19 Best Date Ideas in Detroit for 2024

If you’re looking to treat your significant other to a romantic experience in Motor City, you won’t have to look hard — there’s no shortage of fun date ideas in Detroit.

From exploring the fabulous food scene to engaging in the city’s rich history, Detroit offers all kinds of opportunities for putting together your dream date. 

To help narrow down your options, we’ve put together a list of the very best date ideas in Detroit. Whether you like going to art museums or spending time outside, this guide to date ideas in Detroit has a little something for everyone. 

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• Foodie Date Ideas in Detroit
• Creative Date Ideas in Detroit
• Romantic Date Ideas in Detroit
• Unique Date Ideas in Detroit

Foodie Date Ideas in Detroit

1. Cooking Classes

There’s no shortage of things to do in Detroit for couples, but if you want to really wow your date with a culinary-themed day, go beyond the typical romantic restaurant and sign up for cooking classes in Detroit.

You can bond over a new experience, plus you’ll get to carry your new cooking skills into many romantic homemade dinners to come. If in-person classes aren’t an option, you can also look for online cooking classes. 

2. Cairo Coffee

If you’re looking for indoor date ideas in Michigan, where can you take a girl on a date in Detroit? Cairo Coffee is a beloved coffee shop and a go-to date spot.

If you’re looking for indoor date ideas in Michigan, head straight to Cairo Coffee. This Middle Eastern-inspired coffee shop doubles as a library, making it a perfect destination for book lovers. 

3. Burger and a Movie

Sometimes it’s best to go back to the basics. If you need cheap date ideas in Detroit, take your partner to Taystee Burger.

Taystee Burger is an iconic Detroit burger joint and a guaranteed yummy dinner. Follow up with a movie at the nearby Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Theater for a romantic date with a retro vibe. 

4. La Feria

Pull out all the stops by going to one of the best date night restaurants in Detroit, La Feria. This high-end tapas restaurant offers a classy ambiance and an incredible menu of decadent small-plate dishes. A few cocktails with luxurious tapas are the perfect ingredients for a special evening. 

Creative Date Ideas in Detroit

5. Paint and Sip

Don’t miss out on the classic date idea: be sure to check out paint and sip in Detroit. Paint sips are a great way to combine creative engagement with a dreamy evening of sipping on fine wine. At the end of the night, you’ll have made a gorgeous masterpiece and some sweet memories. 

6. Art Classes

Commit to a weekly date night by signing yourself and your partner up for art classes. This is a fantastic bonding experience for couples, and you can find all kinds of art classes in Detroit.

Try pottery classes in Detroit, photography classes in Detroit or a painting program — you’ll have no trouble picking a course that suits your interests and skill levels. 

7. Detroit Institute of Arts

If you’d rather look at art than make it, head over to the Detroit Institute of Arts. This is one of the most popular downtown date night ideas in Detroit, and for good reason.

The museum has a superb collection of fine art, and the courtyard lounge offers a unique dining experience. Furthermore, since the entire space is indoors, it’s ideal when looking for winter date ideas in Detroit. 

8. Eastern Market

Eastern Market is another artsy date spot. The famous outdoor market will give you and your date plenty of options for high-quality street food and artisanal crafts.

If your partner hasn’t been to Detroit before, Eastern Market (which dates back to the 19th century) will also give them a wonderful slice of Motor City history.

Romantic Date Ideas in Detroit

9. Dance Class

When it comes to creative indoor date ideas in Michigan, it doesn’t get much better than dance classes in Detroit. You and your partner can experience an intimate, romantic date in a dance studio, regardless of the weather outside.

On those extra dreary winter days, you don’t even have to leave the house: online dance classes are always available, which also make perfect wintery Michigan gifts. 

10. Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory

For a date idea for people who love plants, check out the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory at the Belle Isle Park. The massive enclosure is home to all kinds of tropical plants.

Not only is this a dream destination for a botany enthusiast, but the conservatory’s beautiful architecture, dating back to 1904, is also a wonderful sight to see. 

11. Ladder Four Wine Bar

When thinking of things to do in Detroit for couples, Ladder Four Wine Bar has to be on the list. Going to a wine bar might sound like a cheesy date idea, but after all, what are cheesy date ideas? Wine dates are popular for a reason, they’re romantic and relaxing.

At a well-reviewed boutique bar like Ladder Four Wine Bar in Detroit, you’re in for a satisfying take on the classic wine date concept. 

12. Live Theater

Live theater is always an option for romantic date ideas in Detroit. You can see a Broadway show at the Detroit Theater, or, if you need date night ideas in Royal Oak, head to the famous Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle for a comedy show. 

13. The Siren Hotel

For fun things to do in Detroit for adults at night, you have to look into some of the city’s great cocktail bars. And when you’re on the hunt for downtown date night ideas, you should head straight to The Siren Hotel, a vintage-style boutique hotel.

The Siren has a couple of drinking and dining spots, but we recommend The Candy Bar, a glamorous pink-clad bar that serves tasty cocktails. 

14. Palmer Park

If you need cheap date ideas in Detroit, how do you have a fun date? One of the most fun date ideas in Detroit costs nothing at all: Palmer Park.

This massive city park has all kinds of recreational spaces where you and your partner can play your favorite sports games, and then settle down for a romantic picnic.

This date idea could also be good for your health: according to a study in Preventive Medicine Reports, physical activity is an excellent way to get the most out of the mental health benefits of being outside.

Unique Date Ideas in Detroit

15. Dinner and Bocce

For a unique date idea in Detroit, combine fine dining with a yard game and go to Palazzo Di Bocce, one of the well-liked date night restaurants in Detroit.

This clever restaurant serves delicious Italian food but also has a bocce court set up so diners can play a round of the classic game. 

16. Arcade Bar

Drinking and games are both fun things to do in Detroit for adults at night, so it’s no wonder that multiple establishments in the city offer drinks and arcade games.

You and your partner can play your favorite childhood games while sipping on your favorite adult beverages. Popular spots in Detroit include Barcade and the Offworld Arcade at Checker Bar. 

17. Bowling

Bowling is a great choice for an original date idea in Detroit. It’s fun, engaging, and often comes with a good food menu. Plus, when dealing with those cold Michigan months and looking for winter date ideas in Detroit, indoor bowling will never let you down.

We recommend Bowlero, a high-end bowling alley for adults that also has a cocktail lounge and live music. 

18. Redford Theatre

Surprise your date with a trip to Redford Theatre, a retro movie theater in Detroit. The interior has amazing architectural details and has an original organ that still gets played.

You can go to this movie theater to see screenings of classic films from all decades, ranging from the silent film era to indie classics from 20 years ago. 

19. Detroit Zoo

The Detroit Zoo is always a worthwhile date idea in Detroit. This amazing zoo has beautiful outdoor spaces, thousands of animals, and several casual dining options. Talk about a perfect day in Detroit with your loved one!

So, is Detroit a romantic city? With so many attractions from which to choose, Detroit is an incredible destination for love and adventure.

Whether you’re looking for a night out in the suburbs, such as date night ideas in Royal Oak, or need date ideas in Detroit proper, the Motor City is always there to offer up some romance. 

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