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Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to SEAtoday.
OK, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time). Regardless, whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 18 local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.
Okay, but like, imagine a first kiss along the rails of the boat as the sunsets? We’re swooning for you.
Photo by @mv_renaissance
For the ones who want a night out on the town
- Get cozy and take an evening cruise through Elliott Bay or through the Ballard Locks with Argosy Cruises.
- Head down to Belltown’s performing arts venue The Crocodile and grab tickets to whatever’s on the docket. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.
- A great way to test out your compatability (or be reminded of the things you have in common) is to watch what makes your honey laugh. Go giggle together at one of these local comedy venues.
- Take your sweet feet dancing at some place like Neumos, Dimitrou’s Jazz Alley, or the Century Ballroom.
- Check out the marquees at local theaters like SIFF Cinema, Ark Lodge Cinemas, or the Northwest Film Forum for some out of the box movies.
A surefire winning move is to make sure your honey associates you with the smell of a freshly baked loaf of bread from Place Pigalle.
Photo by @marinaelunaa
If the way to their heart is through their stomach
- Pike Place Market’s The Pink Door is frequently recommended as one of the city’s most romantic restaurants, but we encourage you to give Place Pigalle a try. French cuisine and views of the Puget Sound are sure to impress.
- OK, OK — hear us out. Sometimes the pressure of a fancy restaurant can stifle conversation. Keep things down-to-Earth with a milkshake and burger from Dick’s Drive-In. Also, your car isn’t far away for a PG-rated makeout sesh.
- If you’re looking for something memorable, dinner and a show with acrobats, singers, and other cirque acts will definitely help you in that endeavor. Check out Teatro ZinZanni, opening in October at a new location. And if you’re nervous about what to wear, they’ve even got a guide for that. Or if you can’t wait, go check out whatever’s on the caledar at the Triple Door for a good meal and a show.
- Maybe you want some bites you can bond over — you’ll simply melt over the courses during Sushi by Scratch‘s omakase dinners. Or you can’t go wrong with Sushi Kashiba if you’re looking for something grand.
You’ll certainly have a lot to bond about after paragliding through the sky.
Photo by @april_onthego
If you love the great outdoors
- Take your sweetie to watch the sunset. We have so many beautiful spots that you can essentially pick whatever backdrop you want. Check out Sunset Hill Park or Golden Gardens for oceanic vistas. Kerry and Gas Works Parks have the best views of downtown.
- Take a hike or a walk so you can spend some time chatting with each other. We’ve got a list of 28 local trails — ranging among all difficulty levels — that you can take your new snuggle-muffin on.
- Did you find out that you’re both adrenaline junkies? Take to the skies with Seattle Paragliding at Poo Poo Point. You’ll have something you both can excitedly chatter about once you touchdown again.
- Don’t let cool weather chill the heat between you — hop in a hot tub boat on Lake Union for some steamy (but PG, please) fun.
- Make your date a weekend getaway with a little snowboarding trip up to one of the nearby resorts like Summit at Snoqualmie or Crystal Mountain. Make sure to check our ski season guide before you go.
It’s proven — strong pinball skills is a characteristic of a good mate.
Photo by @steveslaybaugh
For the ones who like to play games (just not with your heart)
- Get old school with some arcade games. Belltown’s Jupiter Bar doubles as an art destination with murals on each of its walls and a vending machine with art prints, locally made gifts, and tarot cards in it. Downtown’s GameWorks has more of a light-hearted spirit with lots of neon lights and games from other countries (hope you know some Japanese).
- Feeling extra competitive? See who’s got the better putt-putt game at Flatstick Pub. Each of the four local locations has its own schedule of bingo and trivia nights to jump in on, too.
- If you want something that’s more active, Virtual Reality (VR) gaming has become quite the pastime. Sandbox VR in Kirkland and South Lake Union have a selection of games that allow you to be a pirate on the seven seas or fight zombies in a post-apocalyptic world.
If you’re really hoping that it works out
- Take a dance class together. Nothing gets you better in tune with someone than having to time your movements with them. Plus, you’ll get to wow your friends with some surprising dance moves later.
- Check out each other’s muscles with a little rock climbing. Edgeworks has locations in both Bellevue and Ballard, while Seattle Vertical World bills itself as the US’s first climbing gym — historic, just like your love will be.
- You can cool off from the summer heat with a rowing class from Lake Washington Rowing Club. Or, rent a kayak out on Lake Union with Moss Bay.
Rob Roy’s leather couches are also perfect for snuggling.
Photo via @robroyseattle
If you want an “old fashioned”-style date
- An ice cream date is just so timeless it’ll melt your date’s heart. Check out Molly Moon’s, Fainting Goat Gelato, or — if you love those classic parlor vibes — Shug’s Soda Fountain.
- An evening stroll can be a great way to round out a spectacular date. There’s plenty of historic neighborhoods in Seattle that will give you something to talk about as you wander through the streets. Or, maybe take a history tour together and learn something about the city you fell in love in.
- Oh, by “old fashioned” you meant the classic cocktail. The James Beard-nominated Rob Roy in Belltown is said to have one of the best in the city, but there’s also something to the classy vibe in the Fairmont Hotel’s speakeasy Founder’s Club that’s extra romantic.
If you wanna show off by knowing all the hottest events in town
- Shameless plug: Sign up for our daily newsletter, where we call out our top picks of things to do around town. Your date doesn’t have to know we’re behind it — you can take all the credit.
- Stay up-to-date on the coolest local events around Seattle with our events page (and check out this guide for our tips on navigating the page).
