Summer is the season of warmth, beauty and adventure — the perfect combo for sweethearts. Charlotte offers lots of lovely date ideas that capture those moments, but the options seem endless.
Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or you’re forming a new duo after recently starting to see each other, I have a list of ideas for the best summer dates in (or near) the streets of Charlotte.
If you’re looking for a nice park to have a cute picnic in or looking for an exciting rafting trip for you and your partner, look no further. Here are the best date ideas for you this summer:
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For the adventurous couple
Do you and your partner want to take a daring adventure? CAUTION: you will get wet. You can check out outdoor adventures that are just a drive away. If you’ve lived in Charlotte for more than a moment, you’ve probably already been to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, of course. If you want to change it up, Cherokee Rapids offers a fun tubing trip.
Catch a swim at Mother’s Nature’s own swimming spots like The Quarry at Carrigan Farms or Cane Creek Park. You can see a waterfall at High Shoals Fall, which is about an hour and 15 minutes from Charlotte — making it a great day trip spot.
If you’re that couple who loves going on runs or hikes together, here are a couple of suggestions for you: Anne Springs Close Greenway, just over the state line in Fort Mill, has a trail system that stretches 36 miles long. Or, check out one of my two favorite spots: Crowders Mountain State Park or Morrow Mountain State Park.
[READ NEXT: 5 best underrated places to hike within 90 minutes of Charlotte.]
Something a little classy
If you want somewhere to show off your style while you take in a great view of Charlotte’s skyline, here are some of the best restaurants that offer that type of experience. You can check out Aura Rooftop or Buho Bar, or peruse the options in our rooftop bars and restaurants guide.
A vineyard visit will make you feel like you’ve escaped the city for summer vacation. Enjoy a nice glass of wine with your partner at destinations like Childress Vineyards and Raffaldini Vineyards. It’s about an hour’s drive, but I promise you, it’ll be worth it.
For the foodies
What’s more romantic than taking a cooking class together? Sweet Spot Studio CLT and Chef Alyssa offer cooking and baking classes to help you and your partner’s cooking skills. Let’s see who brings the best cooking skills to the table. Maybe there will be a “Lady and The Tramp” moment with a meatball? Let’s hope so.
Charlotte’s home to over 75 breweries, so why not go out for a tasting? If you’re more into the foodie spots, you can check out where to grab perfect summer bites like burgers and ice cream. It’s one of the best ways to celebrate and eat your way through the summer season.
For the artistic ones
Summer is the best time to catch a festival; from Real to Reel Film Festival to Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade 2023,
Why not take up a fun skill and teach yourselves a new form of art? Check out Village Studio and Gallery or join City Art Room for a romantic session.
Charlotte is also home to a great music scene, filled with talented local artists and bands ready to be heard. If you and your partner love to check out live music, look at this list we curated to find the best live music spots in Charlotte.
Relaxing & budget-friendly date ideas
If you’re looking for something relaxing and a little more budget-friendly, Rosie’s Wine Garden is one of the perfect places to be. Rosie’s has $3 mini pours every Monday and $5 select glasses on Tuesday. Rosie’s has a beautiful garden and a great selection of coffee, drinks and wine.
All you really need are a couple of snacks and a blanket to make a nice picnic. You can take your significant other to Latta Plantation Nature Center & Preserve or Park Road Park. Want more location ideas? Check out our list of where to picnic around Charlotte.
See a movie at Badin Road Drive-In. It’s less than $15 for two people and a great way to snuggle in your car while you watch an excellent movie under the stars. Camp North End is also hosting the Crosswords Cinema summer series, playing blockbuster classics like “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Space Jam.”
Blueberries and sunflowers are in bloom, and it’s the perfect time to pick them. General admission doesn’t cost more than $10, and it’s a great date idea to stoke summer romance. We curated a list of where to pick sunflowers and blueberries. No worries — if it’s not in season, some of these farms offer other fruits, veggies or flowers in season to pick.
