Fun and Creative Date Night Ideas in The Greater Lansing Area
Date nights can be few and far between when you’re raising little ones, so when the stars align and the babysitter is actually available, run – and make the most of your precious time with these unique date night ideas in Lansing!
Keep the spark alive and make your next night out with your sweetie an experience to remember with our out-of-the-box ideas.
Whether you’re in the mood to go all out or just do something chill, we’ve come up with a list of 25 things we think you’ll love doing together, broken down into 6 categories. (We also like to use this list for fun things to do with friends.)
Bonus: many of the destinations on our list are nearby to other amazing businesses, so extending your date night is a breeze and you help to support local.
1 – Delicious Date Nights
Yummy food is a given for an epic date night. Try these Lansing area eateries for amazing ambience and delicious eats.
| Bowdies Chophouse 320 E Michigan Ave, Lansing 48933 (517) 580-4792 Reserve this quaint gem for the most special occasions like an anniversary. The food is to die for, especially the roasted brussel sprouts. |
| The Cosmos/Zoobies 1200 N Larch St, Lansing 48906 (517) 333-7747 The Cosmos offers wood-fired pizzas, craft beer, and yummy cocktails in a laid-back setting. Choose the “trust us” option when you order, and be pleasantly surprised with their culinary creativity. Zoobies next door offers the same food, delicious cocktails, and there’s an outdoor seating option. Our fave = fried goat cheese salad. |
| Eagle Monk 4906 W Mt Hope Hwy, Lansing 48917 (517) 708-7350 Walk into this pub off the beaten path and be greeted by mugs hanging from the ceiling – over 1,900 to be exact! Beer lovers rejoice as this brewery that consistently offers 12 beers on tap, 2 on cask, in additional to 2 wines and 2 ciders on tap. |
| Eaton Craft Company 204 Main St, Eaton Rapids 48827 (517) 441-9296 Just southwest of Lansing in Eaton Rapids is this gastropub serving up craft beers and fresh food in the “island city.” After your meal, stroll the cute downtown of Eaton Rapids or venture over to Island Park to gaze at the river. |
| Looking Glass Brewing Company 115 N Bridge St, DeWitt 48820 (517) 668-6004 Located in downtown DeWitt in a beautiful historic church, you’ll find craft beers, hard ciders, seltzers, wine to go with their delectable food choices. Bonus: they have fun nights like trivia, ladies night, happy hours, and comedy shows. |
| The People’s Kitchen 2722 E Michigan Ave, Lansing 48912 (517) 507-5730 The small but delicious menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner will impress your taste buds. Come for a special date night. Reservations are typically required, especially for dinner. |
| Royal Pot 4750 Hagadorn Rd Ste 40, East Lansing 48823 (517) 483-2780 They have a robot! And it brings you your food! This Chinese eatery serves up hot pot, meats, vegetables, soups, fried rice, and more. Their signature sauce is amazing, but don’t worry if it’s not your thing; you can make your own sauce. |
| Sleepwalker Spirits and Ale 1101 S Washington Ave, Lansing 48910 (517) 918-4046 This microbrewery pizzeria in REO Town is the perfect spot for a serene date night. Enjoy the gorgeous woodwork while you sip a craft beer and enjoy unique pizza options like the “Jagged Little Dill.” Reservations are not taken due to its intimate size. |
2 – Culinary Date Nights
Add some spice to your relationship by taking a cooking class together. Immerse yourselves in the art of culinary creation while igniting your passion for each other.
| Bradley’s HG 319 E Cesar Chavez Ave, Lansing 48906 (517) 999-0399I Casual, flavorful, and better than takeout. Sign me up! Bradley’s HG offers cooking classes for all skill levels. Pre-registration is required. |
| Le Chat Gourmet 11874 Bunker Hwy, Eaton Rapids 48827 (517) 663-7322 All skill levels welcome! Tie on your apron strings and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure. Classes offered year-round. Registration is required. |
| Sweet Encounter Bakery & Café 300 S Washington Square, Lansing, 48933 (inside the Knapp Building) (517) 730-5005 Indulge your sweet tooth. Sweet Encounter offers both baking and cooking classes throughout the year. Bonus: Sweet Encounter caters to people with food allergies or sensitivities, so if you’re gluten-free or peanut-free, this is the place for you. |
3 – Creative Date Nights
Collaborating to craft something extraordinary has the power to forge a profound connection between two individuals. It could be the process of molding a fresh piece of pottery, shaping a mesmerizing blown-glass ornament or vase, or even concocting a distinctly fragrant candle.
Try these local places for the perfect artsy date night.
| Lansing Makers Network 2730 Alpha Access, Lansing 48910 (517) 234-4566 Unlock your creativity and fuel your passion for making. Current class offerings include Taste of Woodworking and Intro to Soldering. Registration is required. |
| Wheelhouse Studio 1103 South Washington Ave, Lansing 48910 (517) 712-9013 Get hands-on and make a mess! Schedule a date night and learn how to throw pottery. |
| The Port 143 Kent Street, Portland 48875 (517) 515-5517 Wax on tap! Schedule a private party or stop in on Saturdays between 2 – 5 PM to create your own unique candle. |
4- Outdoorsy Date Nights
Being out in the fresh air offers a refreshing and romantic escape from the everyday, allowing couples to enjoy each other’s company as well as the beautiful nature surrounding them.
Try these outdoor date night options in Lansing for a change of pace.
| Summer Circle Theatre 542 Auditorium Rd, East Lansing, 48823 (517) 353-4725 Set the mood with open-air ambiance. Pack a picnic dinner or purchase food onsite. Performances are free and so is the parking! |
| Fortitude Farms and Events 4377 S M-52, Owosso 48867 (989) 265-2921 Enjoy a date night amongst the flowers when you book your private picnic for two. Sip wine, enjoy charcuterie, and watch the sunset. Reservations are required. |
5 – Sporty Date Nights
If you or your sweetheart is sports fanatics, Lansing offers an array of exciting options for a fun-filled date night that will spark your excitement for the game and create unforgettable memories.
| MSU Athletics Campus of Michigan State University East Lansing, 48823 Attending a sporting event for a date night provides an exhilarating atmosphere filled with cheers, team spirit, and shared excitement. Tickets can be purchased in advance. |
| Lansing Lugnuts 505 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, 48912 (517) 485-4500 Take your sweetie out to the ball game! Theme nights, fireworks, and special events make this a fun and interactive adventure. Make sure to take note of these facts to know before you go. |
| Corrigan Oil Speedway 779 College Road, Mason, 48854 (517) 676-5404 Get your adrenaline pumping with a night of thrilling crashes, roaring engines, and a unique blend of excitement and laughter. |
6 – Active Date Nights
High energy date nights are the perfect recipe for excitement and adrenaline, offering couples a chance to ignite their passion and create unforgettable memories through thrilling activities and adventures.
| Axe Throwing & Rage Room at High Caliber Karting and Entertainment 1982 W Grand River Ave, Suite 800, Okemos, 48864 (517) 721-1790 Where else can you gear up and use a sledge hammer to break things….and not have to pay to replace it? Try your hand at axe throwing, race around the indoor go kart track, dodge gellyball blasters, and more. |
| Footgolf at Royal Scot 4722 W Grand River, Lansing, 48906 (517) 321-6220 Try your hand (or rather foot) at Footgolf. Choose from a 9-hole or 18-hole course. Great for all skill levels. Bring your own soccer ball or rent one onsite. |
| The Pod Lansing Escape Room 934 Elmwood Rd, Lansing, 48917 (517) 798-0279 Choose your own adventure and see if you have the skills to escape your fate! Work together to figure out puzzles and clues before time runs out. |
7 – Relaxing/Chill Date Nights
Unwind and embrace the serenity of a chill date night, allowing you and your partner to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and simply enjoy each other’s company in a laid-back atmosphere.
| Homebrew Tabletop Game Lounge 219 1/2 N Bridge Street, Grand Ledge, 48837 (517) 775-4246 Laughter, strategy, and a little feel-good competition await you as you choose from traditional games such as checkers or chess or try out a new game. Snacks and beverages available to purchase as well. |
| Robin Theatre 1105 S Washington Ave, Lansing, 48910 The eclectic event space hosts poetry, live music, comedy, and more! Check their events page for upcoming performances. |
| Hooked 3142 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, 48912 (517) 721-1330 A community bookstore with a choice of coffee, wine, and cocktails. Browse the stacks, make a selection, and then order tasty treats in a relaxed atmosphere. Sometimes the quiet is just what you need to recharge. |
Do you know of a unique day-date or date night spot that we didn’t include on our list? Comment below to let us know.
This is very useful list, Thanks
Connxtions hasn’t been around for years and years, but overall it’s a great list! I would definitely add the free public movie showings on campus at MSU. http://rha.msu.edu/programs/campus-center-cinemas.html
Awesome! Thanks for the info Lina. I’m excited to get this on the list – and try it out myself too! So fun!
Great List! Another paint party to add to this: Paint Your Poison is 100% local to Lansing and offers the most fun paint parties around, check them out at http://www.paintyourpoison.com. The blacklight parties are especially fun, as well as the well thought out trivia they offer at every event!
Awesome! Thank you, Amanda! This is super helpful. Will get it on here shortly.