Stars dance overhead as a stone skips across the water’s surface, leaving a trail of ripples behind. A horn echoes from a barge heading down the Mississippi. It’s peaceful. The moon shines on the water, and the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge glows in the distance. Your favorite Cape Girardeau haunts are calling. 

It’s time to embrace the summer excitement, and Cape’s the perfect place to do it. Here are three ideas for an unforgettable summer night. 

Date night

It doesn’t get much more romantic than an evening in Cape Girardeau. Even the name has an exotic flair – Girardeau. 

Whatever your and your date’s taste, there’s a wide variety of delicious options sure to impress – Cajun, Chinese, Italian, fine dining or even classic hamburgers. Peruse a complete restaurant list here. 

After dinner, spend the rest of your evening sharing laughs together or gazing at each other as you sway to live music. It’s cheesy, but it works. Several great shows are coming up.

• Gene Watson at the River Campus on Aug. 3 – This country legend knows romance. After all, one of his biggest hits is “Love in the Hot Afternoon.” Get the details and purchase tickets.
• Don “DC” Curry and Friends at the Arena Building on Aug. 4 – More commonly known as Uncle Elroy from “Next Friday and “Friday After Next,” this comedian will have you and your date in stitches. Find out more about the show.
• Tunes at Twilight in Ivers Square – This series of live downtown concerts offers everything from the raspy vocals of Baylor Wilson to the Brothers Walker’s local country tunes. Check out the August and September lineup. 

Top the evening off with a stroll along the Mississippi River. You never know what can happen under the stars. 

Girls’ night

When you’re out with your friends, it’s all about cutting loose and having fun. 

Cape Girardeau’s downtown nightlife is the perfect destination for stress-free weekend excitement. Start the evening with drinks at a local bar. From classy to hole-in-the-wall, there’s something your whole group can agree on.

For a ready-made girls’ night, head to the Central Municipal Pool on July 11 and party to the sounds of Once Rivals at the adults-only Aqua Jams Concert Series. Or if you can’t make it then, grab the girls and head to Cape Splash on July 19 from 7:30-9:30 pm for the Adult Beach Bash. Picture it: floating in the lazy river, racing your friends down a triple drop slide and dancing to live music. Plus, there’s pool volleyball and free food. And best of all, shall we say it? Kid-free. 

Movie night

Whether you’re on a date, hanging out with the girls or enjoying family time, a tried-and-true movie night always makes an evening special. 

Join us at our Movie in the Park summer series. Kick back on a blanket and watch the special feature light up the sky as you get lost in the plot or sing along with the soundtrack. Meet at the Dan Cotner Amphitheatre in Capaha Park at 8 pm for

• “Grease” – July 13
• “Moana” – July 20
• “Beauty and the Beast” – July 27

If you can’t make these Friday night showings, Cape West Cinema is open all week. Lean back in the ultimate comfort of a leather recliner while laughing at the latest comedy, jumping at each scare in a horror flick or dancing in your seat to a musical. For savings, catch a Tuesday showing, when each ticket is just $5. That includes the latest blockbusters. 

Oh, those summer nights in Cape Girardeau. View more local events.