Looking for fun Brooklyn Date Ideas when you have been doing indoor date ideas for too long?
Whether you are going on a much anticipated second date or are looking for a fun time out without the kids, you want it to be unique and interesting!
We have you covered! We have conducted comprehensive research (so you don’t have to) to formulate the ultimate like of Brooklyn Date Ideas! The most romantic things to do in Brooklyn right here!
See also:
- Romantic Things to do in New York
- Date Ideas Long Island
- Romantic Hotels in New York
- Coffee Shops in Long Island City
Brooklyn Date Ideas
Date Night Ideas
Prospect Park Zoo – If you’re looking to feel like a kid again but don’t want to make the shlep to The Bronx, then you have to bring your date to the Prospect Park Zoo. With ticket prices just under $10, you can’t really beat that price these days. With monthly events and 12 acres of space, make sure you get there early to give yourself plenty of time. Plus, admission is free the first Saturday of every month!
Cobble Hill Cinema – This historic movie theatre is a great, and cheaper, and alternative to multiplexes that often plague the city. You and your date get the small neighborhood feel without having to skimp on the big movie-going experience. With just a few screens, they play a great mix of new releases and independent and foriegn films. And no one is ever on their phone here, so don’t worry about mid-movie distractions.
Santos Anne Tarot Reading – If you’re looking for the esoteric with your date night meal, then this is the place to go. When you’re finished gulping down their $7 margeriais and $4 beers at happy hour, make sure you get your tarot read. That’s right. Ever Monday night and on weekends, you and your date can find out just what your future holds.
DUMBO – Also known as Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass, this mouthful of a neighborhood is one of the newest, hippest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Walk along the waterfront and take in the gorgeous views of the East River and Manhattan, perfect for that romantic evening stroll, or take to some shopping if that’s more your thing. Make sure to check out the weekend vendors, grab a pie at Grimadlis, and walk down the historic cobblestone streets to get that old-timey feel of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Historical Society – Brooklyn is old. Mad old. With books and public records dating back to the 1600’s, you and your boo will learn what your block was like 400 years ago before the hipsters moved in and ruined it. Offering events and new exhibitions every month from photography to art installations, Brooklyn Historical Society makes for the perfect date night if you’re looking to learn something new.
Play shuffleboard at The Royal Palms – Looking to play some park games but still want that city feel? Then The Royal Palms Shuffleclub in Gowanus is the place for date night. But this ain’t your grandma’s shuffleboard. This place is huge, the crowd is hot, and it’s easy to spend more than a few hours here. And if things go well you can even join a league. Just put your name on the list and enjoy some of the best margaritas Brooklyn has to offer and let your date win at giant Connect Four while you wait.
New York Transit Museum – Despite what any New Yorker will tell you, taking the subway doesn’t always have to be a miserable experience. Come to this underground museum and see what it was like to ride the rails when fairs were just 5 cents and MetroCards were nothing but a twinkle in our eye. With train cars dating back to a hundred years ago, get nostalgic with your partner about the train rides into the city when you were kids.
The City Reliquary – If you want to impress your date with something a little more kitschy, then this is the spot. The name says it all; this place is full of relics from a bygone era of New York. This place eres on the goofier side and is great for a few laughs to go with your history. And if one night isn’t enough for the two of you, they’re always looking for volunteers to help lead tours.
Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory – Looking for something sweet on your night out? You have to check out this DUMBO staple. With flavors like Chocolate Chocolate Chunk and Butter Pecan made fresh everyday, you can’t go wrong. The waterfront shop is a perfect spot to grab a few scoops and watch the sunset over the East River with that special someone.
Romantic Things to do in Brooklyn for Couples
Ample Hills Ice Cream – Some of the best ice cream in town. Ample Hills makes all of their ice cream in house and if you go to their Gowanus location you can see just how it goes down. Grab a few scoops of the Ooey Gooey Butter Cake on a pretzel cone, head upstairs to the patio, relax on their lounge chairs, and you and your date can pretend you’re on your own little vacation.
Coney Island – A great date idea is spending the day at Coney Island. Truly a piece of Brooklyn history, there’s so much to do at Coney Island. You and your date can feel like kids again when you hit the arcade, ride the famous Cyclone, grab a Nathan’s hotdog, and if you’re feeling extra wild, go for a dip in the ocean.
Brooklyn Museum – Another neighborhood staple, a night at the Brooklyn Museum is a guaranteed winner. And if you think that spending a Saturday night there is a bore, you’re in for a treat because the first Saturday of every month is free. You may even be able to grab a few free drinks from a promotional vendor while you and date cruise the ever changing exhibits and get some culture in.
Bookstore reading including BookCourt, Greenlight and WORD – Show your date that you’re smart by taking them to any one of Brooklyn’s independent bookstores. Browse the usual literary favorites or titles from local authors and make sure to check out special events like book clubs, readings, and interviews.
Brookly Art Library – Easily one of the coolest places in Brooklyn to show off to your date that you know your stuff, the Brooklyn Art Library houses over 41,000 artist sketchbooks. You truly never know what you’re going to get here. Both of you can pull a book off the shelf and compare notes for hours here.
Stroll Walt Whitman Park – Bring a book from one of the greatest American poets here and read to your date. Or go for a walk and enjoy the greenery. Located in Downtown Brooklyn, this is a small oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Open everyday from 6am to 1am, you can get your early morning jog in together or go for a late night romantic stroll.
Visit the New York Aquarium – When you think of Brooklyn you don’t really think of aquatic wildlife. Think again! Bring your date under the sea and see everything from the usual fish fare to the truly bizarre spineless sea creature exhibit. And if you want to get really cute, the two of you can get up close and personal with the dolphins and feed the otters.
Visit Sunset Park – One of Brooklyn’s hidden treasures, Sunset Park is the perfect place to…watch the sunset! With one of the best views in the city, you can see the gorgeous Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and New Jersey. It’s the perfect place to sit with your date and be reminded that amidst the craziness, New York is still a beautiful place.
Cheap Date Comedy Show – Want to make your date laugh but just aren’t that funny? Then bring them to Union Hall for Cheap Date Comedy show. With drinks and bocche upstairs and cheap laughs and free snacks in the cozy yet rustic basement, there’s never been a better Friday night activity. It’s a showcase of local rising talent as well familiar names and faces for just $8.
House of Yes – Take your date to cut up a rug with and be counted amongst the beautiful people at House of Yes in Bushwick. House of Yes offers wild dance parties and workshops almost every night varying from ballet to “twerk-shops”. Why not show off and shake what your momma gave you with that special someone?
Brooklyn Academy of Music – Also known as BAM for short, the Brooklyn Academy of Music is the hub of culture in Brooklyn’s historic Fort Green neighborhood. There’s never a shortage of events at BAM, so bring your partner to a play, a ballet, or Saturday matinee. And don’t forget to grab a coffee after the show to talk about what you just saw at their cafe.
Moth StorySLAM – Looking to show your date something a little outside of the box? Then take them to Brooklyn Bell House for the Moth StorySLAM to listen to audience members tell their true stories and then vote for your favorite at the end of the night. Entry is just $15 and each participant has five minutes and stories range from heartfelt to the truly bizarre. Try and impress your date by getting on stage yourself with a great story!
Check out King’s County Distillery – Why meet your date at the bar when you can go straight to the source? The King’s County Distillery is New York’s oldest and largest whiskey distillery located in VInegar Hill. With 18 different types of whiskey from Chocolate Whiskey to Honey Moonshine, there’s truly something for everybody. With weekly events and tastings, it’s an absolute must if you’re looking to turn up the heat on those cold nights.
Drink N’ Draw at Bat Haus – If your date is an artist, illustrator, or just loves to draw, then you have to take them to the Drink N’ Draw at the Bat Haus Coworking Space in Williamsburg. Every Wednesday at 8pm you and your date can sketch a nude model in a comfortable and cozy environment with other locals. It’s just $10 at the door and all skill levels are welcome. Oh, and there’s cheap drinks too to calm the nerves.
Union Hall – Union Hall in Park Slope has everything. Have a drink with your date upstairs and relax in their old leather chairs by the huge fireplace or have a go at bocce, a New York park staple. And if that’s not for you then there’s something going on all night, every night on their stage in the basement. From comedy shows to live music, there’s never a dull night in this popular Brooklyn hangout.
Marine Park Golf Course – South Brooklyn totes some of the most beautiful landscape and homes in the city but is still uncharted territory for many people. The Marine Park Golf Course is the perfect place for a day date. It’s right on the water and away from the crowds, so you and your special someone can enjoy not just each other but a little piece and quiet while you’re on the green. Don’t know how to play? No problem, because they offer clinics too.
Have a Beer at Brooklyn Brewery – Are you and your partner into beer? Perfect! It’s time to head to The Brooklyn Brewery in Park Slope. What started as a guy just making his own home brews, The Brooklyn Brewery now has 13 of their own beers year round, and not to mention seasonal and rotating limited beers. There’s truly something for everyone. There’s a reason you king find their Brooklyn lager at every restaurant, bodega, and party in New York. It’s just that good.
Brooklyn Cat Cafe – Hit your date with a major dose of cute at the cat cafe. After taking Japan by storm, cat cafes have made their way to the Big Apple. The Brooklyn Cat Cafe is run by animal rescuers and is populated by abandoned cats, so you can hang out with these felines guilt free. With plenty of events like game night and Kitten Party, you’ll score some major points here. The perfect rainy day date idea!
Cheap and Free Date Ideas
Wander Along The Brooklyn Waterfront – Looking to slow things down a bit? Then look no further than the Brooklyn Waterfront. Go for a romantic evening stroll along the Brooklyn Waterfront and see the views of Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and the East River that never grow old. If you’re feeling up to it, help you date keep their balance at the roller rink!
Brooklyn Brainery Class – Why not learn something new with your date and take a class with the Brooklyn Brainery? You can seriously learn anything from dumpling-making, the history of gin, or even about female serial killers. There’s seriously something for everybody here. Classes usually start around $15 and
are all community driven, so expand your mind while supporting local Brooklynites.
Coney Island Museum – You can’t get more old school Brooklyn than Coney Island, and what better way to enjoy it’s heritage than by hitting the Coney Island Museum. Check out the old funhouse mirrors and bumper cars of the old Steeple Chase and tell your date about how your parents came to Coney on those hot summer days way back when.
Brooklyn Bridge – If you really want to wow your date then have to walk with them along the Brooklyn Bridge. Weave your way through the tourists along the wood panel floor and get that perfect photo with the sun setting over Brooklyn in the background. And if you’re feeling especially romantic, add a lock to the thousands that line the bridge.
Play Games at Barcade – This Williamsburg hotspot let’s you and your date relive some of your old childhood favorites like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Pac-Man while enjoying any one of their 22 draft beers. And if you really want to show off, go for the high score and they’ll put your name up on the giant chalkboard…until your date beats you!
Free Outdoor Movie at Table 87 – What more is there to say? It’s a free movie! Go to Table 87 on a Wednesday night, grab a few slices of some of the best pizza in Brooklyn, lean on your dates shoulder, and enjoy the movie and those hot summer Brooklyn nights. They’re always playing familiar favorites like Top Gun, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Volunteer Together With the Weekend Woodland Corps – Believe it or not, Brooklyn is home to hundreds of parks. Prospect Park alone is 250 acres. You and your date can volunteer with the Weekend Woodland Corps to help keep Prospect Park beautiful by removing weeds, cleaning up litter, and helping to put up fences. And when you’re done working you can both enjoy the park!
Thrift Shopping at L Train Vintage – One person’s trash is another person’s treasure and with four locations scattered around Brooklyn, it’s easy to spend a few hours here. Take your special someone here and get some digs for your dinner date or see who can come up with the wackiest outfit. You never know what you’ll find in the treasure trove that is L Train Vintage.
Brooklyn Flea Market – Tucked nicely under the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO, the Brooklyn Flea is a perfect Saturday outing on a gorgeous day. You and your date can check out all sorts of local vendors selling everything from clothes to records to food. Or maybe you have something to sell and your date wants to come along to help out. Either way, this is a must for any date out in Brooklyn. And it’s free!
Romantic Restaurants and Cafes
The River Cafe – If you have a little extra to spend or want to show your date how much money you can put on your card then check out The River Cafe in Vinegar Hill. Enjoy their small and ever changing menu made with fresh ingredients. Share appetizers like Scallop and Pork Belly or enjoy a nice piece of fresh Black Sea Bass while overlooking Manhattan. Dinner with a view is always a safe bet.
Al Fresco Dining at Brooklyn Barge – The Brooklyn Barge is seriously awesome. All hands are on deck with foods like Maine Lobster Roll and Nachos Supreme…all on a boat. And don’t worry about getting sea sick because the Brooklyn Barge never leaves the dock so you can have the onboard experience without having to lose your lunch. New vessels dock every month and you can even take your date there to learn about the Billion Oyster Project, which focuses on the restoration of oysters in the New York Harbor. It’s great food with a great cause.
Smorg – Another Brooklyn staple now with two locations in Williamsburg and Prospect Park, but Williamsburg is the place to be because you and your date can enjoy amazing food from dozens of vendors. Pick up a Japanese style egg sandwich from Crack’d or some fried wontons from WontonTiva. There’s something here for everyone. See how many vendors you and that special someone can try in a day!
Have a German-themed date at Spritzenhaus – Right across from McCarren park is this fun beer hall. This place is huge but just dark enough for an intimate date by the fireplace over some giant German style pretzels, sausages, and more beers on tap than you can shake a finger at.
Stuff Your Face with Pasta at Lilia – What was once an auto body shop in Williamsburg is now pasta haven. Feed your date their insanely delicious Cacio E Pepe Fritelle or see who can slurp down the most grilled clams. The portions here aren’t huge but you’ll feel the love.
Brooklyn Crab – Located on the water of the formerly up and coming neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn Crab has three stories of amazing waiting for you. Bring your special someone in the summer and play lawn games like cornhole or canjam while you wait for a table. Or have some beers at the outdoor bar and see who can get that high score in Pac-Man. When your table is ready, it’s time for some Alasakn King Crab or Maine Lobster.
Brunch at Sunday in Brooklyn – Don’t let the fancy marble countertops fool you, this place is serving up some serious comfort food. Bring your date here in during the fall and have their Herbal Bone Broth and then a Fried Chicken Sandwich. And afterwards, why not wash it down with one of their signature cocktails like the Surfer Blood or their Honeybear on Holiday.
Outdoor & Active Date Ideas
Greenwood Park – If you want to soak up some sun and some beer on a beautiful afternoon, then Greenwood Park is the place to be. Located in Park Slope, Greenwood Park is a 13,000 square foot beer garden with, wait for it, 60 beers on tap. You can even challenge each other to a game of bocce ball, a New York staple amongst the older generations. And if you like to dance they’ve got a DJ playing the hits at night.
Explore Prospect Park – It’s hard to believe but there’s a 585 acre getaway right in the middle of Brooklyn. Prospect Park is the ultimate place to throw a blanket down and cuddle up with your date. Bring some wine and cheese with you while you’re at it because it’s all too easy to hang out in the main meadow until the sun goes down. And if you’re feeling extra cheesy you can rent a pedal boat to get some alone time on the lake. If you’re here over the summer then make sure to head to the Bandshell for their concert series. Past acts include Pattie Labelle, Courney Barnett, and Father John Misty.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Take your date to stop and smell the roses…literally! Watch the leaves change, check out the Shinto Shrine, or take a workshop on soil management or even beginners Tai-Chi. This is a great getaway from the city and into some serenity. Tickets are just $18, and a portion of your admission goes to help families in need who may not have the funds to enjoy the Garden otherwise.
Greenwood Cemetery – Founded in 1838 as one of America’s first rural cemeteries, this outing isn’t as scary as it may sound. Get lost with your date in 478 acres of land amongst the 570,000 ‘permanent residents’. Spend a few hours and see who can find the oldest dated tombstone. It’s harder than you think!
Domino Park – Built on the site of the old Domino Sugar Factory, Domino Park is 5 acres of fun. Come with your date to grab a bite, a margarita, or just sit and enjoy the view. You can even see some of the artifacts of the old factory to get a sense of the old neighborhood. It’s open until 1am so you can watch the sunset over Manhattan and snuggle up into the night as the weather cools down.
McCarren Park – Named after a 19th century State Assemblyman, McCarren Park is the place to be in the hot Brooklyn summer. At 36 acres, there’s always a spot for you and your date to sit and relax. Or if you’re an active couple you can race around the track or show off at the workout station. It’s also surrounded by plenty of bars and restaurants for after or bodegas and markets if you want to bring the fun to you. Make sure to come by over the summer and catch their movie nights.
Marsha P. Johnson State Park – Also known as East River State Park, this park was named after a transgender woman of color who was at the forfront of the LGBTQ civil rights movement. You and your date can lay down your blanket here and catch the breeze coming from the East River and check out Manhattan at a safe distance. And if you’re feeling really good, bring some charcoal because they’ve got barbecue pits!
WNYC Transmitter Park – A newer addition to this list, this park opened in 2012 in Greenpoint and is the former location of the WNYC radio tower. If you really want to impress them, then reel in your date with your fishing rod because fishing is allowed here. Maybe you can even catch them dinner.
McCarren Park Pool – New York gets hot in the summertime. Really hot. So make sure you and your date pack a suit because you have to cool off at the McCarren Park Pool. Opened in 1936, it’s the place to be for literally everyone trying not to melt.
Watch the Brooklyn Cyclones – During the summer, there’s nothing better than hopping on the F train with your date to see a Brooklyn Cyclones game. Even if baseball isn’t their thing, they can probably get down with all you can drink special for just $45 a ticket. Not bad.
Phone credit: Greenwood Cemetery
Fall Date Ideas
Visit the eerie Dead Horse Bay for Halloween – This is a weird one with an even weirder history. Dating back to the Dutch settlers of the 17th century, Dead Horse Bay earned it’s name as a horse-rendering site and later became a landfill. Now it’s filled with thousands and thousands of bottles and broken glass dating back to who-knows when. So if you’re up for it, bring your date there on Halloween night and see what ghostly spirits are still trotting along the shoreline.
Badass Brooklyn Fall Festival – If you want to watch your date overdose on cuteness, then check out the dogs of the Badass Brooklyn Festival. Badass Brooklyn is an animal adoption agency that finds home for thousands of rescues each year. You can both grab some beers here, enter the raffle, and maybe even adopt a dog at the end of it all! All proceeds go to a great cause.
Ghouls & Gourds Halloween Festival – Located each year in Prospect Heights, the Ghouls and Gourds Halloween Festival is where you can take your date to see some of the wackiest costume parades Brooklyn has to offer. This one is a little more family friendly, but you can both help build the festival’s giant pumpkin mandala and even go home with a monster on a leash.
The Atlantic Antic – Once a year the crazy Atlantic Avenue shuts down for traffic and opens up for all sorts of vendors and stages for you and your date to enjoy. Check out live bands and DJ’s, eat food from local vendors like shawarma from Sahadi’s and pizza from Table 87. Or challenge each other and sign up for the dumpling eating contest. With never ending, art, music, and fun, it’s easy to stay here from sunup to sundown.
- See more: Fall Dates in NYC
Winter Date Ideas
Ice Skating and Industry City – Outdoor ice skating is iconic in New York, but at Industry City you and your date can skip waiting in line all day since it’s not a tourist trap like Rockefeller Center. If it gets too cold for the two of you, run inside to Japan Village for hot ramen and Japanese sweets.
Go Sledding in Prospect Park – If you and your date want to feel like kids again then hit Prospect Park for a good snow day with your sled. Make sure you go to the highest point on Lookout Hill if you really have the need for speed.
Take the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour – Maybe better known as “Dyker Lights”, Dyker Heights in Brooklyn has some of the most insane Christmas lights you’ll ever see. Started in the 1980’s by a Dyker Heights resident named Lucy Spata, you’ll feel like you’re in Vegas driving through this area at night.
Brooklyn Comedy Festival’s Winter Wonderlandia – Every year at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg, some of Brooklyn’s funniest comics hit the stage for stand up, sketches, and all around comedic performances. Tickets are only $10 in advance and make sure you and your date get there early because beer is on the house for the first hour!
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