16 Next-Level Date Night Ideas (That Aren’t Just Dinner & A Movie)
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Make your next date night one to remember.
Ditch your dinner reservations for one of these next-level date night ideas and thank us later.
— with contributions by Danasia Pascal and Alicia Valenski (and thank you to RVAx member Sammy H. for the suggestion!)
Take a romantic cooking class
Mise En Place
Location: 104 Shockoe Slip (Shockoe Slip)
Hours: Class times vary; more details here
Enjoy a little friendly competition
River City Roll (Boutique Bowling)
Location: 939 Myers St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Hotel Greene (High-Falutin’ Mini Golf)
Location: 508 E Franklin St (Downtown)
Hours: By reservation; make yours here
The Circuit Arcade Bar (80+ Arcade Games)
Location: 3121 W Leigh St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Tour the city together
RVATukTuk (City Lights Tour)
Location: This is a 1.5-hour private tour that hits all the highlights of Richmond, roaming through Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Carytown, Scott’s Addition, and other hot spots with gorgeous views under the twinkling lights of the River City
Hours: By reservation; make yours here
Laugh out loud
Sandman Comedy Club
Location: 401 E Grace St (Downtown)
Hours: Showtimes vary; details here
Coalition Theater
Location: 8 W Broad St (Arts District)
Hours: Showtimes vary; details here
Hit the trails
Pipeline Trail
Location: 1101 Haxall Point
Details: This walkway can be accessed via a small catwalk on top of a pipeline that cuts across a section of the James River. One entrance is on the river side of the floodwall, just west of 14th St. The other is on the eastern edge of the park on Brown's Island — a dirt path runs through the woods along the water's edge, leading you to the pipeline. Be sure to double-check water levels before you head out, as this particular trail is prone to flooding!
North Bank Trail
Location: 1443 Pumphouse Dr
Details: A 2.5-mile hike starting right down the street from Maymont. The entrance to the trail is just near Maymont, where many go to access Texas Beach. If you follow the trail all the way down, you'll come out near the Oregon Hill Overlook, close to the Belle Isle parking lot.
Buttermilk Trail
Location: 615 Tredegar St
Details: One of the most popular local trails in the James River Park System is the Buttermilk Trail, which connects to the North Bank Trail in the James River Park System. Altogether, this connected loop comes to about 5.25-miles.
Get a little crafty
AR Workshop (Boutique DIY Studio)
Location: 9200 Stony Point Pkwy #192A (Stony Point)
Hours: Class times vary; details here
Hand / Thrown (Ceramics Studio)
Location: 123 W Brookland Park Blvd (Northside)
Hours: Class times vary; details here
Cheers to each other
The Jasper (Cocktails)
Location: 3113 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
Jardin (Wine Bar)
Location: 1520 W Main St (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
Vasen Brewing (Craft Beer)
Location: 3331 W Moore St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Have a picnic
RVA Cheese Girl
Location: Your backyard, their backyard, or any Richmond public park
Details: Sure you can go the traditional picnic route with a cheeseboard or you can snag a s’mores board complete with its own tiny bonfire with marshmallows, graham crackers, nutella spread, and other sweet accouterments.
Check out this city guide for more picnic inspo: 9 PICNIC SPOTS AROUND THE CITY (Complete with restaurants and markets nearby each spot so you can make a convenient stop for provisions before your picnic!)
Looking for more fun things to do?
Thank you to RVA TukTuk for powering this City Guide!