Romantic Moments In And Around Atlanta - Dads Garage and Stars and Strikes Bowling

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

A few weekends ago my husband and I got a much needed break, thanks to my mom. Since I homeschool, my amazing children are pretty much with me 24/7 and sometimes this mom desperately needs a break. She offered to take the children for 3 ENTIRE days and we gladly accepted. It has been quite some time since we had a weekend all to ourselves and we knew we did not want to spend it sitting around watching Redbox movies (which is generally our go to date night). Luckily we live in Metro Atlanta so there are hundreds of great date ideas to choose from.

For this special weekend we choose to Dads Garage in Little Five Points and Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center in Sandy Springs as our date destinations.

Dads Garage:
Dads Garage is the perfect date destination if you like improv. I have been to Dads Garage several times with my homeschool mom friends for moms night out but the last time my husband and I had a date there was before we had children.

Dads Garage was founded in 1995 and has grown from a small volunteer led organization to a thriving mid-size theatre led by professional artistic and administrative staff. The family at Dad's has continued to grow along with them and now includes over 300 volunteers and performers.

Dads Garage shows currently take place at the 7 Stages Theater in Little 5 Points. They are working very hard on raising funds for a new permanent building of their own. Shows take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The temporary venue is very spacious, seating is comfortable and the stage is very large. Show prices are around $12 on average, but can be anywhere from $4-$23 depending on the show and day/time. The show does have mature content so it is best for 18 years and older. There is an intimate bar/coffee shop that serves beer, wine and light snacks before and during the show. 

We saw the TheatreSports show which is Dads Garage longest running show. TheatreSports will have you laughing hysterically and rolling in your seat. The show is a fast-paced improv competition that features the best improvisers in the city and uses the audiences suggestions to fuel the show. My favorite skit was when they used an audience members text messages. During the 90 minute escapade you will be entertained by two teams, a host/referee (though I don't think they are always impartial), the infamous scum box (which helps keep things in line) and I cannot leave out the lighting dude and keyboard extraordinaire. There is a 15 minute intermission during the show so you can get a beverage refill or use the restroom. The show was absolutely fantastic and moved at a great pace. It was endlessly entertaining and leaves you eagerly anticipating your next visit. After the show you can thank your improv actors during a meet and greet in the lobby.

Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center:
Before we had children we used to go bowling at least 3 times a month with our group of friends. It was something I always looked forward too. Don't get me wrong I enjoy bowling with my children too but I am so busy making sure they are happy and not running off that I don't really get to enjoy myself like I used to.

For our bowling date we had a private lane in the Blue Room. This room is great for a night out with the friends, a special celebration with the family or corporate events of all sizes. The room has 8 private Blue Bowling Lanes. Blue Room lanes are $34.99-$49.99 and Traditional Lanes are $24.99-$34.99.

Features include:

• High-tech LED light show
• Giant, 100 foot HD video wall
• Privacy curtains
• Dedicated state-of-the-art sound system
• The Blue Bar; a private, full service bar
• Comfortable, upscale lounge area complete with large HD Screens
• Private event space that is perfect for your next group or corporate outing
• Dedicate service staff to cater to your every need

All of the employees were fabulous and very attentive. Believe it or not you can work up an appetite while bowling so an appetizer was a must. We opted for the loaded nachos which were out of this world. After bowling 4 games and totally beating my husband (okay I'm lying about that last part) we headed to the arcade. I NEVER get to play arcade games, so boy did my inner geek go crazy. We raced motorcycles and cars, shot aliens and sailed a pirate ship. We laughed, played and had fun together just like the old days. It was the perfect date!

What is your favorite date destination?

I Am A Zoo Atlanta Media Ambassador - Brew At the Zoo, June Events And More

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

I have some exciting news. I recently became a Zoo Atlanta Media Ambassador. So what does this mean for you? Well I will be able to give you the inside scoop on upcoming events, behind the scenes looks, details about special family programs and updates on the different animal conservation initiatives happening at the zoo. Zoo Atlanta's mission is to inspire all people to value the wildlife on Earth and help safeguard existing species through conservation.

I will try to give you an update at the beginning of each month about zoo events and announcements. Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for even more updates including photos during our visits.

Brew at the Zoo:
Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Brew at the Zoo event with my good friend Cassandra. It was the best mom's night out I've had in awhile. Brew at the Zoo is held once a year in May and is definitely a must attend event. The zoo closes early and opens it doors to the 21 and over crowd for a night of music, drinking, fun and of course animals! The event starts at 5:30 pm and ends at 9:30. All you can drink beer and wine are included with the admission prices (you even get a souvenir cup to take home). There were 13 types of wine and 69 types of beer to sample at various stations throughout the zoo. Last call is at 7:45 pm so be sure you get all your tastings done before then. For an additional fee you can even pick up dinner at several places throughout the zoo. The entertainment for the evening (besides the animals of course) was several local bands stationed throughout the zoo each providing some rockin' tunes. There were keepers and volunteers stationed around the zoo to answer questions and give you an up close look at some of the zoo animal ambassadors. We had the privileged of seeing 2 snakes, an alligator and a Tenrec up close (I'm talking only inches away). The animals were all very active, which was a nice treat. I'm guessing it probably was because it was evening time and the temperature was cooler.  The best part of the evening was definitely seeing the lion cubs frolic and play. If you haven't had too much to drink and can handle it you can ride the carousel and train for free too. Tickets to Brew at the Zoo are $35 for Zoo Atlanta members and $43 for non-members. VIP tickets, which include a Brew at the Zoo T-shirt, access to an air-conditioned lounge, exclusive tastings, private bathrooms and a special animal experience, are $85. If you decide to attend this event next year make sure you get your tickets in advance because this event does sell out!

Upcoming June Events and Programs:
This week visit the zoo for Art Gone Wild Paint Out Week. Guests get the opportunity to watch over 30 artists create art en plein air. During Paint Out Week, artists will be stationed throughout the Zoo, using the scenery as their muse to create canvas art. Art Gone Wild Paint Out Week starts Monday, June 2 and ends Friday, June 6. Paint Out Week is completely free for guests with the purchase of a general admission ticket to the Zoo. Click here for more information about Art Gone Wild Paint Out Week.

We are headed to the zoo tomorrow to check to check out the animals and artists, be sure to follow us on Instagram to see photos during our visit.

The finished art work will all be displayed Saturday, June 14 during the Art Gone Wild Art Show and Silent Auction. You can mix and mingle with the Art Gone Wild artists and bid on their zoo-inspired pieces. The art show and silent auction will be held in Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC) at Zoo Atlanta. Click here for more information about the art show and silent auction.

June 7: Cub Scout Workshop         
June 4 & 7: Adventure Cubs - Animal Dads
June 12: Wild on the Rocks- Feathers and Flights
June 14: Art Gone Wild - Art show
June 14: Family Night Crawler - Outstanding Oceans

June 15: Father's Day at the Zoo

June 21: Asian Heritage Day

Announcements:

Okra Mae the sloth is pregnant!

Shirley's warthogpiglets have names. Meet Lex and Eleanor.

Did you know Zoo Atlanta has an FREE app? Download here for iPhone.

For more information about upcoming events/programs and announcements visit the Zoo Atlanta website.