By Katrina Simyab | Photos: left Hodge Podge, photography by Hillary Schave; right courtesy Tricky Foods
Whether it’s a girl’s get-together or a date night, one thing rings true — it’s fun to spend quality time together. Bonus points if you bond over a new activity, like some of our suggestions below. These fun outings are perfect for a beloved group of besties or out with that special someone.
Craft and Create
Grab your gals and drop into Fired Up Pottery for hands-on fun. Choose from 150 pre-made pottery pieces and 100 paint colors to get crafty quickly — no creative experience required. Or, jump behind a pottery wheel to make your own creation. Making fused glass pieces is also an option, including jewelry, plates and more. Whatever you choose, no reservations are required, but for specific times or groups larger than eight, call in advance to ensure they can accommodate your group. fireduppottery.com
Snack and Socialize
Reconnect over sips and snacks in a heated, outdoor globe at Tricky Foods. Start by splitting an Instagram-worthy charcuterie tray and finish off the night with chocolate-covered strawberries and bubbly beverages. Bring some extra blankets to keep things cozy, and if any pups are on your list of nearest and dearest — good news — they are welcome too.
Each private globe seats eight and can be reserved for an hour and a half — so book sooner rather than later. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to snag spots at one of their upcoming beaded jewelry pop-ups as well. notsotrickyfoods.com
(Want to win a night out at Tricky Foods? Enter our giveaway here!)
Wine and Design
No matter the artistic level of your group, everyone can enjoy wine sipping and brush dipping their way through a guided art lesson. Over the course of a two-hour Wine & Design class, participants are provided all of the art supplies they need to paint a unique work of art, along with an optional array of wine, beer, mocktails and cocktails to choose from. Who knows? Maybe the next Georgia O’Keeffe is hiding in your friend group.
Hike and Huddle
Lace up those hiking boots and hit the Ice Age Trail for a little outdoor adventure. The Verona Segment is 6.4 miles long and is newbie-friendly, traversing over three county parks and some suburban terrain. Take a small detour about halfway through to warm up at Hodge Podge with a piping hot cocoa or latte flight, before circling back or finishing the full segment. For more trail segments nearby, check out this list of easy pre-planned day hikes.
iceagetrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Verona.pdf, iceagetrail.org/explore/plan-hike/day-hikes
Shop and Stroll
Find a new favorite creator on Feb. 23 while strolling the stalls at the fifth annual Femmestival at Garver Feed Mill. The food and art festival “is designed to uplift women, femmes and nonbinary entrepreneurs, artists and producers in the Madison area,” according to their event listing.
After shopping, walk over to Olbrich Gardens for a taste of the tropics at their Orchid Escape exhibition. This annual exhibition features hundreds of beautiful orchids, all showcased in the balmy tropical climate of the Bolz Conservatory. garverevents.com, olbrich.org/calendar/orchid-escape