Choose Your Own Detroit Date Night Adventure

Planning the perfect date night in Detroit doesn’t have to be a challenge. The city can supply anything from the traditional romantic restaurant to the unexpected Detroit history tour. Pick your perfect plan from these four ideas:

The Traditionalists

If dinner and a movie are on the agenda, Detroit’s romantic restaurants and theaters won’t disappoint. Couples should start the night with reservations at the romantic Andiamo Detroit Riverfront, in view of the Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario, or opt for masterful modern fare at Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails. Take a last bite of dessert just in time to head into the Detroit Institute of Arts’ one-of-a-kind Detroit Film Theater. Catch an outstanding classic, documentary or foreign film from its elegant balcony. Or sample local favorites and go for a first-run indie feature at the cozy Cinema Detroit – where popcorn goes best with a Faygo.

The Rookies

First dates can be tricky. Keep it simple and let the city be your guide. Meet at Great Lakes Roasting Co. and get to know each other over a lavender latte. Hop on the QLine to Campus Martius Park and grab a snack from a nearby food truck or quibble over your favorite chocolates at Bon Bon Bon. If it’s a match, make time for a romantic wine tasting at The Royce or keep it casual and opt for your favorite beer from the bar hidden inside 8 Degrees Plato.

The Royce Detroit

The Explorers

If your honey is a history buff, Detroit has plenty of stories to tell. Make a date to tour the city – either guided by City Tour Detroit or Detroit Experience Factory – or on your own. Pack classic Detroit snacks at The Farmer’s Hand for the trek. Start in Hart Plaza and check out the monuments, like International Memorial to the Underground Railroad, the Monument to Joe Louis and The Spirit of Detroit. Step inside the stunning architecture of the Guardian Building before making your way north to the Detroit Historical Museum for a grasp at the city’s past. Get lost together in the stacks of books at John K. King Used & Rare Books before you dine in Southwest Detroit or try one of the oldest restaurants in the city, Dakota Inn Rathskeller.

John King Used & Rare Books

The Adventure Seekers

Think you’ve seen all there is in Detroit? Think again. Couples seeking outdoor adventures can learn archery at the Outdoor Adventure Center, hop on a Segway or try the Diamond Jack Riverboat for a new perspective. Catch a game or concert at Little Caesar’s Arena at The District Detroit. Pack a picnic and plan a hike around the island park on Belle Isle. That’s where you’ll find curious creatures at the Belle Isle Aquarium and nautical history of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. In warmer months, beaches and kayaking offer brilliant city views.

Belle Isle by Vito Palmisano

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