Need some fresh ideas for date night? Tired of the same old dinner and a movie? Branch out with our A to Z guide for creative and unique date ideas in Kansas City that might just make you feel young and rested again!
A to Z Guide of Date Ideas in Kansas City
A is for Adventure
Lace up those tennies and head out for something adventurous. Axe throwing at Blade and Timber is a popular choice for thrill seekers. Try their “lumbersnacks”, sip on craft brews and hit those bullseyes!
B is for Brews and Barley
Kansas City has a plethora of great breweries, all with flights waiting to be sampled! Casual Animal Brewing is hip and will make you feel young again, in a good way, not a depressing way! Hit up Boulevard Brewing on a Bingo Sunday for beer, snacks and fun prizes! Pretzels and beer at KC Bier Co will hit the spot in this come as you are, laid back atmosphere.
C is for Culture
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts is a Kansas City landmark and always a wonderful way to appreciate beauty together, inside the museum or outside at the sculpture garden. Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is attractive to those with a more modern eye. While there, grab lunch or brunch at Oil on Linen.
D is for Dancing
Guitars and Cadillacs offers line dancing lessons, two step lessons, live music and a boot scootin’ good time. Funky Town in Raytown will have your movin’ and groovin’. Both are good spots for a group date.
E is for *New* Experiences
Make time for something you both have never experienced. Trap shooting at Powder Creek Shooting Park or Lake Lotawana Sportsmen’s Club provides an exciting new adventure. Rage KC will help parents release tension and stress in the form of sledgehammers! Paintballing at Jaeger’s Paintball and Laser tag will have you battling it out and laughing along the way.
F is for a Fancy Night Out
Don’t worry about the kids menu for once, and head somewhere you would never take your children. Lazia in the Crossroads Hotel is perfectly romantic with killer fare. Always order the table side mozzarella! Panther’s Place is insanely cool and feels like a hidden gem. Bar Medici is ultra swanky if you are looking to impress. Café Provence is a must for the ultimate romantic meal.
G is for Gaming
Visit Up-Down for old school arcade fun in Kansas City, Draftcade in Zona Rosa, or Arcade Alley in Lee’s Summit. Or try out the world of virtual reality. Reserve spots at Double Tap or Flipswitch VR. Pawn and Pint is ideal for low-key, friendly competition via board games. ReRoll Tavern is another option with the same concept.
H is for Hiking
Get out in nature at the Parkville Nature Sanctuary, and stop to enjoy the waterfall. Or check out more hiking trails in the metro area.
I is for Ice Cream
Visit this guide to find the best ice cream spots around KC. Pack your tums, and plan on sampling more than one! A sweet treat is always a good idea.
J is for Jazz
If you love jazz, you live in the right city! Green Lady Lounge features jazz in an intimate setting. The Blue Room at 18th and Vine offers the classic music Kansas City is known for! The Phoenix is an iconic spot that offers a killer Sunday brunch with the best entertainment.
K is for Kansas City Sports
We love our hometown teams! Locals have a lot of options when it comes to professional sports teams, and all provide an entertaining venue for time away. Check out the KC Current, Sporting KC, KC Monarchs, KC Mavericks, Chiefs and Royals websites for tickets. A game is a totally different experience without kids in tow.
L is for Lake Life
The abundance of lakes around the metro can provide for a relaxing and peaceful yet out-of-the-box date. Rent a boat at Longview Lake. Choose between a pontoon, john or utility boat for a sunset cruise mid April through mid October. Sailing lessons at Lake Jacomo will put your team work to the test. Pedal boats, canoes and kayaks are also available to rent if sailing isn’t in the cards.
M is for Music
Check out the Power and Light District schedule for live music nights, and the very popular Miller Lite Hot Country Nights during the summer months. Get dressed up for a show at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Catch a musical or concert at Starlight Theatre. Knuckleheads is perfect for a smaller show.
N is for Nature
Powell Gardens is beautiful every day, or during one of the highly attended seasonal events. Overland Park Arboretum offers a lovely stroll through the shade, and on occasion hosts wine tastings. The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is a free and quiet place to enjoy the blooms of the season.
O is for Old School
Go for a nostalgic date and make your way to the Boulevard Drive-In Theatre. Pack a blanket, buy some popcorn and enjoy a movie that is not animated!
P is for Pickleball
Pickleball is all the rage, and for good reason! It’s fun, accessible for most and you can play at countless places around the city. Chicken N Pickle is an obvious choice. It has solid food and entertainment, in two different locations in the metro. SERV is also an option, and offers more diverse food options. Read this guide to find a ton of other local establishments, community centers and courts that will warmly welcome you to play, no matter your expertise level.
Q is for Quiz Night
Test your knowledge with a trivia night. Westport Flea Market provides great burgers, cheap beer and an always lively trivia night. It is great for couples or a group date. Escape rooms should also be considered. Breakout KC is a top rated escape room with two accessible locations in the metro. Work together to solve puzzles, mysteries, find hidden doors and uncover secrets.
R is for Retail Therapy
Farmers markets offer an out-of-the-box outing. They often provide live music, unique goods and local treasures. Hint to your partner about picking up a beautiful bouquet while there. Vintage shopping in the West Bottoms during the first weekend of every month lets you enjoy the city and find treasures. First Fridays in the Crossroads allows patrons to peruse, eat, drink and feel the pulse of our hometown.
S is for Speed
K1 Speed is for those who have the need for speed. Make reservations to avoid a long wait! You’ll have fun passing one another and navigating the course.
T is for Tour
A Boulevard Brewery tour screams KC date night. Plus the beer hall and adults-only rec deck are perfectly fun and casual. J. Rieger & Co. Distillery has a slide to exit the bar! The building is grand, the tour informative and the tastings plentiful, all of which makes this a must-do for KC lovers. Reserve an hourlong, free tour of Roasterie Coffee and take in all the heavenly aromas while you are there.
U is for Urban Gardening
Nurseries are no longer just for perusing plants. They have workshops, classes, coffee shops and restaurants as well. It’s pretty romantic to be among the wonderful sights and smells of flowers with your partner if you ask me! Check out Colonial Gardens or Family Tree Nursery. They are both filled to the brim with possibility.
V is for Vineyard
A winery is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a nice patio and enjoy your spouse’s company without interruption. KC Wine Co. has a charming atmosphere and great drink selections. Pirtle Wine in Weston is quaint and adorable. Belvoir Winery is a romantic spot set in a beautiful setting. Amigoni Urban Winery is an urban winery, void of a vineyard view, but it is still hip and cool with a great wine selection.
W is for Winning
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone! Puttery is new on the scene, and features a few swanky bars to help out your mini golf game! Top Golf in Overland Park, T Shotz in the Northland, and Golf Ranch in Lee’s Summit both provide golf lovers a fun way to compete without a full day on the course. Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen at Archery Excellence. Consider Ludo’s Shuffleboard Bar, where the shuffleboards are huge, the drinks are affordable and the atmosphere is light-hearted. Highly recommend for a group outing.
X is for Xtreme Sports
Give me some leeway on the spelling of “Xtreme”, this letter is near impossible! Choose RoKc climbing gym for high flying fun. They have an in-house pizza restaurant that is perfect for fueling up beforehand.
Y is for Yard Games
Check out Char Bar for their outdoor games, pickleball courts and barbecue.
Z is for Zip Lining
Make a reservation at Go Ape KC. It will test your bravery and partnership skills! Zip KC should also be considered for a high-flying adventure.
You have all the ideas, now all you need is the babysitter. Enjoy your date nights!
