This list of date night ideas has been brewing for a while. We’ve spent countless nights out in the town of Rock Hill, seeking and experiencing unique, romantic, and adventurous outings for couples. Whether it’s your first date, a cozy candle-lit anniversary, or you’re just looking for a night on the town with your partner, here’s a list of our favorites.
Date Night Ideas in Rock Hill, SC
You’re bound to find a few ideas from this list to add to your date night bucket list in Rock Hill — maybe you’ll even get inspired to shake things up and try them all.
Play Cornhole At The American Cornhole League Headquarters
Location: 300 Technology Center Way Suite 205, Rock Hill, SC 29730
I thoroughly enjoy a friendly competition and especially revel in any opportunity to show off my precision skills to my date. If this sounds like your speed, you’ll definitely want to head over to the American Cornhole League Headquarters (ACL HQ). The large space is court-like but with arcade and bar vibes, and it’s the perfect casual spot for couples seeking a unique and active date night. You can choose to join a tournament and meet new people or stick to your own one-on-one battle. Either way, be sure to call and reserve your spot ahead of time!
Axe Throwing At Craft Axe Throwing
Location: 274 Columbia Ave, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Although I didn’t expect this, we were totally hooked once we tried axe throwing! With nonstop laughs, by the end of our time my girlfriend was hitting the bull’s-eye every time while I was still barely making the board. We both highly recommend Craft Axe Throwing if you’re interested in trying something new or want to add an exciting evening with a wee edge to your date night. Craft Axe Throwing invites you to unleash in a lively yet intimate atmosphere.
Have A Picnic At Glencairn Gardens
Location: 725 Crest Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Keeping it simple is sometimes the best bet, and I think there’s nothing more romantic than a picnic in the great outdoors. Pack a picnic basket and head to Glencairn Gardens (or any of our amazing parks) to share a meal outdoors with your date for a romantic afternoon or evening. My favorite spot to picnic is right on the grass near the waterfall and pond area. Overall, this picturesque garden boasts azaleas, dogwoods, and serene ponds, creating the perfect backdrop for a cozy date night. Plus, the free admission and parking make it easy for couples to hang around and stroll through the 11-acre gardens.
Go Green At The Plant Workshop At GreenSpace
Location: 151 E. Main Street, Rock Hill, SC
I signed my date and myself up for what I think is a super unique activity — a plant workshop at GreenSpace in downtown Rock Hill. We had fun and learned something at the same time. GreenSpace also hosts events like “Plants and Poses” yoga and “Date Night: Paint Your Partner.” I love that I got to get my hands dirty while taking home a cool plant and giving my girlfriend a birthday date to remember. Our friends also rave about these workshops, and classes are ideal for fun, artistic, and creative dates.
Enjoy Wine And Feline Friends At Cat’s Paw Winery
Location: 1567 Fayrene Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732
If you’re in the mood for a truly unique and intimate date night, head over to a wine-tasting date at Cat’s Paw Winery. It’s a relaxing atmosphere where you can cozy up and order a flight of wine to try a bunch of different varieties or try a wine slushie. And then there are cats! We found their staff friendly and attentive, and they’ve got some wines you won’t find elsewhere, like Blood Orange and Raspberry Merlot. Check for current hours first, then plan on a memorable date night.
Get Caffeinated And Cozy On A Coffee Date
Another favorite date of ours is to spend a weekend morning at a cozy coffee shop. Rock Hill has a huge variety of coffee spots and artisanal roasters, including Jackass Café At The Mercantile, Rock Hill Coffee Roasters, and Knowledge Perk Coffee.
Get Crafty At The Mercantile
Location: 153 E White St. Rock Hill, SC 29730
Dive into DIY date night fun at The Mercantile for a variety of hands-on experiences. My girlfriend is quite the crafting queen, and it’s fun to learn a new craft or skill together, even if I’m terrible at it. Some of the experiences they offer include creating your own candle, designing bracelets, or showcasing your creativity at the bead, soap, flower, or hat bar.
For a more relaxed vibe visit Jackass Cafe and Wine Bar which is nestled in The Mercantile HQ. After your crafty date, you can savor specialty coffee, tea, breakfast, lunch, and sweet treats in this historic Coca-Cola bottling building.
Book Date At Corks, Cooks, & Books
Location: 295 Herlong Ave., Suite 401, Rock Hill, SC, 29732
Date night at Corks, Cooks, & Books is the perfect literature-meets-culinary-delights experience. I love that it’s a wine bar, restaurant, and bookstore combined, which allows for plenty of romantic experiences in one place. Explore the intimate ambiance, enjoy live entertainment, and discover hidden gems on their “secret menu.”
Arcade Games At Player 1 Up
Location: 140 East Main St., Rock Hill, SC 29730
If you’re into games, level up your date night experience at Player 1 Up, Rock Hill’s exclusive arcade bar! This place is a true haven of pinball and other classic arcade games, complete with a full bar and kitchen for the ultimate evening of fun. We had a great time battling in Pacman while sharing slices of pizza — it’s casual and just plain fun.
Date Night Fun At Food Truck Friday
Friday dates are the best — after work, it’s finally the weekend and time to relax. Lucky for us, every third Friday from May to September, Fountain Park transforms into a food lover’s paradise with Food Truck Friday offering a wide selection of culinary delights from the city’s best food trucks. When May hits, we try to plan a date for when the trucks are out, and we’ve even managed to make it a monthly date outing. There’s such a variety of dishes, local beers, and even live music, you’ll have to go experience this yourself to fully appreciate it.
Toast To Love At Hoppin’
Location: 110 Southern Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Cheers to a romantic rendezvous at Hoppin’; it’s kind of the quintessential destination for unforgettable date nights. I always recommend this place as a first date spot because it hits all the boxes. It’s new and has a rooftop charm, along with delectable drinks and lively live music. Hoppin’ hosts the innovative self-pour concept for beer, wine, and cocktails, which encourages you and your partner to go on a unique tasting journey together and definitely sets the stage for a fun date night with good vibes.
Artistic Stroll Through Mural Mile
Location: 130 W White St, Rock Hill, SC 29730
This date night activity is perfect for art lovers or anyone curious, really. It involves a leisurely walk in downtown Rock Hill, offering romance, art, and immersive creativity all in one along the Mural Mile. It’s a cornerstone of the Rock Hill community, and an evening stroll showcases the local murals adorning buildings within a one-mile radius. You’ll discover the fascinating process behind mural creation, offering insight into both artist-led and community-led models.
Sunset Romance At 354 Skybar
Location: 354 Technology Center Way, Rock Hill, SC, 29730
True to its name, the Skybar is open to the sky on the top of the Cambria Hotel in Rock Hill. I find it’s a great place for a special occasion or any time you want to celebrate your date, watch the sunset, or admire the stars. We loved the fun cocktails and panoramic rooftop of the 354 Skybar and the food was great. Plus, this place ups the romantic ambiance with an outdoor fire.
Solve The Mystery At Escape Eight
Location: 2301 Dave Lyle Blvd, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Putting our heads together and teaming up to solve this mystery and puzzle proved to be a highly entertaining date night! Head to Escape Eight, where you’ll put your problem-solving skills to the test. We’ve gone a couple of times, with just the two of us, and on a double date; it was really fun both times. The 60-minute deadline adds suspense, adrenaline, and excitement to this unique experience.
Laser Tag At Stars And Strikes
Location: 2225 Dave Lyle Blvd, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Highly active and kind of outrageous while being super fun, we actually went to this place for our anniversary date night. We were looking to do something out of the ordinary, and this definitely filled that role. Adrenaline-pumping, competition-inducing, and often hilarious, we had a great time with laser tag at Stars and Strikes in Rock Hill. The prices are unbeatable, and innovative features like food delivery by robot add an extra layer of fun to your evening. Perfect for a fun first date or an active date any time, Stars and Strikes will not disappoint.
Romantic Dining Escapades
My girlfriend’s a total foodie, so dinner dates are always on the table for us. Here are some of our faves that we frequent in Rock Hill:
Kounter: Let Chef Rob Masone, a Rock Hill native (and culinary genius), set the perfect ambiance for a memorable evening together featuring American cuisine.
The Pump House: When we crave Southern charm, we head to this riverside restaurant. It has panoramic views of the Catawba River and is one of the nicer restaurants in Rock Hill. Its casual, elegant vibe is great for a special occasion or anniversary date night.
Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails: This is the place for a sophisticated twist on classic burger and fries. We love eating at this neighborhood gem, where the crafted food and drinks feel like home. Old Town’s sister restaurant is the Good Year House in Charlotte.
The Old Town also offers mixology classes if you’re in the mood to learn how to craft some cocktails for your date night.
Ice Cream Date Night
Ninety’s Dessert Bar: This quaint dessert bar offers date night indulgence with premium ice cream flavors like Cotton Candy (my favorite) and Strawberry Cheesecake. It is also conveniently located near Winthrop University.
Two Scoops Creamery: When I tried veganism for a few months, we would indulge in their vegan ice creams and pair it with a cold beer. They definitely have plenty of non-vegan options, coffee, beer, and wine too, and the creamery is also connected to CM Marketplace.
Day and Night Cereal Bar: This place is great when you’re craving something super sweet to wrap up your date night. It’s full of cereal-themed ice cream flavors.
Grab A Beer At A Local Brewery
One of my all-time favorite date nights? Hitting up local breweries. Their cozy yet lively atmosphere is the perfect vibe for an everyday type of date, and Rock Hill has plenty of great breweries for a weekday or weekend unwind. Our top go-to breweries are Amor Artis and Lore Brewing, but honestly all breweries in Rock Hill are top tier.
Play A Game At Friendly Billiards
Location: 1037 Camden Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29732
Take your game night to Friendly Billiards to challenge your date to pool or arcade games and a fun-filled evening of laughter and competition. I think game-based date nights are a perfect break-the-ice vibe or double date option. Plus, it’s a free event, with options to purchase packaged games if you discover a new favorite. Boardwalk Billiards is hosted every third Wednesday, so check out their website for more info.
Sunset Kayaking In Lake Wylie
Location: 310 Blucher Circle, Lake Wylie, SC 29710
Adventure and romance? YES. A breezy summer evening is the best time to experience the glowing magic of sunset kayaking on Lake Wylie with your date. Through Destination Watersports Carolinas, you can rent your kayak of choice and glide along the tranquil waters as the sun sets, creating a breathtaking backdrop for your romantic adventure. In my experience, this place leaves you (and hopefully your date) with an unforgettable experience.
Outdoor Movie Night At Fountain Park
Location: 300 East Main St., Rock Hill, SC 29730
Outdoor movies are nostalgia and summer wrapped in one. I’m an old movie fan, and one of my favorite summertime date nights is grabbing lawn chairs and popcorn and heading over to Old Town to spend an open-air evening watching a classic movie at Fountain Park’s Outdoor Movie Night. If you’re not into oldies, they also have plenty of modern favorites, and the films are shown every second Friday from June to October.
Date Ideas Near Rock Hill
- Sunflower Fields (Bartonville): True, we do take a ton of Insta couple pics here, but if you can keep on moving, the fields are just incredibly gorgeous to walk through. The Draper Wildlife Management Sunflower Fields in York County, adjacent to Historic Bartonville, bloom with vibrant sunflowers every July, perfect for romantic strolls. Access is free, but they ask that you please respect the wildlife and refrain from picking flowers.
- Gateway Canteen: Sometimes, when we’re keen on a romantic brunch and a picturesque day date along the water and trees, we head to the Gateway Canteen for great food and craft beers.
- Carowinds: If you’re good with rollercoasters, Carowinds make for the most thrilling and fun date. There are countless opportunities to laugh and scream with your date as Carowinds boasts over 60 rollercoasters, live entertainment, and classic Carolina cuisine.
- Piedmont Social House: My fave! A classic and lively place with good food, drinks, and company (hopefully your date). They even have bowling to complete the night-out trifecta.
- Kings Mountain Trails: A great option if you’re looking for an active date adventure, we never get tired of these trails! Plus, there’s so much to explore, with 6,883 acres of natural beauty with hiking trails, picnicking, and historical sites for a full-on outdoor date.
- Breweries Outside Rock Hill: If you want to keep exploring and mixing up your craft brewery date scene, check out the options at Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and Indian Lands.
- Epic Chophouse: This steakhouse is an easy 15-minute drive from Rock Hill and offers a memorable and delicious upscale dining experience. Located in Fort Mill, it just might be the white tablecloth date night you’re looking for.
Weekend Getaway Date Ideas From Rock Hill, SC
- Asheville and the Biltmore: I recommend planning a romantic weekend getaway to Ashville to experience the opulence of Biltmore Estate. You might like to picnic in front of the statue of Diana, and afterward have a wander through the lush gardens (all while soaking in historic charm).
- Historical Charleston: Shameless Bridgerton fan here! My idea of a romantic, fantastical Bridgerton-like getaway involves strolling the cobblestone streets, exploring historic sites, and enjoying carriage rides and preserved plantations over a weekend in Charleston.
- Hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway: Nothing says romance like taking in breathtaking mountain vistas on scenic trails. Escape for a hike to see the Parkway’s natural beauty.
- Virginian Creeper Bike Trail: Especially in the fall, this one is the perfect active date weekend. Enjoy side-by-side serene biking through the forests and quaint towns along the trail.
- Golfing at Pinehurst: Tee off with your date for a casual golf weekend. Pinehurst is the perfect escape, known for its pristine fairways and super relaxed vibes.
There’s no shortage of romantic and exciting date night options in Rock Hill to share with the person you want to hit the town with, so get out and enjoy!
