Date Night Done Right

Date Night Ideas in Seattle Southside

Looking for unique date ideas near Seattle?

If you ask us, sharing new experiences is the secret ingredient to a memorable date. On your next date, plan a night out in Seattle Southside, where you can explore cuisines from around the globe, discover places to watch the sunset, try out-of-the-box activities, and maybe even challenge each other to some friendly competition.

Below are four different ideas for date nights to fit whatever vibe you're going for.

A Night on the Waterfront

A Feast for the Senses

Dinner and a Show

Tasting for Two

A Night on the Waterfront

Des Moines, Washington, combines small-town charm with stunning natural beauty. The city hugs Puget Sound (hence the nickname "Waterland"), making it a great spot for a romantic evening. Depending on the time of year, you may want to start your night with a stroll at Des Moines Beach Park, just a few minutes from downtown Des Moines. At the marina, you can walk out onto a long pier and gaze at the sweeping view of Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains. (Or, save the walk for after dinner and catch a view of the sunset). For dinner, enjoy fresh seafood with a view of the sea at Anthony's HomePort, or have a relaxed meal at local favorite Via Marina Wood Fired Pizza and Italian Cafe. If you still have energy and want to get into some friendly competition, head to Waterland Arcade, where you'll find more than 50 classic arcade and pinball games, plus dozens of craft beers and ciders to enjoy while you're there.

A Feast for the Senses

If natural beauty makes your heart sing, you'll love exploring The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. With a Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Native Plant Garden, and more, there's something to admire at any time of year.

After your walk, enjoy a farm-to-table meal at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar, where the menu is always changing to reflect the seasons. Ingredients are locally sourced (some right from the Chef's Garden outside), and the menu descriptions are like poetry for a foodie. (See: "Honey-Glazed Muscovy Duck Breast with blue cheese polenta gnocchi, honey poached fig, and butter-braised Lacinato kale").

The restaurant is located inside Cedarbrook Lodge, a luxury resort that sits on 18 acres of lush grounds, so you can take a stroll around the gardens. For the ultimate indulgence, complete your date with a couple's massage at the spa inside the hotel.

Dinner and a Show

Nothing says "classy date" like seeing a live orchestra together. In Seattle Southside, there are numerous places to see world-class musicians, and tickets tend to be far more affordable than they are in major city centers. Rainier Symphony, a full orchestra with more than 70 members, has been running for more than forty years, and hosts concerts in Tukwila throughout the year for $22/person. Check the symphony's website for upcoming shows. You can also often catch Candlelight Concerts hosted at the Museum of Flight (also in Tukwila), which are themed around either classic composers or pop stars.

Before or after the show, enjoy an intimate dinner at a nearby restaurant, like 13 Coins in SeaTac, where you'll feel like you're in a classic Hollywood film. This iconic restaurant has been wowing guests since the 1960s with its moody, refined ambiance (think high-backed, dark leather booths) and an extensive menu of classic American fare. Oftentimes, the restaurant hosts live music to enhance your dining experience.

Tasting for Two

Sampling new drinks or flavors is a nice, low-pressure way to get to know someone better. It invites you to slow down and savor what you're tasting while giving you something light to chat about with your date. The following experiences all make for great conversation fodder:

Book a tour of Seattle Chocolate Factory to sample gourmet truffles made right where you're standing.
Enjoy a wine tasting at Bacovino, a small, sophisticated local winery featuring award-winning wines made from Washington vineyards.
Try out different flavors of locally made mead (honey wine) at Oppeggard, a cozy, Nordic-inspired mead hall. With whimsical flavors like "Dragon's Blood," it's the perfect date for fans of fantasy or history.

After you've tasted your way through one or more of the above places, pop over to Rendition, a refined restaurant and bar inside Hotel Interurban where you can get modern twists on classic American and PNW fare. You might even want to book an overnight to indulge without worrying about getting home.