Are you looking for date ideas in Raleigh, NC? Then you’re in the right place!
If you’re in Raleigh and you’re planning a date, there’s a large variety of fun activities that you can choose from. Whether you want to relax, have a lot of fun, or learn something new, there’s a perfect activity for a date for you. From playing arcade games to doing a tour and tasting chocolate at a chocolate factory to attending a comedy show, there’s something for everyone’s liking.
This Raleigh date ideas guide consists of the most fun and romantic things to do for couples in the city.
Date Ideas in Raleigh
Go to Boxcar Bar + Arcade and Play Games
Boxcar Bar + Arcade is a fun place to check out for couples.
At this place, you can find more than 100 different types of games. From classic arcade games to pinball machines to Skeeball, there are all sorts of games that you can play here.
In addition to that, Boxcar Bar + Arcade is also a full bar and it serves 24 American craft drafts. The combination of games and drinks makes this place a perfect date spot in the city.
Furthermore, there is a wood-fired pizza kitchen at this place where you can enjoy delicious pizza.
There are also sometimes fun events at Boxcar Bar + Arcade. For example, there are trivia nights that you could attend.
Address: 330 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Do a Factory Tour at Get Chocolate at the Videri Chocolate Factory
If you like chocolate, the Videri Chocolate Factory is a wonderful place in the city to go.
This is a company that you can find in Raleigh’s downtown and that is focused on making high-quality chocolate made with the finest ingredients.
You can go here as a couple and try out delicious chocolate.
It is also possible to do a factory tour when you are going to the Videri Chocolate Factory. The factory is open every day of the week for a tour. You can choose to do a guided tour or a self-guided tour.
During the tours, you can learn about the process of making a chocolate bar. Also, you can learn about cacao trees during these tours, and at the end of the tours, you can taste free chocolate.
Address: 327 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Play Miniature Golf at Adventure Landing
Adventure Landing is a fun place in the city for a fun date in Raleigh. At this place, you can choose from a variety of fun attractions.
For example, you can go here to play miniature golf. There are three 18-hole miniature golf courses that are great for all skill levels. Each of these courses has a fun theme and great elements.
Besides that, it can be great to check out the arcade of Adventure Landing. This arcade has 75 interactive arcade games that are a lot of fun to play.
Address: 3311 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Attend a Concert at the Lincoln Theatre
Lincoln Theatre is a live music venue that you can find in downtown Raleigh on Cabarrus Street. It is one of the best performing arts theaters in Raleigh.
Lots of different events take place at the Lincoln Theatre and these can be great if you’re looking for date ideas in Raleigh. For example, you can go to this venue and attend a concert.
The concerts that take place at the Lincoln Theatre are very diverse, and there are concerts of all kinds of genres, so you can be there is a concert that you will enjoy going to! There are also a lot of local concerts that take place here.
Furthermore, the theater’s intimate atmosphere adds to the romance of your date at the theater.
Address: 126 E Cabarrus St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Roller Skate at United Skates of America
United Skates of America Raleigh is a fun roller skating rink that is located at Trawick Road in the state’s capital.
The roller skating rink has a state-of-the-art sound system and there are live DJs.
You can take your date here during an adult skate night and have a great time roller skating. In addition to that, there is a restaurant at United Skates of America where you can have food afterward.
Address: 2901 Trawick Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Get Ice Cream at Two Roosters Ice Cream
Two Roosters Ice Cream is a wonderful place to take your date to get some delicious ice cream.
This ice cream store was started in the year 2015 and focuses on making high-quality, hand-made ice cream.
This ice cream store has several locations in Raleigh. For example, you can find one of the locations on E. Franklin Street.
What’s great is that you can choose from many different kinds of unique flavors of ice cream when you go here. For example, you can get cookies & cream, strawberry and honey, and many other flavors here. Keep in mind that the flavors can change.
You can also get delicious ice cream cakes and pies at Two Roosters!
Address: 215 E Franklin St, Raleigh, NC 27604
Enjoy a Comedy Show at Goodnights Comedy Club
Goodnights Comedy Club is a comedy club that you can find at The Village District at Woodburn Road and going there is a fun date idea in Raleigh.
You can enjoy great live standup comedy performances by some of the best comedians in the country here every week. Besides that, you can sometimes enjoy other performing arts at the Goodnights Comedy Club.
Each show at the venue takes about 1.5 hours
To add to your date experience, you can enjoy great food and drinks when you go here, including craft beers. Moreover, the theater has an intimate, cozy atmosphere, which further improves your dating experience at the venue.
Address: 401 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh, NC 27605
Go to an Event at the PNC Arena
The PNC Arena is an indoor arena that you can find in Raleigh and it is a perfect venue if you want to have a fun time as a couple. That’s because many different types of events take place at the arena.
For example, you can go here to see a hockey game of the Carolina Hurricanes, a team playing in the NHL.
There are many other types of events that take place at the arena. For example, you could go here to attend a concert and the venue is also great if you want to enjoy a great comedy show.
Address: 1400 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Have a Movie Date at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh
Having a movie date can be a lot of fun, and when you have a movie date at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh, you’ll have an even better time.
At Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh, you can see the newest movies and many different types of genres. In addition to that, you can go here to independent films, classic films, and other types of movies.
What’s great is that you can enjoy a great meal while you are watching a movie at this movie theater. The movie theater has a multi-course menu and food is served to your seat. That’s also why going to this movie theater is one of the most romantic things to do in Raleigh. Furthermore, you can get all kinds of great drinks here, including craft beers and cocktails.
Address: 2116-D New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610
Have Food at Morgan Street Food Hall
The Morgan Street Food Hall is a place where you can enjoy a dining concept that is growing in popularity across the country.
This is a food hall, which should not be confused with a food court, where you can find more than 20 local eateries and restaurants in one space.
You can get amazing food from each vendor and enjoy the food in one space. This makes it possible for multiple people, or two in the case of your date, to have their favorite type of food at the same time.
Some of the food that you can get here includes wood-fired pizza, crepes, curries, empanadas, and much more.
You can also find Epic Axe here, which is an indoor axe-throwing venue.
Address: 411 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Check Out Sky Zone Raleigh
Sky Zone Raleigh is great if you’re looking for fun date ideas in Raleigh. This is an indoor trampoline park that you can find on Westinghouse Boulevard.
You can find a large open-jump area at Sky Zone Raleigh, which is an area with many trampolines next to each other that you can jump on.
Besides that, there are several other fun attractions here, including an air court where you can play basketball, a foam zone that you can jump into, and many other attractions.
Address: 2101 Westinghouse Blvd Suite 111, Raleigh, NC 27604
Shop at the Crabtree Valley Mall
Crabtree Valley Mall is an amazing place for couples who love shopping. This shopping mall, which you can find on Glenwood Avenue, is the largest indoor mall in the city and it is a great place for a date that involves shopping.
You can find about 200 stores at the mall, and this includes well-known retailers. From bookstores to apparel to technology, there is a large variety of stores at the mall.
You can also find many restaurants at the mall where you can have a meal after shopping, or you can have a cup of coffee at Starbucks Coffee.
Address: 4325 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612
Try Delicious Breads and Pastries at Boulted Bread
Boulted Bread is a wonderful craft bakery and mill that you can find at 328 Dupont Circle in the city of Raleigh.
It is a great place to visit during a date and you can go here 5 days of the week.
At the bakery, you can try delicious pastries and breads.
For example, you can get amazing croissants and jam pinwheels here, and some of the most delicious breads are the “smoked oat” and “grits bread”.
An aspect of Boulted Bread that makes it a great place to visit is that its own stone mill is used to make flour every day. By doing this in-house, the bakery can make use of a large variety of wheat, oats, corn, and rye.
Address: 328 Dupont Circle, Raleigh, NC 27603
Have Breakfast at Big Ed’s City Market
Starting your day by having breakfast at Big Ed’s Restaurant can be a romantic experience.
Big Ed’s Restaurant is a restaurant that was founded in the year 1958. The restaurant has several locations, and one of these locations can be found in Downtown Raleigh at the City Market, where it has been since the year 1989.
You can get all kinds of classic breakfast dishes at the restaurant, including French toast with powdered sugar and biscuits. There are a lot of options to choose from when you have breakfast here.
What’s great about Big Ed’s City Market is that the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere.
Address: 220 Wolfe St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Bowl at Buffaloe Lanes North
Bowling is another fun activity for a date in Raleigh and one of the best places for a date that involves bowling is Buffaloe Lanes North.
This is a large bowling alley which has 42 lanes.
In addition to the bowling alley’s many lanes, Buffaloe Lanes North also has a large arcade area where you can play all kinds of arcade games.
What makes the bowling alley great for a date too is that there is a wonderful restaurant where you can enjoy delicious food. For example, you can get great pizza here.
Address: 5900 Oak Forest Dr, Raleigh, NC 27616
See Art at the North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art is an art museum that was founded in the year 1956, it is a wonderful museum to check out if you and your date both love to see art.
The museum has a very diverse collection of art and its objects cover a period of more than 5,000 years in total. In addition to that the museum’s collection includes objects from many areas in the world.
From European Renaissance paintings to American impressionist works to art from Ancient Egypt, you can see a lot of different types of works at the museum.
In addition to that, there are often interesting events at the museum, including talks.
Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Have a Coffee Date at Benelux Cafe
Having a coffee date at Benelux Coffee is also one of the best things to do in Raleigh for couples.
At the cafes of Benelux Coffee, you can get delicious coffee made with beans that are roasted in small batches.
The founders of the cafe experienced delicious coffee and street food while traveling to Europe. They decided to start Benelux Coffee to “bring a little piece of the Benelux countries to Raleigh”.
At the cafes, you can, besides great coffee and tea, get delicious Brussels-style waffles.
Address: 402 Oberlin Road Suite 118, Raleigh, NC 27605
Check Out the Gregg Museum of Art & Design
The Gregg Museum of Art & Design is an incredible art museum that is part of the North Carolina State University. This is one of the best museums in Raleigh and it is a great place to visit if you want to have a romantic date.
At the Gregg Museum of Art & Design, you can discover great art, craft, and design.
The museum’s collection includes more than 50,000 objects and these objects are very diverse. From paintings to sculptures to ceramics to textiles, the museum has a lot of different types of items.
Plus, the museum has no admission fee, so going here is a great idea when looking for a free date idea.
Address: 1903 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607
Ice Skate at Polar Ice Raleigh
For a fun ice skating date, you can consider going to Polar Ice Raleigh. This is a premier Olympic size ice skating rink that is located at 2601 Raleigh Boulevard.
You can go here as a couple for public skating. This is possible every day of the week, but pricing and times vary for each day.
Keep in mind that you need to dress for cool weather when you go here.
Address: 2601 Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Shop at the North Carolina State Farmers Public Market
The North Carolina State Farmers Public Market is a local farmers market where you can have a great time.
This is a modern market where you can find many vendors selling all kinds of items. From fruits to vegetables to specialty items, there’s a lot to find at the market.
There is also an indoor area at the market with vendors selling fresh produce, and there are many specialty shops as well.
Moreover, there are several restaurants at the market where you can have great food, making this place even more perfect for a romantic time.
Address: 1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Get Cupcakes at The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery + Coffee
Going to The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery is also a romantic activity in Raleigh. This is a paradise for couples who love cupcakes and want to enjoy them in a very stylish setting.
This is a bakery that was founded more than 15 years ago where you can get fresh, specialty cupcakes made with high-quality ingredients.
There is a daily menu with many traditional and contemporary flavors of cupcakes.
In addition to that, this bakery serves tasty cookies, brownies, seasonal ice cream sandwiches, marshmallows, and much more, and this also includes plant-based options.
Furthermore, The Cupcake Shoppe serves many different types of locally roasted coffee drinks.
Besides being a great place for its delicious pastries, this place is great for its beautiful pastel pink-colored interior.
Address: 104 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
Go to CAM Raleigh and See Contemporary Art
CAM Raleigh is a non-collecting contemporary art museum that you can find in the city of Raleigh. The museum doesn’t have a permanent collection. Instead, the museum offers great rotating exhibitions of art.
These art exhibitions feature art by local, national, and international artists.
Because of the changing nature of the exhibitions, you can go to CAM Raleigh to discover new art every time and discover the best of contemporary art.
CAM Raleigh also organizes events, such as the Vendor Market, which is an event where you can find unique items and have a fun time. This event, which takes place every First Friday, is a great event to consider for a date.
Address: 409 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Have Delicious Pastries at Lucettegrace
Lucettegrace, located in downtown Raleigh, is a contemporary patisserie.
The patisserie was founded by pastry chef Daniel Benjamin, who worked for some of the country’s best pastry chefs.
At the patisserie, you can get delicious pastries made using traditional techniques.
From traditional croissants to canneles to chocolate chunk cookies, there are many delicious types of pastries to choose from here. You can also get delicious, colorful macarons at Lucettegrace.
Furthermore, when you go here you can combine the pastries with all kinds of coffee drinks, including great iced coffee drinks, and tea drinks.
Address: 235 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Go to Transfer Co Food Hall
The Transfer Co. Food Hall is another one of Raleigh’s best food halls and it is a wonderful spot for a romantic date in Raleigh.
The food hall is located in a historic building called the Carolina Coach Garage and Shops. This is a former warehouse that was renovated.
At Transfer Co. Food Hall, you can get delicious food from many different vendors. You can find these vendors in one space, which makes it possible for both you and your date to have the food that you both like.
Some of the vendors that you can find here include Dank Burrito, Che Empanadas, and Chote’s. Each vendor serves amazing food and you’ll likely want to go back here for a second date to try even more food from other vendors after going here the first time.
Address: 500 E Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Go Indoor Rock Climbing at Triangle Rock Club
The Triangle Rock Club is a place where you can go indoor rock climbing. At the Raleigh location of Triangle Rock Club, you can find 20,000 square feet of climbing surface.
You can also boulder at the Triangle Rock Club.
What’s interesting is that the climbing routes and bouldering problems change every week.
Besides being a great place for indoor rock climbing, this club is also great if you want to do fitness or yoga classes.
Address: 6022 Duraleigh Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612
Have Italian Food at Jimmy V’s Osteria & Bar
Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar is an amazing restaurant and going there is one of the best date night ideas in Raleigh.
You can experience traditional Italian dining when you go here. The menu of the restaurant features seasonal dishes and the restaurant focuses on Italian/American comfort foods that are made with local ingredients.
You can also get wood-fired pizza at this restaurant made in a wood stone fire deck pizza oven.
To make any of the other ideas on this list of romantic things to do even better, you can also combine those ideas with having dinner at Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar. For example, you can combine going to an event at the PNC Arena with having a delicious meal here.
Address: 420 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Get Tasty Bagels at Benchwarmers Bagels
Benchwarmers Bagels, located at the Transfer Co. Food Hall, is a bagel shop where you can get tasty bagels made with fresh-milled grains in a wood-fired oven. The bagel sandwiches that you can get here are delicious and made with high-quality ingredients.
The restaurant has all kinds of bagels, including traditional and unique types.
Besides bagels, you can get other food here as well. For example, you can go to Benchwarmers Bagels on pizza night for delicious pizza!
Combined with great coffee and many coffee drinks to choose from, Benchwarmers Bagels is a great spot for couples to check out.
Address: 500 E Davie St STE 107, Raleigh, NC 27601
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Raleigh Date Ideas Tips
Many of the Raleigh date ideas on this list can be combined to have an even more romantic and fun time with your date.
For example, you can go to Boxcar Bar + Arcade to play games and attend a concert at the Lincoln Theatre after that. Or you can get ice cream at Two Roosters Ice Cream and go shopping at Crabtree Valley Mall.
You can choose your own combination for the perfect date for you!
Date Ideas in Raleigh Map
Thanks for reading my guide to the best date ideas in Raleigh, NC. I hope I helped you plan your date!