6 perfect summer date ideas in Philly

curated & written by @maggie

Picking a date night experience in Philly can be overwhelming, simply because of the myriad of restaurants, events, and meet-ups to choose from! Check out the following six unique experiences that will impress your date without breaking the bank.

each tile is linked to the location & store/tickets/etc

photo cred: @vangogh.experience

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Upper Darby

You and your date will take a step back in time by visiting “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,” a world-wide traveling art exhibit coming to Philly this August through November. Visitors to the exhibit will experience Van Gogh’s paintings from every angle, literally stepping into his paintings, some of which reach two stories high. The experience includes 360 degree projections, 15,000 ft screens, and virtual reality goggles which allow you to walk alongside Van Gogh on a journey through some of his most famous works of art. This 60-75 minute indoor adventure is perfect for all ages, including a “surprise” at the end for young, budding artists. It features a light show and sound effects, chronicling Van Gogh’s life, artistic techniques and styles, and more! You can watch a teaser for the experience here and book your tickets through fever.

photo cred: @glenfoerd

Kayak the Delaware

Northeast Philly

Summer is still upon us, and in Philly, the weather is still sweltering! Take a respite from the heat by signing up for a 2 hour kayaking tour with your date on the Delaware river. The Glen Foerd Water programs offer both kayaking and boating experiences, and more information on both of these can be found here. Only 30 minutes north of the city, this is a perfect weekend morning excursion to cool you off and bring you closer to nature… and each other!

photo cred: @muralarts

Mural Tour

Philly Wide

Philly is the mural capital of the United States, so what better way to get your mural on than with a guided or self-guided tour? The Mural Arts Program offers guided or self-guided tours on their website. All are no longer than one mile, though if you are opting for the self-guided tour, you can walk as long as you wish! Stop near the Italian Market for a John’s Water Ice to keep you cool and hydrated along the way. The Mural Arts Program has created over 3,600 murals and counting!

photo cred: @phlvisitorcenter

Bartram’s Garden

West Philly

If you want to immerse yourself in nature but don’t have time to go outside of the city, scoot on down to Bartram’s Garden, a 50-acre public garden and National Historic Landmark in Southwest Philadelphia on the Schuylkill River. Not only can you bring your own picnic basket, bottle of wine, and blanket along, but you can sign up for events and tours as well if you and your date are interested in learning more about the plants, flowers, and history of the garden. 

photo cred: @phillyfilmsociety

Drive-In Movies at the Navy Yard

The Navy Yard

The drive-in theater is the perfect way to spend a date, and you don’t have to look further than South Philly to find one! The Philadelphia Film Society has a drive-in theater at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia, and they show movies weekly! Tickets are cheap — about $12 each — so pack your popcorn and a blanket and get ready to become Philly’s best film critic all from the comfort of your trunk!

photo cred: @bikeitphilly

Bike Ride Around Philly

Riding a bike around the city is the best way to explore. Philadelphia continues to become a more bike friendly city with dedicated lanes to get around. But if riding on the street is not your thing, you have the Schuylkill path that runs all the way up to Manayunk. From romantic rides during the sunset to hoping around between neighborhoods, biking around can be a fun and simple date idea. And for those of you who want to rent a better bike than the city’s Indego bikes Bike It Philly offers a high quality bike for a daily rate.

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Meet the Blogger

maggie

Maggie Blehar is a Philadelphia-based writer and editor. Her passion for writing started as soon as she could hold a pencil, filling up journal after journal. When she isn’t writing, you can find her showcasing her amateur cooking skills, digging deeper into her zodiac sign, exploring Philly neighborhoods with her dog, or refurbishing wooden chairs to resemble cherished book covers, a hobby she calls Literachair. Learn more or connect with her on her website.