26 Best Seattle Date Ideas: Fun and Romantic Things to Do
In charge of planning the perfect date in the Emerald City and need some inspiration? This post has 25 amazing Seattle date ideas.
As a city rich in art, culture, and natural beauty, Seattle has a plethora of unique and unforgettable date ideas that can cater to any couple. Whether you’re planning your first date or your hundredth, this city truly has something for everyone!
Weather can make a huge impact on planning a date, so this blog post has been divided into indoor and outdoor ideas. For those who are trying to venture a bit further from the city and see what else Washington has to offer, the third section talks about all the great dates not too far outside of Seattle.
This post is all about the best Seattle date ideas.
OUTDOOR SEATTLE DATE IDEAS
#1. Shop and grab a bite at Pike Place Market
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, Pike Place can be super fun for a date! As someone who has lived in Seattle for over 15 years, I still love to play tourist here a few times a year. Pick up some beautiful fresh flowers, slowly roam the market stalls, and grab some delicious food to eat outside.
#2. Spend a warm day outside exploring Lake Union.
Lake Union is a great place for ~romance~ in the summer. You can take a walk around the lake or paddleboard together! South Lake Union has some good eats as well, perfect for if you’re hungry after a long day outside.
#3. Picnic at Gas Works Park at sunset.
Grab your blanket, some food, and drinks, and head to Gas Works Park for a romantic picnic during sunset! Watch the sky glow and change colors over Lake Union. Stay for a little longer after sunset to watch the Seattle skyline come to life and light up the sky.
#4. Rent a Hot Tub Boat and float around Lake Union.
For one of the most unique date ideas, consider renting a hot tub boat to explore the beautiful Seattle scenery! Rain or shine, this can be a good time since you’ll be kept nice and warm in the hot tub. One call out here however is that hot tub boats are quite pricy to rent: the two-hour rate is $400.
#5. Say hi to the animals at the Woodland Park Zoo.
Going to the zoo is a great date idea for those who want a leisurely but engaging outdoor activity to do together. Home to over 1,000 animals, Woodland Park Zoo provides you and your date an opportunity to see lots of its furry and feathery residents. During the winter, the zoo illuminates the dark Seattle nights with a lantern festival called WildLanterns – a great option for an outdoor winter date!
#6. Take a stroll at Volunteer Park and visit its many attractions.
Volunteer park is the perfect place to wander around for a sunny afternoon date. It has a little something for everyone! Tour the beautiful botanicals of the Volunteer Park Conservatory, visit Bruce Lee’s final resting place, explore the works of the Asian Art Museum, or take a walk around the vast network of trails that the park has.
#7. Bike along the Burke-Gilman Trail and explore the stops along the way.
27 miles long, the Burke-Gilman trail truly has so many fun things to explore! A popular portion to ride between is Gas Works Park and Matthews Beach Park, which offers amazing views of Lake Washington. The trail between Ballard and Fremont is fun for seeing public art installations and wine or brewery tours. Choose a section you want to ride and get to exploring!
#8. Get ice cream at Molly Moon’s and eat it with a view at Kerry Park.
Molly Moon’s is one of the best places to get ice cream in Seattle is only a six-minute walk from Kerry Park, where you’ll find unbeatable views. Combine these two for an incredible date outside.
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INDOOR SEATTLE DATE IDEAS
#9. Pair amazing mixology with a spectacular view at the Space Needle’s Loupe Lounge.
Looking to pull out all the stops for your next date? The Loupe Lounge is the perfect location to take your special someone. Located at the top of the Space Needle, this bar serves up showstopping drinks while you orbit around on the world’s first revolving glass floor.
#10. Immerse yourselves in the collections of the Seattle Art Museum.
If you and your date are art lovers, the Seattle Art Museum is a must-visit. Its collection includes works from around the world and features everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary paintings and sculptures. A perfect rainy-day activity.
#11. Wander the exhibits of the Museum of Pop Culture.
If you’re looking for something a bit more quirky, check out the Museum of Pop Culture. This museum is dedicated to everything pop culture, from music and movies to video games and science fiction.
#12. Play around at the Museum of Illusions.
The Museum of Illusions offers a truly captivating experience where ~reality bends~. This innovative museum has a huge range of interactive exhibits designed to challenge your perception! You’ll have so much fun exploring the various rooms filled with optical illusions, holograms, and puzzles. We had a blast taking fun photos!!
#13. Pick out books for each other at the Elliott Bay Book Company.
Are you and your date both bookworms? Spend an afternoon picking out each other books in the cozy but expansive aisles of the Elliott Bay Book company! After checking out, grab a coffee at the bookstore cafe and plop down next to each other to chat or read.
#14. Make your own personalized candles at Elm Candle Bar.
If you’re looking to do something a bit more creative, visit the Elm Candle Bar and experience candle-making together! Choose from 80 different scents to mix and pour your very own one-of-a-kind candle. While waiting for the candles to set, walk around Capitol Hill and grab some food before picking up your candle.
#15. Play arcade games at GameWorks Seattle.
Release your inner child and bask in the nostalgia of going to an arcade by visiting GameWorks Seattle. The arcade has quite a huge variety of games, so you’ll definitely be able to find something both you and your date will like. Get hungry from playing and want some time to hang out? The arcade has A kitchen and bar you can grub at afterward.
#16. Find a new board game to play at Mox Boarding House.
If arcade games aren’t your ish but board games are, take your date to Mox Boarding House. There, you can borrow from a huge selection of board games and play while ordering from their delicious food and drinks menu. This is a great way to learn more about your date and try out new games together!
#17. Grab a drink and play indoor mini-golf at Flatstick Pub.
Flatstick pub is a perfect casual Seattle date night. It combines the fun of doing an activity with the ease of getting drinks with your date. Play one or two rounds of mini-golf and then get a pour and hang out. On weekdays, the bar often hosts events like trivia or bingo which can be lots of fun!
#18. Bar hop and go dancing in Capitol Hill.
For a fun night out together, go bar hopping in Capitol Hill! If you’re looking for dancing and great music, you’ll be sure to find it in one of Capitol Hills’ many bars.
#19. Explore over a dozen breweries in the Ballard Brewery District.
If you and your date are beer enthusiasts, the Ballard Brewery District is the perfect spot. The breweries are all located within a mile radius, so you’ll able to hit multiple brewery tours in one day. Make sure to pick up a Ballard Brewed Passport – if you collect stamps at all the locations you can win a prize!
#20. Experience a world-class orchestra at the Seattle Symphony.
Dress up and spend a night at the Seattle Symphony for a date filled with amazing music in the stunning Benaroya Hall. The orchestra hosts a wide range of classical, pop, and jazz concerts throughout the year so you’ll have quite a few performances to choose from!
#21. Ride the Seattle Great Wheel to enjoy the waterfront panoramic views.
The best time to ride up the Seattle Great Wheel is during the evening. The city skyline lights up for you and your date, making it a super romantic Seattle date idea. After your ride, stroll along the waterfront and enjoy dinner at one of the nearby restaurants!
BEST DATE IDEAS OUTSIDE OF SEATTLE
#22. Go wine tasting in Woodinville Wine Country.
Located about 30 minutes outside of Seattle, Woodinville has over 130+ wineries! Schedule a few wine tastings for you and your date and enjoy the scenic beauty of the little picturesque town.
#23. Take a day trip to Bainbridge Island.
A short ferry ride from downtown Seattle, Bainbridge is a charming little island that offers SO much to do outdoors! You can hike, bike, and explore the island’s quaint shops and restaurants.
#24. Hike, picnic, and watch the wildlife at Mount Rainier National Park.
For avid adventurers, a date at one of Washington’s most famous national parks can be a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Choose a trail to hike, pack some food for a picnic, and go on to explore the great outdoors together!
#25. Visit and awe at Snoqualmie Falls.
Looking to combine romance and adventure? Hike Snoqualmie Falls, a breathtaking waterfall east of Seattle. The walk to the observation deck is quite leisurely and once you’re there, you’ll be in awe of the beautiful sites.
#26. Venture out to the San Juan Islands.
The San Juan Islands are the perfect destination for a romantic date! The islands’ picturesque towns are full of things to do. Book a whale-watching tour, explore the art galleries, go wine tasting, or kayak!
This post was all about the best Seattle date ideas.