Updated May 16th, 2023

This post might contain affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you buy through my site. I appreciate your support of my site.

There’s nothing wrong with dinner and a movie, but there are so many other fun things for couples to do in Atlanta, Georgia. From hikes to museums to festivals there are tons of other places to go in Atlanta that will make you want to get out of the house and spend time with your partner or get to know your new date!

This list includes a variety of fun date ideas in Atlanta for either a date day or date night. Whether you are planning a first date or looking to reconnect with your long-term partner, these Atlanta date ideas will have you out doing fun things in the city while giving you opportunities to talk and get to know each other or spend quality time together.

Like all my posts I have personally done all the Atlanta date ideas in this post!

Atlanta Date Ideas For Every Couple

Outdoor Atlanta Date Ideas

Stop and Smell the Flowers at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is one of the best date spots in Atlanta. My favorite section of the gardens is Storza Woods where there is a curving boardwalk in the trees. You’ll also find the Cascades Garden here with the Earth Goddess who is made out of plants and lighted in the evenings.

Another spot to check out is the Skyline Garden with views of Midtown and Piedmont Park. Also don’t miss the edible garden and all the sculptures throughout the gardens. Wherever you go, the beautiful setting is the perfect place to stroll hand and hand.

During the holidays the gardens become even more magical with the Garden Lights, Holidays Nights event. All the twinkling lights definitely makes for a romantic date in Atlanta.

Take a Walk in a Park

I always find it easier to talk to someone when we aren’t looking at each other, cue awkward dinner date. Don’t get me wrong I love going out to eat, but it is nice to be able to put your focus on something else. Walks are also an easy way to extend a date that is going well. Use the map in my places to walk in Atlanta post to find a park or trail near you.

I don’t understand why Atlanta is such a car-centric city when there are so many great parks, trails, and nature preserves around the city. It is one of the greenest cities in the country. Piedmont Park is a favorite park of many Atlantans. Grant Park is less crowded, but just as nice for walking trails.

Not only does Atlanta have really nice parks, but going for a walk is great exercise and one of the cheapest date ideas in Atlanta too.

Hang Out with the Animals at Zoo Atlanta

Grant Park is also one of my favorite parks because it is home to Zoo Atlanta. The zoo is much bigger than it appears from the park around the zoo. If you are short on time make sure to plan your route and see the animals you want to see the most first. We spent too much time looking at the birds and not enough at the primates (my favorite). The elephants have a fairly large exhibit and are nice to watch too. 

Pandas are definitely a highlight. Zoo Atlanta is one of the few US zoos to have pandas. They look so cute and cuddly! 

Bathrooms are well placed around the zoo. Food options aren’t all open during weekdays, at least in the spring.  There are so many great places to eat in Grant Park around the zoo though. 

Admission is included on the Atlanta CityPass. If you have a Fulton County library pass you can receive free admission. You’ll need to check out the zoo dvd, return the dvd, and then use the free library passes within four weeks. Zoo Atlanta tickets can also be purchased online.

Escape from the Woods

There are several escape rooms around Atlanta, but Powder Springs is home to one of the most unique, Escape Woods. Escape Woods is located at Sleepy Hollow Farm. In the fall the farm has a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and other fall activities. Starting at the end of November they have a Christmas tree farm.

All year round you can try to escape from one of the Escape Woods games. The location on the farm makes for some interesting games. Many of the escapes take place outdoors. Currently there are five different escapes to choose from. They include haunted, adult-only experiences like “The Pig Farmer: Cult of the 7 Sins” and family-friendly, non-scary ones like “The Maze: Curse of the Dragon”. One takes place in the real Hopper’s Cabin from Stranger Things. Unrelated to the Escape Woods, if you are a fan of Stranger Things you can take a tour to the filming locations in and around Atlanta.

“The Maze: Curse of the Dragon” was a really fun experience. I loved that it was outside in the woods. It was my first escape room so I will admit I wasn’t that much help. I went with a group who have done over 50 escape rooms around the country and we got out with only 3 seconds to spare!

You need at least four people for a team so Escape Woods is the perfect double date in Atlanta!

Search for Street Art Around Atlanta

Atlanta has an awesome street art scene. There are murals around every corner. Use my Atlanta mural map to find the best neighborhoods for a self-guided mural walk. See how many you can find and have fun taking pictures of your date with the murals.

It’s not too difficult to find the large wall murals, but Atlanta’s tiny doors can be a little trickier. There are over 20 tiny doors throughout the city. If you bike along the Eastside BeltLine trail you will be able to find quite a few in one day. My Atlanta tiny door guide will help you discover all the doors, plus give you food and activity recommendations around each door so you can have multiple tiny door adventure date days. My boyfriend might not agree with me on this one, but searching for the doors while eating or doing an activity nearby is definitely one of my favorite date ideas in Atlanta!

Sporty Atlanta Date Ideas

Compete Against Each Other at The Painted Duck

There’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition! The Painted Duck in West Midtown is the perfect place for it. The bowling alley is geared towards adults. Children are only allowed before 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. As you enter from an unmarked door and head down some dark stairs you will feel like you are entering a nightclub. There’s upscale decor with a trendy atmosphere.

Not only does Painted Duck look and feel different from your typical bowling alley, but the rules are different too. You’ll be playing duckpin bowling where you bowl three times per turn instead of two. Everyone uses the same weight bowling ball which is much smaller and without the finger holes. The pins are a little different too and don’t knock over as easily. That could just be my skill level, but I think it is a fact! It does take awhile to get the hang of it, but it is a lot of fun and makes for a great date night in Atlanta as long as nobody is a sore loser!

There are no reservations and there can be quite a wait during weekend nights. It’s not a problem as you can pass the time playing the free games which include air hockey, shuffleboard, and horseshoes. Plus there are big comfy booths to lounge in while eating or drinking.

Go Mini Golfing at Puttshack

Down the road from Painted Duck in West Midtown you will find a another social sports venue, Puttshack. It is the new and improved way of playing mini golf. The venue holds several different indoor courses. After booking you will randomly be assigned to one. Each course has nine holes and is pretty short compared to typical mini golf courses.

While the courses are short, they are a lot of fun. All the courses have an electronic point system that tracks your ball and score. You’ll lose or gain, if you are lucky, points on every hole. One hole has a true or false component that you earn bonus points if you hit the ball to the correct side.  There’s even one hole with a chance to win prizes. 

Like Painted Duck it is a busy, trendy spot for young adults to go on weekend nights. Children are allowed until 8pm, but I don’t think I saw a single child earlier in the evening. Children don’t have all the fun in Atlanta! Reservations are also recommended so you don’t need to worry about long lines. That being said the holes do get backed up so there is plenty of time to drink and chat as you play.

Train to Be a Lumberjack at American Axes

At American Axes you aren’t really training to be a lumberjack, but that was the first thing my mom asked me when I told her about axe throwing! There are several axe throwing locations around the city, but American Axes has some of the best prices and coaches. Plus you can order in from Dr Scofflaw Brewing or bring your own food from anywhere at the Chattahoochee Food Works. The Works food hall is one of the many amazing food halls in Atlanta.

I have this habit of signing up for things and then once I am there I am like, what was I thinking? As soon as I got the axe in my hand I was terrified. I thought to myself, why am I throwing a dangerous object for fun? It took many throws but by the end it was fun and I was successful…..occasionally! 

If you don’t think your axe throwing is up to snuff, don’t worry you have a coach. Your coach is by your side the entire night giving encouragement, tips, game suggestions, or whatever else you and your date need. They are great as they will give anyone who is struggling extra pointers, but give those who are excelling some variations to challenge them. 

Play All the Games at Your 3rd Spot

Your 3rd Spot is also located at the Works. It’s a social gaming spot with a restaurant and over 80 games. It’s designed to be a spot to to hang out in while eating, drinking, and playing games.

The place is very particular with payment, timing, and the experience format. Only one card is accepted for both experience and restaurant purchases. For a date night in Atlanta it’s not a problem, but it is harder to coordinate with a bigger group.

Your visit begins with a table reservation where you are asked to order food and/or drinks. The expectation is to sit at the table for 60 – 90 minutes. This is the average time of any dining experience, but just make sure to allow enough time for games afterwards.

After eating you have 3hrs from your first card tap to play games. All the games except bowling are included in the price of the card. Many of the games you can play by yourself, but they are so much more fun with a partner. Games include old school ping ball and arcade games, group games like Cornhole and giant Jenga, and competitive sports like darts and curling.

The variety of games and the vibe makes it an entertaining place to hang out and one of the many great Atlanta date ideas.

Hike the Chattahoochee

There really are a lot of places to walk in Atlanta including nature preserves where you feel like you are in the middle of the woods. If you are looking for some longer trails or something a little more challenging, there are a lot of hiking spots near Atlanta.

One of my favorites is the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, just north of Atlanta. It is home to multiple groups of trails along the river. The trails are great if you want some longer trails, but don’t want to drive too far from Atlanta.

Most of the trails are dirt trails in the woods or along the river. Some spots have boardwalks or gravel trails. Discover the best Chattahoochee River trails for you and your date. It’s the perfect way to get outdoors and spend some one-on-one time together.

Kayak Down the Chattahoochee

There’s a lot of fun things to do in Atlanta for couples who like to stay active. Hiking isn’t the only thing to do along the Chattahoochee River. You can also spend quality time together paddling on the Chattahoochee. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards by the hour from High Country Outfitters Paddle Shack at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. They couldn’t make it any simpler. The kayaks and boards are waiting down on the dock. The staff is there to help you get in and out. 

You can paddle on the Chattahoochee in a few different directions. It’s a fun way to get outdoors and explore the river.

After kayaking if you have some extra energy you can also hike the short wooded trail at the park. You’ll want to end your adventure I’m sure with a King of Pops popsicle from the paddle shack.

Cultural Atlanta Date Ideas

Enjoy a Performance at the Fox Theatre

The beautiful Fox Theatre was built in the late 1920s for the local Shriners organization. They were inspired by the Far East when creating the ornate building. That makes a lot more sense when you look around inside and notice the Middle Eastern and Egyptian styles. The Shriners couldn’t handle the costs of their creation and it was turned into a movie theater.

Now it is one of the loveliest live theaters. Performances include touring Broadway shows, comedy shows, ballets, holiday specials, and concerts of various genres.

A night at the theater always makes for a romantic date in Atlanta, but it feels extra special at the Fox Theatre.

Dress Up for the Atlanta Opera

For an extra elegant date night in Atlanta attend one of the Atlanta Opera’s performances at the Cobb Energy Center. With the Forte Young Professionals program a night at the opera doesn’t have to be a costly extravagance either. Discount tickets are available to each performance on select Friday nights.

For any first time opera goers, you should know that most operas are not in English. Words in English will be displayed on a screen over the stage. I saw the Pirates of Penzance and even though it was in English all the operatic voices and songs were still a little hard to understand. 

Also be aware that the security is super strict. I had some chocolate in my purse that they made me take out. They don’t allow water bottles inside either.

Immerse Yourself in the Atlanta Ballet

The Atlanta Ballet also performs at the Cobb Energy Center. Like the opera, you don’t need to spend a fortune on tickets. Rear side orchestra tickets sound like they wouldn’t be the greatest, but the view was perfect and the ticket cost was reasonable.

The Atlanta Ballet company puts on about six different ballets every year. Other than the annual Nutcracker which takes place throughout December, the ballets change from year to year and are typically only performed one weekend. I saw Don Quixote, which had a Spanish flare and included a funny storyline.

Admire the Art at the High Museum of Art

Art museums lend themselves well to ideal date spots. Unlike many museums where you are spending your visit reading information, art museums involve mostly looking at the art so you can talk to each other as you meander around the museum.

The High Museum of Art is one of the best art museums in the US. It takes hours and hours to see everything inside of the huge High Museum so plan your time wisely. The museum is home to all styles of art including folk art, European art, African art, and decorative arts.

If you go on the second Sunday of every month your visit will be free. Make sure to reserve in advance.

Attend a Community Festival

Attending a festival is one of the best Atlanta date ideas because the city is overflowing with festivals. There are a ton of festivals year-round. They range from multi-day music events, to holiday festivals, to neighborhood fundraisers.

There really is a festival for every-one. If you’re into cosplay, head to DragonCon or MoMoCon. If you want to spend the day drinking, hang out at Viva Tequila or Beerfest. Atlanta is a huge foodie city and that goes for the festivals too. Almost all festivals have some sort of food, but some are solely dedicated to eating! Atlanta Food & Wine Festival and Taste of Atlanta are two of the most popular. It’s an artsy city too so you can bet there are a lot of art festivals like the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and the Chastain Park Arts Festivals.

My favorite festivals are the community ones in all the best neighborhoods in Atlanta. Almost every neighborhood has a yearly event that serves as a fundraiser for the neighborhood. Chomp & Stomp in Cabbagetown every November is a great one for couples and young adults. With the purchase of one spoon (one ticket) you have unlimited samples of chili from amateurs and professionals. Sounds great doesn’t it? Well everyone else thinks so too. The spoons sell out at lightning speed and the chili goes just as quick. So grab your chili early and enjoy the rest of the day listening to Bluegrass music in the park.

Be a Tourist in Your Own City

It always seems like a person hasn’t been to all the tourist sites in their own city. While the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca Cola are touristy, they are also a lot of fun. Whether you are visiting Atlanta with your loved one or have lived here your whole life, buy an Atlanta CityPass and have fun discovering the big attractions in Atlanta.

You can’t miss the Georgia Aquarium where you’ll enjoy all the sea animal shows and the giant Ocean Voyager exhibit. It’s so relaxing to take a break in the dimly lit seating area in front of the giant viewing window. There is always something peaceful about being around water. All the caffeine from the World of Coca Cola tasting experience will wake you right up though. In addition to trying way too many kinds of soda, you can also learn everything you want to know about Coca Cola. Zoo Atlanta is also included on the pass.

In addition you are able to choose two of the following three attractions: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, College Football Hall of Fame, and National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The civil and human rights museum is one of the best places in the country to learn about Black history.

The pass is valid for 9 consecutive days. It works out well so you have two full weekends to spend visiting the five attractions. That’s five places to go on a date in Atlanta with only one purchase! 

Foodie Atlanta Date Ideas

Have a Mystery Picnic

Creative dates are always a lot of fun and appreciated by your date, but they are also a lot of work. This is where a mystery picnic by Amazing Co comes in. You choose the neighborhood or city and the rest of the work is done for you. On the day of your picnic date you are given the starting location and then clues to pick up all the delicious foods in your picnic basket.

After you finish walking around and collecting local foods you will be given your final clue. This will take you to your secret mystery picnic location. As you enjoy all the delicious goodies, you can get to know your date better with the provided conversation starters and questions. What’s more romantic than a picnic in a beautiful spot? Learn more about all the reasons why you should go on a mystery picnic.

Don’t wait, book your mystery picnic today!

Devour Donuts Together

Why is it always dinner or drinks, why not an ice cream date or a pie date or a donut date! Especially for a first date it is a shorter investment of time and money. Plus you are eating donuts so even if the date sucks it isn’t really so bad! 

I have been studiously trying all the best donut shops in Atlanta (you’re welcome) to find the cream of the crop! Most donut shops have either limited seating or no seating. You may want to pick a nice day for your donut date and find a park nearby to enjoy the delicacies.

Dine at One of Atlanta’s Many Great Restaurants

Honestly dinner dates can be a bit uncomfortable. There’s the issue of where to look before your food comes. While eating there is always that awkward moment when your date asks you a question as soon as you put food in your mouth. Finally there is the weird moment at the end not knowing how to pay.

Alas, being the foodie I am, I can’t help but love a dinner date though. With all the tasty places to eat in Atlanta, at least if the date isn’t good, the food will be! Plus no-one has to shop for groceries, cook, or clean up. Although it is a go to date in Atlanta for many couples, it is that way for a reason!

Upscale favorites include Two Urban Licks, Kevin Rathbun Steakhouse, and Canoe. Trendy restaurants in Inman Park like Del Bar, Beetlecat, and Barcelona Wine Bar are popular for dinner dates. West Midtown also has a lot of top picks for nice dinners, like Bacchanalia and JCT Kitchen & Bar. I loved JCT’s NYE meal a couple years ago.

You don’t need to go somewhere expensive or fancy to have a great date night in Atlanta though. There are a lot of casual restaurants around the city that are just as good, if not better than the pricier ones.

Which one of these Atlanta date ideas are you most excited about for your next date in Atlanta? 

More in Atlanta

ACTIVITIES

• 3 Day Itinerary
• Explore the Best Neighborhoods
• When to Visit
• Why to Visit

ART

• Murals by Neighborhood
• Tiny Doors

DAYTRIPS

• North Georgia

FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS

• Christmas Activities
• Fall Festivals
• Festivals by Season
• Spring Festivals

FOOD

• BBQ
• BeltLine Restaurants
• Breakfast Restaurants
• Brunch Places
• Burger Spots
• Casual Restaurants
• Chicken an Waffles
• Donuts
• Food Halls
• Healthy Restaurants
• Mystery Picnic in Atlanta

OUTDOORS 

• Chattahoochee River Trails
• Hiking Near Atlanta
• Places to Walk in Atlanta
• Walkable Neighborhoods

---

Pin IT!!