Spice Up Your Detroit Date Night
Dinner & drinks at your favorite local restaurant is a great date night, but it's important to have NEW experiences and spice things up every once and a while! According to researchers, "couples who engage in novel activities that are fun [or] active ... enjoy higher levels of relationship quality" (source).
So, we put together this list of unique ideas that you haven't done before to get you out of your comfort zone!
1. 'Dive' into SEA LIFE, Michigan's largest aquarium
4316 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Get closer to over 250 amazing underwater species and 2,000 creatures including sharks, rays, green sea turtles and more! To get any closer, you'd have to get wet!
Spice it up:
- Touch a giant sea star and anemone in the Interactive Touchpool
- Walk with sharks inside Michigan's only Underwater Ocean Tunnel
Features:
- Romantic lighting and ambience
- Cute couples photo opportunities
2. Put on your explorer hats for a visit to Belle Isle
99 Pleasure Dr, Detroit, MI 48207 | Website
Belle Isle is a 982-acre park open all year long located in the middle of the Detroit River and is the perfect location for a short date or day-long exploration.
Spice it up:
- Visit the many unique sites on the island, including the Belle Isle Nature Center and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
- Have a picnic at the picturesque ‘Sunset Point’ and take in views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines
Features:
- A public beach open daily for swimming
- Numerous walking, running, and biking trails
3. Go back in time together at the Ford Wyoming Drive-In
10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126 | Website
Watch a movie the retro way at the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In! Snuggle up in the back with your favorite movie snack and watch all of the most exciting new releases.
Spice it up:
- Take in a special double-feature with their ‘two movies for the price of one’ offers
- Bring a furry friend along to join in on the cuddles
Features:
- Food available for purchase or bring your own
- See all the new releases as well as occasional special event movies
4. "Gogh" to the Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202 | Website
The Detroit Institute of Arts is open 6 days a week with extended hours in the evenings on Friday nights! It makes for a leisurely date night as you stroll through collections of some of the world's most famous works.
Spice it up:
- Be amazed by Van Gogh's self-portrait & Diego Rivera's "Detroit Industry"
- Pet the donkey on level 2 — it's the only work you can touch!
Features:
- Enjoy drinks and food in Kresge Court
- Live performance events every month
5. See if you have what it takes to escape from the Fifth Wall Escape Rooms
1930 Hilton Road, Ferndale, MI 48220 | Website
If you love challenging and intriguing puzzles, then why not test your skills by escaping from the Fifth Wall Escape Rooms. Put your minds together to solve all the clues before your 60 minutes are up.
Spice it up:
- Take on one of the rooms by yourselves or invite another couple and make it a double date
- Try to beat other guests’ high scores and get on the Fifth Wall Escape Room leaderboards
Features:
- Three unique rooms to choose from with a fourth on the way
- Open daily for those surprise mid-week date nights
6. Become a Bad 'Axe' at Detroit Axe
Try your hand at hurling hatchets together at Detroit Axe! Compete in a one-on-one or against others in a tournament. Which one of you will win the right to sit atop their giant throne?
Detroit Axe has three locations | Website
- 1375 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
- 344 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
- 17420 Hall Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038
Spice it up:
- Compete against each other and 'sharpen' your skills
- Play old school arcade games & board games
Features:
- 12 axe-throwing lanes
- Food & drinks available for purchase
7. Give ‘fowling’ a chance at the Fowling Warehouse
3901 Christopher St, Hamtramck, Michigan 48211 | Website
Have you ever wanted to try football and bowling together? Well, now’s your chance! Visit the Fowling Warehouse and try out this unique sport together!
Spice it up:
- Compete against each other or on the same team
- Bring food or snacks and take a picnic break in-between games
Features:
- Fully stocked bar
- No time limit on gameplay
8. Hit the high-tech green at Topgolf
500 Great Lakes Crossing Dr, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 | Website
Topgolf is way more than just a high-tech driving range — it's a sprawling all-weather entertainment venue! You'll enjoy the swanky lounge serving signature cocktails & spirits, great food, adult atmosphere and more!
Spice it up:
- Compete against each other to see who gets the high score
- Show off your golfing skills (or laugh together about the lack thereof!)
Features:
- Dinner and drinks available
- Semi-private bays
9. Swing through the trees at Treerunner Adventure Park
6600 W Maple Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322 | Website
Take to the trees for a one-of-a-kind adventure date at Treerunner Adventure Park in West Bloomfield. See if the two of you have what it takes to complete their increasingly difficult aerial trails made up of zip lines, barrels, nets, and bridges.
Spice it up:
- Challenge yourselves to complete as many trails as you can in your allotted time
- Take part in one of their ‘Glow Nights’ where all of the trails are lit up with special lights and music depending on that night’s theme
Features:
- 14 unique aerial trails of increasing difficulty
- Drinks and snacks available for purchase
10. 'Build' your relationship at LEGOLAND® Adult Night (BONUS DATE NIGHT IDEA!)
4240 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 | Website
On select evenings throughout the year, LEGOLAND Discovery Center holds Adults-Only evenings where you can re-live your childhood glory days together!
Spice it up:
- Compete in LEGO® building challenges with other Adult Fans of LEGO
- See dozens of Detroit-area landmarks built entirely out of LEGO bricks
Features:
- Interactive rides, a 4D Cinema, building zones & more
- Cafe with snacks and refreshments (but no adult beverages)
Please note: Adults are typically required to be accompanied by a child in order to enter LEGOLAND Discovery Center except during the aforementioned Adult Nights.
