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The nation’s capital has a wealth of scenic arched bridges, waterfront walks and majestic landmarks that all add up to one seriously romantic city.
The Lincoln Memorial is breathtaking at night. Lead your sweetheart up the stairs for a moment that will surely go down in history.
A date night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a must, but be sure to step out during intermission and admire the dazzling cityscape from the the wrap-around terrace. Or you can also keep the Kennedy Center in your sights with a walk along the Georgetown waterfront.
Grab your mittens and your sweetie as you ice skate in the middle of the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden. Afterwards, make a beeline for hot chocolate and cookies at the on-site Pavilion Café. In warm weather, this rink transforms into a stunning fountain.
Step further into the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden and you’ll come face to face with the Spanish-language version of Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture.
DC’s lively Capitol Riverfront neighborhood is home to the always-exciting Yards Park, which has an iconic bridge and plenty of adventures nearby.
Set up camp by the fire with your babe inside the cozy lobby of the Ritz-Carlton, Washington DC. Grab cocktails from the lounge at Quadrant Bar & Lounge, where you can listen to live jazz every Saturday, and settle in for a long night.
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Use your one-of-a-kind charm on your date as you walk through historic Georgetown. The beauty of the neighborhood's waterfront, cobblestone sidewalks and grand homes will draw you and that special someone further into this picturesque area.
Watch your love grow like a tree with a trip to the National Arboretum, a 446-acre living museum brimming with gardens, cherry blossom trees, as well as the original columns of the U.S. Capitol building. One of the most romantic ways to see the Arboretum is during a full moon hike.
The atmosphere under the stringed lights in CityCenterDC’s Palmer Alley is something you can only feel when you’re here. Shop for a sharp evening outfit, share a treat from the market at Centrolina, or dine at any of the courtyard-facing restaurants.
Walk, jog or bike with your love through the rustic expanse of 2,100 acres that comprise Rock Creek Park. The historic park also includes attractions such as Peirce Mill and the Old Stone House, as well as a nature center, riding stables, tennis courts, a golf course, picnic areas and playing fields.
The chic VUE Rooftop Lounge and Terrace at Hotel Washington serves as a beacon for cupids, casanovas and the like. Sip some bubbly and pass the hors d’oeuvres while taking in awe-inspiring views of the National Mall and White House.
With its luscious Impressionist masterworks by iconic artists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas, it’s easy to get dreamy while spending the day at the National Gallery of Art.
Take in the sweet sounds of live music with your sweetheart at the 9:30 Club on V Street NW. The music venue has made DC cool since its opening in 1980, catering to national acts.
Sometimes, the most romantic spots are neighborhood fixtures. Plop down on a park bench at Logan Circle before a hot date on always-exciting 14th Street.
If you’re looking for more of a social atmosphere, Dupont Circle is especially woo-worthy (and people-watching friendly).The gorgeous fountain serves as the epicenter of one of DC’s most exciting neighborhoods, with a surrounding plaza that frequently features locals playing chess or lounging on benches.
Visit with your love under the elegant glass canopy in the Kogod Courtyard, situated in between the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery.
Get in sync with your partner as you pedal a Tidal Basin paddleboat and cruise by the Jefferson Memorial.
Back on dry land, the Tidal Basin offers a serene setting for you and yours. You’ll also have direct access to the Jefferson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, Jr. memorials.
Peruse DC’s museums and pick a favorite artwork, like Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party at The Phillips Collection, America’s first museum of modern art.
DC is a waterfront city, so get out on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers and cruise under all of those romantic arches. Book a trip through City Cruises, or for something more intimate, book with Embark, which can hold up to six people.
Drop some knowledge on your honey at the Watergate Steps, which look out over the Potomac River. These steps were first created as a way to welcome foreign dignitaries and heads of state, and now they welcome in-the-know romantics.
Stop by Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park, and marvel at the longest cascading fountain in North America. Also, keep an eye out for the Joan of Arc statue, the only equestrian statue of a woman in the city.
Make a dash for the Spanish Steps, located on 22nd Street in Dupont Circle. This little lovers nook is a prime picnic spot and off-the-radar gem.
Alright, now that you’ve got the most romantic spots sorted out, you’ve laid the groundwork for a great date. For more ideas to woo your boo, check out how to do date night right in Washington, DC.
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