Best Dates in the Washington, DC Area

Are you looking for some fun ideas of things to do on a date? The Washington, DC area has plenty of great places to go on a date without breaking the bank. Get creative and try something new. Here are some suggestions. If you have some of your own ideas to add, please send me an email at dc.guide@about.com.

Visit the Monuments – There is something magical about visiting Washington, DC’s monuments and they are especially romantic at night when they are illuminated.

Picnic, Hiking, Biking, Rollerblading – Enjoying the fresh air together is a great way to get to know someone in a casual atmosphere. Some of the best spots to enjoy outdoor recreation in the Washington, DC area include East Potomac Park-Haines Point, Great Falls Park, and C & O Canal Historic National Park. Visit regional or local parks in Maryland and Virginia as well.

Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddle Boating – Rent a canoe or kayak on the Potomac River or go paddle boating on the Tidal Basin.

Explore Historic Sites & Museums – The Washington, DC area is the home to a wide variety of museums and historic sites. You can see the world's most extensive collection of artifacts of history, science, art, space and more. Check out some of the smaller museums for a quieter and more intimate visit or attend a special event to see a different side of a more popular attraction.

Miniature Golf – Playing a game of putt-putt is a fun and relaxing date and a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Play at East Potomac Park in Washington, DC or find a miniature golf course in Maryland and Virginia.

Visit the Torpedo Factory Art Center - Explore this visual arts center in Old Town Alexandria with 84 working studios, 5 galleries, and 2 workshops. Watch artists of all kinds of media at work and ask questions about their creative processes.

Visit the National Zoo – There is no admission fee and what’s more romantic than marveling over those adorable animals while walking through the beautiful grounds at Washington, DC’s zoo.

Visit the Gardens – Visiting a beautiful place sets the stage for romance. The Washington, DC area has great places to enjoy the beauty and fresh fragrance of colorful plants and flowers.

Ice Skating/Roller Skating – Skating is great fun. The Washington, DC area has a nice selection of skating rinks.

Bowling – Bowling can be a fun date, but try not to get too competitive. Invite another couple to join in the fun. Check with the alley before going to make sure they have open bowling lanes at the time you wish to go (some have dedicated lanes to bowling leagues).

Dancing at Glen Echo Park – Glen Echo Park holds regularly scheduled dances that are open to the public in their Spanish Ballroom. Kick up your heels and try a new dance style. Lessons are included at most dances.

Comedy Clubs - Enjoy a night of laughter at a comedy club in the Washington, DC area.

Visit the Observation Deck of the Old Post Office Pavilion – The Old Post Office Pavilion offers a birds-eye view of Washington, DC from its 270 foot observation deck.

Smithsonian Jazz Café – On Friday evenings, jazz artists from the Washington, DC area perform live music in the cafeteria at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Free Summer Concerts - Summertime brings great free concerts to the Washington DC Area. Pack a picnic, grab your lawn chairs and head outdoors to listen to great local music.

Small Theaters – Community theaters – Tickets to major performances in the area are pricey. But the Washington, DC area has lots of smaller theaters that put on a good show at a lower cost. Look here for discounted tickets.