Best Places For Rekindling The Romance In Detroit

Kids love summer vacation, but for parents it can be stressful managing work schedules, child care, play dates and family excursions. As summer winds down and the kids head back to school, take advantage of the lull before after-school activities, sports and tutoring get underway, and spend a day alone with your partner. Send the kids off to grandma's house, turn off your smartphone and visit these romantic Detroit-area spots to help you both rekindle and reconnect.

Café Muse
418 S. Washington Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 544-4749
www.cafemuseroyaloak.comStart the day with brunch at Café Muse in Royal Oak. The simple-yet-elegant menu, based on European dining, utilizes produce, meat and honey from local farmers. Order something sweet, such as the stuffed french toast with marscapone and five-pear nage, or a savory dish, such as the exotic mushroom scramble with boursin cheese and truffle oil. Come a little later in the morning and try the café's famous grilled three-cheese sandwich with tomato, basil and honey. The lunch rush might take away from some of the romantic ambience, so shoot for non-peak hours.

Tamara Spa
32520 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 855-0474
www.tamaraspa.comTamara Spa caters to couples with romantic packages that combine massage, facials, maincures, pedicures and other spa services in an indulgent two- to four-hour session. The private double suite, steam room and dining room provide an air of intimacy and romance, enhancing the relaxing and rejuvenating treatments. Unwind as the aromatherapy and massage provide a mini-retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Some packages include snacks, meals or champagne for toasting your togetherness.

Related: Best Spa Packages And Gift Certificates In Detroit

Cranbrook House & Gardens
380 Lone Pine Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI  48303
(248) 645-3147
www.cranbrook.eduEnjoy the late summer weather with a self-guided tour through the house and gardens of Cranbrook Educational Community. Explore the history of Cranbrook manor house, the oldest in southeast Michigan, enjoy the color and fragrance of the flowers, or just stroll hand-in-hand through the lush greenery. The 40-acre grounds include a sunken garden, bog, wildflower, herb and Oriental gardens, sculptures and fountains.

The Lark
6430 Farmington Road
West Bloomfield, MI  48322
(248) 661-4466
www.thelark.com

The Lark restaurant embodies romance, with its European country in décor, walled garden, fountain, grape trellis and tuxedo-clad waitstaff. The prix fixe menu features mouth-watering main courses such as Pacific wild salmon encrusted in a puff pastry, crisp-roasted, honey-glazed duck or black angus tournedos of beef, and includes appetizers and soup or salad. The posh feel of the restaurant is offset by the friendliness of the staff, making diners feel both sophisticated and relaxed.

Related: Detroit's Most Romantic Restaurants With A View

Ford Drive-In
10400 Ford Road
Dearborn, MI  48126
(313) 846-6910
www.forddrivein.com

Few theaters are still operational these days, but the Ford Drive-In has been going strong since 1950, and is now the largest drive-in theater in the world. Five screens show first-run double features, and the sound comes through your car stereo rather than separate speakers, but the nostalgic feel and romanticism of a drive-in remains alive and well at the Ford. Bring your own popcorn, put your feet up on the dash, and snuggle with your sweetie in relative privacy on a warm summer night.