Getting a day or night out just the two of you is a treat, but coming up with the date idea is always a toughie—do you do the usual dinner out or try something new? If you’re thinking the latter, we’ve got you covered with a bunch of out-of-the-box ideas for a day or night date, from hitting the sky in a hot air balloon to going on a sunset cruise around the bay. Scroll down for these date day and night ideas in NJ—and you can start booking that sitter now. And if you want to extend the night, don’t miss your chance to stay in one of these luxe resorts. (featured Photo Credit: istock/alexeys)
29 Date Ideas Around New Jersey
Visit a vineyard or a brewery
Take a tour of the vines or experience a beer flight together. Whether you are team hops or team grapes, visiting a vineyard like Renault Winery or a brewery like Jersey Girl Brewing Co. is always a fun time out. Sip a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, sample an IPA, or snack on a cheese plate to pair with it. Some places even have special tasting events. Prefer innovative cocktails? Visit a distillery in NJ and try some new spirits.
Take a spa daycation
Unwind that stress away by taking a breather at a day spa. Lounge in the Korean baths at Island Spa & Sauna in Edison, or head to Montclair to experience Bangz Golden Ritual For Two—it includes a gold sugar scrub, scalp and foot massage, and Swedish massage. At SOJO Spa Club in Edgewater, swim in the all-weather outdoor pool with city views, or head down the shore to spend time in a Himalayan Salt Grotto at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City.
Create art together
Get inspired with a creative class that goes a step above the usual paint-and-sip date night ideas. Try your hand at pottery at Mud Clay Studio in Madison, Mendham, or Montclair, take a Wine and Wheel class at The Clay Pot Pottery Studio in Spotswood, or turn wood into works of art at any of the Board & Brush studio locations throughout NJ. Whatever creative way you go, you’ll have a special something to take home as a reminder of the fun day or night you had.
Go up and away with a hot air balloon ride
Close your eyes and imagine that you can hear the roar of a fire and feel the breeze in your hair as you toast with champagne and take to the skies. If this sounds like a dream, make it a reality by reserving a private hot air balloon ride above the clouds. A romantic flight in a wicker basket is a beautiful way to take in the skies, and if you are lucky, you might even view a colorful sunset up close.
Sneak away to an adult-only resort trip
If you’re lucky enough to find someone to watch your kids and can get away for a night or two, pack up the car and head for the highway. Head to the country or the sea for a luxe hotel where you can relax by the pool, fill your day with activities, or enjoy room service (two of our faves: Crystal Springs Resort or Ocean Casino Resort).
Have a little friendly competition
Test your skills and set up a friendly game of laser tag to see who can score the highest, or team up together and zap the competition. If you want a more vintage feel, challenge your date to some retro arcade games from Donkey Kong to Pac-Man to see who gets the high score.
Go on a downtown day trip
Take a trip to explore an NJ town that’s new to you. Explore the historic sites in Morristown, experience the urban vibe in Hoboken, catch a performance in Red Bank, or stroll through the beautiful architecture in Princeton. With each town rich in culture, history, restaurants, and vibrant spaces, there’s plenty to do for a day that goes into an evening date. Historic Smithville is another spot to get in a little getaway any time of the year.
Pack a picnic for two
A romantic picnic in a park can be just the thing for those afternoon dates. Pack a picnic basket with dinner, utensils, plates, wine, and a blanket, and then find your spot, whether it’s biking, hiking, or simply pulling up to the beach. Cozy up and nibble on food while taking in the Garden State scenery and people-watching throughout the park.
Unwind in Cape May
Play a nighttime round of mini-golf
Who says mini golf is just for kids? Make it a romantic competition by playing it under the lights at one of the many mini-golf spots throughout NJ. If you’re near the shore, take a walk on the boards and end with a round by the ocean and sultry sea air. Or, if it’s a chilly evening, try an indoor mini-golf location underneath the black lights.
Cruise into the sunset
Set sail on a boat on the Atlantic or on the Hudson, and watch the sun go down. If you’re near the shore, hop on board to listen to live music on the three-hour sunset cruise on the Queen Mary. Or see a dolphin or whale on the Royal Miss Belmar. If you’re up North, take a Statue of Liberty sunset cruise aboard the City Cruises departing from Jersey City. No matter which cruise you take, this is for sure—they will all have amazing views.
Head toward the water
Did you know that New Jersey is full of waterfalls? The Garden State has smaller falls like the Speedwell Dam waterfall, all the way to the second-largest waterfall by volume east of the Mississippi at Paterson Great Falls. If you want to go closer to the shore, see the variety of lighthouses from Sandy Hook to Absecon. And the best part is that you can climb many of the lighthouses for fantastic views.
Rev your engines
For a truly racy take on a date, spend time on the go-kart tracks. Take twists and turns at the multi-level track at RPM Raceway, which has over 3,000 square feet of mega track. RPM also has bowling, virtual reality, and arcade games. Or start your engines at the largest indoor multi-level karting racetrack in the world in Edison at Supercharged Entertainment, complete with indoor karting, a gaming arcade, axe throwing, a drop and twist tower, and virtual reality.
Bowl over your date
There’s nothing like a fun round of bowling to bring out some friendly competition. Lace up those bowling shoes and get ready to get a strike. Head over to DiDonato’s in Hammonton, where you can bowl, take a train ride, or dine at The Alley Bar & Grille. They even have fun seasonal events.
Fly to new heights
Show it up
Get active together
Head to a town with a rock-and-roll past
Live in luxury
Drive into a date night
Take a pass from the regular movie night and head to a drive-in theater that will transport you back in time. The Delsea Drive-in Movie Theatre originally opened in 1949 and continues to play modern movies today. Make it dinner and a movie, with an on-site restaurant delivering yummy treats and snacks (including gluten-free options) to your car. During the season, they are open every week for date night fun.
Have your dream date
How are these date night ideas? See unparalleled views of the New York City skyline from the American Dream Wheel. Or have modern Italian cuisine with entrees like Linguine Vongole or Veal Scaloppine Milanese at Carpaccio. And, of course, you won’t want to miss shopping in this 3 million-square-foot entertainment complex at American Dream.
Learn together
Look for amusement
Who says amusement parks are just for kids? Ride the Ferris wheel with your love, or get your adrenaline pumping on a crazy roller coaster—spend time at one of the outdoor amusement parks like Six Flags Great Adventure or boardwalk favorites like Morey’s Piers.
See the pretty flowers
Brunch as a couple
Pick lavender and pet alpacas
Go to the city
We are lucky in New Jersey to have not one but two cities close enough to spend the day or overnight at. New York is full of touristy and trendy activities, from simple to unique. Or head south to Philadelphia and see the historical to the headline-worthy spots. You also won’t want to miss unique things to do in New York, such as Edge NYC, and distinctive activities in Philadelphia, like Elfreth’s Alley. The Franklin Institute is also a great place to see an upcoming exhibit or to sit back and relax in the planetarium.
Head east
There’s nothing like watching the sunset ride over the ocean in the morning—start your day at an NJ beach any time of the year. As it heats up, there are free beaches that you can visit, like The Wildwoods and Cape May Point State Park. And while you are at the shore, the boardwalks are a must-visit spot for some food, sweet desserts, or testing your luck at the arcade games. If you are looking for adventurous date ideas in NJ, take a whale-watching tour and make some memories you’ll never forget.
Paddle and parasail
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