers a diverse array of Latin American culinary choices. From sopes (a thick tortilla with vegetable and meat toppings) to pupusas (a flatbread filled with cheese and meats), Aqui Es Mexico provides an honest gastronomic portrait of authentic Mexican and El Salvadorian cuisine. Try one of the combinaciones (most priced at under $9) and you can taste several items at once.

As it’s name suggests, First Fridays, a staple event in the Charlottesville arts community, falls on the first Friday of each month. Downtown Charlottesville’s ever-increasing number of art galleries, featuring live dance and art performances and hanging multimedia exhibitions, open their doors for public viewing. In tandem with the gallery openings, the Charlottesville Pavilion features outdoor musical events by both local and national headlining artists. Snag your date at 5pm, hop on the free trolley, and venture downtown, where droves of art lovers hold their own evening gallery progressive. Bottle service included. Check out Piedmont Council of the Arts’ calendar for a list of First Friday events.

Petit Pois, the younger sister of Fleurie Restaurant, is nestled beside Zocalo in the centerfold of the Downtown Mall at 201 East Main Street. Take a seat on the patio and enjoy the Crepe of the Day (served with a salad) at $8 or the Seared Hanger Steak at $11.50. A reasonable discount from the dinner prices, lunch offerings at Petit Pois are perfectly portioned and maintain the gusto of evening presentation quality.

Featuring a covered balcony overlooking the railroad tracks at 817 West Main Street, L’Etoile represents one of the best commercial conversions of historical register property in Charlottesville. Maintaining the character of the building, the restaurant utilizes its perhaps not-so-prime location by the tracks with elegant success. Try the Tarragon and Roasted Walnut Chicken Salad ($10) or the Virginia Ham, Cheddar, and Apple Butter Sandwich ($10). If you want to splurge, add a glass of Viognier on the side.

Fairly self-explainable. On Wednesday evenings, the Live Arts Center (at 123 East Water Street) offers a live performance show at a “pay what you can” price. Suggested donation is between $5-10, depending on the type of show. As per etiquette, be as generous as you can afford. Visit the Center’s website for more information about the offer as well as a calendar list of upcoming events.

For a less-orthodox approach to the classic date, take a trip to the Community Bikes center at 612C Preston Avenue (right across from the Preston Bodo’s). There, you can (for free!) fashion your own bike under the guidance of one of the center’s pretty damn cool bike-building experts. From start to finish, you are limited to two months to complete your creation. The reward is, well, your very own bicycle.

An un-advertised chalkboard menu hangs above the bar at Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar in the Main Street Market complex at 416 West Main Street. Siesta offerings include cuisine from across the Mediterranean – Spanish, French, Italian, and Greek dishes complement an extensive wine list. (I’m a sucker for the mussels and a glass of rosé.) Take a seat on the patio, or relax at the bar and chat with the owners, who are can be found there most afternoons.