These were our favorite Seattle date experiences from 2023. They came from real outings, not just ideas we saved and never used.

Some were last-minute. Some we’d been meaning to try for years. All were worth it.

1. Frye Art Museum + Dinner at Monsoon

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We spent an afternoon wandering the Frye’s rotating exhibitions and quiet galleries. It’s small but free, and perfect for a low-key, art-filled date. Afterward, we walked over to Monsoon for dinner. Vietnamese flavors with upscale vibes.

2. Kayaking from the UW Waterfront

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We rented kayaks at the UW dock and paddled through the Union Bay Natural Area, then snuck peeks at lakeside mansions along Lake Washington. An easy summer date that makes you feel like you're on vacation, even if you're 15 minutes from home.

3. Tourist Afternoon at the Space Needle

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Sometimes you’ve just got to embrace the cliché. We rode to the top, grabbed a cocktail at the Loupe Lounge, and soaked in sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the city skyline. Fun to see Seattle like visitors do.

4. Ballard Locks Cruise

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Neither of us had ever been through the locks despite living here for years. This two-hour Argosy cruise gave us a front-row seat and great skyline views from the water. We ended the night with dinner at Aerlume downtown.

5. Overnight at Cedarbrook Lodge

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Just 10 minutes from Sea-Tac, but it feels a world away. We checked into Cedarbrook for a one-night getaway, spent time at the spa, and enjoyed a slow dinner at Copperleaf. Great for when you need a break but don’t want a long drive.

6. Burke Museum

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We finally visited after its big renovation and were impressed. Highlights: dinosaur bones, PNW anthropology, and local fossils. Educational but still fun. Easy to pair with lunch in the U District.

7. Self-Guided Georgetown Brewery Crawl

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We hadn’t been to Georgetown in ages. This was a fun excuse to revisit the neighborhood, try a few new breweries, and snack our way down the main drag. Good casual vibe for a no-pressure weekend date.

8. Mini Golf at Interbay

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A classic, low-stakes activity. We competed on the 18-hole course, then grabbed dinner at Grappa on Queen Anne afterward. Bonus: you can hit a bucket of balls on the range if you want to extend the night.

9. Smith Tower Tour

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It was our first time visiting, and we loved the historic vibes. The guided tour covered prohibition-era Seattle, old elevators, and the tower’s quirky past. Plus, the speakeasy-style bar at the top is a fun reward.

10. WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo

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We left the kids with grandparents and made this one a date night. Dinner at Ada’s followed by a stroll through the WildLanterns light show with hot chocolate in hand. Romantic, colorful, and best when bundled up. Only runs mid-November through mid-January, so plan accordingly.