Skip dinner and a movie with these unique date ideas!
Beyond the first date – when things start to become serious and you’ve met for drinks, dinners, movies, and all the usual DC date ideas – it’ll soon be time to think about what new experiences you can share. New experiences help you see your prospective partner in a different light and, ultimately, bring you closer together. They also make for great memories later in the relationship!
Made a connection with one of our Washington DC singles? Our list of DC date ideas that’ll help you bond is the perfect starting point. Take a look at our 6 favorite date ideas and begin to get to know one another better…
1. Canoes at Burke Lake Park
The first of our DC date ideas combines all good things; great views, nature, exercise, and – most importantly – togetherness. We recommend the canoe rental, which you can do for half a day, or a full day if you’re keen to enjoy the water to the max (and have good upper body strength!). Burke Lake itself is a stunning 218-acre body of water, home to a pretty shoreline that’s great for a romantic stroll once you’re done canoeing, fauna and lots of wildlife. Get to know each other better with a day trip here. Shared exercise is also pretty important too – they don’t say that couples who ‘sweat together, stay together’ for nothing!
2. Chow Down at Ben’s Chili Bowl
Despite the fact that it’s a DC institution operating since the 50’s, and despite the fact it counts President Obama among its clients, Ben’s Chili Bowl doesn’t feature on too many ‘romantic things to do in DC’ lists. That’s a great shame, because not only is Ben’s home to good eats, but the diner is an actually brilliant date venue. Ok, the food’s messy. But if you’re getting messy together then who cares? Head to the original restaurant on U Street for the most authentic experience, and delight in the company of the other couples who’ve figured out that the most important ingredient on a dinner date is not fancy tablecloths, but simply good company!
3. Everyone’s a critic at the National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is the grand-daddy of all art museums, which makes it an ideal choice for a cultural date. The fun side of going to the National Gallery is simply that everyone gets to be a critic here; whether you love art, or hate it, you can bond over it! Just don’t be too disparaging if your date happens to love a particular piece you’re not partial to… But you’ll find everything from Da Vinci and Raphael to Matisse and Van Gogh – there are important works on display here – and with such an impressive collection you’re sure to find something you both love! Plus, because it’s free to visit, you can spend as much time here as you like – take your date on a Whistler-stop tour or spend all Degas. See what we did there?
4. Get a new POV of DC at this special rooftop bar
We’ll take it for granted that you’ve met your date for drinks before now, but have you met them at POV? If not, it’s a shared experience well worth having. The simply stunning views over the city to the Washington Monument are sure to leave an impression (they don’t call it POV for nothing!) and the bar provides a relaxed setting in which to enjoy a cocktail or three. Trendy and stylish, the rooftop bar can be found on the 11th floor of the W Washington DC Hotel on 15th St NW & F St NW, a stone’s throw from the White House.
5. Hike (or clamber) up the Billy Goat Trail
Of all the ways to reconnect with nature near DC, this is our favorite. The Billy Goat Trail is perfect because, though it’s not hard enough to be off-putting, it’s enough of a challenge for you to bond over. So ok, kids can do it – but you will need a sturdy pair of shoes. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts by gorgeous vistas and viewpoints – and if that’s not romantic then we don’t know what is! A mere half hour drive outside of the city, it’s well worth the trip.
6. Go Ape at The Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The last of our DC Date Ideas is great if everything else fails because, well, who doesn’t love the zoo? It gets a little forgotten about, but the National Zoo works as a date venue that’ll help you bond because a shared love of animals is a sure sign of compatibility. It’s also just nice to marvel at all of the wonderful work the zoo’s conservationists do. And whether you adore Elephants, prefer Pandas or are even partial to the Mole Rats (someone must be, right?), you’re certain to find your spirit animal at the National Zoo.
Still yet to find the right person to take on one of our DC date ideas? Join EliteSingles today and discover your matches.
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About the author: Michael Middleton
Michael Middleton is an editor for EliteSingles.