From coffee to cocktails, birds to bitters, and sled dogs to sunsets, there’s a December activity for everyone.
Instead of burrowing yourself deeper into the couch cushions this winter, why not spice up your dating routine or family night with one of these cold-weather date night ideas? From meeting dog sled pups and learning how to curl like a Canadian, to visiting the South American birds at the Tracy Aviary and catching otherworldly sunsets at Great Salt Lake, we have plenty of ideas for getting you out of your wintertime rut.
Meet the Adorable Sled Dog Pups at Rancho Luna Lobos
Who doesn’t love puppies, especially adorable dog-sledding puppies? Not only does Summit County’s Rancho Luna Lobos offer dog sled rides and beginner dog mushing courses, it also offers kennel tours where you can learn about the world of sled dog racing and meet their team of amazing dog athletes up close. Tours are family-friendly and allow for some hands-on time with the dogs, plus there may be new puppies to meet.
Learn to Curl like the Olympians
What better way to spend date night than learning a new sport, especially one that looks as ridiculously fun as curling. The Utah Olympic Oval Learn to Curl Doubles Program is designed for beginners and makes a fantastic date night activity. This two-hour on-the-ice class teaches the basics of the sport including proper sweeping techniques.
Learn How to Make Craft Winter Cocktails with the Bitters Lab
For an interesting date night from the comfort of your own home, learn a bit about the world of bitters while making some cozy winter craft cocktails with Salt Lake City’s very own craft bitters company, Bitters Lab. In addition to their virtual workshop options, they will be holding a New Year’s Eve Eve bash class where attendees will learn how to concoct some cozy winter cocktails while also enjoying a live musical guest. Participants are emailed a shopping list for class in advance and can also purchase a cocktail kit from Bitters Lab to accompany the workshop.
Wander Through the World of Vincent Van Gogh at this Immersive Exhibit
The bright lighting and quiet vibe of a traditional art exhibit may not be your first choice for a romantic date night or family outing, but the Beyond Van Gogh art experience is not your typical gallery. From now through December 31, 2021, Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is running at Atmosphere Studios, a new events venue in downtown Salt Lake City.
Scenes from Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous works come alive as they’re projected onto the floors and walls of the gallery so you can literally walk through the swirling clouds in Starry Night and the cobbled streets of the Cafe Terrace at Night.
Entry is timed to ensure enough distance among attendees, and all tickets must be purchased in advance online.
Create Your Own Charcuterie Board at 3 Cups Coffee
Holladay’s 3 Cups Coffee is now open in the evenings for wine and cheese. This quaint, family-run cafe is an ideal happy hour spot for first dates or anniversaries. Their menu is simple ― select a wine, choose among several cheese and meat options to build your own charcuterie board, and sample one of their house-made desserts. Want to learn more about wine? Take one of their many winter wine workshops such as the Wine and Donuts class, where you’ll learn how to properly pair wine with sweets while breaking all the snobby wine pairing rules.
Visit the Love Birds at the Tracy Aviary
Entrance to the Tracy Aviary is only a dollar on select Wednesdays during the winter months, making this a great economical winter activity for large families. Some of the aviary birds are much more active in the winter, such as Andy the Andean Condor who puts on quite a show. Just make sure to bundle up and arrive before 4pm. The Aviary closes at 5pm during the winter months.
Catch a Sunset at Great Salt Lake While You Still Can
Great Salt Lake recorded its lowest recorded mark in history this summer thanks to drought and the Wasatch Front’s unquenchable thirst for water. This trend of declining lake levels is expected to continue if action is not taken to save it, so go out and catch a sunset at the lake while you still can. Winter sunsets are the best. The colors are much more vivid, and the colors tend to last longer due to the lower angle of the sun this time of year. Grab a picnic dinner, an extra puffy coat, and some shoes you don’t mind getting caked in lake mud, and head out to the beaches near Saltair or Antelope Island for a stellar light show.
Sled Down Utah’s Longest Snow Tube Lanes
You don’t have to be a skier to enjoy Utah’s supposed Greatest Snow on Earth. Tubing is a way less-expensive way to enjoy Utah’s mountains plus it’s a great activity for all members of the family since it doesn’t require a whole lot of skill. Soldier Hollow near Midway boasts the longest tubing lanes in Utah, with a convenient lift to pull you back up the hill.
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