From romantic strolls to enchanting dinner spots, this guide is your ticket to rediscovering the magic of an Ann Arbor date night. Say goodbye to the routine and hello to a world of delightful possibilities! Below is our curated list of Ann Arbor Date Night Ideas, organized by date style.
Whether you’re looking for charming date spots in the heart of Ann Arbor or planning a day date adventure near you, let’s make every moment count and reignite the spark with these fantastic date ideas tailor-made for couples in our beloved city!
Ann Arbor Date Nights for Parents
Of course before parents can plan a date night, they first need to secure child care.
We’ve got a running list of upcoming Parents Night Out programs. With one child, we found these both cost effective and great for encouraging us to plan a date night. On the downside, the hours can make it difficult when you are planning a movie or a show.
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Local family members are great date night babysitters – especially if you can arrange a sleepover.
Ask your friends if you need a babysitter! Consider partnering with a friend to swap babysitting nights. Or try to get a babysitter referral from a friend.
As your kids get older, they start attending drop-off birthday parties, sleepovers, activities, or going out with friends. With a single child, these were all a great option for a date.
Ann Arbor Date Night Idea: See a Performance
Don’t just settle for a dinner and a movie date night. Check out these options for seeing live music and theater. These dates require a bit of advance planning to get tickets and having a babysitter on the right date for the show you want to see.
- The Ark – Catch a live music show at The Ark
- Michigan Theater – Check their Live Events calendar for live concerts and performers
- Ann Arbor Civic Theatre – Ann Arbor Civic Theatre performs several shows a year
- Encore Theater – Head to Dexter and catch a show at The Encore.
- Purple Rose Theater – Chelsea’s Purple Rose Theatre founded by actor and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels features shows emphasizing the midwestern voice.
- Kerrytown Concert House – Make a plan to enjoy a live concert at the Kerrytown Concert House
- Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase – Get ready to laugh with a show at The Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
- Blue Llama Jazz Club – Listen to live Jazz while enjoying dinner, small plates, and a variety of drink options at Blue Llama Jazz Club.
Don’t forget to check UofM, EMU, and local high schools for additional performances.
If you still want to see a movie, be sure to check out the local movie theaters. Over the years we have enjoyed many date nights at the movie whether it was the latest non-kid friendly blockbuster, or an independent movie at Michigan Theater.
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Active Ann Arbor Date Night Ideas
Are you looking for a more active date night idea? There are plenty of active date ideas including both indoor or outdoor activities.
Outdoor active dates are a great idea for a day date. Kayak, paddleboard, or tube down the Huron River. Take a bike ride on the Border-to-Border Trail, or take a nature hike through the Nichols Arboretum, Matthaei Botanical Garden, or through the trails at Leslie Science & Nature Center.
For indoor active date nights, consider activities like:
- Head to BIG: Best in Games for a load of fun. They have Karting, Axe Throwing, Football Bowling, Selfie Mini-Golf, Smash It, Ninja Stars, Pool Tables and more. The second and third floors where these attractions are located are reserved for ages 18+ after 6p on Fridays and Saturdays. Or venture down to the first floor (with all ages) for laser tag, ninja course, and the adventure course.
- Go Rock Climbing at Planet Rock
- Bowling is always a fun option to include an active activity, drinks, and snacks.
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For on-going date nights, consider joining a co-ed rec sports league.
Put Your Brains Together on Date Night in Ann Arbor
Are you looking for a fun date that requires some thinking – and working together? An Escape Room or a Trivia Night is a perfect option.
There are several Escape Rooms near Ann Arbor
- Decode Detroit is a perfect option for a date night at both the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti locations. The drive in adventure at the Ann Arbor location is a perfect date night – you don’t even have to get out of your car. The Ann Arbor Trouble in Paradise room would also be good for a double date. The Library at the Ypsilanti location is perfect for 2 people.
- A2 Clueless offers a number of Escape Room. Unfortunately, all of their rooms are designed for a group of 4-8, so aren’t great for a solo date, but would be fun with other couples.
- Breakout Escape Room offers the Heart of a Pirate Room for groups as small as 2. They have other rooms that would be good for a group of couples.
Trivia Nights are another way for couples to put their heads together on a date night. There are many trivia night options around town. You can find trivia nights run through Sporcle or independently. Try looking at local pubs and breweries for their schedule.
Other “intellectual” date night ideas that don’t include working together are attending lectures like AADL’s Nerd Nite, the UM Museum of Natural History Science Cafe, or a lecture at UofM or EMU. You can also find author events at AADL and local bookstores.
Artistic Ann Arbor Dates
Do you and your partner lean more artistic? Check out the University of Michigan Museum of Art to look at art – or plan a day trip to Detroit Institute of Arts.
Make your own art at library events or with an art class at:
- Ann Arbor Art Center – They offer couples and individual classes. Or check out their events for gallery shows and free drop-in events.
- Whitepine Studios – Check out their couples and adult events for painting, pottery, and more.
- Tipsy Ypsi – Check out their 18+ and couples events – you can even bring your own “adult” beverages.
- Throw Pottery Studios – Whether you want to throw pottery on the wheel, paint pottery, or join a paint & pour event, they have several great date night options.
- Pinspiration – Have a messy, creative date with their Splatter Room Date package, or check out their projects which include Candle Making.
In addition, you can check out events at various galleries around town including Gutman Gallery, WSG Gallery and Motawi Tileworks.
Day Dates Near Ann Arbor
Sometimes the best way to get a date night is to take a day off when the kids are in school, camp, or day care. This gives you a longer window to enjoy a date night.
Day dates are perfect for outdoor date nights – weather permitting. Plan a hike at one of Ann Arbor’s many parks, the Botanical Gardens, or the Arb. Don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch!
During the summer, hit the river in a double kayak or go tubing on the river.
Day dates while the kids are in school are also a great opportunity for longer dates like a day trip to Detroit. Visit the DIA, Motown Museum, and other fun destinations.
Cheap and Free Date Nights in Ann Arbor
Paying a babysitter makes date night expensive from the start! So these free and cheap date nights will help you get out more frequently
A free or cheap date night doesn’t mean you are giving up on the fun. Check out free events in the evening at Ann Arbor District Library, community events like Ann Arbor Summer Festival or one of the many summer concert series in the area.
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Outdoor dates like hiking or even just walking in the park are free dates that are perfect in the summer when it stays light into the evening.
Other community events that we enjoy as a date night are FoolMoon in the spring and Kindlefest/Midnight Madness in December.
Plan a Foodie Date in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor has plenty of great restaurants. We enjoy getting out to both our favorite restaurants and trying a new-to-us restaurant when we have a date night.
Several local businesses offer tastings, classes, and other events that you make a great night.
- Check out Zingerman’s for various tastings and classes that you can register for at the deli, Cornman Farms, and through the Bakehouse
- Enjoy your foodie date with an adult beverage at Bløm Meadworks which offers events like a weekly board game night, trivia, tastings, and more.
- Enjoy the sweeter side with classes at the Dexter location of Mindo Chocolate Makers.
Beer Gardens, Breweries, and Distilleries are also a great option for a date night.
Ann Arbor Date Ideas for Gamers
Take your gamer date night beyond gaming at home. Whether you favor board games, role playing games, or video games there are plenty of fun locations to game on your date.
If you lean to video games, check out retro fun at an arcade like Pinball Pete’s. Get into the game in person with laser tag at BIG: Best in Games and check out their arcade..
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If you’re looking for board games, role playing games, and card games, local game stores are your source for game nights.
- Local Game Stores
- Other Gaming Locations
- Arbor Brewing Ypsilanti (aka Corner Brewery) – They have games available to play
- Ypsilanti Ale House has games available to play
- Bring Your Own Game – Bring your own game to a coffee shop and sit and play while sipping on drinks.
Other Ann Arbor Date Night Suggestions
Did we miss your favorite Ann Arbor Date Night? Send us the information on social media or by email.
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