Couple smiling in a museum with a large dinosaur skull in the foreground, enjoying their date night in Columbus.

39 Fun Date Ideas Around Columbus for Couples

We're crowdsourcing the best fun date ideas Columbus Ohio has to offer! Check the map to find inspiration for all sorts of romantic, unique or cheap date ideas near you, and add reviews for your tried-and-true favorite things to do in Columbus for couples. What do you love to do together when you don't feel like the standard dinner and a movie? Leave a recommendation, or add your review to any of the date ideas around Columbus already included below!


 
    photo by Upparent staff

    Rockmill Brewery

    Kelly R said:  Love bonding over beer? Pay a visit to Rockmill Brewery's tasting room, where they serve up their Belgian inspired farmhouse ales in a rustic and welcoming atmosphere. Bring along your own food to enjoy in the tasting room or outside on the beautiful grounds (a former horse farm). They also host occasional beer dinners, summer concert series, and offer a lovely backdrop as a professional photo shoot location near Columbus.

    Lancaster, OH
    wyandottewinery.com

    Wyandotte Winery

    Enjoy a date night (or date day) at Wyandotte Winery in Northeast Columbus. Wyandotte Winery offers several wines from red to white, sweet to dry and grape to fruit wines. Grab a bite to eat from the menu and enjoy the atmosphere of the winery. No set flight pricing makes for an affordable date idea in Columbus, as well!

    Columbus, OH
    surlatable.com

    Sur La Table

    Sur La Table at Easton Town Center offers a wide variety of cooking classes for kids, families and date nights.

    Columbus, OH
    westervillegolf.com

    Westerville Golf Center Driving Range

    Hannah Scott said:  Nothing makes my husband more giddy than a chance to go golfing, and he's constantly trying to get me to go with him. My golf skills are nonexistent (including putt putt -- don't ask!) so a driving range is a great way to bond over his favorite activity without embarrassing myself too badly on the green. Westerville is actually noted as one of the top 100 golf ranges in the country -- not too shabby!

    Cost: $5.50/ 40 balls, $8.00/ 75 balls, $14/ 175 balls

    Westerville, OH
    drive-inmovies.com

    South Drive-in Theatre

    This nostalgic Columbus drive-in theater opened in 1950 and still runs seasonally as weather allows. Concessions are available for purchase, or bring your own. Showings range from classic family movies to new releases.

    Columbus, OH

    16-Bit Bar + Arcade

    Thera Thibeault said:  Whether it's Donkey Kong, Frogger, Street Fighter, or Tapper, head to 16-Bit Bar + Arcade to get your name on the leaderboard.

    Columbus, OH

    Columbus Axe Throwing

    Canada's popular pastime has finally made its way South. Plan an interesting date night at Columbus Axe Throwing, and you and your partner will spend 1.5 hours learning safe throwing technique from an expert, practicing your new skill, and facing off against the rest of the class in a fun tournament. Walk in or reserve a private session in advance.

    Columbus, OH

    Pins Mechanical Co.

    Bring out the kid in you at Pins Mechanical Co. This is one of the best places place to bowl in Columbus! The feature at Pins is duckpin bowling using shorter lanes, lightweight balls and bowling pins on a string (no special bowling shoes required either). There can sometimes be a long wait to bowl, so get there early, get your name in and enjoy some of the other fun activities while you're in line: foosball, pinball, shuffle board, giant Jenga and ping pong. There are plenty of beers on tap and specialty drinks to choose from and rotating food trucks outside for a bite to eat.

    Columbus, OH

    Shadowbox Live

    Located in the Brewery District, Shadowbox Live hosts an eclectic array of live performances. This creative and committed company puts on shows that vary in style (sketch comedy, Broadway-style, and others) but all feature the rocking house band. The quality is top notch, and the intimate venue has wonderful, community atmosphere. The performers even work as servers!

    Columbus, OH
    Topgolf

    Topgolf

    Katie G. said:  Topgolf is a great date destination. They offer Topgolf games as well as a bar and restaurant.

    Columbus, OH
    columbusfoodadventures.com

    Columbus Food Adventures

    Columbus Food Adventures has been offering a wide range of food themed experiences since 2010 including walking and van tours, private tours, foodie scavenger hunts and progressive dinners.

    Katie G. said:  My husband got me this a couple years ago for my birthday. We did the Short North tour and it was awesome! So much food and ended with Jeni's. What could be better?!

    Columbus, OH
    olentangypaddle.com/

    Olentangy Paddle

    Olentangy Paddle offers guided kayak tours along the Columbus downtown Scioto mile. They run several times each week with multiple time slots available. They meet you at your launch site with your reserved boats and pick them up when your trip is finished.

    Columbus, OH
    columbusfoodadventures.com

    Columbus Food Adventures, Brew Adventures

    Columbus Brew Adventures offers guided tours of local breweries and distilleries, with both walking and van-based options. Learn from the experts and sample locally crafted beverages. It's a fun and educational experience! Check out more interesting behind the scene tours in Columbus, too.

    Columbus, OH
    segawaytoursofcolumbus.com/

    SegAway Tours of Columbus

    SegAway offers a great way to tour Columbus' top spots to visit, as well as to showcase the city's charm and teach about its stories and history. The Segway Tour will bring you through the parkland along the Scioto River, the Short North arts district, the vibrant Arena District and historic downtown. Choose from the Original City Tour or the Rivers and Bridges Tour. The tour lasts for approximately 2 hours, including a training session. No experience necessary.

    Columbus, OH
    The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show

    The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show

    Put your heads together as a couple for date night to solve the theatrical "whodunit" murder mystery and find the killer. The Dinner Detective's interactive and comedic Murder Mystery Dinner Shows include a plated dinner.

    Columbus, OH

Primary photo:   COSI

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.

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