Date ideas in Raleigh, NC, are not hard to come by, but if you’re stuck, here’s a guide to help you!
Have you managed to score a date with someone you really want to impress? Then you’ll need to pick the perfect date spot to take them to. The good news is, in Raleigh, NC, there’s no shortage of places where you can go to have a great time. Here are a few date ideas in Raleigh, NC, that will surely get you that second date.
Table of Content
Visit a Real-Life Chocolate Factory
Take a Stroll Through a Farmer’s Market
Learn About the History of the State
Browse Through an Independent Book Store
Take a Hike Through a State Park
Go to a Symphony
Here are some date ideas in Raleigh, NC, for the music lovers out there, you should take advantage of the fact that the North Carolina Symphony puts on concerts year-round at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Typically, they hold around 175 concerts a year, so there’s likely going to be a show that you’ll both want to see.
There’s some really interesting range, too, when it comes to the music on offer. For dates who are lovers of classical music, you can take in some Beethoven or Mozart, and for fantasy lovers, there’s their Fairy Tales & Dragons concert. There’s even an ABBA-themed concert, too if you want to see the band in a new light.
If you want to keep things going after the concert, the 10th & Terrace at Residence Inn Downtown Raleigh is nearby, perfect for a nightcap.
Visit a Real-Life Chocolate Factory
There are not many people out there who don’t like chocolate, so your date will most likely be excited to visit the Videri Chocolate Factory. Located in the Raleigh Warehouse District, you can take a self-guided tour around the factory to see just how their chocolates are made from the beginning to the end of the process. Of course, you’ll be able to taste test the chocolate as you walk through too.
The chocolates they have on offer are seasonal, so you could be sampling hot chocolate, truffles, coffee, bonbons, and more besides. If you’re still hungry for more, they have a walk-up window offering soft-serve ice cream too. It’s a lot of fun for couples who want to indulge in their sweet tooth.
Take a Stroll Through a Farmer’s Market
If you’re looking for relaxed daytime date ideas in Raleigh, NC, then why not consider the State Farmer’s Market? It’s considered to be one of the nation’s best farmer’s markets, packed full of restaurants, specialty shops, produce, and more. You and your date can have a stroll through all the stands and pick up some goodies to sample later.
For those who want to make the most of a sunny day, Dorothea Dix Park is very close by. Why not take the food you picked up at the market, and take it there for a picnic? It’s such a simple date idea, but it is very romantic.
Play An Escape Game
Escape games have fast become a popular date idea, and if you have a date who’s on the adventurous side, you’ll want to give them a go. The Tower Escapes is located in a granite and brick water tower that dates all the way back to 1887, offering a suitably spooky feel to the game at hand.
There are several escape room games available here, and they’re designed for groups of 2 to 10 people each. If you want to try and get out on your own as a couple, pick one of the games that cater to 2 players. If you wait to make it a double date, though, there are games that cater to that too.
Whichever game you choose, you’ll be faced with puzzles and riddles that you’ll both need to solve within an hour, so you can escape the room and claim victory. If you’ve never tried an escape room before, why not give this a try?
Enjoy a Beautiful Garden
Sometimes you just want to be able to take a walk with your date and take in the scenery with them. If you want to get to know them better in some beautiful surroundings, then there’s nowhere better than the Juniper Level Botanic Garden. It’s located 12 miles south of downtown Raleigh and is somewhat of a well-kept secret within the area.
Here, you’ll find 28 acres of exotic plants, native perennials, and lots of other unusual plants that you may not see anywhere else. It really is one of a kind, so you’ll want to come with a nature-loving date to see what they have to offer.
Be aware that the garden is only open on select ‘open house’ dates, so you’ll need to plan your date accordingly.
Learn About the History of the State
For a history-loving date, you won’t want to pass up a chance to visit the North Carolina Museum of History. They have a whole range of exhibits that you can spend the afternoon exploring and learning about. This includes more than 14,000 years of the state’s history, starting with NC’s earliest inhabitants. Here, they also have the North Caroline Sports Hall of Fame, which will be a good spot to take a sports fan to.
The museum has other exhibits too, and right now that includes the Toy Boom! Toys from the 1950s & ’60s exhibit. You’ll find lots of popular playthings here that got their start in the era, such as the Easy Bake Oven and Rock’ Em Sock’ Em Robots, to name a few.
Create Your Own Masterpiece
If you both feel like indulging your creative side, then you should plan a date at Wine and Design. Here, you can attend both in-person and virtual events, where you can create your very own painting while sipping on a specially chosen wine. If you’re interested in a more intimate event, you can even book a private event too.
Book a slot at an event at the flagship location, or pick up an at-home painting kit that comes with your virtual event registration. Either way, you’re bound to have a great time and maybe find a love for painting, too.
Browse Through an Independent Book Store
For those that love a good book, finding a good bookstore to browse through is always a great date idea in Raleigh, NC. It’s also an excellent way to spend a date, too. The Quail Ridge Books store in North Hills is renowned for the number of books they pack into their two floors, so whatever you’re into, you’ll be sure to find it here. There are lots of other independent bookshops in the area, too, such as Page 158 Books, where you can ask the knowledgeable staff for their recommendations.
If you want to make a night of it, too, you can go ahead and buy some wine and cheese to create your own charcuterie board. Take it back home with you, along with your books, and you can spend the evening enjoying the stories you bought. Try Des Livres & Delices, where you can buy both the books and the food for a perfect night in.
Attend a Cooking Class
If you have a date who loves to pick up new skills, why not take them to Whisk in Cary? Here, they put on lots of different cooking classes, so you can learn to make everything from calzones to macarons. The teachers here will take you through the whole process, which typically takes around two to three hours. That includes time to taste-test the food you made, of course.
Check out their calendar to see what classes they’re offering, but make sure you book them quickly. They’re well known for selling out fast here.
Take a Hike Through a State Park
If you want to do something fun and outdoors, other date ideas in Raleigh, NC, can also include visiting state parks.
Has your date told you they love nothing more than to go hiking? If so, then you’ll want to take them to the William B. Umstead State Park, which offers 22 whole miles of hiking trails for you both to enjoy. They also have 13 miles of bridle and mountain biking trails too, if you’d prefer to get on two wheels or horseback. There are even fishing and paddling opportunities here, which really allows you to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
If you want to make the night of it, there’s even a campground here, too. Reserve a spot and spend the evening enjoying getting away from it all with some s’mores made over the campfire. It really is a unique way to spend a date night.
Throw Some Axes
Want to try something a little different? You can head to Epic Axe in the Morgan Street Food Hall and try your hand at this unique sport. The good news is that it’s very affordable, too, with spots being available for as little as $30 per person for 30 minutes.
They offer beers and wines, too, so you can enjoy a drink as you try your hand at axe throwing. Just make sure that you follow the advice of the staff and pay attention to where you’re throwing those axes!
Conclusion
These are just a handful of date ideas in Raleigh, NC. There’s no shortage of date ideas; you and your date can take in the scenery, visit different restaurants and dessert shops, and enjoy the symphony. There’s so much to see and do here, no matter what your date is.
About the Author
Jenny Han is a dissertation writer for Paper Fellows. She covers relationships and relationship advice.
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