Special date nights often include a gourmet dinner at a fancy restaurant. With beautiful conversations aimed at making you fall deeper in love with one another, the night does not have to end after you finished dessert. Catch a movie, walk around the city, or have a drink at a local bar. Whatever it is you choose to do, as long as it is with the right person, it becomes a romantic and memorable thing. For those planning a romantic staycation or getaway, book a stay at one of the city’s famous hotels or romantic hotels. If you want to spend a special night here, read through our list of the top date night ideas in Washington DC, USA.
1. Enjoy a romantic dinner while cruising along the Potomac River
Imagine having a romantic dinner with your significant other while enjoying the best views from the Potomac River—yes, this is what this great idea for your date night in Washington DC is all about. Aboard the elegant Odyssey Cruise Ship, you’re going to be sailing along the scenic river as you pass through the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and other DC landmarks while enjoying a three-course dinner.
You also get to dance with your partner under the moonlit sky on the deck of the ship as the DJ or live performers plays a selection of romantic tunes for you.
Book Tours : City Cruises Washington DC: Premier Dinner Cruise
2. Experience the thriving pub scene and enjoy some of the best-tasting brews in town
Washington DC has one of the most vibrant pub scenes in the country with many spots offering award-winning brews for your enjoyment, and this tour is exactly what you need to fully experience what the capital has to offer when it comes to the best suds.
The tour includes visiting four of the top pubs in the city with a local guide and this is where you can, of course, sample the aforementioned award-winning brews along with lunch or dinner options. You and your partner will also have the opportunity to see what goes behind the intricate process of making these amazing craft beers.
3. Get a taste of some culture while enjoying the sun at the National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Before going to dinner on your DC date night, we highly suggest visiting this beautiful garden first. The National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden is a part of the national art gallery that exhibits several pieces of contemporary sculptures in an open-air setting. The beautifully landscaped garden features works of art by several local and international artists including “Puellae” made by Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz, “Aurora” by Italian-American sculptor Mark di Suvero, and “Spider” by French-American sculptor Louise Bourgeois.
The garden also features a beautifully designed fountain right in the center, which is converted into an ice-skating rink from December to March.
The National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden
Address: Constitution Ave NW &, 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20408, United States
Website: The National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
4. Share some laughter at Dojo Comedy
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Dojo Comedy on Monday, March 7, 2016
Running out of date night ideas in Washington DC? How about sharing some laughter with your partner at Dojo Comedy. This place is a club that provides laughter to its customers through numerous improv and sketch comedy numbers. The club is dedicated to nurture and provide opportunities to local talents on how to work with a live audience. The talent here is top-notch, and this fact alone guarantees you and your partner a night of fun and laughter. Aside from local talents, the club also showcases performers from different cities and states. Its present home is the original venue in DC that is built exclusively for improv and sketch comedy performers. This is one of the best comedy clubs in the whole country.
Dojo Comedy
Address: 3503 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, United States
Website: Dojo Comedy
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 7pm – 10:30pm; Fri: 7pm - 11pm; Sat: 6pm – 11pm (closed on Sun)
Washington Tour Guide
Annie Leguennec
My name is Annie. I am a local Tour guide based in Philadelphia enjoying fully what the city has to offer with its deep history, street arts, murals, architecture, traditional food, black history, Farmer Markets, green space, a melting pot of neighborhoods and its great locals. I am looking for to welcome you and show you this incredible city where you will gain a better understanding of the ci... Read more
Tours by Annie
Washington Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
Tours by Stephanie
5. Dance the night away at DC9
DC9 is a great spot to discover the city’s nightlife, especially for couples who want to have some fun. The place has three venues where you can have so much fun with your partner. The first level has a bar where you can chill and drink. The second has a stage where bands entertain with live music. The third floor is by far, the most romantic of all three. Here you can just do anything you want like dance and drink the night away. It is a cool place to stay during the summer. In winter, enclosures are put up to keep everybody warm.
DC9
Address: 1940 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
Website: DC9
Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 5pm - 12am; Sat: 3pm - 12am; Sun: 3pm - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
6. Spend a date night at National Mall
Everybody knows that National Mall of Washington DC attracts thousands of visitors by day because of its long line of memorials and museums. At night, it becomes a romantic place to spend a date night. Because it is open all day, the place becomes the perfect spot to bike or run with your partner. All you have to do is park your car nearby. This just might be one of the best date places to go to because it is free and you are in a beautiful park setting. With all the historic establishments around you, this might be one of the best date nights in DC you and your partner will ever have.
Book Tours : Washington DC: National Mall Night Bus Tour
7. Take a romantic walk during sunset at Tidal Basin
What is it about Tidal Basin that makes it romantic during twilight? Is it the water? Is it the sunset? Is it the memorials that surround it? One thing is for sure, there is no clear answer to this. So the best thing for you and your partner to do is find out for yourself. A walk through the reservoir path as day turns to night allows you to take in the beauty of the whole place. The best place to watch the sunset is from Jefferson Memorial. Walk the whole path so you can take photos of each other at Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Martin Luther King memorials.
Tidal Basin
Website: Tidal Basin
8. Enjoy a night of fun and learning at Story District
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Story District on Thursday, August 5, 2021
Story District is a well-known venue for performing arts. However, the shows here are unique and based on facts. These autobiographical stories are acted out by live performers who give justice to the theme. Be a part of the 300 monthly audience the place caters to. The place features eight to ten stories per night based on different themes. Story District produces original shows every year. If you and your partner are lucky enough, you may be able to watch one of these on your special night. Expect a night of fun and learning as you witness factual stories unfold before your eyes.
Story District
Address: 3329 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, United States
Website: Story District
9. Watch a classic musical at Keegan Theatre
Keegan Theater is the best place to bring your date if you both fancy watching musical plays. The lineup of productions features a mix of classic and new stage performances. Watching here does not come at a lofty price, and this is one of the reasons why productions here are very popular. The performances are actor-driven which means that the actors are given a free hand on how they want to tackle their roles. The directors are all participatory in this idea and encourage actors to think for themselves. For you and your partner, watching a production with this principle creates a powerful connection between you and the performers.
Keegan Theatre
Address: 1742 Church St NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States
Website: Keegan Theatre
10. Have a good laugh at Drafthouse Comedy Theater
Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed
Stand-up comedy at its finest is what awaits you and your date when you decide to drop by Drafthouse Comedy Theater. You and your partner will have your fill of laughter on weekends where two of the best local comics perform back to back in one night. Yes, that is two in one night, unlike other venues where only one headliner performs. The theater becomes packed these days because of the top-notch performances lined up for you. Come in early because the place easily gets crowded as it is quite small for a performance venue. Despite this, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time watching these comics perform.
Drafthouse Comedy Theater
Address: 1100 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States
Website: Drafthouse Comedy Theater
11. Go on a romantic bus tour with your partner
Taking a bus tour in the evening is one of the best ways to see the sights of Washington DC. If you are with the one you love, it would be a perfect date activity that both of you will love. These buses come in a full range of sizes, from big vans to full coaches, that can take in a big number of people. These tours are led by experienced tour guides who provide a detailed description of each and every tourist destination the buses stop at. These tours allow you to get off the buses and explore these destinations on foot. There might be some dark portions in some of the destinations, so it’s best that you bring a flashlight with you.
Book Tours : Washington D.C. Twilight Evening Bus Tour
12. Take a sightseeing cruise on Potomac River
Get on a boat and have a lavish dinner cruise on the water with the one you love. Allow this time to get closer to each other as you leave your cares on the shore even for a few hours. Potomac River becomes your canvas of beauty as you sail on it while having an extensive buffet spread. You will get to see several of Potomac’s tourist sites that will leave you breathless and in awe. There is also some lively dancing with music provided by a top-notch DJ. Dinner, dancing, cruising, and sightseeing all in one night. How can you beat such a thing? You can’t.
Book Tours : City Cruises Washington DC: Signature Dinner Cruise
Spend a date night in Washington DC
Washington DC is not just about politics and history but also romance and love. These ideas epitomize what the city has to offer lovers and those about to fall in love. The river cruises and the amazing eateries make sure of that. During your trip here, don’t forget to include some of our date night ideas in your itinerary.
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