Lancaster, PA Date Ideas for Every Kind of Couple

We all enjoy a little time with the one we love, but finding a new date night idea may be a challenge. We’ve all been there. Day-to-day activities take over, and it’s easy to feel stuck in a slump.

Add a little adventure to your date night, and ask yourself: what type of couple are you? Intellectuals or adventurers? Are you foodies? Extroverts? Or perhaps coffee connoisseurs? Scroll through the list below to get inspiration for your next date night in Lancaster, PA!

Adventurers

You hear the call of the daring spirit any month of the year. During the winter months or a rainy day, go climbing at Spooky Nook Sports Complex. You can buy day passes and climb until your heart’s content. And, even better, you can end your night with dinner or a late night snack at Forklift and Palate (which is right on the premises) offering American-style fare, cocktails, beer, and wine to refresh weary climbers after a night of scaling and bouldering.

Check out Lancaster Archery Academy for Date Night at the Range where you can learn new skills in archery, a photo booth, and sweet treats!

Take your date to Lancaster's premier axe throwing facility, Hatchet & Axe! Located at The Shops @ Rockvale, it is a perfect location to have some hour long fun before dinner or on a shopping break!

For those sunny days, head to one of Lancaster’s hiking or biking trails to experience the beauty of Lancaster together. Afterwards, grab lunch or dinner in a nearby town to round out the date.

Foodies

Even the most accomplished home chef needs some inspiration from time to time. Don’t just go to the same place that you always gravitate toward for a night out. Why not grab dinner and cocktails at Annie Bailey’s Irish Public House? You could also head to Conway Social Club, a speakeasy with delicious craft cocktails above Annie Bailey's.

Get a taste of the Lancaster Culinary scene with Lancaster County Food Tour’s Chef’s Table Tour, featuring small bites paired with tasty cocktails. It’s a great way to experience the culinary scene and learn more about Lancaster’s history – all while enjoying the company of your special someone.

Have a fun and unique experience with LoKal Experiences! Bake a Seasonal Pastry with a Local Expert, Sweet & Savory Tour of Lancaster City, and their Lancaster City VIP Restaurant Tour are among the fun experiences they offer.

Coffee Connoisseurs

If free evenings are hard to come by, why not take a quiet morning and enjoy coffee and a breakfast treat? Lancaster County offers a wide variety of coffee shops, each one with their twist on a freshly roasted cup. From Passenger Coffee to Prince Street Cafe, to the Speckled Hen, Square One, and Mean Cup, it’s worth taking a quiet morning to be with your favorite person. Maybe even go to work late and take advantage of a weekday morning. (Just don’t tell your boss you got the idea from us!)

Intellectuals

While a cozy night at home with your favorite person and book sounds like a dream come true, it’s also an excellent opportunity to find your next favorite book. With local bookstores like DogStar Books and Aaron’s Books, it’s easy to get lost in the rows of shelves showcasing books just waiting for their stories to be told. Both of these bookstores host occasional events if you want to extend your night to meet like-minded individuals in the community.

If you’re a couple of history buffs, Lancaster's historical spots offer tours that are filled with interesting facts and stories. Jump back in time with a tour or two, then have a romantic dinner to round out the night.

Beer Enthusiasts

The call of the couch is strong while sipping on your favorite bottled beer on an average Tuesday night. But why not experience the growing craft culture of Lancaster County? With a history of unique beers, Lancaster has a few for you to choose from regardless of your favorite varietal; Lancaster Brewing Company, Iron Hill Brewery, Appalachian Brewing Company, Wacker Brewing Company, and Spring House Brewing Company. All these breweries offer craft beer and delicious food, so it might be a good night to hit up more than one of these Lancaster staples. You can also try a tour of Lancaster's History and Craft Beer, or explore Dive Bars in Lancaster with LoKal Experiences!

Artists

Take a step beyond experiencing art in a gallery. See art come to life at the Fulton Theatre. With exciting shows all year long, it’s an easy way to discover your new favorite story. If you love supporting small theatres check out the The Trust Performing Arts Center where the unique architecture and amazing artists are sure to wow you. Or how about dinner and a show? Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre pairs a buffet full of delectable offerings with live musicals and concerts, perfect for a romantic evening out. Prima offers a boutique theater experience, focusing on bridging contemporary music and musical theatre for a fantastic show experience. Be sure to check out our upcoming shows blog to not miss any.

Not into theatre but still LOVE music? Then see what shows are playing at Mickeys Black Box!

Downtown Lancaster’s First and Third Friday events make for a great date night. Browse the art galleries along Gallery Row, and check out the pieces created by passionate local artists, or catch a live musical performance. There are plenty of spots to grab coffee or cocktails along the way. While you're downtown, stop by The PotteryWorks. Couples can choose from a wide variety of ceramic pieces to paint - from picture frames and ring holders to mugs and plates. The studio is BYOB and welcomes guest to bring in their own food as well. There is a quaint outdoor space to enjoy fresh air on a nice day or paint inside the bright and cozy studio.

For the couple looking for a more intimate setting to really delve deep into the creative side can take a date night class at Lancaster Creative Factory. They offer three different classes, wheel throwing clay to make your own pottery, learning how to paint a masterpiece and learning how to blow your own glass flower!

Extroverts

Instead of just hosting a dinner party or a game night, what if you experienced a couples group activity that will test the mental limits of each team member? Lancaster has a few Escape Rooms — Escape on Queen and Escape Room Lancaster — that offer a variety of themed rooms ready to test your intellect. These Escape Rooms build camaraderie, team bonding, and the satisfaction of beating the record.

Have some friends that love to bowl? Plan a double date at Rocky Springs Entertainment Center for a few rounds of bowling, topped off with tasty snacks at their attached restaurant. Maybe the night is nice and you'd prefer an outdoor activity, try out The Shack Restaurant & Mini Golf, where you can compete for the best score then get some great food afterwards!

Introverts

Your introverted hearts are the happiest at home during a cozy night together. But if you and your significant other are looking for an activity that will add a bit of spice to your daily routine, try a local cooking class. Most cooking classes are small (only 10-12 people per class), so it would be a fun way to learn a new type of cooking that you can enjoy at home time and time again. Zest offers a variety of classes, everything from cooking with an iron skillet to learning how to cook a Mexican feast. The Culinary Classroom provides a plethora of options from cooking techniques to making ravioli.

Whoever you are — artists or adventurers, introverts or extroverts — Lancaster County offers excellent date possibilities for every kind of couple. Make the most of your date night and try something new. Get even more romantic inspiration here.