10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Atlanta

Enjoy the beauty of one of America’s favourite lakes, around an hour’s drive northeast from downtown Atlanta. Lake Lanier is fed by the Blue Ridge Mountains and has plenty of recreational options. You can boat out and go on fishing trips, kayak, water ski or simply go for a dip in its placid waters.

Boating is high on the list of activities and if you’re a couple looking for a romantic escape, you can choose a scenic location to dock and watch the sun set. For a lovely end to your date, why not go glamping and spend a night together under the stars?

Watch award-winning ensembles performing from violin concertos to Rachmaninoff symphonies at this intimate orchestra hall in Atlanta. You can find the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra inside the Woodruff Arts Center. It charms concertgoers upon arrival with its bright and modern lobby.

The hall features plush seats and several refreshment stations where you can grab your snacks or drinks pre-show and in between intermissions. Check out their annual gala schedule when you can enjoy a special evening with dining, dancing and auctions.

Treat yourselves to blissful pampering sessions while in Atlanta. Spas are fantastic for spending time with your loved one, and most spas offer special couples’ treatments for an ultra-relaxing date.

Five-star hotels in the city are a good bet, such as the Spa at The Waldorf Astoria in Buckhead, which is one of Atlanta’s upscale neighbourhoods. You and your sweetheart can enjoy the luxurious Couples Garden experience inside the Magnolia Suite. Start with a tranquil soak in a rose-scented bath while sipping champagne before indulging in aromatherapy massages together. Alternatively, unwind with your significant other at the Buckhead Grand Spa, an elegant day spa with hot stone treatments delivered in intimate couples’ suites.

By day, Georgia Aquarium attracts the usual family crowds. But after dark, there’s a great deal of fun to be enjoyed, exclusively for grown-ups. The aquarium offers fun nights out through its series of special events where those over 21 years of age can have it all to themselves.

Events include Sips Under the Sea, a cocktail party where you can enjoy margaritas and finger food with belugas and penguins in view. The illuminated exhibits create a really romantic atmosphere for an unusual but memorable date. Their special offerings for proposals, engagement photo sessions and weddings are especially unique, so get in touch if you'd like to arrange a fin-tastic event.

Escape from the city’s hubbub with jaw-dropping views over the heights of downtown Atlanta. The SkyView Ferris wheel lets you take in panoramic views at around 20 storeys high for around 4 turns. The best option for couples is their VIP gondolas, fitted with plush leather seats and see-through floors for added sensation.

If you’re planning for a date ride, check out their special package for couples that includes a box of chocolates to savour together as you appreciate the sights. To make it extra special, consider riding at night to see the city twinkling with lights.

This classic theatre offers a regular show schedule that comprises dance performances, symphony orchestras, comedic acts and various Broadway musicals. Opened in 1929 as a cinema, Fox Theatre retains much of its past glory with its elegant, carpeted interiors, intricate gilt work and wood-carved seats arranged over 5 levels.

Take your date to a fabulous Cirque Du Soleil performance or a magical ballet, or even a concert showcasing 'Mighty Mo', the largest Möller theatre organ in the world. If you and your date are interested in learning more about this organ and the theatre’s impressive architecture, why not book a 60-minute behind-the-scenes tour? Who knows what secrets you’ll learn?

Enjoy the quiet and tranquil offerings at Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s spacious green space that’s right in the heart of the city. There’s plenty of recreational options to enjoy here as a couple, such as cycling down dedicated lanes through the lush gardens and picnic grounds.

Piedmont Park covers around 200 acres, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a favourite spot. We recommend the serene Lake Clara Meer on the park’s southern end: the meadow here puts the skyscraper outline of Downtown Atlanta as your perfect picnic backdrop. Some other fun date ideas include paint and sip, craft workshops and trivia nights.

For a date among nature, head up to the Chattahoochee Recreational Area in Sandy Springs, around half an hour’s drive north of downtown Atlanta. This gorgeous, wooded area features a few hiking trails that allow you to take in the natural beauty of the great outdoors, well away from any busy city scenes.

Among the most popular is the East Palisades Trail, which meanders along the Chattahoochee riverbanks with lofty bluffs and a bamboo forest: great for quiet moments with beautiful views. It’s roughly a 4-mile round trip and moderate in difficulty. See if you can find the historic ruins and take some awesome selfies together.

Step back in time to the stunning Art Deco themed Starlight Drive-In on Moreland Ave, just a few minutes’ drive southeast from downtown Atlanta. After turning in from the main street, you simply park and turn off your headlights, tune your car radio, then sit back and enjoy the film playing on the huge screen. Opt for the latest blockbuster or a cult classic, and don’t forget to purchase popcorn and other snacks.

If you and your significant other enjoy hunting for a bargain, Starlight Drive-In also hosts a flea market from 6 am to 3 pm every Saturday and Sunday. Peruse the homeware, clothing and accessory stalls hand-in-hand and then stay for a cinema date.

For luxurious dinners with a memorable flourish, head up to the top floor of the Hilton Atlanta. Nikolai's Roof is an award-winning restaurant that serves up masterfully crafted modern American cuisine with nods to its French-Russian influences, all with stunning views of the Atlanta skyline.

The hip spot also features a lounge area serving house-infused specialty flavoured vodkas and crafted Russian cocktails, ideal for a romantic prelude to your candlelit dinner. When it comes to the menu, you can expect mouthwatering dishes like beef tenderloin piroshki, lemon ricotta ravioli and a decadent Grand Marnier soufflé. It’s a wonderful celebratory spot for either a date, an anniversary or even a proposal.