It's obvious that the North Country is heralded for it scenic landscape, extravagant winter comforts, and activities. It's no New York City, that's for sure. Hiking through the Adirondacks or visiting borderline cities may not fit into the basic idea of romance for the average resident or student in Plattsburgh.

So how could one create and experience an atmosphere of romance for the perfect lover's rendezvous in a town like Plattsburgh, that lacks the wide array of choices, nightlife, and the excitement of New York City?

The answer is quite simple. While Plattsburgh may not be New York City, rest assured that this town contains the components for a pleasure-filled and memorable evening—whether you are on the first date, planning a night of romance with that special someone, or just in need of a romantic getaway. You just have to know where to go to find them.

Gift Ideas

No date is complete without that extra touch—in this case, a great gift for that dream guy or girl. Plattsburgh offers a variety of shopping areas and stores with unique gift ideas.

The Flower Market is an excellent place to find fresh and beautiful flowers that you can pick up before the date. If your partner loves flowers, you could integrate a walk through the market as part of your date so that she can choose her very own.

Who can resist beautiful flowers?

The Champlain Centre is a mall comprised of 100 stores and specialty shops that provide great gifts to accommodate both sexes. Women can browse through and find sexy lingerie, or visit the sports stores and pick up a great gift for her guy. For the men who want to move away from the traditional flowers, these stores offer other options such as bath accessories, scented lotions, candles, and chocolate.

Another option is to treat your date to a revitalizing spa treatment at Hara's Beauty Salon and Spa. A massage will help loosen the pre-date tension, while the Aromatherapy will reinvigorate your senses.

Dining

For couples who prefer a more upscale restaurant, Irises Café and Wine Bar is an excellent choice that serves contemporary American Cuisine and also offers you the option of a private dinning room so you can have that alone time with your lover.

The Butcher Block is also another great restaurant that offers a variety of seafood and steak dishes and provides an eloquent dining atmosphere that's suitable for special occasions.

For people with an acquired taste for fine wine, Anthony's Restaurant and Bistro is the ideal place to indulge. Anthony's is the twelve-year winner of Wine Spectator Magazine's "Award of Excellence." Anthony's also offers you the pleasure of fine dining in a soothing country setting.

Late Night Cocktails

The perfect time to get to know your date better and build up your physical attraction is by lounging and enjoying a few drinks at Geoffrey's Pub and Restaurant. You can choose to dine here, drink at the pub, or get cozy and snuggle in the lounge.

Bootlegger's Pub and Brewery is the ideal place for beer lovers, featuring ten beer specialties made on the premises. Bootlegger's also offers a breakfast,

The drinks never stop flowing here

lunch, and dinner menu featuring Texan, Mexican, Smokehouse, and other American specialties.

Club life

The most frequented clubs in Plattsburgh are all located downtown within close proximity to each other. They include Tabu, Bogart's, and PeaBody's, and all feature a variety of today's most popular music. At Tabu you can choose the live music section, join the other revelers on the club floor, or just take in the club scene from the balcony. For the more avid club-goers who enjoy getting down and dirty to the music, Bogart's would be an excellent choice.

Accommodations

If you're planning on staying over for some all-night romance and need the perfect place for privacy and seclusion, the Point Au Roche Lodge offers all that and more. It's located across from the state park and is comprised of only eight bedrooms—four of which feature a fireplace and Jacuzzi. With no doubt, Point Au Roche Lodge ensures that you have maximum privacy, setting the mood for classic romance.

For the young and sporty lovers, The Comfort Inn caters to your every need and also features over fifty games including air hockey, a pool table, a game arcade, miniature golf course, battling cages, and bumper boats. When you get tired, relax in the pool, sauna, or Jacuzzi. You can also feast on the meals in the Brew Pub Restaurant, or simply enjoy each other's company in the privacy of your room.

Creative options

Other creative options that could be included in your date are Moonlight Bowling at North Bowl Lanes. Delight in each other's company by taking a romantic walk through the park, like River Walk, or have a picnic during the spring and summer seasons.

Couples who delight in artistic expression could attend a theater play at the Plattsburgh State University Myers Fine Arts building, or view art pieces at the Plattsburgh State Art Museum. You could also choose to sight see through the town by visiting the local antique shops, craft stores, Clinton County Historical Museum, or the McDonough monument.

As you have seen, there really are a lot of options here in Plattsburgh, without even mentioning all the fun that you can have visiting the nearby Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. So whether you are married, long-term lovers, or planning your first few dates, you can utilize several of these ideas to create the perfect date with that special someone.

Know of another great date venue? Tell us about it!

Butcher Block
(518) 563-0920

Irises Cafe & Wine Bar:
(518) 566-7000

Bootleggers Pub and Brewery:
(518) 561-6222

8-Ball Billiards Cafe:
(518) 561-0537

Plattsburgh State Museum:
(518)-564-2813

Clinton County Historical Museum:
(518)-561-0340.

Champlain Centers:
60 Smithfield Boulevard
(518)-561-8660

Anthony’s Restaurant and Bistro:
538 Route 3
(518)-561-6420

Point Au Roche Lodge:
(518)-563-8714

Geoffrey’s Pub:
(518)-561-3091

North Bowl Lanes:
(518)-561-1690

Tabu Night Club:
(518)-566-0666

Peabody’s:
(518)-561- 0158

Hara Salon and Spa INC:
(518)-566-0566