Cover image for the best romantic things to do in Charlotte NC blog by Inspired Backpacker

I could spend forever writing about all of the amazing, romantic things to do in Charlotte NC. The beautiful weather, greenery, vibrant neighborhoods and lots of things to do make it such a fun place to visit. Read this guide to find out the 15 best romantic things to do in Charlotte NC.

  1. Nuvole Rooftop
  2. Couples massage
  3. Idlewood custom cocktail bar
  4. Self-guided Art Walk together in NoDa Charlotte
  5. Line dance at Coyote Joes
  6. Puttery Charlotte indoor mini golf
  7. Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
  8. Dressler’s fine-dining
  9. Independent Picture House
  10. Crave dessert bar
  11. Picnic at one of the many Charlotte city parks
  12. Charlotte’s live music spots
  13. Watch the sunset over the Charlotte skyline
  14. RH Rooftop Restaurant
  15. Cooking class together at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

Map of the Best Romantic Things to Do In Charlotte NC For Couples

List of the Top Romantic Things to Do In Charlotte NC

Cocktails overlooking the Charlotte skyline at Nuvole Rooftop

Charlotte’s many rooftops make the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening in Queen City, which is why it’s my #1 choice for the best thing to do in Charlotte NC for couples. Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo is great because they have fire pits, tables and couches to sit at and it’s all the way on the 22nd floor, making the view fantastic.

A photo of a couple at Nuvole Rooftop along with a photo of the vibe. Nuvole is a romantic rooftop cocktail bar in the middle of Uptown Charlotte

Couples massage Charlotte NC : Relax together

There’s nothing better than the feeling after a massage, and it’s even better when you and your significant other both feel great. The Woodhouse Spa and Spa at the Ballantyne are both world-class spas offering couples massages Charlotte NC. This is easily one of the best romantic things to do in Charlotte NC.

Couples massage Charlotte NC set up at the Woodhouse Spa

Have custom cocktails at Idlewood, Charlotte’s intimate no-menu cocktail bar

A no menu cocktail bar is the date night experience I didn’t know I wanted! My husband and I love cocktails, and we got tons of recommendations for Idlewild. Although we waited until the last minute to get a reservation they were able to squeeze us in, and the service was fantastic.

Several photos of Idlewild Charlotte, which is a no menu cocktail bar featuring a romantic atmosphere and amazing drinks

We were surprised to find out it was a no menu cocktail bar, and the bartender made us custom cocktails based on our preferences. Each round was so good and it felt like a really intimate experience, from the amazing services, cozy atmosphere, comfy plush chairs, dim lighting, hit but not-too-loud music and the relaxed but elegant ambiance.

Do a self-guided Art Walk together in NoDa Charlotte

There’s art everywhere in Charlotte, especially in NoDa. That’s why my favorite suggestion for couples in this area is to do a self-guided art walk tour through NoDa Charlotte NC. I love how a self-guided tour is something where you can enjoy time with each other without the distraction of others. Visit Art Walk NoDa to find out where to go and what you’ll see!

The Confetti Stripes wall mural in NoDa Charlotte with Inspired Backpacker Lauren Kessel standing in front

Line dance together at Coyote Joes

Line dancing might not be the first thing comes to mind when you’re brainstorming romantic things to do in Charlotte NC for couples but hear me out! Coyote Joe’s has free line dancing lessons each Wednesday and a lot of the time they’ll do a few couples dances. This got my husband into it with me, which ended up being so much fun and the perfect date night! If you’re uncomfortable you can always just people watch, so there’s really no going wrong here.

Couples line dancing at Coyote Joes, which is one of the best romantic things to do in Charlotte NC for couples
An old photo of a couples line dance at Coyote Joes. Credit: https://www.facebook.com/CJ.DanceClass/

One of the most romantic things to do in Charlotte NC for competitive couples: See who can putt putt better at Puttery Charlotte indoor mini golf

The Puttery Charlotte is a fun AND romantic thing to do in Charlotte for couples that will bring out your competitive side. This combined indoor putt putt and cocktail bar is 21+ and definitely more intimate that usual mini golf, making it perfect for couples. There’s great theming on two different courses, plus plush seating areas and really great food (surprisingly).

Woman about to hit her ball at the Puttery in Charlotte NC mini golf

Take a stroll through the beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Taking a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens should be a must-see on every couple’s list. It’s a little bit of a drive from Charlotte but that will pay off. Something really unique is that you’re able to purchase wine, beer and snacks to walk through the gardens with at their trail shop.

Daniel Stowe botanical gardens in the sun, which is a date idea in Charlotte

Have a romantic dinner at Charlotte’s fine-dining steakhouse, Dressler’s

The personal touch they put into your service and meal at Dressler’s Charlotte makes the whole experience really special, which is why this is my pick for the best romantic restaurant in Charlotte to try. The atmosphere is intimate and dimly lit, and the phone is SO great. Make sure to try the baked mac n cheese along with your steak!

Dining room at the romantic restaurant, Dressler's in Charlotte

See a movie at the intimate Independent Picture House

The Independent Picture House is a little intimate movie theatre that shows independent films as well as more indie mainstream type films. Come here to discover your new favorite movie together and support local artists!

Collage of photos showing the Independent Picture House, which is a small theatre and one of the best things to do in NoDa Charlotte

Try the sweets at the Crave dessert bar

Crave Dessert Bar is a classy bar dedicated to luxurious desserts that are sure to satisfy any cravings you’ve been having. Treat yourselves to a sweet treat together here for a sweet cocktail and delicious piece of cake.

The Crave dessert bar in Charlotte NC, which is a great date night spot

Have a picnic at one of the many Charlotte city parks

I always lean toward nature and things that make you feel good when thinking of romantic Charlotte dare night ideas. Since Charlotte has so many amazing city parks, a picnic is the perfect way to see the city while getting to enjoy the beautiful weather and the benefits of being outdoors.

Photos of Freedom Park and a couples picnic set up to show that a picnic at Freedom Park is a romantic thing to do in Charlotte NC

A few of the parks that work best with picnics are Freedom Park and First Ward Park, but there’s so many great ones that will do! My husband and I like to use this lightweight cooler backpack and lightweight picnic folding chairs to make it easiest to pack everything up.

One of the most romantic things to do in Charlotte NC for music lovers: Dance the night away at one of the city’s live music spots

Dancing is the best and even better when you have someone to dance with! There are a bunch of music venues you’ll find in the city, but a few great choices are the cozy and intimate NoDa Charlotte NC staple Evening Muse, Fillmore Charlotte for a bigger but still still intimate venue and Camp North for a really cool outdoor venue.

Live music show at the Fillmore Charlotte, with people in the air and enjoying the show

Watch the sunset over the Charlotte skyline

One of the best free things to do in Charlotte NC for couples is to watch the sunset over the romantic city skyline. Two great places to do this are Cordelia Park in the NoDa area or at Romare Bearden Park, where you’ll also find sculptures, synchronized lights and a fountain.

Photography of Romare Bearden Park, done by Inspired Backpacker

Have brunch at the beautiful rooftop garden at the RH Rooftop Restaurant

RH Rooftop Restaurant is one of Uptown Charlotte’s many rooftop restaurants and bars. Although RH Rooftop is beautiful at any time of day really, their brunch is something extra special because of the huge windows the sun can shine in.

Romantic table at the RH Rooftop Restaurant garden patio

This is one of my favorite romantic things to do in Charlotte NC because I really think it shows off the city’s character while also being super elegant and unique. Try to get a seat near the center fountain for the most romantic spot.
*Side note: RH Rooftop doesn’t sell cocktails at the time of posting this but they do have wine, mimosas and drinks of that nature.

Take a cooking class together at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

Connecting with someone by cooking something delicious together and learning a new skill at the same time can be such a great bonding experience, which is why taking a cooking class at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen is on my list of the most romantic things to do in Charlotte NC. Some examples of the foods you can learn to cook together during classes here are Japanese Street Food, French Steak Bistro and more general classes like One-Pot Cooking which you can use at home every day.

Chef Alyssa's Kitchen space, to show it's a great idea for a Charlotte date night

Want more ideas for things to do while visiting Queen City? Read my full guide on 100+ things to do in Charlotte NC for couples for lots of ideas.

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Lauren Kessel
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Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.