Looking for romantic date ideas in Seattle? You’ve come to the right place!
Whether you’re trying to plan a first date or looking for new things to do with your significant other, coming up with fresh date ideas can be tough. That’s why we’ve put together this detailed list of some of the most romantic things to do in Seattle. From outdoorsy adventures to cozy rainy-day activities, there’s something here for everyone. You could even make it your mission to check off every date idea on this list!
The best part is that many of these date ideas are cheap or even free! So if you’re looking to spend some quality time with your boo while on a budget, there’s options here for you.
1. See a romantic Candlelight Concert
Seattle has several stunning venues that become illuminated with candlelight while talented musicians play tribute to popular artists such as Taylor Swift. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that! You can get your Candlelight Concert tickets here.
2. Have a sunset picnic on the beach
Spring is the perfect time to warm up in front of a cozy fire on the beach. Golden Gardens in Ballard and Alki Beach in West Seattle are two beaches that are gorgeous spots to watch the sunset with your date.
A pro tip is to check out the Beach Fire Boys setups. These professionals will help you with everything you need for an romantic beach picnic. The only thing you’ll have to do is select your package, and they’ll get it ready for you to enjoy!
3. Go on a “Night Walk Amongst The Stars”
You and your sweetie can bundle up for a romantic evening date at Astra Lumina: A Night Walk Amongst The Stars. This illuminated night walk at the Seattle Chinese Garden will be an unforgettable date night. Tickets are on sale now!
4. Dine at one of the most romantic restaurants in Seattle
Elevate your next dinner date by taking them to one of the places on our list of the most romantic restaurants in Seattle. Some of the spots on the list are also good for a romantic brunch or a drinks date.
5. See a rooftop concert
It doesn’t get much more romantic than a jazz concert of popular love songs under the stars on a Seattle rooftop. From Ella to Amy with LOVE! at The Olympic Rooftop at Stoneburner is coming up this February 15. Get tickets here!
6. Impress with the knowledge of a local
We asked locals for the most romantic places in Seattle. This list is a goldmine for a wide variety of date spots around the city, from restaurants to parks with stunning views.
7. Connect as you Dine in the Dark
What could be more romantic than dining? Dining in the Dark! Experience delicious food in a whole new way with an experience that’s sure to bring you closer as you giggle together. Elevate your romantic celebration with a secret 3–course menu at Invited Clubs, featuring delectable appetizers, enticing mains, and tempting desserts for you to enjoy blindfolded. It’s an extraordinary taste adventure where each bite thrills and you can choose from the meat, seafood, or vegan options so everybody can indulge in a fantastic foodie escapade!
8. Go wine tasting in Woodinville
Does your date love wine? Although Seattle is well-known for its brewery scene, there is also nearby Woodinville: a sanctuary for wine enthusiasts. Woodinville offers a variety of wineries, but one of the most popular and oldest wineries there is Chateau Ste. Michelle. This Washingtonian favorite is one of the most beautiful wineries and it’s perfect for a date during the day or evening.
9. Soak in a hot tub boat on Lake Union
Ready to get a little steamy? You and your date can warm up together in a hot tub boat on Lake Union! You’ll relax in the warm water while cruising the lake, taking in mesmerizing views of the city, and enjoying your choice of music with a glass of wine in hand. The best part of this date is that you can enjoy it pretty much year-round—and your other half will be impressed by its novelty.
10. Go on a romantic getaway
If you’re looking to plan a luxurious date away from the city this spring, check out these charming small towns near Seattle. You can squeeze in a romantic weekend getaway with your boo, enjoy each other’s company, and relax!
11. Take a class together
If you’re nervous about running out of things to say, why not do a hands-on activity with your date? Seattle has no shortage of restaurants and shops that offer unique classes. You can take a cooking class at The Pantry, learn to make donuts at Raised Doughnuts and Cakes, or partake in a variety of hands-on activities such as jewelry-making and terrarium-crafting at The Works.
The best part is that if things don’t work out with your crush, at least you get to come away from it with a new skill or something cool that you made!
12. Pick out vintage records for each other
Does your date love talking about music? Take them to one of Seattle’s amazing used record stores. You can easily spend an hour browsing, and then afterwards have a fun discussion about what you each found.
13. Browse for poetry in a cozy bookstore
If your date is more into books than music, they’ll love being taken to a cozy Seattle bookstore. Luckily, Seattle has lots of amazing bookstores (and springtime in Seattle provides plenty of rainy days for that extra cozy factor). If the date is going well, get coffee afterwards and talk about the books that you picked out.
Budget tip: If you and your date both have library cards, visit the Seattle Central Library downtown instead! It might seem unusual to go on a date to the library, but once you see the building’s stunning architecture you’ll be glad you did.
14. Go snow shoeing
If there’s still snow, you can visit Longmire in Mount Rainier National Park for an early spring date of snow shoeing. It’s romantic, adventurous, and scenic!
15. Explore the Washington Park Arboretum
Looking for a scenic and peaceful place to stroll and talk? Take your date to the Washington Park Arboretum. It’s free and is especially beautiful in the spring when all the fragrant flowers begin to bloom.
16. Explore a local farmers market
Looking for something casual to do with your date? Meet up with them at your local farmers market! In addition to the famous Pike Place Market downtown, Seattle has multiple neighborhood farmers markets. Some of them operate year-round while others are seasonal, but they’re all an excellent place to try some new foods and do a little shopping with your boo.
17. Meet up for brunch
Is your date a morning person? Treat them to pancakes and a hot beverage at one of the best brunch spots in Seattle. We can’t think of a better way to start the day.
18. Grab drinks at a themed bar
Getting a drink at any old bar on a first date is over-done. Instead, surprise your date by taking them to a bar with an unexpected theme! Seattle loves a good themed bar, so you can delight them with a trip to a pirate ship, a 1920s speakeasy, and more. See our full guide to Seattle’s most creative themed bars.
19. Take a train ride to Vancouver, B.C.
What’s more romantic than whisking someone away on a scenic train trip? The Amtrak Cascades route between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. has started up again! The spring scenery is sure to be stunning. You can read all about this train trip here.
20. Go on a scenic city hike
Not everyone enjoys hiking but if you live in Seattle there’s a good chance that your date is the outdoorsy type. You can easily get out in nature together this spring even if neither of you owns a car, thanks to these hikes that you can do without even leaving Seattle!
21. Explore Seattle on bikes
If you both own bikes already, this is a great free date idea. But even if you rent bikes, this date won’t break the bank and it is a great way to explore the city together without too much pressure to keep up a conversation. All you need is a reflective rain jacket! See our guide to Seattle’s best bike trails.
22. Visit the rose garden next to the zoo
The rose garden next to the Woodland Park Zoo is seriously underrated. Entrance is free and the garden is beautiful year-round, even when the roses aren’t in bloom. Afterwards, you can continue the date with a trip to the zoo!
23. Grab a meal at a classic Seattle diner
When it’s chilly out in Seattle, there’s nothing better than enjoying some comfort food in a classic diner setting. See our guide to the best diners in Seattle.
24. Meet for cocktails on a romantic rooftop bar
If you really want to impress your date, take them high above where they can watch the sun set on the city. Seattle has several rooftop bars with stunning views. Most of them are set up with fire pits and covered seating so you can enjoy the view year-round.
25. Have dinner in front of a fireplace
If it’s cold and wet out, treat your date to a cozy dinner date by the fire. There are actually several bars and restaurants with fireplaces in Seattle.
26. Cheer on your favorite team together
Seattle’s first women’s sports bar Rough & Tumble opened recently. They play all the big games on their screens, but with a special focus on women’s sports. This is a great place to take a sporty date for a meal, a drink, and a good time.
27. Find a hidden Seattle speakeasy
If you really want to surprise and impress your date, take them to one of Seattle’s hidden speakeasies for a drink or two. Pictured above is Bathtub Gin & Co. in Belltown. We also love Founders Club, which is tucked away inside the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.
28. Get cultured together at a Seattle museum
Seattle has a wealth of really interesting and unique museums, such as the Nordic Museum in Ballard and the Museum of Pop Culture located at Seattle Center. Whichever museum you choose, it will make for a fun rainy day date. If you’re on a budget, check out our guide to Seattle’s free museum days.
29. Explore the Seattle Spheres
This one takes some advance planning, but if you reserve your spot ahead of time you can visit the Seattle Spheres for free. Inside you can warm up with a self-guided tour of the lush tropical forest and then get coffee and donuts at the General Porpoise Doughnuts, or get a drink at Deep Dive under the Spheres.
30. Try an exclusive omakase experience
Omakase experiences often give you an intimate ambiance as well as incredible sushi. Here’s where to find the most exclusive omakase sushi in Seattle. Any foodie will be impressed.
31. Watch the sunset at these scenic viewpoints
The sun is setting later again as spring returns to Seattle, so make the most of every sunset! Get bundled up and bring a hot beverage if it’s chilly before taking your date to one of the best sunset spots in Seattle.
32. Make a reservation at one of Seattle’s top French restaurants
What says “romance” more than dinner at an elegant French restaurant? These are the best French restaurants in Seattle.
33. Get dinner and a show
If your date isn’t easily wowed by a simple dinner, consider taking them out for more of an experience. Seattle is full of over-the-top dinner theaters and live music venues that serve incredible food. Here are the best Seattle restaurants with live music and shows.
34. Bundle up in a beer garden
Getting cozy by the fire while sipping a beer sounds like the perfect date to us. Luckily Seattle is full of beer gardens that can be enjoyed in all sorts of weather. Check out our guide to the best beer gardens in Seattle.
35. Enjoy an intimate concert on a historic steamship
This concert in Seattle is not your typical date night plan. The Steamer Virginia V, a historic steamship, invites music lovers to come aboard and hear two up-and-coming singer-songwriters perform an intimate concert. While there is something to be said for the energy at a standard concert in an arena, what could be more romantic than a raw performance on one of the only remaining steamships from the early 1900s?
36. Reach 360-degree views at Sky View Observatory
Get into the ultra-fast elevator at Sky View Observatory to be brought up 73 floors in 70 seconds. After the immersive elevator ride, the two of you will be at the top of the tallest public observatory in the Pacific Northwest. Take in the 360-degree views and talk about your dreams while looking at the Northwest’s magnificent scenery.
37. Visit the expanded Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium was recently improved with a new addition. You can easily spend an hour or two walking around and talking about how great the otters are.
38. Watch the sunset from the new Overlook Walk
Seattle’s new Overlook Walk is a fantastic place to watch the sun setting over Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains (just be sure to bundle up). Afterwards you can easily walk to one of the amazing restaurants at Pike Place Market for dinner or drinks.
39. Chat and relax in Seattle’s new floating sauna
Von Sauna floats on Lake Washington, which means you can cycle between the heat of the sauna and the naturally cold waters of the lake. There may be other people in the sauna at the same time as your date, which may take the pressure off to carry on a conversation the whole time.
40. Join a free art walk
Several Seattle neighborhoods have a free art walk every month. We recommend the Pioneer Square art walk, which occurs on the first Thursday of the month. You can walk around the art galleries in Pioneer Square on any evening of the month if you miss the official art walk date. Afterwards, get dinner and discuss the art at Damn the Weather.