17 Best Date Ideas in Charlotte for Couples in 2024

North Carolina couples looking for new ways to spend time together don’t have to look too far to find exciting date ideas in Charlotte. There’s always something happening in this sweet Southern city, from fun first date ideas for new couples testing the waters to anniversary date ideas for duos celebrating their longevity! Even if the special occasion is simply spending quality time together, there’s a wealth of date ideas in Charlotte that turn simple activities into memorable moments.

So what is there to do in Charlotte NC for adults? It’s easier to ask what isn’t there to do! Dining, gaming, theater, outdoor activities—the list of possibilities is long and enticing. There are even free things to do in Charlotte, NC for couples keeping a tight budget. We’ve collected our favorite date ideas in Charlotte to make it easier for you to choose. 

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• Best Date Ideas in Charlotte for Couples
• Unique Date Ideas in Charlotte
• Romantic Date Ideas in Charlotte
• Free Date Ideas in Charlotte

Best Date Ideas in Charlotte for Couples

1. Cook Your Hearts Out

Get things fired up in the kitchen by ordering up some cooking classes in Charlotte. Couples can get their culinary skills sharpened up under the guidance of some of the city’s finest chefs.

You’ll craft a menu you can enjoy together when the work is finished. Learn what it takes to create a fabulous home meal and find out how delicious home-based dining can be.

2. Be a Good Sport

Get yourself in a pickle with everybody’s new favorite couples’ activity, pickleball! This court sport tops our list of active date ideas for lovers with a bit of a competitive streak. Show up to a park and grab a spot or sign up for team events and test your teamwork mettle. Pickleball games may be the most interactive fun date ideas in Charlotte that help you get your steps in!

3. Wine a Little

Wine fans looking for day date ideas in Charlotte, NC should look no further than Veronét Winery. This American vintner shares its acreage with visitors to show off the inner workings of a functional winery. Choose from a menu of experiences that include wine tastings, of course, but also small bites, lunch dishes and selections from local food artisans to make your wine-based date possibilities in Charlotte all the more delicious.

4. Step Out for a Bite

Foodies with a sense of adventure can plan date ideas in Charlotte at Kindred, the city’s winsome and eclectic modern kitchen. Located in nearby Davidson, a quick 25-minute trip down I-77, this artful diner is a savory excuse to extend the perimeter of your date opportunities in Charlotte a bit beyond the borders of the city! The dishes here are simple and creative, with enough variety to please the choosiest of gourmets.

5. Amuse Yourselves

Amusement parks make fantastic date ideas for teens, and in Charlotte, that means a trip to Carowinds. This premium park has everything: wild midway rides, slippery water slides, special seasonal events and even a summer music fest! Couples can share a visit by purchasing a Bring-a-Friend ticket to minimize admission costs so they can save money for refreshments and entertainment. 

Unique Date Ideas in Charlotte 

6. Laugh Your Heads Off

Date ideas in Charlotte, NC for couples who love to laugh must include an evening at The Comedy Zone. This buzzy giggle club keeps a packed schedule of comedians, some well-known names and some up-and-comers. Check the calendar to find shows throughout the week and pick up tickets for a side-splitting date idea in Charlotte that will have you in stitches!

7. Bury the Hatchet

Show off your strength with a test of power and precision at Bad Axe Throwing, your best date idea in Charlotte for letting off steam! Drop in while you’re out and about or schedule a station and prepare to throw down. You’ll find group rates that are perfect when you need double date ideas to share with your best couple friends. Bring your own snacks and soft drinks so you’ll have fortification as you play.

8. Theme Dining

If you’re a fan of theme restaurants, you may find no more unique date ideas in Charlotte, NC than an evening at Deluxe Fun Dining. The name says it all for this colorful spot, filled with whimsical art pieces and interactive displays that ensure your time spent here will be as delicious as the fresh seafood featured on the menu. Visitors share stories of live table music and artful dining displays, creating a tasty blend that gives your evening out a twist of originality.

9. Get in the Game

Spend some time with bits and pixels with at 16-Bit Bar and Arcade, one of the most fun date ideas in Charlotte for couples with a taste for gaming. Gear up for classic cabinet games, give the skee-ball stations a whirl or tilt the evening in your favor with a few rounds of vintage pinball. While you’re playing, order juicy cocktails, draft beer and wine, as well as mocktails that bring the flavor without the buzz. 

Romantic Date Ideas in Charlotte

10. Get Cinematic

Dinner and a movie become a single stop at Cinergy, one of the most innovative date ideas in Charlotte, NC for couples who love film and food. Settle in for your flick and order full-fledged meals and drinks delivered straight to your seat. You’ll find fast-casual food on the menu, familiar fare like burgers and pizza made fresh-to-order. Enjoy dining while watching your selection to maximize your time out, a great option when you’re in a crunch but still need a getaway.

11. Dine in Style

How do you celebrate your anniversary in Charlotte? A dinner at Bentley’s Restaurant is a great date idea in Charlotte to investigate! This elegant steak and seafood spot takes its cues from gourmet French cuisine, providing exceptional creations that make commemorating your milestone a delicious prospect. Make reservations and settle in for a meal you won’t forget or book a private event that infuses your intimate evening together with a bit more privacy.

12. Be All About the Drama

Bring a theatrical touch to your romantic date ideas in Charlotte with tickets to a show at Charlotte Theater. Touring productions of Broadway musicals and plays bring some of the best-known titles to the stage for you and your special someone to enjoy. Selections change monthly, which gives you a never-ending carousel of thrilling live performances to relish. You’ll also find opera, classical music and contemporary pop concerts on the roster for date ideas in Charlotte that suit a variety of tastes.

13. Be Artful

Mint Museum offers a more refined array of winter date ideas for couples in Charlotte to spend warm moments indoors surrounded by spectacular art. Stroll through the permanent collection featuring works from around the world or plan an afternoon taking in one of the rotating exhibitions available throughout the year. The calendar is chock full of special activities like yoga and meditation sessions, as well as free admission on Wednesdays to make the possibilities even more enticing.

Free Date Ideas in Charlotte 

14. Do Some Marketing

Farmers markets are at the top of the list of free things to do in Charlotte, NC for couples who enjoy being outdoors. You’ll find a wealth of seasonal and year-round markets offering fresh produce, artisanal treats and handmade wares that make fantastic souvenirs. For bonus date ideas in Charlotte, plan a meal and shop for ingredients together, then head home and cook together to add a dash of extra romance! 

15. Track Down Public Art

Public art provides phenomenal free date possibilities when indoor date ideas in Charlotte just won’t cut it. Head out into the city on a hunt for sculpture, murals, street art and whimsical installations that give Charlotte it's charming visual persona. Permanent fixtures like Uptown’s “The Writer’s Desk”, a series of seat-sized typewriter keys from Larry Kirkland, allow art fans to become a part of the creativity while enjoying a budding romance.

16. Hit the Trail

Take a hike with the one you love for date ideas in Charlotte for couples who favor nature over urban spaces. The region has some remarkable trails that can help you soak up the city’s most rural spots. And if a beer crawl is your kind of trek, you can tap into pub excursions that guide you to the best options for ales, IPAs and stouts. It’s a refreshing walk around town that gives craft beer lovers something smashing to sip on! 

17. Pack a Basket

The Queen City is loaded with areas that make sweet picnic spots where day date ideas in Charlotte, NC become a study in relaxation. Gather your favorite small bites and beverages, toss them all in a basket and head out for an outdoor meal that encourages you and your boo to bliss out together. Add a stroke of fun by using alphabet date ideas to plan your meal; pack apples, berries, cucumbers and so on to transform the menu into an alphabetical menu of groovy goodies! 

No matter what you and your sweet someone are interested in, there are practically no limits to date ideas you’ll find waiting for you in Charlotte. Weather is no obstacle, given the quality of indoor date ideas Charlotte holds, and you can find as many evening excursions to enjoy as you can date day ideas in Charlotte, NC, making it simple to plan an outing around your schedule. With so many incredible possibilities waiting, which one will you choose first? 

For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!