I had no trouble coming up with tons of Seattle date night ideas because anything can make for a date night. That’s because this city has plenty to do whether you’re single, dating around, or in a committed relationship.
When it comes to discovering things for couples to do in Seattle, the trick is to narrow down your options to activities that speak to both of you. Whether you both love fine dining, taking classes, or crossing things off your bucket list, there’s something for every couple.
To make sense of your options, this guide will outline all of the best date night ideas so you never have to wonder where to take a date in Seattle!
This post has affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on them and make a purchase. This is a small way I earn money to support this site. If links aren’t showing up for you, turn off your ad blocking software. Thank you for your support!
Seattle Date Night Ideas
Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more of the best date night ideas in Seattle as I discover them!
Partake in lightweight competition
One of the best icebreakers for date night is engaging in some friendly competition, whether it’s a few rounds of mini golf, arcade games, or practicing your axe throw. These activities command your attention and give you something to talk about.
One of my favorite indoor activities in Seattle is to play a few rounds of mini golf at Flatstick Pub or attempting to drive balls at the ubercool Topgolf range. If you want an option that’s a bit quirkier, check out Monster Golf in Bellevue for glow-in-the-dark mini golf.
Arcade lovers will enjoy Add-a-Ball in Fremont and Shorty’s Downtown because they’re also a bar. Since they’re both 21+, it’s the perfect excuse to escape from kids for the night.
If you’re into axe throwing, check out Blade and Timber in Capitol Hill. Or for a more low-key night, rent a lane and go bowling at The sexy Garage Billiards and Bowl in Capitol Hill or classic Kenmore Lanes.
Learn something new in a class together
Taking classes is a great way to get to know a new person or rekindle an old flame by learning something new together. Here are some ideas for inspiration.
Crafts
Learn how to make something you can share in your home or have a fun night out while learning something new. A Paint & Sip class allows you and your partner to learn how to paint while enjoying a beverage to ease the nerves.
Not into painting? My go-to place for craft classes is The Works in Fremont. They offer a variety of classes where you can learn how to do crafts like burn wood, make soy candles, and more.
Glassblowing
I did a glassblowing class at a work even once, but I imagine it would make for a really fun date night. These classes teach you how to blow your own glass ornament, orb, or bowl so you can leave your date with something memorable.
Pottery
Learn how to throw the wheel and make pottery with this 90-minute pottery session for two, or skip to the fun part and paint pre-made ceramics at Paint the Town.
Cooking
Learning to cook together is a skill you can continue to practice throughout your relationship. The Pantry offers classes ranging from New York-style pizza to the art of hosting a dinner party. Or learn how to make authentic paella or handmade ravioli, then practice your skills at home!
Go to a comedy show
When we first started dating, Dan and I would see a lot of comedy shows. It’s a lighthearted way to spend time together and share a good laugh. For improv, check out Jet City Improv or Unexpected Productions in Pike Place Market. Or check out Laughs Comedy Club for stand-up and open mic nights.
Finally visit those museums and tourist attractions
Being a local means you never do the things you always tell tourists to do, and one of those things is to visit Seattle’s museums. The good news is that many museums offer free days, so read my guide on Seattle’s free museums to plan your date night. Here are some of my favorites.
Chihuly Museum of Glass
website | 305 Harrison St (get directions) | neighborhood: Queen Anne | price: ~$35 pp | best for: blown glass
The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum is the most recommended museum for tourists and makes a lovely date day. The museum features countless unique glass sculptures, including a 100-foot greenhouse sculpture and countless exhibits. You can also see live glassblowing demonstrations and purchase the items in the Space Needle’s gift shop.
Space Needle
website | 400 Broad St (get directions) | neighborhood: Queen Anne | price: ~$26-42.50 pp | best for: historic viewpoint
Every Seattle visitor or local should experience the Space Needle at least once. The view is gorgeous and so romantic. You can even combine your ticket with tickets to the Chihuly Museum for a full date-day adventure.
Sky View Observatory
website | 700 4th Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Pioneer Square | price: ~$25-45 pp | best for: picture-perfect view
The Sky View Observatory is one of my favorite Seattle viewpoints and would make the perfect place for a surprise romantic date night out. It’s taller than the Space Needle and gives you an unmatched view of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains.
Seattle Art Museum
website | 1300 1st Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | price: ~$29.99 pp | best for: fine art
The Seattle Art Museum is one of my favorite museums in Seattle and would make for a very peaceful and educational date destination. It’s also the largest fine art museum in the Pacific Northwest, so you could easily spend all afternoon here.
Pro tip: It’s free to enter on the first Thursday of the month, but reservations fill up quickly, so don’t wait.
Selfie Museum
website | 92 Union St (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | price: ~$25 pp | best for: taking Insta-worthy pics
Walking through the Original Selfie Museum feels like stepping into a coloring book. There are countless interactive exhibits where you and your sweetie can take the perfect couple picture to cherish for years to come…or have a good laugh over.
The Seattle Great Wheel
website | 1301 Alaskan Wy (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | price: ~$20 pp | best for: cozy ride with a view
There’s something so romantic about riding a ferris wheel, and it doesn’t get grander than the Seattle Great Wheel. The view is expansive, and at night, it comes alive with colorful lights, making for a romantic evening.
The Seattle Aquarium
website | 1483 Alaskan Way Pier 59 (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | price: ~$41 pp | best for: peaceful marine animal exhibits
One of my favorite romantic things to do in Seattle is to quietly experience the aquarium together. There are plenty of cozy corners to sit and talk or peacefully watch the fish pass you by.
Woodland Park Zoo
website | 750 N. 50th Street (get directions) | neighborhood: Phinney Ridge | price: ~$22 pp | best for: feeling like a kid again
Much like the aquarium, there’s something oddly romantic about watching the animal exhibits. I could easily sit and animal-watch with Dan for hours and not even think to grab my phone.
Take a food tour
Food tours are the perfect mini adventure to share with your sweetheart as you discover your new favorite restaurants together. My self-guided food tours explore multiple foodie neighborhoods across Seattle. In each tour, I include tips on what to order, when to visit, and a few honorable mentions so you can maximize each tour.
Or, you can take advantage of one of these in-person guided tours:
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market
- Seattle Chocolate Tour
- Seattle Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour
- Craft Cocktail Gourmet Food Tour
See a show
Surprising your loved one with tickets to a live show is never a bad idea, especially when it’s a performer or act they’ve been dying to see. Here are some favorites.
5th Avenue Theatre
website | 1308 5th Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | price: varies | best for: musicals
Being a 5th Avenue Theatre member, one of my favorite date night ideas is taking Dan to see a musical. The actual theater is beautiful, and they host a variety of acts ranging from Mary Poppins to Bye Bye Birdie.
Paramount Theatre
website | 911 Pine St (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | price: varies | best for: traveling Broadway shows
The Paramount is a theatre venue where you’ll find more traveling-Broadway performances like Hamilton or Stomp, as well as musical concerts, guest speakers, and comedic performers.
Candlelight Orchestra
What could be more romantic than a candlelight orchestra? Featuring covers of the greats like The Beatles and Queen, rotating venues around Seattle host this romantic event year-round.
Is a rooftop show more up your alley? Check out the Concert Under the Stars series that hosts talented musicians doing covers of recognizable artists like Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse, and ABBA.
Pacific Science Laser Dome
website | 200 2nd Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Queen Anne | price: ~$24 pp | best for: laser show
One of my favorite unique Seattle experiences is to visit the PacSci Laser Dome for a nighttime laser show. Music from popular musicians like Billie Eilish and Pink Floyd play as laser artists impress with a dazzling light show.
Burlesque
Feeling frisky? Take your sweetie to The Triple Door for an evening of live music and burlesque dancing in a historic building. Or head to Pike Place Market’s Can Can Cabaret for dinner and a show.
Get on the water
Getting out on the water is inherently romantic, and there are plenty of water activities in Seattle anytime of year. Come winter, you can rent a hot tub boat and cruise around Lake Union in a warm tub filled with Epsom salts and rose petals. Prefer saunas? Rent a floating sauna with a few of your friends for a romantic double or triple date.
In the warmer month, you can rent a kayak or electric boat and meander around Lake Union. If you don’t feel like doing all the work, take one of these tours:
- Seattle Harbor Cruise with Live Narration
- Seattle Locks Cruise
- Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle
Alternatively, take a quick ferry ride and spend the day exploring one of Seattle’s nearby islands:
Go on a hot air balloon ride
If your partner has “go on a hot air balloon ride” on their Seattle bucket list, surprise them with a private ride for two around Snohomish. You’ll enjoy the panoramic views of the Puget Sound and unencumbered mountainscapes.
Try skydiving
Nothing says commitment more than helping your partner achieve their dream of skydiving. Skydive Snohomish is consistently rated one of the best places in the PNW for sky diving.
Too nervous for the real thing? Try iFly for one of your next Seattle date night ideas instead. It’s an indoor skydiving experience that’s just as thrilling but without the whole having to, you know, jump out of a plane.
Snuggle at a romantic theater
Anyone can go to places like Regal or AMC, but going to a local theater that offers fancy cocktails and cozy chairs is a game-changer. Here are some of my favorite Seattle theaters that would be one of the best Seattle date night ideas.
Majestic Bay
website | 2044 NW Market St (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | price: ~$16 pp | best for: first run films
Majestic Bay is more of your traditional movie theater, but with comfy seating and a better than average food selection. They also show first-run films, which is nice if there’s a feature film you and your partner are dying to watch.
Central Cinema
website | 1411 21st Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Central District | price: ~$12 pp | best for: dine-in theater
Central Cinema is a retro-vibe theater that delivers boozy cocktails and pub grub to your seat, allowing you to sit back and watch your favorite second-run movies.
Big Picture
website | 35 W Sunset Way (get directions) | neighborhood: Issaquah | price: ~$17.25 pp | best for: plush seating
Big Picture is my preferred choice when I need more than a snack before showtime. They have a cocktail lounge with smash burgers and hot dogs, and the theater has extra-roomy seats for cozying up to watch first-runs.
Go for a romantic meal
Date nights are perfect for splurging on a fancy dinner, and Seattle has plenty of date night restaurants to choose from. Here are some of my favorites.
The Pink Door
website | 1919 Post Alley (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown| price: $$$ | best for: dinner with a show
The Pink Door is one of the best date night spots in Seattle because it’s centrally located in Pike Place Market, has genuinely good Italian food, and often hosts live talent ranging from musicians to trapeze acrobatics.
Archipelago
website | 5607 Rainier Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: Hillman City | price: $$$$ | best for: PNW-Filipino fusion
Archipelago is one of the best fine dining restaurants in Seattle and is perfect for a cozy, intimate night out. They only seat 10-12 guests each evening, so part of what makes it special is actually snagging a seat. Once you do, you can expect a menu that changes based on the seasons and what the chef procures at the markets.
Dining in the Dark
website | 400 Dexter Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: South Lake Union | price: ~$64 pp | best for: unique dining experience
Before you ask, yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. You and your partner are blindfolded and then given a 3-course mystery menu in accordance with your dietary preferences. The idea is that this heightens your other senses, though it also makes for a unique Seattle date night idea!
Stroll and picnic in one of Seattle’s parks
My early Seattle date night ideas often happened during the day. Dan would take us on romantic picnics, using it as an excuse to explore the city’s beautiful parks with various amenities ranging from picture-perfect views to secret beaches and observatories. Here are some of the best Seattle parks if you want to do the same.
Volunteer Park
website | 1247 15th Ave E (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | price: ~$6 pp for the conservatory | best for: conservatory
Volunteer Park is spacious and beautiful, though the conservatory is what makes it a date destination. It’s lined with glass panels, which let in tons of natural light, and the seasonal blooming plants make it even dreamier. You can also visit the Asian Art Museum which is nestled inside the park.
Kubota Gardens
website | 9817 55th Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: Rainier Beach | price: free | best for: Japanese gardens
The Kubota Gardens feel like a retreat from the bustling city and would make for a very peaceful date excursion. The park is free to enter and includes 20 acres of waterfalls, ponds, and 100-year-old Japanese trees.
Kerry Park
website | 211 W Highland Dr (get directions) | neighborhood: Queen Anne | price: free | best for: viewpoint
Kerry Park is one of the quintessential Seattle parks namely for its iconic viewpoint of the Space Needle. It can get crowded during peak times, but I’ve always thought if you timed it right, it would make the perfect engagement photo shoot.
Have a couples’ spa day
Pampering your partner is nice, but it’s even nicer when you can both get something out of the deal. Seattle has amazing spas, and I’m partial to Le SPA de l’hôtel LOTTE or Massage Reimagined for their couples’ packages.
Or you could try one of these spa experiences in Seattle offering Groupons so you can save some money:
- The Little Red Day Spa Couples’ Massage
- Main Massage Spa Hot Stone Massages
- Total Body Wellness Float & Sauna
- Relaxing Detox & Recovery Experience
Cheer on a team at a sports game
If you’re not a sports person, but you’re dating one, you know they would appreciate you rallying and going to catch a game with them, whether it’s the Seahawks for football, Mariners for baseball, Storm for basketball, Sounders or Reign for soccer, or the Kraken for hockey.
Go on a neighborhood art walk
Neighborhood art walks make a fun date night plan since they’re low-key and inexpensive (technically free, though you’re encouraged to support local PNW artists). Here are the neighborhoods in Seattle hosting regular art walks:
- Ballard & Georgetown – Every second Saturday
- Belltown – Every second Friday
- Capitol Hill – Every second Thursday
- Downtown – Every fourth Friday
- Central District & Fremont – Every first Friday
Another option is to get a ticket to the SAM Remix. It’s a 21+ event held twice yearly and features live DJs, contemporary dancers, cocktails, and the opportunity to meet the talented artists featured in the museum.
Take a scenic flight
Taking a scenic flight is one of the best Seattle date night ideas that I’d bet neither of you have done before. Kenmore Air will fly you over Seattle, Mt. Rainier, or the San Juan Islands. Or kick off a weekend getaway in style with a one way scenic seaplane transfer from Vancouver to Seattle.
Has your partner ever wanted to get behind the steering wheel? Book them a personal helicopter flying course!
Cozy up at a themed bar or speakeasy
When in doubt, my go-to date night idea usually involves bellying up to a swanky bar to indulge in some cocktails. Here are some of my favorite speakeasies, cozy bars, and hidden gems.
The Velvet Elk
website | 3605 S McClellan St (get directions) | neighborhood: Mt. Baker | price: $$ | best for: intimate seating
The Velvet Elk is one of Seattle’s lesser-known gems. The moody lighting and comfortable seating make it ideal for getting to know each other, and the board games upstairs could help first date jitters.
In addition to cocktails, they have corndogs and you can bring in pizzas from Mioposto next door.
Needle & Thread
website | 1406 12th Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | price: $$ | best for: prohibition-era speakeasy
Needle & Thread is the speakeasy located upstairs from Tavern Law. To get in, you have to make a reservation, check in at Tavern Law, then pick up the phone that enables you to pass the secret bookcase.
Once you’re in, you’re rewarded with a dimly lit, intimate barroom with prohibition-era cocktails and a curated food menu.
Knee High Stocking Co.
website | 1356 E Olive Wy (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | price: $$ | best for: Filipino comfort food & cocktails
Knee High is a Filipino-inspired cocktail bar that’s somewhat of a speakeasy since the only signage is an unassuming placard. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted with a food menu heavy on Filipino flavors served alongside unique cocktails.
Escape on a romantic getaway
If time allows, one of the most romantic Seattle date night ideas is to book a whole weekend away. Even if you staycation in Seattle, you’ll find there’s plenty to do. Check out some of my favorite destinations for a weekend rendezvous:
More date ideas in Seattle
After you make your way through this list of Seattle date night ideas, check out my other guides for romantic ways to spend time together!
