Whether you’re planning a first date or a special evening with your longtime partner, you’ll find a wide variety of options for food, fun, and other date night activities in Greater Lansing.

From adventurous fun like racing go-carts to a traditional upscale dinner and an overnight at a local bed and breakfast or hotel, we've rounded up our favorite fun, romantic, and unique ideas to help you plan your next date in Greater Lansing, Michigan!

Try A New Restaurant 

New restaurants pop up in the Lansing area all the time! From casual, sporty restaurants to upscale Italian vibes, there's something new for every couple to enjoy!

Experience Italian cuisine and scratch-made pizza in an upscale setting at REO Town's newest restaurant, REO Town Clubhouse, which also offers a pool hall where you can rent a table for only $10 per hour. Or enjoy the newest location of an established local favorite, One North East Lansing, where you'll find scratch cooking, craft beers and cocktails, and live entertainment on weekends. 

Make your way through our list of newer restaurants and taste the freshest flavors in town together!

Try Something Unique

Looking to change it up from the classic dinner and a movie? Here are unique ways to spend time together that you can only find right here in Lansing. 

Interior of a game lounge with groups of people playing board games at tables.

Homebrew Tabletop Game Lounge

Enjoy a selection of more than 500 games, plus Michigan-made snacks and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, at Homebrew Tabletop Game Lounge in downtown Grand Ledge. Homebrew even offers a date night package for $30, which gets you unlimited game rentals for two during your visit, two N/A drinks, and two shareable snacks. 

Grewal Hall

If you're into live music, comedy shows, or dance parties, downtown Lansing's newest event venue is a must for your next date. Grewal Hall is a great mid-sized venue for seeing your favorite up-and-coming artist, comedy shows, and other fun events.

Exterior of a large dark blue building with a log that reads "Lansing Shuffle."

Lansing Shuffle

Right next to Rotary Park in the former Lansing City Market space, Lansing Shuffle offers a variety sure to keep any date interesting, with six restaurants offering a diverse range of local food, two bars, an outdoor patio facing the river, five shuffleboard courts, and frequent events including trivia and live music. 
 

A man and a woman wearing purple aprons pressing dough.

Try a Cooking Class 

Learning to make something new together is a great way to spend a date night! Greater Lansing is full of restaurants and bakeries that offer one-time classes. Learn how to make Turkish dishes at Social Sloth Cafe & Bakery, make brisket together at Saddleback BBQ, make pasta at Sweet Encounter Bakery, or bake a pie together at Sweetie-licious Bakery. Find even more options on our cooking classes page

Indoor Adventures

Greater Lansing has plenty to offer for the adventurous couple looking to change things up from your average date night. From axe throwing and football bowling to laser tag and escape rooms, it's easy to find indoor fun, no matter your age!

High Caliber Karting & Entertainment

There is so much to do at High Caliber Karting, located in the Meridian Mall! You can race high-speed go-karts on two indoor tracks, test out a state-of-the-art racing simulator, try your hand at axe throwing or football bowling, and even kick around a game of pocket soccer. High Caliber also has a giant arcade along with a terrific bar and bistro. This is a great idea for competitive couples or even for a double date!

Zap Zone XL

At Zap Zone's newly expanded space in the Lansing Mall, you can explore 120,000 square feet with more than 15 attractions, ranging from exhilarating karting and precision axe throwing to laser tag challenging adventure courses. The massive new space is truly a one-stop-shop, with the addition of Rocko's Bar & Grill, which offers burgers, tacos, flatbreads, and a full bar.

Escapology at Spare Time Entertainment

Test your teamwork and try to escape from one of Spare Time Entertainment's Escapology rooms. There are several room themes to choose from, and once you're done, there's still arcade games, axe throwing, mini golf, and bowling to choose from. Spare Time also has a restaurant that serves classic American food and many craft beers. 

Speaking of bowling, you can also get in a few frames at Royal Scot, Pins & Pints in East Lansing, and Mason City Limits Bowling Center

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Romantic Outings in Greater Lansing

Sweet Treats

Find our top picks for chocolates, decadent desserts and other sweet treats just in time for Valentine's Day!

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Romantic Dining 

There's something special about sharing a meal with a significant someone, and not having to cook is a gift all its own. Lansing is home to so many locally owned restaurants offering both indoor or outdoor dining. We've chosen a few options that are tailor-made for romance. 

People toasting

Toscana Kitchen & Wine Market

One of Lansing's newest fine dining restaurants, Toscana is an elevated Tuscan steakhouse concept with indoor and outdoor seating, a self-serve wine station, and an authentic Italian market.

Capital Prime

This restaurant is located in the Eastwood Towne Center, next to The Hyatt Place hotel. Capital Prime offers premium certified Angus beef, free-range chicken, wild-caught fish and seafood, and tries to use as much local produce as possible. Capital Prime has a variety of special menus and can suit anyone's dietary needs! This is the place to go for a date night with a romantic atmosphere and delicious food. 

EnVie

Located in the heart of downtown Lansing, EnVie offers a French-American-inspired menu with elegant presentation. Cozy up near the fireplace or in one of the semi-private dining areas and enjoy fresh, quality ingredients, handcrafted cocktails, and top notch customer service. 

Find more romantic spots in Lansing on our Romantic Dinner Ideas blog

Add a Movie

Thinking of dinner and a movie? Head to Celebration! Cinema or NCG Eastwood Cinema for a classic date night.

Arts, Culture, and Attractions

Visiting some of the region's attractions will give you great conversation starters during your date and in the future.

Stroll through the Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum on the campus of Michigan State University and marvel at the contemporary art within, as well as the building itself.

See a Broadway show like Hamilton, a Lansing Symphony Orchestra concert, or even a comedy show at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, also located on MSU's campus. 

Check out some of the nearly 600 animals at Potter Park Zoo, which is open year-round. 

Don't miss the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, which displays more than 50 vehicles manufactured right here in Lansing and tells the story of the entrepreneurial auto magnate Ransom Eli Olds. 

Head to our attractions page for even more ideas!

Get Outdoors

Nature Centers 

Hike the trails at Woldumar, Fenner, or Harris Nature Centers, where it's easy to forget there's a city nearby. 

Lansing River Trail

Discover why Lansing was named a 2024 Pure Michigan Trail Town! A stroll along the Lansing River Trail will take you from downtown to Old Town Lansing, where you can do some shopping or grab a bite to eat, or out to Potter Park Zoo, which is open all year long. There are several free parking lots along the 17+ mile paved trail. 

People drinking and chatting

Not ready for the night to end?

Head to the Graduate Rock Bar for a nightcap. Your date will be in awe of the stunning views from the rooftop bar and patio overlooking campus and downtown East Lansing. Twinkling hanging lights, classic American fare, and local beers and spirits make this a top contender for our favorite night out.

Or make a sweet date night even sweeter with dessert and drinks at Hooked. Grab a pastry; sip a coffee, wine, or beer; and peruse the books together at the area’s newest bookstore, coffee shop, and wine bar.

An exterior view of the English Inn's back entrance and patio.

Make it a Weekend Stay-cation

Turn date night into a date weekend!  Greater Lansing has many cozy B&Bs for you choose from. Below are a few that are guaranteed to make your weekend a romantic one.

The English Inn

Situated along the Grand River, The English Inn is an English Tudor home with nearly 20 rooms (all with private baths). You'll want to make reservations to dine at one of Open Table's 100 most romantic restaurants in the US or opt to dine outdoors in one of the enclosed conservatories pictured above.

The Nordic Pineapple

The Nordic Pineapple Bed & Breakfast is a beautiful and unique historic home built in 1861. This B&B sometimes offers special packages for the perfect weekend getaway!

Greater Lansing has so many things for you and your partner to enjoy. We highly recommend that you make reservations to ensure a seamless experience and avoid wait times. 

Photo Credit: James Lenon, Tom Gennara, Adrienne Rae Photography, Sweet Encounter Bakery, and our social media #LoveLansing community.