Whether it’s your first date with someone or you want to impress your partner for your anniversary, we have collected some of the best and most interesting activities for you. Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost for you.

The Best Date Ideas in Seattle

What follows are some great and unique date ideas in the Emerald City.

1. Try a Workout Date

If you and your date are into fitness and weight training, a great idea is going on a workout date. That’s an original and fun idea, and a great place you can try is SolidCore.

2. Hire a Private Chef

Many dates seem to revolve around food. After all, it’s hard to have a bad time if you are having delicious food and are in good company. But with a simple, unique twist you can make a date unique and more personal. You can hire a local private chef – from the Food Fire Knives website – to come to your place and prepare a meal for you and your significant other! And the best part is, the only thing you have to worry about is having a good time. Everything from buying the ingredients to the dishes is taken care of by the chef. And, If you’re looking for a more interactive experience, some chefs even offer cooking classes.

3. Visit the Waterfall Garden Park

One of the most romantic places in Seattle we can’t exclude from this list is the Waterfall Garden Park. It’s located downtown in the Pioneers Square neighborhood and it offers a quiet place in the middle of a restless city, where you can relax and enjoy some quality time with your date. Recommended read: 12 Best Quality Conversation Starters That Make You Instantly Charming

4. Altura Restaurant

As Scott Killmer, founder of Carwindshields and local expert, suggest, one of the best restaurants you can try in Seattle is Altura. It’s a great Italian restaurant with amazing reviews. The amazing ambiance and lovely décor of the place makes it the perfect spot for a memorable date.

5. Museum of Museums (MoM)

As Killmer recommends, if you and your date are into art, you should visit the Museum of Museums. It’s without any doubt one of the best places in Seattle where you can enjoy the best of art. Every month different exhibitions are displayed which means you don’t have to see the same things over and over again. Recommended read: 60+ Unique Fun Date Ideas for a Guaranteed Great Time (2022)

6. Limoncello

As local attorney and small business owner Elle Florence suggests, a great restaurant which is perfect if you’re on a budget is Limoncello. Perfect for a more casual date, Limoncello is a newer restaurant with friendly staff and the best risotto you can try in Seattle.

7. Como in Kirkland

Another recommendation from Elle Florence is Como in Kirkland. If you want to have dinner with a view and impress your partner, here your date feel like a vacation in southern Italy. Not to mention, this place is perfect for an anniversary, birthday or any special occasion. Make sure to order the Focaccia and try some homemade pasta with a Bellini. After dinner, walk along Lake Washington or go watch the beautiful boats at the marina.

8. Visit the Washington Park Arboretum

One of the best and most romantic date ideas in Seattle is the Arboretum in the Washington park. The entry is free and you can check the opening hours on their official website – as they often change.

9. Bainbridge Island

Another great suggestion from Elle Florence is a day trip to Bainbridge Island. You can take the ferry from downtown to Bainbridge Island. It’s only takes 35 minutes, and downtown Bainbridge is walkable from the ferry. You can eat at Basa if you want to enjoy some modern Vietnamese food, or Bruciato if you want to eat an authentic Neapolitan pizza. Then, why not, you can have an ice cream at Mora and walk by the water, or visit the art museum. 

10. Go for a Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market

An original and fun date idea in Seattle is going for a chef-guided tour of Pike Place Market. It’s a two-hour tour and it has amazing reviews. It includes nine food stops and a discount card. You can easily buy the tickets on Viator.

11. Try the Can Can Culinary Cabaret

A dinner theater like the Can Can Culinary Cabaret is a perfect place for a unique date night, unlike the typical restaurants most people are used to. This dinner theater offers shows with extravagant costumes, choreography, and truly immersive experiences all around. It also has a bistro and bar with delicious sweets like beignéts. This place is perfect if what you want is a memorable date night together.

12. Go Kayaking on Lake Union

As Oberon, CEO of Very Informed, suggests, for a more active and fun date, you can go to LakeUnion for a kayaking adventure. There are several rental companies that offer boats, kayaks and stand up paddle boards, so you can explore the lake at your own pace. And if you feel hungry after kayaking, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to refuel afterwards.

13. Go for an Airplane Tour

A unique date idea you should definitely try is the Greater Seattle scenic airplane tour. It lasts 20 minutes approximately and you will fly over iconic places and landmarks such as the Space Needle, the Puget Sound, Lake Union, the Lake Washington. You will be given headsets so that you will be able to hear a narration of the panoramic views – which is provided by the pilot. You can buy the tickets on Viator for this experience as well. Photo by Ben Dutton on Unsplash