Date Night Ideas
Let’s be honest, I love a good dinner and movie night, but West Michigan has so much more to offer! If you are looking for a few fun date night ideas, then this list should give you some inspiration. Our little nook of the lower peninsula offers an array of experiences, attractions, and some really good restaurants. From strolling through the Fulton Street Farmers Market to enjoying some live music at GRNoir Wine & Jazz Bar, keep reading for 24 of the best date night ideas in West Michigan!
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used, which means if you purchase via my link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you! I only recommend products I use and love!
Pin for Later!
Play and Sip Away at House Rules Lounge
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, and an arcade is a great way to do some playful flirting. House Rules Lounge is West Michigan’s very own board game lounge. This hidden gem magically combines a board game retail store with a bar. You can enjoy three hours of entertainment and quality time for just $5. The Lounge allows you to bring in your own food or you can have food delivered, (it’s across the street from the Grand Rapids Downtown Market). The House Rules menu offers craft cocktails, a 12-door cooler filled with a rotating selection of beer, cider, seltzers, soda, and kombucha.
Hike through the Beautiful Rosy Mound Natural Area
There really isnt anything more romantic then enjoying the views at Rosy Mound at Sunset. This natural area is a classic Great Lakes dune system perfectly decorated with high wooded dunes, open dunes and a sandy beach. There is a moderate hiking trail to the shoreline, boardwalk trail and dreamy views. Trust me, the end destination is worth the hike to take in the picture-perfect scenery.
Awe at the wonders of space in the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium
Give your date the moon and the stars with an educational and romantic trip to the planetarium. Spend an evening gazing at the planets and learning about the constellations! Roger B. Chaggee Planetarium is the perfect place to experience the incredible forces of our universe as you visit the galaxy, constellations, far away planets and much more! Located within the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the Chaffee Planetarium is named after the Grand Rapids-born astronaut who lost his life in the 1967 Apollo 1 spacecraft fire, Roger B. Chaffee.
Unleash your inner Lumberjack at FlannelJax’s
Get to know each other while learning a new skill at FlannelJax! Axe throwing can be equally romantic and exciting, not to mention it is a pretty unique way to connect. Axe throwing dates make for some really creative activities that allow you to get to know each other on a unique level! FlannelJax has more lumberjack sports too, like thump the stump and crosscut sawing.
Have fun, get competitive at Grand Rapids Grand Prix
The Grand Rapids Grand Prix is the massive multi-level track from your childhood go-karting dreams. This is much more than just your average indoor karting facility. These electric karts are really fast and to make it even better, there is also good food and drinks. Go karting is one way to enjoy a fun date in a casual atmosphere.
Step it up and learn Salsa Dancing
Social Dance Studio hosts a number of different dance parties and events. Every week is a new dance lesson or festivity including Urban Ballroom, Latin Night, Country Night, Swinging to the Blues, Wednesday Afternoon Dance and a Sunday Ballroom Social. You could also reserve a private couples lesson!
Goof around and try Rock Climbing
If you are both into adventure, like to try new things, and love a physical challenge, rock climbing could be the perfect activity date! Scrapyard Climbing is a rock climbing gym and sports facility in Holland, Michigan. They are friendly to beginners and also challenging enough for experienced climbers. Rock climbing is a pretty exciting date when you are exploring a 3,200 square feet of rock climbing walls and the largest 60-degree overhang in West Michigan.
Virtual Reality Date Night at Amped Reality
Amped Reality is a virtual reality arcade and entertainment center. Take your date to swing like Spider-Man, be in a Disney or Jurassic Park movie, play Beat Saber, Angry Birds, MINECRAFT, Fruit Ninja, Baby Hands, or Superhot without leaving Grand Rapids! There are over 44 experiences to choose from! You can even create 3-D art, or virtual travel with Google Earth.
Climb Trees together at Tree Runner Adventure Park
Tree Runner Adventure Park has the perfect aerial obstacle course for you and your date, where you can climb amongst the tree tops and zipline through the sky. It’s really the perfect time to connect to your sense of adventure and impress your date. Aerial Adventure Courses originated in Europe and have recently emerged in the United States as a new and unique outlet for outdoor exploration. A date at this premier outdoor adventure park is engaging with no prior climbing experience necessary. Tree Runner Adventure Park offers something for all ages, stages, and ability levels.
Admire a whole new view of West Michigan at Skydive Grand Haven
Skydiving together can create a strong bond and an instant memory by sharing a moment of vulnerability. There is never a dull moment when you can constantly talk about how you are about to jump out of a plane! At Skydive Grand Haven, you’ll enjoy a scenic plane ride over beautiful Lake Michigan and experience the rush of a lifetime. Freefalling at 120mph will be followed by a beautiful and exciting parachute ride. This is sure to be an experience your date won’t soon forget!
Stroll around Fredrick Meijer Gardens
Experience masterpieces of art and nature that will delight your senses! Fredrick Meijer Gardens is one of the nation’s premier horticultural display gardens and sculpture parks. There are many date options here, whether you just want to enjoy the art, listen to a concert or check out some of the classes they offer. This museum, ranked in the top 45 most-visited art museums worldwide, will be sure to impress your date. This is the perfect spot if you are looking for a walking date. Admire the artwork, be captivated by plants from around the world and cherish the springtime butterflies; there’s a little something different every part of the year.
Enjoy the art of cocktail culture at Buffalo Traders Lounge
According to biological anthropologist Helen Fisher, the most scientifically sound first date is simple, “By having a mixed drink, you’re going to end up being more social, more talkative, and showing more of who you are.” Another fun date night is getting drinks at the trendy Buffalo Traders Lounge. This speakeasy-style bar has an extensive cocktail list, with a range of signature house cocktails, classics, and seasonal specials. Craft beer is also available if your date isn’t a fan of cocktails.
Experience the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra
Enjoy a memorable performance at the DeVos Performance Hall with your date while listening to the Symphony Orchestra concert. The events here include a range of shows with many guest artists featured including tribute band shows and dance performances like ballets. Listening to live classical music together means no high-pressure conversation. Or hear me out, if you already know your date, it’s nice to just sit and enjoy it together.
Get Sweet Treats at Loves
Love’s Ice Cream & Chocolate is the perfect place to pick up some sweet treats with your other half. The flavorful choices never disappoint and always include options that are dairy-free and nut-free ice creams. Each treat is absolutely delicious and made from scratch with intentionally sourced ingredients. Eating ice cream can tell you a lot about a person. You can quickly tell if they’re adventurous or bland based on what they order. Everyone loves ice cream and it gives you the opportunity to get to know each other.
Shop at Fulton Street Farmers Market
Everyone knows that farmers markets are supposed to be the perfect setting for a first date. This adorable market first opened in 1922, and is still a much-loved attraction over 100 years later. All of the local vendors offer a little something different. You can also find artists, florists and farmers providing the perfect gifts to treat your date.
Look around the Grand Rapids Downtown Market
Discover local food vendors offering everything from ice cream and gourmet popcorn outlets to restaurants serving tacos, sushi, poke bowls, and more. If you and your date can’t decide on what to get for lunch heading to Grand Rapids Downtown Market has you covered! There are also cooking classes, workshops and events held upstairs! Cooking as a couple is not only romantic, it’s delicious!
Enjoy a picnic along the Riverfront
Evening and sunset picnics tend to be a more romantic date, and lunch picnics are perfect for a low-key date or a first date. If you are feeling in the mood for something more laid-back to do with your date on a nice sunny day, how about taking a walk along the riverfront? The are scenic tree-lined paths along the river offer beautiful views of the Grand River. Lay out a blanket on the rolling green lawn and delight in a little picnic.
Have brunch at Little Bird
May I suggest a brunch/lunch date? This family-owned bistro is open for dinner and a delicious daily brunch. The brunch is first come first serve, they do offer reservations for dinner. A few brunch menu items include bread pudding, French toast sticks, overnight oats, and omelets. They also occasionally host wine dinner parties!
Try some Korean food and sing karaoke at K-Rok
All you can eat Korean barbecue, great modern vibes, and karaoke rooms sound like a fun date night! There will be a lot of yummy food and most importantly, the meal will be great for sharing. Indulge in authentic Korean Barbecue right in West Michigan. It’s a whole experience when you are able to cook right at your table.
Embrace your inner artist at the Mud Room
Romance and creativity are linked; if you’re seeking something to spice up your love life, an art class may just be the solution. The Mud Room offers Open Studio hours for people to paint their own pottery. The projects, colors, supplies, and friendly staff are ready to guide you as you create. The studio also offers classes and events, and take-home options. When we engage in creative activities, our brains release serotonin, making us feel happy and enthusiastic. This date night idea will give you a boost of energy!
Sip on some Hard Kombucha at Sacred Springs
Play the singing bowls and taste the hard kombucha at Sacred Springs. When it comes to kombucha the flavor possibilities are infinite! Sacred Springs Micro Taproom, located on Wealthy Street proudly serves traditional mead, session mead, meaducha, kombucha beer, alongside non-alcoholic kombucha. All of the delightful flavors are infused with sound and intention. Hard kombucha is an alcoholic kombucha made in a similar way to regular kombucha with the same ingredients of tea, pure spring water, raw cane sugar, and kombucha cultures.
Bowl at AMF Eastbrook Lanes
How does bowling at Eastbook Lanes sound? You’ll laugh, start a friendly competition, indulge in some comfort food, and the best part is you dont have to dress up! Spending the evening or afternoon bowling and playing arcade games at AMF Eastbrook Lanes is sure to be a good time! The AMF Eastbook Lanes has 40 bowling lanes, a range of arcade games, billiards, and on-site sports bar.
Try out Duck Pin Bowling at Woodrows Duckpin
If you are looking for something even more laid back then traditional bowling, have you heard of Duck Pin Bowling? At Woodrow’s Duckpin Bowling there is no need for bowling shoes or ball rentals. All you have to do is pay for your lane, bowl, hang and vibe out. They also have a comfortable lounge area, complete with plush seating, high top tables, and rails.
Sunbathe at the beach at Millennium Park
Picnics are one of the go-to first date ideas. Sharing homemade sandwiches and sunbathing are two things that will enlighten the mood in a natural way. Plus, there’s really something nice about being with your date near the water, it is pretty romantic. Millennium Park is located just about 15 minutes outside of Grand Rapids in Walker, Michigan. This is a go-to spot to enjoy the warm weather together on a sandy beach! You can also swim in the lake, walk the scenic trails and rent a kayak. Millennium Park is the largest urban park in West Michigan
(H26)Whether you are thrill seekers or looking for something more relaxing, West Michigan has no shortage of date ideas! Comedian (and self proclaimed dating guru) Aziz Ansari worked with a sociologist to examine modern dating and romance. One thing he found was that participating in a fun activity together led people to have more positive feelings toward each other, rather than sitting together for a meal. No matter what you enjoy doing together, you’ll find an array of unique places, experiences and foods to try. Date nights are a great way to relieve stress and take a break form the stressors of ordinary life. Enjoy some time together, wander West Michigan and make your way down this list of date night ideas.
If a Bar Hop is more your thing, check it out- here!
Make a Weekend of it!
Logan Imber
Logan Imber is a self taught Freelance Digital Marketer & Copywriter currently located in Ohio, but works remotely for clients all over the world. She also dabbles in Graphic Design, Web Design and Music. She doesn't like to pin herself down, as there is always something to learn, a culture to take in or new food to eat. In her free time, Logan likes reading, yoga, and spending time with her beloved cat. She also loves playing and sharing music with others. Essentially, most of her time is either spent writing, contemplating, or creating something - and she wouldn't have it any other way.
- Logan Imber#molongui-disabled-link
- Logan Imber#molongui-disabled-link
- Logan Imber#molongui-disabled-link
- Logan Imber#molongui-disabled-link
