Spring is in full swing at the University of Mississippi. Tulips are blooming. Love and pollen are in the air. With no football games to attend, students are looking toward romance for weekend entertainment. Here is a list of local spring date ideas recommended by UM students.

Square Books and downtown stroll

Attention bookworms: Check out the Square’s intellectual scene and beautiful springtime landscaping. The winding shelves of Square Books offer the chance to show off thoughtfulness through gift-giving.

This is an ideal spring date for freshman public policy major Ella Grace Young.

“I would love to take a tulip walk around the Square,” Young said. “Also, I’m a big reader. I’ve always wanted to go on a book swap date. We could see the flowers, then go to Square Books and buy each other a book.”

Country cruising

Roll the windows down, turn up the music, have a deep conversation and enjoy the ride. Spring is the superior season for long drives along the winding roads of rural Mississippi.

Junior psychology major Ryleigh Overby recommends sightseeing on state Highways 30 and 334, as well as backroads in the area.

“One of my favorite dates is driving down backroads in the evening,” Overby said. “In Mississippi, you think there’s not a lot to see, but the country roads are so pretty.”

Picnicking

Don’t take Oxford’s extensive green spaces for granted. On an old-fashioned picnic, you can relish snacks, vitamin D and delightful company all at once.

Freshman business major Blair Burk suggested packing a blanket and a lunch to enjoy in Lamar Park or the Grove.

Sardis Lake

Nature lovers may appreciate a trip to Sardis Lake, located just 10 miles northwest of UM’s campus.

“Go do something your date enjoys, like a fishing date,” freshman integrated marketing communications student Ella Gilley said. “Maybe you won’t enjoy it, but do it for your partner.”

Dog walking

What better way is there to celebrate spring with your date than surrounded by cute animals? Ella Foren, a freshman psychology major, described her ideal spring date as walking a dog from the Oxford Animal Rescue Center for a day.

“You can take a dog on a walk and basically rent a dog for the day so the dogs in the shelter get playtime,” Foren said. “I love animals, and I would love it if someone would do that with me.”

Horseback riding

There is something inherently romantic about riding horses, especially with your prince (or princess) charming. Whether you are a novice rider or an expert equestrian, exploring blossoming trails on a majestic steed fosters adventure and connection. Oak View Stables in Olive Branch, Miss., offers horseback riding lessons.

“I think dates can feel a little awkward because you have high expectations,” freshman public health major Emerald Nyambat said. “With horseback riding, it is so natural, and you are occupied. Also, seeing your guy  riding a horse would be hilarious.”

Painting

Spring is the season of color. Why not capture its essence through brush strokes? Even if you are
not an art major, painting allows couples to unleash their creativity and bond over a peaceful
activity. Senior psychology major Daisy Nunez said she wants to paint with her date in a scenic
location.

“It’s perfect for me because you are able to get distracted with what you are doing but also able to talk with your date so you are not awkwardly staring at them,” Nunez said.

Pickleball

Spice up your romance and bring out your date’s competitive side with a pickleball game. The ultimate mix of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, pickleball is more difficult than it appears.

Freshman secondary English education major Catherine Maitre said that playing pickleball with her boyfriend is her favorite date. She describes herself as an intermediate-level player. However, Maitre does not recommend pickleball for a first outing.

“This is definitely a third or fourth date. If you’re not good at pickleball, it can be embarrassing,” Maitre said.

Drive-in movie theater

Take a trip down memory lane for a movie in the great outdoors. The soft glow of the screen and echo of crickets make drive-in movies a relaxing experience. The nearest drive-in theater is the Malco Summer-Drive-In in Memphis, Tenn.

Peyton Knope, a sophomore exercise science major, said drive-in movie theaters are a great way
to spend time with someone without worrying about carrying on a conversation.

Baseball games

Swing into spring with your crush at an Ole Miss Baseball game. Hotdogs, popcorn and beer showers are a classic recipe for romance — the Hotty Toddy way.

Teddy Bond, a freshman accounting major, said dates like baseball games help ease connection because they are casual and fun.

Coffee on the Croft porch

The lovely porch overlooking the Grove at the Croft Institute for International Studies is perfect for spring coffee dates.

“I’d love to take my girlfriend to the (J.D. Williams Library) Starbucks for her favorite white mocha, and we’d sit outside on the Croft porch and talk,” international studies major Sven Ise said. “I really don’t care what the date is, though. I just enjoy spending time with her.”

Perhaps location is not the most important part of a dream spring date, but rather who you are spending time with. Let these ideas keep stress at bay when planning your next romantic outing, but remember to focus on the person in front of you, not perfecting your itinerary.

This article is part of a team-up week activity that the arts and culture section of The Daily Mississippian is hosting. Each arts and culture staff writer collaborated with another writer to complete an article for this week of content.