30 Fun Things to Do in Detroit for Couples
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Detroit, in the state of Michigan, has no shortage of great places to go on a date. Just a few of the fun things to do in Detroit for couples include visiting the stunning Detroit Public Library, watching one of many local sports teams play, or luxuriating with cocktails at Candy Bar at the Siren Hotel.
If you want to enjoy the fresh air, you can also walk around parks, bike along the Detroit Riverfront, and much more. No matter what you like to do together, there'll be a date idea for you in Motor City. Keep reading for 30 top Detroit couples activities!
Organizing a last-minute visit to Detroit?
When visiting Detroit, book your accommodations and experiences before you go. Here are some top choices to make your trip enjoyable.
🏨 Top accommodations in Detroit
- Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown (rated highly)
- Sonder The Randolph (4-star rating)
- Sonder Gabriel Richard (under $100 USD a night)
☂️ Top tours and experiences in Detroit
30 Detroit Date Ideas
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Fun Date Ideas in Detroit
- Admire artworks at the Detroit Institute of Art
- Discover architectural gems on a Detroit tour
- Enjoy the fresh air at William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor
- Learn about Motor City history at the Detroit Historical Museum
- Wander around the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
- Treat yourself to ice cream at Detroit Water Ice Factory
- Explore Belle Isle Park
- Chat with a coffee at Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
- Shop at Eastern Market
- Find new books together at the Detroit Public Library
- Check out the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum
- Attend a Detroit Lions game at Ford Field
- Go to a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park
- Get food at American Coney Island
- Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History
- Hang out at Gabriel Richard Park on the Detroit Riverfront
- Unwind at the spa
- Fun Date Night Ideas in Detroit
- Things to Do Near Detroit for Couples
Detroit Things to Do Video
Check out our highlights video of Detroit things to do.
Detroit Things to Do Map
A map of Detroit. Use the map to explore all the things to do.
Fun Date Ideas in Detroit
Admire artworks at the Detroit Institute of Art
If you and your partner love art, a date at the Detroit Institute of Art is a must. The renowned art museum has been in Detroit for almost 100 years and has an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and more.
The Beaux-Arts and Italian Renaissance building that houses the museum is a work of art as well! As the museum stays open until late, it makes the ideal place for a daytime or evening date.
🏨 Nearest accommodations to the Detroit Institute of Arts
Discover architectural gems on a Detroit tour
Couples interested in architecture will want to go on a Detroit architecture tour. On this unique excursion, your guide will take you to some of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
You can learn more about their designers and history. You'll also learn more about Detroit's history and culture, making it an excellent tour for couples visiting the city.
🏨 Stay nearby 500 Griswold St
Enjoy the fresh air at William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor
One of the most romantic things to do in Detroit for couples is wandering around the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor. This scenic park sits on the Detroit River and has multiple trails that take you along the river and through wetlands.
If you don't feel like going for a walk, the park also has trails for biking and rollerblading, and there are picnic areas throughout the outdoor space.
🏨 Accommodation close to William G Milliken State Park and Harbor
Learn about Motor City history at the Detroit Historical Museum
Whether you and your date live in Detroit or are visiting, a trip to the Detroit Historical Museum will teach you lots of new things about the city.
Exhibits cover many things about the area's history, including the motor industry, 18th-century fur trading, present-day history and culture, and much more. The museum closes in the early evening, so planning a daytime date here is the best idea.
Wander around the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a beautiful place to go for a walk with your date. At the botanical garden on Belle Isle, you can see a range of plants, including many tropical trees and flowers in the conservatory. The pretty surroundings are an excellent backdrop for some couples photos as well.
Treat yourself to ice cream at Detroit Water Ice Factory
Couples with a sweet tooth will definitely want to check out Detroit Water Ice Factory. At the ice cream shop, you can order treats like Italian ice or soft serve ice cream, with popcorn and pretzels also on offer.
Other ice creameries you may want to visit include Milk & Froth and Ice Cream Plant, a plant-based ice cream shop at Eastern Market.
Explore Belle Isle Park
Going to Belle Isle Park is one of the fun couples activities in Detroit for those that want to enjoy the fresh air. The island sits in the Detroit River across from downtown and is where you'll find the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.
Along with going to the conservatory and gardens, you can walk together around the pretty park. You can also bike here and will get to enjoy views of Detroit. You can even see Windsor, Canada, on clear days!
Chat with a coffee at Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
You can find many trendy coffee shops in Detroit where you can hang out with your date. If you can't decide which to visit, Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters is a good one to check out.
Various coffee drinks made with fresh coffee are available, from espresso to flavored caffe lattes. The cafe is also known for its desserts, including decadent cheesecakes in multiple flavors, cookies, and muffins.
Shop at Eastern Market
Eastern Market is a famous Detroit landmark (it's on the National Register of Historic Places!), and exploring this bustling marketplace together is one of the most fun date ideas in Detroit to plan.
You'll find an array of vendors at the market, including those selling produce, baked goods, spirits, ready-to-eat food, and much more. It's a great place to pick up ingredients to cook and have a dinner date at home.
There are also some independent shops, like clothes and accessory stores, surrounding the market stalls. Whether you shop, try a few dishes, or wander around and enjoy the atmosphere, you and your date will have a memorable time at Eastern Market.
🏨 Accommodations nearby Eastern Market
Find new books together at the Detroit Public Library
Going to the beautiful Detroit Public Library main branch is a fun date idea if you're looking for something laid back to do. The library was established in 1865 and is housed in a grand Italian Renaissance building.
After admiring the internal design, which includes large frescoes and chandeliers, you and your date can browse the many bookshelves. If you find something to read, there are many places to sit and unwind with your books. There are study areas as well if you're on a study date!
Check out the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum is an interesting museum related to Ford and the car industry in Detroit. This attraction is a fun place to check out if planning a daytime date, especially if it's rainy.
The plant is a former Ford Motor Company plant that opened at the start of the 20th century. During a visit, you can see Ford cars from the last one hundred or so years and learn more about the history of the automobile factory.
Attend a Detroit Lions game at Ford Field
A fun fact about Michigan is that the state has a team in the four most popular professional sports in the US (NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB). Conveniently, all four are based in Detroit.
If you and your partner like sports, one of the most fun things for couples to do in Detroit is seeing the city's NFL team, the Detroit Lions, play at Ford Field. You can catch a game between September and mid-January in the regular season. Just remember to wrap up warm and bring lots of energy to cheer on the team!
🏨 Place to stay close to Ford Field
Go to a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park
The Detroit Tigers MLB team is another of Detroit's sports teams to check out. They play at Comerica Park, next to Ford Field, and it's such a popular team that Tiger Town is a Detroit nickname!
You can catch games in the afternoon and sometimes in the evening, with the regular season running from April to October. Even if you and your date aren't big baseball fans, going to a game and cheering with the home fans is a fun and memorable experience!
Get food at American Coney Island
American Coney Island is a popular diner in Detroit serving Coney Island-style hot dogs and lots of other snacks and meals. It's a fun place to go with your date for a unique lunch or dinner. Along with hot dogs, you can get gyros, chili fries, and sweet treats like donuts or pie, among many other comfort food items.
Visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History
Another interesting museum to visit together is the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History. Also known as The Wright, the museum is situated in the Midtown Cultural Center and is one of the oldest independent African American museums in the world.
Exhibits cover a range of topics, including the Underground Railroad, prominent African American activists, and notable African American figures who come from Detroit, among many others.
Hang out at Gabriel Richard Park on the Detroit Riverfront
There are lots of places in the city to go for a scenic walk, like along the Detroit Riverfront. As you stroll along together, you can admire views of the Detroit River. You can then wander through Gabriel Richard Park, which includes a butterfly garden and a cafe where you can grab coffee before continuing with your walk.
Unwind at the spa
The Woodhouse spa is the ideal place to go with your partner if you're looking to relax a little. The treatment menu has lots of options, including many types of facials and massages. Packages can be booked if you want to try a few different types of treatments.
Fun Date Night Ideas in Detroit
See a performance at the Fox Theatre
If you and your date like going to shows, one of the best places for a fun date night in Detroit, MI, is the Fox Theatre. This iconic theater hosts Broadway musicals as well as independent theater performances and other performing arts events. No matter what you see together, you'll have a memorable time at this renowned venue.
🏨 Accommodations nearby the Fox Theatre
- Sonder The Randolph (highly rated)
- The Inn on Ferry Street (4-star rating)
Make Mediterranean meals together at a cooking class
Taking a cooking class is a great way to bond and learn new skills. A fun cooking class to try is a Mediterranean dinner cooking class.
This private course is hosted at the home of a professional chef who will teach you how to make various dishes, like summer corn salad, flatbread with herb tzatziki, and fresh berry tart. You and your partner will then be able to recreate the dishes for your next at-home dinner date.
🏨 Stay nearby Detroit
- Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown (well-regarded)
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown
Watch a show at the Senate Theater
The Senate Theater is a much-loved performance venue in Detroit which makes a fantastic place for a night out with your partner. The venue shows many movies, including classics and retro films. There are also some live shows to see, like concerts.
Catch a game at Little Caesars Arena
The Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons are two more of the city's professional sports teams to watch with your date. They play in the NHL and NBA, respectively, and both play at Little Caesars Arena downtown.
These games run from October through April in the regular season and are often played in the evening. This makes attending a game at Little Caesars Arena one of the most fun things to do in Detroit for couples at night for sports lovers. Concerts are also held at the arena if you both prefer music to sports.
🏨 Accommodation close to Little Caesars Arena
- Trumbull & Porter (rated highly)
Sip cocktails at Candy Bar at the Siren Hotel
Located downtown, the Siren Hotel is a stylish hotel that has a luxurious cocktail bar, Candy Bar. If you're planning a drinks and dinner date, stopping for cocktails here before or after you eat is sure to impress your other half.
As you relax on comfy velvet couches or bar chairs, you can order from an extensive drinks list, which includes signature cocktails all of which will look great on your Instagram feed!
Listen to live music at The Old Miami
The Old Miami is one of the best date spots in Detroit for couples that want to listen to live music. The trendy venue has a bar and hosts a range of music acts, including many local bands and singers. You can also play pool, and the bar is open every day of the week until late.
Grab a beer at Founders Brewing Co.
Founders Brewing Co. is one of the best places to take your date for a beer in Detroit. The bar has an extensive list of beers on tap, from light beers and fruit beers to stouts and 12% brews. You and your partner can order snacks to accompany your beers as well, like pretzels or sandwiches.
Things to Do Near Detroit for Couples
Go to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Detroit has the nickname Motor City due to its history of being one of the largest car manufacturing cities in the United States. One of the most famous car producers in the city is Ford, founded by Michigan native Henry Ford.
If you and your date like visiting unique museums, the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is one that's well worth visiting. Along with exhibits on Ford, you can learn about a range of other entrepreneurs and innovative US businesses. You're sure to learn something new when exploring this Michigan landmark!
🏨 Stay near the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Be kids again at the Legoland Discovery Center
Located around 30 minutes outside Detroit, Legoland Discovery Center is a fun place to feel like a kid again with your date. The Lego-themed attraction has Lego rides, a replica of the Detroit skyline in Lego, a merchandise shop, and more. There's even a Lego cafe! To make admission easy, you can buy Legoland Discovery Center tickets in advance.
🏨 Accommodations nearby LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Auburn Hills (soak up the sun poolside)
- TownePlace by Marriott Suites Detroit Auburn Hills (well-regarded)
See a movie at Ford Drive-In Theatre
A movie date is a classic thing to do with your partner, and catching a film at the Ford Drive-In Theatre is highly recommended. The drive-in movie theater has five screens and shows most new releases and some classics.
Before the movie begins, you can get snacks from the concession, like popcorn, pizza, or nachos. Pets are also welcome if you want to bring your pup along for the date!
Try to break free from an escape room
Solving puzzles to get out of an escape room is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with your date. There are a few escape rooms in and around Detroit, with The Fifth Wall Escape Rooms, located about 20 minutes from downtown being a popular option.
You can choose from a few uniquely themed rooms and will have a set time to complete puzzles and use clues to escape. Even if you don't manage to escape, you'll both have a fun time trying!
Have fun at Airtime Trampoline & Game Park
The Airtime Trampoline & Game Park isn't just for kids! It's also a fun place for a date. Located about 30 minutes outside downtown Detroit, the entertainment complex has various attractions, from trampoline basketball to climbing walls and arcade games.
The venue also stays open until late (generally until 8 or 9 PM), so you can plan a later visit if you and your partner want to hang out with fewer kids around.
Get drinks at Valentine Distilling Co.
Another great cocktail lounge and tasting room in the Detroit area is Valentine Distilling Co. The distillery produces a variety of spirits, including vodka, whiskey, and gin. During a visit, you and your date can take a distillery tour to learn more about the distilling process.
You can then head to the cocktail lounge to taste some of the brand's spirits in delicious drinks. Of course, you can also pick up a bottle or two of your favorite spirits to enjoy together at home.
In Conclusion
No matter what you and your partner like to do, you'll find an array of fun places to go on a date in Detroit. From relaxing at the spa to exploring museums or hanging out at a trendy coffee shop, Motor City has a date idea for all couples!
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