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South Carolina City Tops The List Of Best Date Night Cities

Author Melanie Day

Looking for the perfect date night this Valentine’s Day? Or guys if you REALLY want to do something meaningful I have some advice. Do something outside of Valentine’s. Plan a just-because special date night. I promise you it will go over well and mean more because it wasn’t done due to public pressure and the perception of the holiday. But because YOU wanted to and YOU thought of it. I’d take that over a fancy dinner and flowers on February 14th any day. But I digress. Regardless of when you are planning the perfect date night, let’s talk about the where. And if you’re in South Carolina you may just be in luck. One of our favorite South Carolina cities was just recognized as one of the best date night cities!

I’ll kill the suspense and tell you right now it’s Charleston! (Of course, it’s Charleston!) This data comes from a study by BonusFinder.com. They compared 160 cities across the country to determine the hottest date night spots for 2024.

Metrics Included:

  • Average Price for Meal for Two
  • Average Price for a Bottle of Wine
  • Average Price for Movie Tickets for Two
  • Number of Romantic Restaurants (Per 10,000 People)
  • Number of Cafes, Bakeries and Dessert Shops (Per 10,000 People)
  • Number of Bars and Pubs (Per 10,000 People)
  • Number of Fun Date Night Activities and Games (Per 10,000 People)
  • Number of Couple-Friendly Attractions (Per 10,000 People)
  • Number of Romantic Hotels (Per 10,000 People)
  • Number of Spas (Per 10,000 People)

And Charleston came in number 4 on this list. Right behind another one of my favorite cities Savannah, GA. Charleston scored a 75 and ranked number one for the number of romantic hotels. The gorgeous Southern charm of the historic district of Charleston certainly offers a romantic backdrop for any date night or romantic weekend getaway. And Charleston is known for it’s incredible restaurants as well as bars, the biggest issue is choosing which ones you want to visit! And end your night with a moonlight stroll or a romantic carriage ride.

Date Night Cities

Thanks to our friends at BonusFinder.com for sharing their research with us. You can read more about the study here.

Most Romantic (and Affordable) Date Spots in America

Who says romance has to be expensive? Sure, a fancy, expensive night out is one way to celebrate love and romance. But, it doesn’t have to be about the big dollars. As the saying and song go, “Can’t buy me love.” In that spirit, let’s look into some of the most romantic, and affordable, date spots in America. Sparks can totally fly here. Trust me.

Before we get to those date locations, here are some tips on affordable dates. If it’s a first date and you really have no idea if you two are going to hit it off, you don’t have to do the traditional dinner. Why spend the time and money if the date might not even create a spark? Instead, try meeting for coffee or drinks at the bar. That way, if you two aren’t feeling each other, you won’t have to stick through salad, dinner and dessert. You can have a drink and cut your losses. If you two are feeling a vibe, you can schedule a second date that’s a full dinner, which will allow for more time to get to know each other.

Fast-forward to when you’re further into a relationship. If you’re going out to dinner and to the bar a lot with your new love, that’s great, but it can get costly. There’s nothing wrong with Netflix and chill for a date night. You can still make it special. For example, invite your sweetie over and order their favorite takeout dish. How romantic, right? Oh, and get some gourmet, flavored popcorn, if you know what kind of treats they like. That’s not only romantic but very thoughtful.

Now that we’ve gone through some casual date ideas that won’t break the bank, let’s get into the most romantic, and affordable, date spots in America.

  • MSU Horticulture Gardens in East Lansing, Michigan

    I graduated from Michigan State University, so I’m familiar with our beautiful gardens. In the spring, summer and fall, the MSU Horticulture Gardens are an area of wonder. You can go in the winter, too, but things are much more abloom in the other seasons. It’s a very beautiful and romantic setting, and it’s a perfect romantic date spot. It’s also free to visit. Yes, this is a photo of me at the MSU Gardens. I love it there!

    Anne Erickson at the MSU Gardens in Michigan.

    Anne Erickson

  • Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

    Let’s continue on the theme of gardens being a great date idea with Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. These gardens offer a “mosaicked art environment, gallery, and community arts center of Isaiah Zagar’s art and public murals.” It’s a breathtaking spot and perfect for a date. General admission is currently $15 for adults, but get your tickets early.

    Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

    Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a mosaicked art environment, gallery, and community arts center of Isaiah Zagar's art and public murals.

  • Clearwater and St. Pete in Florida

    Florida is a popular vacation spot, so it has a lot of romantic spots for a date or anniversary celebration. Clearwater and St. Pete offer gorgeous white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and calm waters. You’ll also find the Museum of Fine Arts, the Dalí Museum and the pristine Fort De Soto Park with beaches, hiking trails, kayaking and more.

    Things to Do & Attractions in Clearwater Beach FL

    Clearwater Beach dazzles with impeccable beaches and inviting waters. With its attractions and fine restaurants, Clearwater Beach will have the whole crew smiling.

     

    hey offer visitors miles of white sand beaches along the sparkling Gulf of Mexico as well as vibrant arts and culture.

  • Explore Atlanta's Breweries

    If you’re up for a casual but fun date night, why not try exploring your local breweries? Atlanta has some fantastic ones. Make a night of it. Get dressed up and hit the town with your love. Try a bunch of different breweries with their local brews. This is a low-key but romantic date night that’s also very reasonable. Just don’t drink too much. One famed one to try is Glover Park Brewery.

    Glover Park Brewery

    Located in a 1930s era brick building just steps away from the Marietta Square, our taproom can be found on the terrace level just inside our dog-friendly beer garden. And at street level, you'll find our beautiful private event venue, perfect for celebrating your special occasions.

  • North Carolina Museum of Art

    Going to a museum is a perfect date idea. Located in Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Art and the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park have lots of fantastic art to take in. This museum first opened in 1956 and always has a range of fascinating exhibitions.

    North Carolina Museum of Art

    To Take Shape and MeaningForm and Design in Contemporary American Indian ArtMake a Gift to the NCMASupporting the arts in North Carolina for 100 yearsPerforming Arts and FIlm Coming soon this spring...

  • Las Vegas Art Museum

    Say you’re in Vegas? Break the norm and take your date to the Las Vegas Art Museum. The museum features nearly 8,000 square feet of exhibition space. You’ll find great exhibits for both adults and kids. You can always hit the casinos later.

    Art in Las Vegas

    For nearly 60 years, the Las Vegas Art Museum (LVAM) has remained dedicated to bringing fine art to Las Vegas. And despite several relocations before finding its current home in the Sahara West Library/Fine Art Museum in 1997, Nevada's first fine art museum has certainly succeeded.

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.

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