23 Fun Nashville Date Ideas for 2023 (By a Local)

If you’re looking for new and exciting Nashville date ideas, then you’re in the right place.

I’m a local who loves exploring Music City and trying out new experiences. I can tell you firsthand that it’s a great place for couples (or for meeting someone new) because there are so many great unique things to do in Nashville. 

Whether you’re looking for romantic or creative date ideas in Nashville, this article is loaded with options.

Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

23 Best Nashville Date Ideas

Centennial Park

Have a picnic at one of the most-visited parks in Nashville

📍 Google Maps | Centennial Park’s Website | 🧺 Best for: Picnics

For a fun budget-friendly Nashville activity, pack a picnic and go to Centennial Park. You can enjoy a romantic stroll around the lake, check out the cute ducks, and have a great conversation with your special someone.

The park is also home to Nashville’s Parthenon. It’s a full-size replica of the Greek Parthenon and one of Nashville’s most recognizable landmarks.

Pins Mechanical

Plan a double date at this grown-up arcade

📍 Google Maps | Pins Mechanical Website | 💖 Best for: Group Dates

If you’re looking for a relaxed date night for a group, then Pins Mechanical in the Gulch is a perfect choice. Play a game of duckpin bowling, try your hand at classic arcade games, or put a few quarters in the pinball machines.

The bar has 24 beers on tap and serves hand-crafted cocktails. You can bring your own food or order from one of the food trucks that are on-site several days a week. This is one of my favorite places for date night in Nashville.

Peninsula

Enjoy a romantic dinner together at this East Nashville restaurant

📍 Google Maps | Peninsula’s Website | 🥂 Best for: Anniversaries

For a romantic date night, try dinner at Peninsula, one of the best restaurants in Nashville. The restaurant, headed by James Beard Award Semifinalist Jake Howell, serves amazing Spanish and Portuguese cuisine. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, and of course, the food is outstanding.

The menu changes often based on what’s available, and the restaurant has the best gin and tonic list in Nashville. Going to Penisula is one of the best date ideas to celebrate an anniversary or other special occasion.

Belcourt Theatre

Upgrade the classic dinner and a movie date at this historic theater

📍 Google Maps | Belcourt Theatre’s Website | 💕 Best for: First Dates

Shake up the standard movie date by catching a film at the Belcourt Theatre in Hillsboro Village. The theater first opened in 1925 showing silent films. Today the nonprofit theater shows everything from blockbusters to classic films.

It’s a fun way to spend a couple of hours watching a movie you both love or seeing something you might not find on the big screen at another movie theater. The Belcourt makes a great date because you know you’ll have something to talk about afterward.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Get a cone of delicious ice cream

📍 Google Maps | Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Website | 🍦 Best for: Casual Dates

If you like sweets, then there’s no better place than Jeni’s. The increasingly popular ice cream shop has locations all over Nashville. No matter which location you go to, you can try some of Jeni’s signature bold flavors. 

Going to Jeni’s is a fun quick date on its own, but it’s also a good place to go when you aren’t quite ready for a date to end yet.

First Saturday Art Crawl

Admire artwork by talented artists at galleries in Downtown Nashville

First Saturday Art Crawl’s Website | 🎨 Best for: Weekend Dates

On the first Saturday of each month, you can head downtown and browse through multiple galleries during the First Saturday Art Crawl. It’s a fun way to see the work of local and international artists. Plus many of the galleries offer light refreshments and cocktails during the art crawl. 

The galleries participating in the event change each month, so if you enjoy going the first time, you can go multiple times and have a completely different experience each time.

👉 Read Next: 27 Weekend Getaways from Nashville

Frist Art Museum

Enjoy award-winning exhibits in a historic art-deco building

📍 Google Maps | Frist Art Museum’s Website | 💖 Best for: Day Dates

Another great date idea for art lovers is the Frist Art Museum. The museum’s art-deco building located in the Gulch is beautiful. While the Frist Museum does not have a permanent collection, it has several galleries that display rotating collections. This means that there’s something new to see every couple of months.

Check the website to see the current and upcoming exhibitions. The museum also has special night events throughout the year that are great unique Nashville date ideas as well.

Swing Dance Nashville

Get out your dancing shoes

Swing Dance Nashville’s Website | 💃 Best for: Dancing

If you’re ready to spend the night dancing, then plan a date for a Swing Dance Nashville session. 

Beginner lessons take place at each session at 7:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Afterward, there’s a social dance for all levels from 8:30 to 10:30 pm. If you like dancing, then this is an incredibly fun date. 

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens

Take a romantic stroll through the beautiful botanical gardens

📍 Google Maps | Cheekwood’s Website | 🌷 Best for: Romantic Dates

If you’re looking for romantic things to do in Nashville, then going to Cheekwood is a great idea. The beautiful estate has 13 gardens, a mansion, and an arboretum. The botanical garden is one of the most popular date ideas in Nashville. While Cheekwood is lovely all year long, it really shines during the spring when over a quarter of a million bulbs are in bloom.

The estate, located in Belle Meade, also has a great fall display and has lights put up everywhere during Christmas. So, it’s a great date no matter when you go.

Pinewood Social

Hang out in one of the coolest spots in Nashville

📍 Google Maps | Pinewood Social’s Website | 💖 Best for: Casual Dates

A visit to Pinewood Social is one of the best date ideas in Nashville. The space consists of a coffee shop, a restaurant, a cocktail bar, bowling lanes, and an outdoor pool. 

No matter what you and your date enjoy, you’ll be able to do it here. It’s the perfect place for a quick coffee date, a leisurely brunch, or even cocktails in the evening. 

Once Upon a Time in France

Enjoy a romantic French dinner together at this bistro in East Nashville

📍 Google Maps | Once Upon a Time in France’s Website | 🌹 Best for: Special Occasions

For a romantic dinner, there’s nowhere better in Nashville than Once Upon a Time in France. The intimate setting is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion with a date.

The father and son team who run the restaurant have almost perfectly recreated a classic Parisian bistro. You’ll instantly feel like you’re in the city of love as soon as you walk in the door. This is one of my top favorite romantic places for a date night in Nashville.

Arrington Vineyards

Sip local wine and enjoy the beautiful view

📍 Google Maps | Arrington Vineyards’ Website | 🍷 Best for: Day Trip | 👉 Browse Arrington Vineyards Tours on Viator

For a fun day trip from Nashville, head about 25 minutes south to Arrington Vineyards. Pack a picnic and enjoy sipping wine flights and frosé with your date.

During the summer, you can go to Food Truck Fridays, where some of Nashville’s best food trucks are out. Live bluegrass and jazz bands play on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer as well, so you can enjoy live music during your date.

🚗 How to Get There: If you’d rather not drive, then you can book a shuttle to Arrington Vineyards. Then, you can both enjoy as much frosé as you want.

Paddywax Candle Bar

Make your own custom candle

📍 Google Maps | Paddywax Candle Bar’s Website | 💖 Best for: Creative Dates

If you’re looking for creative date ideas, try out Paddywax Candle Bar at either the Gulch or Berry Hill locations. For $40, you can pour your own custom candle. Reserve a spot online before going to make sure you get a seat.

Not only is the candle pouring a fun activity, but you’ll also get your own candle to take home as a memory of your date.

Radnor Lake State Park

Take a hike around this beautiful state park

📍 Google Maps | Tennessee State Parks’ Website | 🥾 Best for: Outdoor Dates

If you and your date are looking for some great Nashville hiking trails, then go to Radnor Lake. Just a short drive out of Nashville, the park has 6 hiking trails and is the perfect way to get away from the city.

If you’re passing by at just the right time, you’ll see turtles, otters, owls, or other wildlife living in the park. One of the locals’ favorite outdoor spaces, hiking at Radnor Lake is the perfect outdoor date.

Jacqueline Bar at the Optimist

Try the slushies at the beach-themed Jacqueline Bar

📍 Google Maps | The Optimist’s Website | 🍹 Best for: Drinks 

If you just want to grab drinks, then head to the Jacqueline Bar at the Optimist in Germantown. The seasonal patio bar will make you feel like you’re beachside without leaving the city. You can enjoy the adult slushies and shaved ice as well as a selection of cocktails. Plus, you can sample of few of the delicious oysters that keep people coming to the Optimist.

The Optimist is already one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville. During the spring and summer, the Jacqueline Bar is a great way to start or end a date night. 

Nightlight 615

Watch a favorite movie with the Nashville skyline in the background

Nightlight 615’s Website | 🎥 Best for: Nightime Dates

For a twist on a dinner and a movie date, get tickets for one of Nightlight 615’s events. During the summer and fall, Nightlight 615 puts on an outdoor movie series. Multiple food trucks are at the 21+ event, and you can buy wine, beer, or cocktails. Bring blankets or chairs, and enjoy watching a movie with your date. 

Nightlight takes place at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park amphitheater in downtown Nashville. You’ll have a beautiful view of the Nashville skyline during your date.

Brooklyn Bowl

Bowl a strike at this retro bowling alley and music venue

📍 Google Maps | Brooklyn Bowl’s Website | 🎳Best for: Casual Dates

Take your date bowling at Brooklyn Bowl, a cool downtown spot that’s not only one of the best music venues in Nashville but also a restaurant and bowling alley. The bowling lanes have a lot of cozy seating, and you can order cocktails and apps to eat while you bowl. 

Show off your bowling skills and have a fun evening together. 

Grand Ole Opry

Catch the most famous music broadcast in Nashville

📍 Google Maps | Grand Ole Opry’s Website | 🎶 Best for: Live Music

If you love music, then go on on date to the Grand Ole Opry, one of the best music venues in Nashville. The show helped launch Nashville’s reputation as Music City. Today legendary country music artists along with up-and-coming artists regularly perform at the show. 

Even if you aren’t an avid country music fan, going to see the Opry is a unique date experience you can only have in Nashville.

Adventure Science Center

Check out the adults-only events at the interactive science center

📍 Google Maps | Adventure Science Center’s Website | 💖 Best for: Nerdy Dates 

You might think the Adventure Science Center is just a great thing to do in Nashville for kids, but the science center hosts an adults-only event every few months. 

The theme for each Way Late Play Date is different, but it’s always a fun event. Check out the website to see what event is coming up next. The Way Late Play Dates are very popular, so make sure to get tickets early if you’re interested.

Station Inn

Listen to the best live bluegrass in the world

📍 Google Maps | Station Inn’s Website | 🎶 Best for: Live Music 

Another great date night for music lovers is seeing a show at Station Inn. Each night at this intimate music venue, you’ll find some of the best artists in bluegrass, country, and Americana. It’s one of the best things to do in Nashville in general, and you’re guaranteed to be wowed by the musicians.

The Rooftop Lounge at the Bobby Hotel

Sip cocktails on one of the coolest rooftops in Nashville

📍 Google Maps | Bobby Hotel’s Website | 🍸 Best for: Drinks

Plan a date at the rooftop bar at the Bobby Hotel if you’re looking to enjoy drinks with a view. The cool bar has an awesome atmosphere with a 1956 Scenicrouser bus, a pool, and a large patio. 

While the rooftop bar is fun year-round, it’s especially magical around Christmas time when a winter wonderland with personal igloos is open for the season.

Red Bicycle

Meet for coffee and crepes at this cozy coffee shop

📍 Google Maps | Red Bicycle’s Website | ☕ Best for: First Dates

Meeting up for coffee may be a cliché first date, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Red Bicycle is one of the cutest coffee shops in Nashville with locations in Germantown and the Nations. The atmosphere is cozy and laid-back making it a relaxed date spot. 

Plus, you can get both savory and sweet crepes which makes this spot a little more fun than a regular coffee date.

Climb Nashville

Cheer on your date at one of Nashville’s rock-climbing gyms

📍 Google Maps | Climb Gym’s Website | 💖 Best for: Active Dates 

For a creative and active date, head to one of Climb Nashville’s locations in either East Nashville or West Nashville. Regardless of whether you’re an expert or a beginner at rock climbing, both of you will have fun scaling different routes up the walls.

While going to a gym isn’t usually a typical date activity, indoor rock climbing is a great date idea.

***

Thanks for reading my picks for the best Nashville date ideas! If you’re going on a romantic getaway to Music City, be sure to check out my guide to where to stay in Nashville.

Have fun on your Nashville date!

(Featured Image Credit: Angela N Perryman / Shutterstock)