Atlanta offers many romantic and fun date options, whether you are celebrating an anniversary, going on a first date, or merely want a fun night out. Stop taking your partner to the same bar, restaurant, or movie theater. Georgia’s capital is also called the Hollywood of the South, and there’s never a shortage of things to see and do. Impress your special someone with one of these creative date ideas in Atlanta. That way, you will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression and develop fond memories.
Find the right activity that fits your style, or maybe try something you’ve never done before. If you want to have consistently fun dates, make it a goal to check off every activity on this list. Atlanta has so much character, its charm will work with you to make your date feel exceptionally special.
Here are some of our favorite ideas for a romantic date night in Atlanta.
- Heat up Your Relationship
- Being a Nerd Is Hot
- One Step at a Time
- Create, Paint, and Drink Wine
- Become a Detective
- Tickle Your Funny Bone at the Laughing Skull Lounge
- The Best Restaurant for a Romantic Date in Atlanta
- Treat Your Sweetheart
Take an Art Stroll Through Castleberry Hill
Castleberry Hill is a vibrant art district set in a trendy industrial area with a strong historic identity. Builders in this neighborhood have converted old warehouses into hip residential lofts and indie art galleries. Filmmakers have also made this area famous by shooting popular movies here. This part of town is perfect for history buffs, creative artists, and anyone looking for something unique and exhilarating.
Every second Friday is the Art Stroll, where you can visit famous art galleries, including Besharat Gallery and ZuCot Gallery. Neighborhood craft stores and restaurants will be open during the art stroll, so you can get a local taste of the area. Stop into Wine Shoe and taste samplings of their fine wine. There is always something new and exciting to find in Castleberry Hill.
Party Under the Sea at the Georgia Aquarium – and Take a Nap?
Sips Under the Sea is a unique cocktail party for adults over the age of 21 who want to enjoy the world-famous Georgia Aquarium after hours. Sometimes you need to get away from the kids and enjoy cocktails at five full-service bars, a live DJ, and access to all six of the Aquarium galleries. This event takes place periodically throughout the year and always has a fun theme. Plan well in advance, as tickets sell out fast.
If having an underwater party isn’t enough, stay late for an underwater sleepover, which is a separate event from Sips Under the Sea. Admission includes a bedtime snack, breakfast, admission through the next day, and a cozy sleeping spot in front of one of our magnificent gallery windows. Let all your Little Mermaid dreams come true!
Feel the Romance From Ghost at Mudfire Studio and Gallery
Are you looking for fun and romantic activities in Atlanta? Get a little dirty and work with your hands at the city’s top pottery studio, Mudfire Studio and Gallery. You might not immediately throw the perfect pot, but add a little music and a glass of wine, and you have the perfect recipe for a fantastic date. Your partner will be talking about this date for months. Remember to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
You each can work on separate ceramics pieces with a classic pottery experience, or if you two lovebirds want to work together on a project, ask about hand-building, where you can make tapas plates or a cute flask. These activities are available any day of the week at any time, but you should call at least 24 to 48 hours in advance.
Have a Magical Date Night
Looking for a major “wow” moment? The Atlanta Magic Theater offers a blend of comedy and magic with tons of audience involvement. World-class magician Peter Morrison blends classical magic with modern mentalism. His shows are mystifying, and will undoubtedly leave you feeling bewildered.
Magic shows are always fun to attend, and it gives you no shortage of things to talk about over dinner. Maybe it will even inspire you to try your hand at sorcery. Showtimes are Fridays at 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. General-admission guests get seated based on the order of arrival.
Tour the Town on the Atlanta Streetcar
Are you looking for a unique way to explore downtown Atlanta? Take a romantic ride on Atlanta’s newest transportation option. The Streetcar has 12 stops on a loop that’s just shy of three miles. It connects the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site with Centennial Olympic Park. Get a glimpse of Atlanta’s past, and visit attractions where you can see monumental moments where the Civil Rights movement took place. You can easily hop on and off when something catches your eye. You will have easy access to Atlanta’s top bars, restaurants, and convention centers. The Streetcar is rarely crowded, and it is immaculately clean.
One-way trips are only $1 or opt for a one-day pass for just $3.
Shift Your Date Into High Gear
No list of exciting date ideas in Atlanta would be complete without mentioning the Porsche Experience Center, located just south of the city. It is a phenomenal place to find an out-of-this-world adrenaline rush. You can take a tour of the venue, experience a simulated track, or —wait for it — you can even drive a Porsche on a closed course! The Porsche driving experience includes one-on-one, expert instructions for the entire experience. If you’d prefer to experience the thrill from the passenger seat, ask one of their experienced Porsche driving instructors to whisk you away. After your exhilarating experience on the track, unwind with a tasty cocktail at the rooftop Overdrive Lounge that overlooks the track.
The Porsche Experience Center offers 90-minute guided tours with a VIP option that includes a ride around the track. Guests are also welcome to take a self-guided tour through the heritage gallery, where classic vehicle displays are continually changing. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Heat up Your Relationship
Get creative by taking a private glassblowing class where you can create a sculpted glass flower or a blown glass ornament. At Decatur Glassblowing, you do not have to be an expert to give this a try. They design their classes for beginners. Each participant works one-on-one with an instructor through creating a unique work of glass art. Glassblowing is an excellent opportunity to try something new and create a beautiful product. For a perfect date night, book a 90-minute session online for two participants.
Being a Nerd Is Hot
Similar to the Sip Under the Sea, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History offers a monthly after-hours event, Fernbank After Dark, that combines science, art, live music, and cocktails. Admission includes access to all museum exhibits, hands-on science activities, and a special 20-minute 3D movie. Activities and science themes change regularly, so you will want to keep coming back. Just because you have finished school, that doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. Each level of the museum features different activities, such as live demonstrations by local street artists. Ticket holders can enjoy small bites and full-service bars.
This event takes place on the second Friday of every month from 7 to 11 p.m. Snag your tickets online or by calling 404-929-6400. Fernbank After Dark has limited space available, so book your date night in advance.
One Step at a Time
What’s more romantic than dancing? Take a salsa dancing class at Salsa ATL, a local dance company dedicated to teaching fun Latin dancing. Whether you have two left feet or naturally have the gift of rhythm, salsa music is exciting, and the energy is positive, so you’ll be sure to enjoy yourself. They also teach bachata, a sexy style of dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. It is much more sensual, relaxed, and intimate than other dances you might have seen.
Dress comfortably, and wear shoes that slide. If you don’t want to switch partners, let the instructor know, and you can have your date all to yourself. Pre-registration is not necessary, so if you’re feeling spontaneous, you can drop in for a memorable spur-of-the-moment date. Check their calendar, because they do so much more than just teaching salsa and bachata — they also hold amazing dance parties in their studio.
Create, Paint, and Drink Wine
You’ve been to so many art galleries and said, “I could make that.” Give it a try at Painting With a Twist. It is a fun and relaxed class with instruction from an experienced artist that takes you step by step into creating your masterpiece. Turn your brain off and focus on the brush stroking the canvas. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artistic person, do it for the experience — and, most importantly, the wine. Check their calendar and see which design catches your eye. They also offer date night paintings, where you and your date each paint one half of the painting and match them up to create a whole masterpiece.
Classes are usually two hours for $35 or $45 for a three-hour session. They provide aprons, but if you are messy, we recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on. If a bit of paint does find its way onto your clothes, let the instructor know — they are pros at getting it out. Painting with a Twist provides glassware and wine openers, but you must bring your wine from home.
Become a Detective
Feel like a kid again and go on a scavenger hunt at Centennial Olympic Park. Solve over 20 challenges in two hours for one epic adventure. You and your date will complete fun photo challenges, solve riddles, and test your knowledge of local trivia. They also offer interactive roles for new couples and old lovers alike. These scavenger hunts help couples connect better with each other through themed photo challenges and activities.
You can do these scavenger hunts any day of the week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. No reservation required. Download the app to find the nearest scavenger hunt.
Tickle Your Funny Bone at the Laughing Skull Lounge
You might not be the best at telling jokes, but you still want to make your date laugh. Your best bet is to take them to Atlanta’s best comedy club: Laughing Skull Lounge in midtown Atlanta. Stand-up comedy is a personal art that is best when you enjoy it in an intimate setting, and Laughing Skull Lounge is the smallest full-time comedy club venue in the world. Take your date to this club to watch their face light up and catch that beautiful smile. Friday has two shows at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday has three sets at 5, 8, and 10:30 p.m. Ticket prices are between $35 and $45, with a two-drink minimum. Buy your tickets in advance online.
Open mic nights are every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, starting at 8 p.m. Approximately 15 comedians each get a four-minute time slot to try their material. These evenings are for beginners, so who knows — you might witness the next breakout success!
This comedy club is a bit different from others. They do not sell food during the show and are a nonsmoking facility. After working up an appetite from laughing so hard, stop by one of Atlanta’s finest restaurants.
The Best Restaurant for a Romantic Date in Atlanta
Catch 12 is the best date night restaurant in Downtown Atlanta to impress your sweetheart. This modern eatery with a Japanese twist, conveniently located in the heart of Atlanta, offers a chic, tasteful ambiance. Whether you are looking for high-quality sushi or a juicy steak, Catch 12 will not disappoint. For sushi lovers looking for a little more adventure, try the King Roll — a decadent combination of asparagus, spicy mayo, fried lobster tail, crab, and torched filet mignon finished with garlic teriyaki. For the best steak in Atlanta, you must try the 32-ounce dry aged porterhouse. Catch 12 serves dinner daily from 5:30 to 11 p.m., and you can call or make a reservation online.
Catch 12 also offers an assortment of fine wine, cold sake, draft beers, and 12 handcrafted cocktails. After indulging in the best meal of your life, stay the night at the most luxurious hotels in the city, Twelve Hotel Autograph Collection.
Treat Your Sweetheart
There are so many romantic things to do in Atlanta for your date night, so add a memorable touch to your evening and surprise your sweetie with a small gift. Try shopping for something local and meaningful. Show your date you put thought into it and you truly care about them.
If your partner likes chocolate, stop by Xocolatl either before or during your date to take a tour and try some samples. Their chocolate bars are divine, but be sure to try their chocolate-covered jelly beans too.
You can also go the other traditional route and bring your date flowers from Atlanta’s favorite local florist, Peachtree Petals. With their excellent customer service, they can help you pick the perfect bouquet for your special someone.
Romantic date ideas in Atlanta come in all styles and interests, but try mixing and matching your favorite activities with quality time to sweep your date off their feet. Above all else, remember to have fun and cherish each other.