Romance Is in the Air…

Need to rekindle the romance with your significant other? If so, check out these great ideas to help you do just that!

Take a day and visit the Bingham Waggoner Mansion and the Vaile Mansion in Independence, MO. Both have excellent, interesting tours. Plus, the grounds are fun for roaming. Then, treat yourselves to a romantic dinner at Vivilore in the Englewood Arts District. It is one of the great hidden gems of Kansas City. The best part? Their lush courtyard garden out back. Definitely request to be seated out there when you make your reservation. It’s magical. Oh, and be sure to get the bread pudding. Trust me. It’s divine. If you are really enjoying your time in Independence, plan to stay the night at Silver Heart Inn Bed & Breakfast. They not only have luxury guest rooms, they also have guest cottages available for booking. Their gourmet breakfast the next morning will have you ready for another day of sightseeing or for your trip back home. Silver Heart Inn also has monthly murder mystery dinners, if that’s up your alley.

For a romantic and adventurous dinner, try Corvino. They specialize in small plates. And even if you think you don’t like something, I guarantee you will at this restaurant. I am not a fan of mushrooms, and one of my favorite dishes there had oyster mushrooms. Same for caviar. I have dreamed about those dishes ever since. The seaweed donuts are also a must-try, as is the burger. If you are feeling especially adventurous, book their tasting room for a 10-course tasting menu guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. After you fill your stomach, make the 2-minute drive over to Green Lady Lounge for drinks and jazz. It’s dimly lit and speakeasy-ish with a romantic vibe—and the music is top notch.

Another great in-town location is the City Market. For more than 160 years, this place has been a favorite stop for locals and visitors. Open year round, the market offers produce, flowers, local goods, spices, shops and restaurants. Get down there early on a Saturday or Sunday to scout out the good produce and grab some coffee and a pastry from City Market Coffee House. Next, visit the stores and browse the various wares being offered by the local merchants. When your stomach starts feeling hungry, head to Bloom Baking Company for takeout. I highly recommend getting the chicken salad sandwich; it’s one of the best I’ve had anywhere.

A day trip up to Excelsior Springs, MO, is a great romantic outing! Start your day at Willow Spring Mercantile with lunch in their bistro/wine cellar. You can’t go wrong with any of their menu items, but you should definitely try the open-faced curry apple tuna melt. It’s delicious! After lunch, browse their store, which has the largest selection of Missouri wines in the world. They also carry Missouri-made distilled spirits and craft beers, coffee and tea, gifts, kitchen items and gourmet foods. Check out a few of the other stores located in downtown Excelsior Springs before heading to Fence Stile Vineyards & Winery for a wine tasting and wine cave tour. There, you will get to sample more than 10 different wines while learning about their history and their vineyards, as well as the winemaking process. Part of the tasting is done in the underground cave with only candles for light. It’s definitely romantic. I recommend taking another layer with you for the underground portion—it’s quite chilly in there. You might also consider staying the night at Payne Jailhouse Bed and Breakfast. Their three rooms are located in what used to be the old jailhouse back in the late ’20s to early ’50s. The owners love to tell stories about the history of the place. 

Parkville, MO, is a little town nestled next to the Missouri River that has charming shops and restaurants and is most certainly worth a few hours of your day. For a delightful lunch, grab some picnic fix-in’s and find a perfect spot to kick back at English Landing Park. Or, if a restaurant is more up your alley, head to lunch at Cafe des Amis, a French restaurant on Main Street. The French are known for love, after all. I recommend sitting on their beautiful patio if the weather is nice. The crepes, quiche and mussels are just some of the many great choices on their menu. After lunch, head over to Parkville Coffee before they close for some delicious coffee or tea.

For one of the best romantic outings, head to the Country Club Plaza one evening and take a stroll to see all the beautiful architecture, including the most famous fountain in Kansas City, the JC Nichols Fountain. After that, walk over to Brush Creek for a gondola ride with Ambiance on the Water. They are generally open from April 1 to Oct. 31, and they have a number of different packages you can choose from. To cap off your night, stop in at one of the Plaza’s many restaurants for a late dinner or a cocktail. If you are down there around the holidays, be sure to take in the 15 blocks of beautiful lights. It is quite a sight to behold!

Hannah Berry is a freelance writer who lives with her husband in Kansas City. They enjoy regular date nights and love trying new restaurants and activities.