Summer is a season of romance, fun, and adventure. These Atlanta summer date ideas will allow you to kick back and enjoy some quality time together – minus the stressful planning!
This list will take you way beyond the typical dinner and a movie. Explore stargazing, arts and culture, live music, outdoor adventures, and more.
Plus: discover tips and romantic touches to take your date to the next level! Surprise and delight your sweetheart, create or rekindle feelings of connection, and make lasting memories together. Read on to learn how!
A few of our favorite Atlanta date ideas:
Read on for more information on these ideas – and other Atlanta date ideas!
- Take a walking Atlanta tour to explore food, history, and more
- Watch a meteor shower
- See live music at a summer Atlanta concert
- Plan an outdoor adventure or day trip from Atlanta
- Catch an Atlanta sports game
- Explore Atlanta’s art, culture, and museums
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Romantic Atlanta summer date ideas
- Hassle-free date ideas for parents and busy professionals
- First date ideas in Atlanta
- Atlanta date ideas for parents
- Easy, affordable date night ideas
- Atlanta date ideas every couple will love
Check out the 4-minute video below for a few of our favorite ideas. Then, read on for more!
Take a Walking Tour – One of Our Favorite Atlanta Summer Date Ideas
Going on a walking tour is a brilliant first date idea. Led by an expert tour guide, this activity ensures you’ll always have a topic to chat about on your date.
Plus, it’s an unexpected move that feels more engaging and novel than just choosing from restaurants in Atlanta. Instead, you can delve into your interests, try something new, and create lasting memories.
1. Grant Park Past & Future Food Walk
This date idea combines food and history in one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Explore Grant Park with your tour group and taste 9 Southern-inspired dishes at 3 food stops. The tour includes 1.2 miles of easy walking, including a stroll through Oakland Cemetery to remind you that love is eternal.
2. King Historic District Tour
Make a meaningful connection on this thought-provoking tour. You and your date will get an in-depth look at the people and locations that inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. Plus, this engaging experience was named by “Conde Nast” as one of the 17 best things to do in Atlanta!
For more date ideas that combine learning with romance, browse our blog post on the best tours in Atlanta, GA.
Go Stargazing & Watch a Meteor Shower
There’s nothing more romantic than snuggling up together under the stars. The annual Perseid Meteor Shower shoots across the sky each summer, typically between mid-July and the end of August.
To make the most of your experience, consider driving to a rural area with less light pollution. Or, you could also camp out at a state park and sleep underneath the meteor shower. Here are a few of our favorite spots!
3. Jon Wood Astronomy Field
Located in the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, GA, the Jon Wood Astronomy Field is 50 minutes southeast of Atlanta. This spot is open to the public during select hours. For after-hours access to the gate code, join the Charlie Elliott Chapter of the Atlanta Astronomy Club.
4. Hard Labor Creek State Park
Cottages and campsites are available for rental at Hard Labor Creek State Park. Spanning nearly 6,000 acres, this scenic park is about an hour east of Atlanta.
5. Black Rock Mountain State Park
Black Rock Mountain State Park is Georgia’s highest-elevation state park, located in the northeast part of the state. Around nearly 2 hours from Atlanta, this park offers cottages and campsites for rent. If you’re up for an adventure, check out the backcountry campsites for a more remote stargazing experience.
Take Your Date to a Concert
Atlanta has no shortage of concert venues. Here are a few that make for an especially romantic backdrop!
6. Cadence Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
The amphitheater at Chastain Park is known for showcasing popular artists in a scenic backdrop. Located in the Buckhead neighborhood, Chastain Park is Atlanta’s third-largest park, with 268 acres to explore.
7. City Winery
Enjoy a show at City Winery, a perfect date night spot for concerts. Choose from a wide variety of musical acts scheduled throughout the summer. While you’re there, try delicious dishes like the whipped feta, fried green tomatoes, and peach cobbler from the on-site restaurant.
8. Candlelight Concerts
Enjoy beautiful music, surrounded by flickering, flameless candles. Performed at some of the most iconic venues in Atlanta, Candlelight Concerts are sure to impress your date. Choose from R&B legends, candlelight K-pop, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, A Tribute to Taylor Swift, and more!
Plan an Outdoor Adventure or Day Trip
9. Rent a Canoe or Kayak and Create Your Own “Notebook” Moment
Do you remember that scene in The Notebook when Allie and Noah take a canoe out on the lake and feed swans? Well, we can’t promise that level of Hollywood romance – and you probably shouldn’t feed swans. But, canoeing or kayaking on a lake is an adventurous and romantic activity that’s actually pretty easy to coordinate!
More than 20 Georgia state parks offer paddling options and rentals including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and aqua cycles. A few of our favorite spots are nearly 2 hours away (see idea #10 below) – perfect for a longer day trip that will really allow you to get to know your date.
10. Take a Day Trip to a Georgia State Park
Georgia has no shortage of beautiful state parks to explore. Below are a few particularly scenic spots for a romantic outdoor day trip adventure.
Unicoi State Park is nestled among the rolling mountains and wineries that North Georgia is known for. While you’re there, check out some of the local attractions in nearby tourist-friendly town Helen, GA. Boating rentals are available on Thursdays through Sundays to explore the park’s 53-acre lake.
Fort Mountain State Park is located near the beautiful Cohutta Wilderness. This park was home to the Cherokee people for hundreds of years. Hike, boat, and explore history at this 4,000+ acre park.
Vogel State Park is the second-oldest state park in Georgia. Located at the base of Blood Mountain near the Appalachian Trail, this park offers plenty of hiking in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest.
11. Cheer on the Home Team at a Minor League Baseball Game – One of Our Favorite Atlanta Summer Date Ideas
As much as we love the Atlanta Braves, there’s something special about the hometown feel of a Minor League baseball game. The Gwinnett Stripers offer plenty of summer home games at Coolray Field. Plus, this is a super-affordable date idea: lawn tickets start at $9 each.
On Tuesday night home games, hot dogs are $2 and desserts are $1. And, on “Thirsty Thursdays,” select domestic beers are just $2 each. The Stripers also host Wet Nose Wednesdays – free admission for dogs with their owner’s ticket!
If you aren’t into watching baseball, enjoy an active night out at Skyline Park at Ponce City Market. (And, when it eventually gets colder, you can go ice skating up on the roof).
Explore Atlanta’s Arts & Culture
12. Cocktails in the Garden at Atlanta Botanical Garden
A romantic evening with little-to-no planning required! Mix and mingle outdoors at the “most beautiful cocktail party in the city.”
Cocktails in the Garden is held on Thursday-Saturday nights from 5-9pm, May through September.
13. High Frequency Fridays at the High Museum of Art
The High museum offers a laid-back art experience on the first Friday of every month during “High Frequency Friday.”
The event often includes DJs, dancing, performances, and refreshments for purchase, set amidst the backdrop of amazing art exhibits!
14. Fernbank After Dark at Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Learning something new together can spark endorphins, your brain’s natural “feel-good” neurotransmitters. Especially if you’ve been with your partner for a while, try combining date night with a learning experience!
Get your learning on at Fernbank’s 21+ date night experience, Fernbank After Dark – hosted on the second Friday of each month. Enjoy outdoor explorations in WildWoods, interactive museum exhibits, live music, science demonstrations, and food and drinks for purchase.
15. Eat, Drink, and Be Merry at the Georgia Renaissance Festival
Each year, the Georgia Renaissance Festival is typically open on weekends from mid-April through early June! The festival includes games, rides, and food and drinks for purchase. Of course, you can get a 1.5 turkey leg if you’re really trying to impress your date.
Plus, experience an artisan market with live craft demonstrations. Finally, there’s plenty of live entertainment including jousting, comedy, acrobatics, music, dancing, and even a dog-themed pirate show called The Puppies of Penzance. Huzzah!
Romantic Add-Ons for Your Atlanta Date
No matter where or how you spend time with your S.O., these romantic ideas will take your date to the next level.
16. Plan a Special Treat or Picnic
A gourmet charcuterie box or picnic kit is the perfect addition to your day trip or hike. Bring some artisanal cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruits, signature chocolate bark, and more to enjoy together! We love Alon’s for picnic supplies, or check out Charcuterie Chick!
17. Add Some Mystery
If your date is down for a mystery adventure, keep the activity a surprise! Be sure to tell your date whether you’ll be indoors or outdoors and give them a hint or two so they can dress comfortably. Then, surprise them with an outing you know they’ll love.
18. Take your Interests to the Next Level
If you both love cooking together, cooking classes are a great option. If you enjoy great drinks, a visit to Krog Street Market or Ponce City Market allows you the opportunity to try cocktails from a variety of restaurants. Or, take a class together to learn something new or build on an interest!
19. End with a Relaxing Touch
If your date includes spending a lot of time on your feet, consider ending the day with a relaxing foot massage. Treat Your Feet is a favorite massage spot with locations on Buford Highway and in Buckhead. Includes hot stones and a special foot creme.
20. Build Lasting Memories Together
Make your date last by revisiting your favorite memories. Take some candid photos on your date and print them out afterward. Then, surprise your date by sending the photos to them in the mail as an unexpected moment of joy.
Browse our blog for more ideas, or sign up for one of our top-rated Atlanta walking tours. You might find that creating romantic moments can help you keep that warm, happy summertime feeling going year-round!
