Here’s how to plan an unforgettable date night in Lehigh Valley, with ideas for dinner, activities, drinks, and events.
From the understated to the extravagant, Lehigh Valley has all the ingredients for romance, in all its shapes and forms.
A great date night often starts with good food and a comfortable setting. Lehigh Valley offers plenty of options suited for quiet conversations, shared plates, and lingering evenings.
Lehigh Valley is home to gourmet restaurants with thoughtfully curated menus and intimate dining rooms, making them well-suited for special occasions or planned nights out. Upscale bistros and locally owned favorites also offer comfortable settings for lingering over multiple courses, many of which are located near walkable downtown areas or venues for continuing the night with live entertainment.
Cocktail lounges across the region offer craft drinks in relaxed and upscale settings, which makes them a popular choice before or after dinner. Here you'll find wine bars with endless lists that highlight both regional producers and international selections, as well as smaller breweries with quieter taprooms well-suited for conversation-focused evenings. Whether you're looking for a fancy spot for Valentine's Day or a special occasion, or a more casual vibe for a spontaneous date night, you'll find it in the Lehigh Valley. Plus, there are menus full of delicious mocktails so everyone can indulge.
Date nights don’t have to revolve around dining alone. These activities across the Lehigh Valley give couples opportunities to share an experience while keeping things spontaneous and carefree.
Stage a picnic as Lehigh Valley farmers’ markets offer a spread of local products year-round. With marinated olives, beautiful breads, cheeses, and baked goods, and local libations, you'll ignite a new spark, complemented by the outdoor setting or candlelit charcuterie picnic, warming your winter night. Or sit back, relax, and let Picturesque Luxury Picnics turn your special moment into a picturesque event.
Step up the traditional dinner-and-a-movie with a museum-and-a-movie, as regional museums offer screenings throughout the year and are located near some of the region's tantalizing award-winning restaurants to accompany your date night. Catch a show at one of Lehigh Valley's performance venues, or experience art and style at one of the area's eclectic art galleries or museums. Channel that steamy scene from Ghost as you try something new together: sculpting on a pottery wheel at a class at Baum School of Art.
Learn to dance, whether at a special occasion or in your kitchen as you cook together; the chemistry and reciprocity of dancing mirror those of a good relationship. The give and take, the close attention—it’s dynamite. If you’ve felt too awkward to start or just want to up your game, try a non-credit couples’ class at Northampton Community College and nail down the basics of the foxtrot, waltz, and swing.
Set aside the screens and make sweet memories in an old-fashioned, intimate way. Read together or to each other. From Book & Puppet in Easton to Let's Play Books in Emmaus, there are cozy local booksellers happy to help you procure a read you’ll both enjoy, whether you’re nodding off to a comforting voice or giving the characters cool accents.
Up for something active? Hike or bike the many trails of Lehigh Valley. When it's all said and done, leave your cares at home and hibernate together in luxury at a bed and breakfast. You don’t have to go far: The Sayre Mansion and Historic Hotel Bethlehem offer historical escapes right in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, and Glasbern Inn provides a rural retreat in Fogelsville. Eat well, rest well, and enjoy each other without distractions.
Planning a date night in Lehigh Valley is easy when you know where to look. Use our dining guides, events calendar, and trip-planning resources to build a date night that fits your schedule and interests. From top-rated restaurants and evening entertainment to outdoor plans and seasonal experiences, we've got all you need to help you plan a memorable date night.
