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16 Cool Summer Date Ideas in Ann Arbor

There are so many date night options in Ann Arbor that allow you to enjoy a concert together, learn culinary skills as a couple, or stroll through an art museum hand in hand. However, summer in A2 allows us to participate in other activities like outdoor festivals, ice cream soirees, movies under the stars and more!  

So while the sun is shining brighter and the days are a little longer, it’s time to explore some of the best summertime date options in the area. We’ve got a list of our favorites below. Have fun!  

  

Get ice cream  

Quick, casual and fun—an ice cream excursion is the perfect way to hang out with someone new or to cap off a marathon date night. Next time you and your significant other are screaming for a scoop, shake or sundae, check out our list of the top ice cream shops in the Ann Arbor area. These spots are sure to satisfy even the most stubborn sweet tooth!  

  

Grab a drink at Circ Barrooftop deck  

Opened in 2018, the popular karaoke spotCirc Bar, is one of the newest entertainment venues in the city. Inside, you’ll find rustic exposed beams and brick along with plenty of pool tables, big screens and a dance floor to keep you and your date entertained all night long. Upstairs, you can enjoy their classy roof deck, which offers unparalleled views of Ann Arbor and some perfect date night ambiance. In addition to a lengthy menu of tasty craft cocktails (including a few on tap), they also offer a selection of small and big bites available on Fridays and Saturdays.   

  

Watch an independent film  

There’s a reason that seeing a movie is the perfect date night activity. Not only is it dark and romantic inside the theater, it also gives you the chance to enjoy an affordable show complete with tasty treats and drinks! Founded in 1928, the Michigan Theater is now home to three screening spaces for independent movies, concerts, comedy shows, national tours and more. Check out the schedule here to see which movies are playing.  

  

Challenge each other to miniature golf  

Putterz in Ypsilanti offers everything from a large game room and batting cages to a 54-hole golf course that you and your date will have a fantastic time traversing! Three miniature golf games cost just $10 per person so this is a great budget-friendly date option too.  

  

Listen to some live music  

Jesse Kramer - Antinous as Osiris 6-15-2019 Kerrytown

Photo courtesy of Kerrytown Concert House

If you and your date are on the hunt for live music, you won’t struggle to find it in Ann Arbor. Kerrytown Concert House provides the classics, The Blind Pig provides the danceable tunes, and The Ark provides, well, everything! This downtown venue offers live music on more than 300 nights each year in one of the best listening rooms anywhere.  

  

Attend a summer event  

Summer events are back in the Ann Arbor area, from art festivals to outdoor concerts, chicken broils, flea markets and more (which would all make perfect date nights!). Every few weeks, here on the Reinhart Blog, we round up some of our mostanticipated events for the upcoming month. Be sure to check out our event guide for July while you’re here and subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss any fun events next month!   

  

Go on a romantic nature walk  

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are two educational and environmental gardens on the UM campus. The botanical gardens include 11 outdoor spaces full of bonsai, native and medicinal plants, perennials, and more. When it’s just too hot outside to explore, enjoy their year-round indoor conservatory filled with plants from around the world. Afterward, head to Nichols Arboretum, one of the richest landscapes in the region for a romantic walk. It spans miles of trails and land with collections of native and exotic trees and shrubs crafted into a landscape that was began in 1907 at the hands of O. C. Simonds. While admission to both Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum is free, parking is $1.80 per hour with a $5 daily maximum charge.  

  

Go kayaking  

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Ask anyone in Ann Arbor what the best thing to do on a date is and they’ll all tell you the same thing: head to the river. Kayaking is an A2 pastime, so it’s a no brainer to take your date out on the water for some one-on-one time! Our two favorite places to get kayaks in Ann Arbor are Gallup Park and Argo Canoe Livery. Gallup is a 69-acre park along the Huron River and Geddes Pond. It offers two playgrounds, picnic areas and grills, an open field, more than 3 miles of asphalt trails, and a canoe livery for boat rentals!  

The Argo Livery is located at the Argo Cascades and features canoes, one-person kayaks, two-person kayaks, five-person rafts, tubes and stand-up paddleboard rentals.  

  

Stop by Dominicks for a sangria  

Dominick’s is famous for their massive sangrias, their Italian-inspired eats and their incredible, sprawling patio! Since opening in 1960, this locally owned spot has been the go-to for locals, students, families, lovebirds—you name it! Swing by the patio on a sunny summer afternoon with your date and you’ll quickly find out why.  

  

Play a round of pinball at Pinball Pete’s 

Pinball Pete’s opened its doors more than 30 years ago and has since become the Ann Arbor destination for arcade fun. Spend your quarters along the entire wall of pinball machines, play video games, and challenge your date to a game of pool or air hockey!  

  

Go berry picking  

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Summer equals berry season here in Southeast Michigan! In the Ann Arbor area, you can find several farms cultivating fields of juicy blueberries, strawberries, cherries, raspberries and more throughout the season. We are currently right in the middle of blueberry season so don’t miss the chance to go pick a few pints with your sweetheart! Here is our handy berrypicking guide that will help you get started.   

  

Laugh out loud at Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase 

Need a good laugh? Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase has a schedule packed with stand-up comedy. You can catch headliners on Friday and Saturday or buy $5 tickets to the Comedy Jamm each Thursday, which features 12 local stars from beginner to professional and everything in between.  

  

Create something new at Paint and Pour 

You know what they say—couples who craft together, stay together! That’s why we recommend hitting up one of Ann Arbor’s favorite date night destinations the next time you’re itching for something to do. Paint and Pour offers 2–3-hour classes that are guided by an instructor and include frequent breaks so you can enjoy your BYOB snacks and drinks. Check the studio schedule here to choose your date night painting experience.  

  

Wave to some cute animals at the Creature Conservancy 

The Creature Conservancy

Photo courtesy of The Creature Conservancy 

The Creature Conservancy began back in 2005 when Al the alligator was left abandoned at the door of a local veterinary hospital. He was soon joined by a sloth rescued from a trailer park, a macaw left at a pet boarding facility, ball pythons found in a dumpster, and iguanas wandering loose on the UM campus. Now, you and your date can meet Al, Poco the sloth, Tulip and Maybelline the red kangaroos, as well as all their friends at this nonprofit on Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 5 p.m.  Psst… on the first Friday of the month, the Creature Conservancy is adult-only from 7-8:30 p.m. so don’t miss the chance to learn more in-depth about the featured animals of the month!

  

Enjoy a romantic dinner at a local restaurant  

They call it a classic for a reason! Whether it’s the main event or just the beginning of the evening, dining out at a romantic restaurant has always been a great choice for a date night. Dress up in your finest, get gussied up and hit the town with your significant other! We have a list of our favorite date night restaurants in Ann Arbor, which includes romantic favorites like The EarleSpencerMANI and more. Just don’t forget to make a reservation ahead of time to ensure your table.   

  

Explore Ann Arbor’s ample street art  

Ann Arbor is a gorgeous city full of fun things to do and see. So, when all else fails, hit the town! One of our favorite ways to explore the city is by taking stock of A2’s amazing street art. We have murals on almost every street! In fact, the Ann Arbor Art Center has a map of the most iconic art pieces, which you can find here. In addition to murals and sculptures, Ann Arbor is also famous for our fairy doors. These artistic, miniature doors can be found at The Michigan Theaterthe Ann Arbor District Library and at least six other documented locations across town. Here is a great map to help you track all of them down!  

  

  

Enjoy your date!  

Let us know what you plan to do on your summer date night in the comments below!  

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