15 Fun Date Night Ideas in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte is practically made for date nights. Treating that special someone to a night out on the town is easy with such a wide array of date night ideas. This city is so jam-packed with nightlife, dining options, outdoor parks and activities, entertainment, and sporting events that the hardest part is deciding which to do first!

Whether you’re headed out on a butterflies-inducing first date, basking in the glow of a new relationship on your 11th date, or celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary with your partner, here are 15 fun date night ideas in Charlotte to give you a head start on your planning:

The best restaurants for dates in Charlotte, NC

1. Copper

Located in a historic house on East Boulevard, this Indian restaurant is known for being intimate and quiet, hosting patrons in different dining rooms that are part of the old home. The Copper restaurant menu is exotic and delicious, with some of the best Indian fare in the city.

Whether you’re an Indian foodie or want to try something new, this could be a great idea to generate conversation and tantalize your taste buds during your evening out. Copper’s long menu makes deciding what you want a bit of a challenge, but this restaurant does offer options for everyone, whether you’re looking for scrumptious seafood or are a vegetarian. We definitely recommend ordering the chicken tikka masala!

2. SupperLand

Already winning plentiful acclaim from all who dine here, Plaza Midwood-based SupperLand is buzzing with popularity and is certainly the place to go if you’re looking to impress your date. The restaurant is located in an old church that was converted into a dining room and serves what the owners like to call a combination of southern steakhouse and church potluck (get it?). The original hardwood floors and century-old pews from Colorado fill the space, and the tables were handmade in the owners’ garage from North Carolina wood.

Supperland’s menu includes tasty dishes like Wagyu pot roast and grilled lobster. Many of the dishes are cooked over a 14-foot grill using oak and hickory wood. If you really want to impress on your date night, go for the seafood tower piled high with jumbo-lumped crab, shrimp, and branzino ceviche. There is also traditional Osetra caviar that is sustainably farmed in the state.

3. Dogwood: A Southern Table

If you’re new to town and want to impress a Carolina local, a date at Dogwood: A Southern Table is a fun way to show your interest in regional cooking. Located in South Park, this restaurant uses produce and ingredients from local farms and even has a chef’s table that perfectly fuels conversation on a first date. This dinner-only restaurant has easy-access parking and a menu of home-cooking favorites.

Start off your meal with bourbon bacon jam and pimento cheese before digging into appetizers like North Carolina shrimp and crab hushpuppies. In addition to fresh salads, some of the main dishes here include North Carolina trout and shrimp and grits.

4. RH Rooftop Restaurant

Get ready to be wowed by the decor, rooftop atmosphere, and menu at RH Rooftop Restaurant, which is located on the third floor of RH Charlotte, the 50,000-square-foot design gallery for Restoration Hardware. After perusing the store and discussing your favorite personal styles or design ideas, head up to the top floor, which is designed to look like a romantic, skylit garden patio—perfect for date night!

Your conversation will easily start flowing over cocktails or one of the 40 wines they offer by the glass before you launch into your tasty lunch or dinner. Some of the popular options here include the lobster roll, crispy artichokes, and burgers or steaks with truffle fries. Salads range from a traditional Caesar to a gem lettuce salad with feta, radish, and avocado.

Best of all, the service here is known for being exquisite and there is plenty of parking around the restaurant at Phillips Place.

5. Fahrenheit Charlotte

Another rooftop restaurant, Fahrenheit Charlotte is located Uptown and offers incredible skyline views from the top of the Skye Condos at 222 South Caldwell Street. The American menu from Chef Rocco Whalen includes wok-tossed lobster, a range of pizzas and salads (try the charred Caesar!), slow-braised American Wagyu short ribs, and lots of shareable sides like the lobster kimchi fried rice and loaded baked potato.

This spot is open daily for dinner but also offers a hopping Sunday brunch if you’re looking for a lower-key day date. Valet parking is the easiest option given the location, but a light rail station is also within walking distance.

The best outdoor venues for dates in Charlotte, NC

1. U.S. National Whitewater Center

Looking for an out-of-the-box date idea? Getting wet and wild outdoors could be a fun way to spend time together! The U.S. National Whitewater Center has a lot to do to keep adventurous visitors busy, including expert-led whitewater rafting, kayaking, biking, rock climbing, zip lining, and navigating ropes courses. In west Charlotte, this attraction draws visitors from around the country, and locals are lucky to have it in their backyard. There’s a small fee for parking, and there is plenty of onsite dining including a beer garden with a variety of craft beer.

2. Charlotte Motor Speedway

One of NASCAR’s most famous race tracks is not far from Charlotte, and this could put some relationships into the fast lane—quite literally! Take part in one of the many racing experiences offered by Charlotte Motor Speedway for an exhilarating, one-of-a-kind experience. After, the two of you can recount your special memory to friends or toast to your newfound talent at one of Charlotte’s many romantic restaurant options.

This attraction is located just to the northeast of the city in Concord. The Speedpark at Concord Mills, not far from here, is another date idea for more laid-back racing using go-karts.

3. Dave’s Paddle Boats

In the University City area of northeast Charlotte (and on the way to the Charlotte Motor Speedway), this is a romantic way to get some exercise and spend some private time outdoors on the lake at The Shoppes on University Place. Dave’s Paddle Boats is a cheap activity, and after spending time on the lake, couples can grab a drink, ice cream cone, or meal at the shopping area around the lake. It’s the perfect activity for a daytime date. Parking is easy to find here, and it is easy to reach via I-85 or I-77.

4. Merchant & Trade

One of the newer rooftop bars in Charlotte, Merchant & Trade sits atop the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel. This Uptown vantage point on the 19th floor overlooks the city’s skyline, making it a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat both during the day and at night.

The menu at Merchant & Trade has several highlights, including a hot honey chicken sandwich and tasty cocktails with clever names like “Spill the Tea” or “It Was All a Dream.” Just go easy on them if it’s your first date!

Parking is either valet or in one of the many parking decks in the area. It’s not a long walk to the nearest light rail station, either.

5. Carowinds

Next to I-77 southwest of the city (and right on the North Carolina-South Carolina border), this outdoor amusement park has nearly 60 daredevil-style rides, including roller coasters, live entertainment, and a water park. This date can last all weekend, if you want, as there are so many fun things to do at this attraction. It’s a great date idea if you want to break the ice on a first date or further the romance if you’ve been together for a while. Carowinds draws visitors from around North Carolina, and Charlotte residents are lucky to have it so close by!

The best date ideas for longtime couples in Charlotte, NC

1. CLT Airport Overlook

Popular with families, the CLT Airport Overlook could also be a creative and romantic afternoon activity. Bring a picnic, lay out a blanket, and watch the planes take off and land directly in front of you from this hilltop vantage point. During the warmer months, food trucks visit the overlook on a regular schedule if you don’t want to pack up your own picnic snacks.

If you follow along online using flight tracking apps, you can discover where each plane is going or coming from (vacation inspiration, anyone?). Best of all, the visit is free.

2. A date night at the theater

Charlotte is blessed with numerous theaters staging everything from Broadway-style productions to dramatic plays and orchestra performances. Located Uptown, Belk Theater and Knight Theater are both close to numerous restaurants and bars for a pre-theater bite to eat. Ovens Auditorium on Independence Boulevard between Plaza Midwood and Cotswold is where large-scale musicals and plays take place.

Uptown parking is available in nearby garages, but the light rail is another convenient way to reach the theaters. Ovens Auditorium requires taking a car or rideshare.

3. Art Walks Charlotte

If you want a self-guided art tour around Charlotte, this app-based guide leads you around nearly two dozen trails of public art around the city. Art Walks Charlotte is an entertaining way to get your creative juices flowing, share thoughtful conversation, and lead the tour at your own pace.

Along the way, you can stop for a drink or bite to eat, depending on which tour you do. Many enjoy the 18 works of art along the Greenway Trail between NoDa to Plaza Midwood.

4. The Mint Museum

If art is a shared passion, The Mint Museum has two locations: Uptown and Randolph in the Eastover neighborhood. This was the state’s first art museum, and today, it continues to host regular traveling exhibitions as well as a permanent collection that includes both local and international pieces. There’s also a theater hosting lectures and other performances for those with a highly intellectual relationship.

Keep in mind that the museum is closed on Mondays. For a bargain date night, every Wednesday, both locations offer free admission between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Save that cash for a before-dinner or after-dinner meal or nightcap!

5. Puttery

Go with another couple or just the two of you to Puttery, where an indoor miniature golf course will challenge your skills and keep the laughs going. The bar is not far away from the mini-golf course, and there is a full restaurant menu for those that want to stick around. Situated in South End, some may prefer to walk to one of the many restaurants and bars in this neighborhood to explore an alternative. Luckily, the light rail passes right through this neighborhood, but for those who want to drive, there is parking at most venues here.

Want to feel the love in Charlotte, NC?

Charlotte is known as Queen City, and here, you can also treat your prince or princess to lots of fun date night activities. Of course, where you go may depend on where you live in Charlotte. There is something in every corner of this North Carolina city to keep you entertained.

If you’re still looking for a place to move, Landing offers furnished apartments in Charlotte, NC, that come with a flexible lease (no landlords or leasing offices to deal with) to make your next move “easy as pie.” After all, the less time you waste on moving hassles, the more time you can spend on meeting that special someone or treating your partner to a night out on the town. Learn more about what a Landing membership can do for you today!