10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Washington DC

The National Mall is a central hub that allows you to explore Washington DC’s most iconic buildings, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the Smithsonian museums. While you can easily explore the pedestrian-friendly park on foot, a joint bike ride offers plenty of romantic moments with your significant other.

Springtime in the city brings blooming cherry trees around the Tidal Basin, while autumn, mid- to late-October, is when the monuments and memorials stand out against a backdrop of red and gold foliage. Bring a picnic with you and enjoy the sights in each other’s company.

The Tidal Basin is a beautiful manmade pond overlooked by many Washington landmarks, including the Thomas Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. The 2-mile-long reservoir is a popular spot for cycling and jogging all year round, but it draws a big crowd in spring as hundreds of cherry trees are in full bloom during this season.

Paddleboat rides are available between March and October. They’re the perfect way to see the sights with your loved one, especially when the sun is shining and the scent of cherry blossoms is in the air.

The United States Botanic Garden was founded in 1820, making it one of the oldest gardens in the country. The conservatory is home to a variety of medicinal plants, succulents, orchids and rare flowers, and even a reconstructed landscape of ancient plant groups dating back to prehistoric times.

Located in Maryland Avenue, the United States Botanic Garden is next to the US Capitol and the Library of Congress. Free talks, demonstrations and exhibitions are available for those who want to learn more about the garden. There are some wonderful photo opportunities amongst the plants, so make sure you take a picture to commemorate a romantic date. 

The Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens is a magnificent mansion located 1.5 miles north of Rock Creek Park. It once belonged to heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post back in the 19th century, who furnished this estate with Russian porcelain and religious items alongside 18th century French decorative art.

You can join a guided tour of the entire mansion, with its library, breakfast room and pavilion being some of its most elaborately decorated rooms. Outside are 13 acres of grounds with several themed gardens, including a French Parterre and Japanese-inspired garden. There’s a regular rotation of exhibits to see, as well as floral design workshops, jazz nights and nursery programmes.

The renowned Shakespeare Theatre Company hosts memorable plays at Lansburgh Theatre and Sidney Harman Hall, both located in downtown Washington DC. Fans of William Shakespeare’s creations can enjoy classics such as Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night, as well as plays by other prominent playwrights such as Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde and Friedrich Schiller.

For 2 weeks during summertime, the Shakespeare Theatre Company offers free performances to 200 people at the Sidney Harman Hall. Watching a show together is a great idea for an intimate date, but for something really unconventional, why not take an acting class with your significant other? The Shakespeare Theatre Company offers intensive acting courses as well as specialised classes.

U Street, known as the birthplace of jazz legend Duke Ellington, houses some of the busiest nightclubs, jazz clubs and theatres in Washington DC. From the internationally acclaimed 9:30 Club to indie rock bar The Black Cat, there’s always a live gig happening on U Street.

Even if you’re not there for drinks and music, you can find art galleries, vintage shops and wall murals while exploring this colourful neighbourhood. For food options, sample classic American soul food or eat Ethiopian cuisine with your hands. If you’re at U Street on a summery Saturday, stop by the 14th & U farmers’ market for the freshest fruits and veggies and handmade pastries, cider and kimchi.

Rock Creek Park is one of the largest green spaces in Washington DC. Hiking is a popular activity for couples seeking a romantic stroll, as the park has more than 30 trails to suit any fitness level. There are a number of sights you must include on any walk in the park, from the Nature Center and Planetarium to the Pierce Mill and ancient Civil War fortifications.

If you and your loved one are looking for lively date ideas, the Rock Creek Park Horse Center also offers daily horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides for those looking to explore the park from a new angle. Alternatively, there’s also golfing, boating and tennis to look forward to.

Dupont Circle is a chic, cosmopolitan neighbourhood about a mile northwest of Lafayatte Square, in the city centre. Known as the LGBT-friendly district of Washington DC, it has a rather youthful vibe thanks to its many trendy cafés, art galleries and boutiques. Bibliophiles will especially love indie bookstore Kramerbooks while comedic couples will enjoy a night of laughs at the DC Improv comedy club.

Crowds often gather at the marble fountain in Dupont Circle for a variety of events, such as chess matches and street performances. Art lovers can visit The Phillips Collection, which displays over 4,000 modern artworks by renowned French and American artists.

The National Gallery of Art displays more 140,000 artworks from Europe and America over a huge range of different time periods. Its West and East Buildings are connected by an underground concourse that’s fitted with Leo Villareal’s Multiverse installation, where you can see over 41,000 LED nodes creating hypnotic trailing lights and abstract sculptures. It’s a truly mesmerising sight. 

Another highlight here is the Sculpture Garden, which has a large, decorative fountain that functions as an ice rink during winter. Admission to the National Gallery of Art is free all year round, making it an ideal location for couples on a budget.

Cranes, a harmonious Spanish-Japanese fusion that delivers epic flavours on beautifully presented plates, is the perfect way to end your date in Washington DC. You and your partner can sit at the glamorous bar to indulge in world-famous sake or opt for a table in the sleek, raised dining area and watch the talented chefs at work.

The menu features tapas, or kaiseki in Japanese, dishes for ultimate romantic sharing. Sample mouth-watering patatas bravas with yuzu kosho ketchup, or squid doused in sake-chorizo butter sauce accompanied by rice noodles. Then, split the brown butter churros with black sesame chocolate and miso caramel, followed by a glass of delicate Dassai sake. Alternatively, trust the chef with the 8-course Omakase tasting menu.