17+ Unique Date Ideas: Charlotte, NC

Are you looking for some date night ideas in Charlotte, NC? There are lots of unique things to do for couples in Charlotte, NC, and we are going to highlight some of our favorites in this list. No more boring dates! You’ll find ideas for a romantic date, casual dates, and even group or double dates. So, make some time to spend with each other and head out on one of these unique date ideas in Charlotte, NC.

Do An Escape Room

This one works really well with another couple. Meet up at one of Charlotte’s escape room options and see if you can work together to solve the puzzles and escape!

We visited The Escape Game at Concord Mills and had a blast. They have a lot of rooms to choose from and can fit groups as large as 8 to 12 people. Our group had just 4 and we were still able to solve our puzzles and escape!

More escape rooms to choose from in Charlotte, NC:

• Escape Tactic Escape Rooms 130 Southside Drive in Charlotte, NC
• Exit Strategy Two locations: 9539 Pinnacle Drive, Charlotte | 4215 Stuart Andrew Boulevard

Be a Little Sporty: Visit the Whitewater Center

In winter-time, we highly recommend a trip for ice skating at the Whitewater Center. You can enjoy an adult beverage or hot chocolate at the airstream trailer in the center of the rinks, and skate side by side under the lights down the unique ice trails and across the free skate areas.

Of course, if winter has passed, you can take part in lots of activities together from a simple hike on the trails around the center, to rock climbing and whitewater rafting. You have lots of options at the Whitewater Center.

5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte

A Romantic Meal

Ok, you may have already thought of this one, but the classic date idea of a delicious meal shared together is not to be overlooked. Spend some time talking and connecting.

Food Halls

They might be less intimate than a nice romantic restaurant, but food halls can actually be great for date night. You want pizza and he wants seafood? That’s not a problem at a food hall where you can choose from multiple food vendors and sit together in the shared dining space.

Food halls like Gibson Mill also have a brewery or bar on site as well, so you can pick the perfect beverage to accompany your meal. But the date doesn’t have to stop there, lots of food halls have entertainment to enjoy as well. At Gibson Mill you’ll find a board game cafe and a small arcade. Often there is live music, too. Of course, you could always bring your own game and play it over your beverage of choice.

Enjoy the Outdoors: Anne Springs Close Greenway

Take a beautiful walk along the trails at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. You can even grab a bite to eat at the Greenway Cantina and enjoy live music on the weekends in the spring.

iFly Indoor Skydiving

If you’ve never done it, this is one you’ll want to try. Go skydiving together without the plane! iFly offers indoor skydiving and we got to try it!

Bowling: A little Healthy Competition

Hear me out, not all bowling spots have the odor of the 80s and make you wear funny shoes. Check out duck-pin bowling at PiNS Mechanical Company. They offer the unique duck-pin bowling which uses a smaller ball, shorter lane, and no funny shoes required. They also have classic pinball and arcade games, plus they serve craft beers and cocktails.

307 W Tremont Avenue, Charlotte

Playing Games, Enjoying Food & Drinks

There are quite a few spots with a similar concept to PiNs, where you and your date (or group of friends) can enjoy good food, a beverage and lots of games and things to do. Here are a couple options:

• Stroke Urban Golf Club: Quite possibly the coolest mini-golf spot you’ve ever been to. Upscale, craft cocktails, light bites
• Rally Pickleball: Yes, there’s even a pickleball bar now. Reserve a court and waitstaff will serve you courtside. They offer a full menu with pizza, tacos, boards, and more, pus cocktails, beer, wine, and even an in-house coffee shop.
• Top Golf: The popular upscale golf chain has a location in Charlotte and its a great place to head for a date night. Practice that swing and enjoy good food and beverages. Their game options make a visit here fun even if you’re not an excellent golfer.
• Queen Park Social: Upscale bowling (this is real bowling, not duck-pin, plus lots of arcade games, food and adult beverages.

Science Lovers Unite: After hours at Discovery Place

This one is too cool. Enjoy Discovery Place without the kids at a once-a-month Science on the Rocks event. The event includes hands-on science labs, science shows, a bar, and the Imax Planetarium will have show options. So, you can pick your favorite cocktail and head out into the museum for an evening of science. Tickets go quickly so purchase in advance!

301 North Tryon Street, Charlotte

CATCh: Comedy Arts Theater of Charlotte

Laugh together at one of the comdey shows from CATCh. They offer a variety of improv and stand-up comedy at an affordable price. Tickets cost between $10 and $15. We love this so much, dates don’t have to be expensive!

Free Date Ideas: Charlotte, NC

Speaking of affordable dates. Here are some ideas that won’t cost you a penny.

Wednesday Night Live

Plan your date on a Wednesday, becuase Wednesday Night Live offers free live entertainment and free admission to several museums at Levine Center for the Arts from 5 pm to 9 pm. The live entertainment could be anything from live music, to film screenings, and dance. Check out the schedule on their website to see what’s happening this Wednesday.

You can visit these museums for free:

• The Mint Museum
• The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

Reed Gold Mine

The Reed Gold Mine is free to visit. You can enjoy their indoor exhibits about the mine and how gold was mined in that period, and you can even take a self-guided tour through the underground mine. You can also enjoy the trails on the grounds. If you want to try panning for gold, that is just a couple of dollars.

We visited Reed Gold Mine and learned a lot. Pack a picnic to enjoy by the creek. This is a free date you’ll really enjoy.

Paddle the Catawba River

If you have your own kayak, or have a friend who’ll let you borrow theirs, you can put in your kayak for free at the Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC.

The dock leading out to the free kayak launch is beautiful with wooden bench swings. Pack a picnic and you have a full date day together, free.

Watch Planes: CLT Overlook

Again, get that picnic ready. Spend some time together talking and watching the planes as they take off and land at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The CLT Overlook is currently located at the corner of Old Dowd Road and Airport Overlook Drive. A new overlook with playgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, and lots more is scheduled to be completed in 2024.

Day Trips

Looking for options? Plan a day trip for a totally different date experience.

Epic Overnight