Planning a Romantic Date in Brattleboro, Vermont

Planning a romantic date in Brattleboro, Vermont can be difficult, especially if one doesn't know the city that well. There are several well-kept secrets scattered throughout the town, however, that not only offer the perfect atmosphere for a romantic date, but are also excellent for groups to go to simply for fun. Hopefully this guide will help you turn what may have been an ordinary date in Brattleboro to a romantic date that won't soon be forgotten.

While the "dinner and a movie" date has become enormously cliche, it still offers a certain appeal, promising an evening full of romance. Brattleboro's downtown area, particularly Main Street, seems almost designed for the dinner and a movie date, offering several restaurants within easy walking distance of parking and an excellent movie theater. Two romantic restaurants sit side by side, in fact, on the well-traveled Elliot Street, which branches off from Main Street. Both T.J. Buckley's, at 132 Elliot Street, and Peter Havens, at 32 Elliot Street, offer amazingly good fare, with an extensive wine selection, comfortable seating, and a wonderful atmosphere. T.J. Buckley's focuses on creating fresh meals from local ingredients, while Peter Havens offers a continental menu with a focus on seafood. Seating is limited in both restaurants, however, with T.J. Buckley's actually housed in a small renovated train car; reservations are almost certainly required. For more information contact T.J. Buckley's at 802-257-4922 and Peter Havens at 802-257-3333.

Downtown Brattleboro is also well known for its international cuisine, from Thai food at the Thai Garden (802-251-1010), to Lebanese and Middle Eastern food at the Sarkis Deli and Café (802-258-4906), to Korean, Japanese and American at the Shin-La Restaurant (802-257-5226). All these restaurants offer excellent food at affordable prices, are in easy walking distance of ample parking, and are perfect for almost any romantic date.

Of course, the dinner and a movie date requires a movie after dinner; this is where the famous Latchis Theater comes in. Built in the early 20th Century, and sitting right at the foot of Brattleboro's Main Street, the Latchis offers three screens, and often focuses on the showing of artistic movies, although Hollywood blockbusters also have their place. The Latchis' main theater dates back to the creation of the building, and sports 750 seats, a balcony, Romanesque columns and architecture, and a beautiful ceiling decorated with the signs of the zodiac. Additionally, the Latchis Theater is in the same building as the Latchis Hotel, allowing a good romantic date to potentially get even better. For more information, including how to make reservations, visit www.latchis.com.

Of course, all romantic dates don't have to have both dinner and a movie; sometimes the simple dates are the best. Putney Road in Brattleboro offers a number of fine restaurants that are sure to wow your date, including the Panda North, which sports some of the finest Asian cuisine around, and the Steak Out, a steak house which offers meals including an all-you-can-eat soup and salad bar and desert bar. Both of these restaurants offer a beautiful romantic atmosphere, excellent food, and a good time. For more information or reservations, contact The Steak Out at 802-257-1333 and Panda North at 802-257-4578.

Wherever you take your date in Brattleboro, you're almost sure to have an excellent time. Taking hints from this simple guide, however, can help guarantee you have an excellent romantic time; good love and good luck!