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Romantic New Jersey Date Night Ideas For 2024

ByKasia Kalemba Hours
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Discovering cool date spots in New Jersey doesn’t have to be difficult! With a great selection of exciting date activities right here in the Garden State, there’s no need to cross over the river to New York for a fun date night. Whether you’re looking for something classing or rather unique, check out my list of New Jersey date ideas for you and your honey. My recommendations will leave your date impressed, and don’t worry, you can take all the credit 🙂

And with Valentines’ Day 2024 right around the corner, feel free to get some ideas for your special date!

Let’s get to some cool date ideas in New Jersey!

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Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post 🙂

Why not stick with the classic? A table for two please!

Some cliches are cliches for a reason. It’s a nice thing to impress someone with a top-notch restaurant, especially in a state with such a diverse culinary scene. And if you have a bad meal in NJ, that’s honestly on you! Also don’t forget that reservations are almost always a must nowadays so make sure to plan ahead, especially for the spots I mention.

The Spots With The Best Views

There is nothing more romantic for a date than a dinner with a good view! Especially if that view is the impressive NYC skyline! Below are some of my favorite places located in North Jersey.

The Chart House is a classic spot in North Jersey and one of my favorites for a reason. The seafood/steak menu and creative drinks will for sure impress your date. Located in Weehawken, you’re dining in a prime spot with some of the best NYC views out of all the spots. When making a resy, you can’t request a window seat, but upon arrival, they’ll offer you the option to wait for it. I suggest enjoying a drink at the bar while waiting, totally worth it!

Across the street from Chart House, you’ll find the new Blu on the Hudson. It is absolutely a hit in this area and I’d highly recommend a little splurge to experience it!

Molos is another spot I love. It’s a Mediterranean spot with some delicious dishes. During the warmer months, they have an outdoor patio on the water.

Right up the road, you’ll also find Son Cubano. The food is really great and so is the vibe.

Haven is another similar spot on the water, a tad more modern and a little smaller in size. It’s located in Edgewater. I hosted a birthday party there and attended a wedding as well. The views are amazing and you can enjoy them from inside or even outside too.

In Jersey City, you will find the newer Battello or a local classic, the Liberty House. Located inside Liberty State Park, this upscale venue is amazing for a date night. In the summer they offer outdoor seating on the lawn where you can enjoy the views as you’re sipping on a martini.

For a less formal dining experience yet still a top-notch one, check out Hudson & Co or Lokal in Jersey City which has outdoor seating with amazing waterfront views. It’s been my go-to lately as the weather gets warmer.

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Photo Credit: Chart House
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Photo Credit: Blu on the Hudson

Other Unique Spots:

Rails is a North Jersey staple. It opened a couple of years ago and became one of the best restaurants around. Their steaks are amazing just like everything else on the menus. Prepare to drop some $$ as prices can be a little steep. They have multiple seating areas: a heated one outside, the main dining room as well a little speakeasy downstairs. This place is a favorite of the Real Housewives for a reason.

Orchard Park in East Brunswick by the famous David Burke is a new guy in town and it’s quickly gaining a reputation. The restaurant has serious European vibes and is absolutely stunning. Local’s tip: if the dinner price is a little steep, snatch a brunch spot. You won’t miss out on the quality and this place is stunning during the day!

Elia in East Rutherford is a Mediterranean dream. Snatch some outdoor reservations for an amazing outdoor setup. Whether you’re looking for a boujee brunch or a fancy dinner, I doubt you’ll be disappointed there.

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Photo Credit: Rails
New Jersey
Photo Credit: Rails
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Photo Credit: Elia
Orchard Park restaurant David Burke dining area New Jersey
Photo Credit: Orchard House

Unique Food Experiences:

If you’d like to stand out yet still do something food-related, check out something more unique like a tour from Beyond the Plate Tours. New Jersey wineries always host special events paired with cool tasting. For more winery or drinking-related ideas, make sure to check out the New Jersey Drinking Guide.

Although this is an NJ guide I will mention two food tours that I attended in NYC. Both were great and if you do want to cross the river, I’d suggest Ahoy Food Tours or Ultimate Food Tours for your top picks!

Speaking of a New Jersey Food Staple…

If there is one food that New Jersey should be praised for, it should be pizza. Because if you ever traveled anywhere else, you’ll know why. Unless you’re heading to Italy this summer, New Jersey or New York pizza comes close in terms of quality.

For a cool and unique date idea in New Jersey, I recommend taking your sweetie on an awesome pizza tour. Use OneBite App to locate the best and most highly rated places in your area and make a date night out of it. Who says you can’t have two pies in one night?

Some of my favorite pizza picks include the following (note that most are low-key kinda spots)

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Friday night is certainly Pizza Date Night!

How About A Movie or A Show Date

iPIC Movie Theater Night

This isn’t your typical everyday movie theater, iPIC is a whole experience within itself. It’s located in Fort Lee and tickets alone will cost you $20+. However, you’ll get a much more intimate experience compared to a regular movie theater with a private bay of two lounge chairs.

Although there is a self-serve bar, you should splurge on the full experience where you’ll be served drinks and food to your seat. The whole experience ends up being a little pricey so I recommend it for special occasions. This is one of my classic date ideas in New Jersey and it honestly never fails.

Fort Lee is a cool area in the evening too because you have an awesome view of the George Washington Bridge and NYC. There are many awesome dining options if you choose not to have a full dinner at the movie. After the movie, you can take your sweetie to see some amazing waterfront views of NYC while driving down River Road toward Weehawken.

I do have to say that as of 2023, their movie selection hasn’t been the greatest. I used to be their biggest fan but unless they come back with something better in the year, I will be taking them off this list.

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iPic is a great spot for a date night! Don’t forget to check out spots in Fort Lee while you’re there too!

Or Better Yet, Rent the Movie Theater!

This may be a little extra, but if you really want to make an impression on someone, why not rent the entire place for yourselves? AMC is offering private theater rental starting at just $100. I think this is such a cool idea and trust me, whoever you’re trying to impress will not forget this kind of experience. Tip: when you’re renting out space to yourself, make sure the movie theater is modern and has reclining seats.

Outdoor Movie

Now if you want a truly classic date night, don’t forget about drive-in theatre. Although hard to come by, they still exist. South Jersey has Delsea and North Jersey (well technically NY but super close to the border 🙂 ) has Warwick. While this activity was the go-to date night many years ago, today it’s certainly a way to impress your date with this “vintage” idea.

Laugh at a Comedy Show

There is nothing more awkward than getting picked on at a comedy show but hey, it can be an unforgettable experience. So why not make a special reservation for date night and enjoy a night full of laughter?

My favorite Comedy spot in the area is Stress Factory in New Brunswick, they have an awesome set-up and always bring big names into town. There are others with great reviews like Bananas in Hasbrouck Heights or Uncle Vinnie’s in Point Pleasant. Another new find is the Jersey City Laugh Tour at Dorrian’s. You can find some great talent there!

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Stress Factory has yet to fail me in terms of the quality of its shows!

How About An Activity For Your Date Night?

Spa Relaxation

What’s better than booking a nice relaxing day at a spa? SoJo is a known one in the area offering prime NYC views and the luxuries you’re looking for. Island Spa in Edison is one of my favorites as well. It’s a Korean spa so don’t be shocked when you enter the single-sex room and don’t see any clothes. Depasquale is pricey but offers couples retreats. There is a ton of local options for good massages that don’t have to break the bank. Google your local spots, find something that fits your budget and it’s a guaranteed win.

Check out my full SoJo Spa Review in this post!

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SoJo views
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Spa Getaway

Jersey has some great spots to splurge and experience true luxury in. Crystal Springs in North Jersey is surrounded by mountain scenery but it also has one of the best spas in the area.

Ocean Resort in Long Branch has some sweet off-season deals and also a spa onsite. Ocean Casino in AC offers the best views and a more upscale taste of Atlantic City compared to its neighbors.

Learn a New Dance Together

I love this idea because this is the ultimate icebreaker. Whether it’s your 2nd or 200th date together, if you’ve never taken a dance class, this is your sign to do so. Not only is it super fun but, it is also useful. What kind of dance should you try? Well, as a former ballroom dancer, I would recommend starting with something fun like cha-cha, salsa, or samba. For more advanced folks here, a more slow and serious waltz or tango won’t fail ya.

Get Competitive

Competing against each other can be a ton of fun! If you want something unique why not try Activate Games at the American Dream Mall. It could be a super cool activity for a date night in New Jersey. A more old-school spot is Barcade in Jersey City but it’s a guaranteed fun time.

Another fun spot is RPM Raceway which is located in Jersey City and in Edison.

Jet Ski on the Hudson

Now, if you really want a unique experience, why not book a jetski on the Hudson? You’ll see views like the Statue of Liberty, New York City, and amazing bridges. Yes, prices are a little steep for this activity, but I think it’s safe to say that this date won’t be forgotten.

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Get Creative At a Wine and Paint Date

In my New Jersey drinking guide, I describe this experience as one of my favorite things to do for a chill de-stressing activity. I frequently go with my friends to sip on some wine and let out my creative outlet. This is also a great idea for a date night in New Jersey. Two known chains are Pinot’s Pallette and ArteVino. Don’t forget that it’s a BYOB and don’t forget your snacks either.

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Unique Organized Tours

If you really want to stand out for your New Jersey date night activity, consider the following tours:

Dueling Pianos

Do you know what’s my idea of a really fun date? Eating BBQ, drinking cold beers, and singing along to some classics while two pianists duel songs. Yes, this is a real activity and yes, it does not disappoint. To date, I have been to a dueling pianos night 3 times, and not one has disappointed me. Book a table for two, prepare a song you want to impress your date with and take a shot for some liquor courage singing. I promise it will be one of those nights you’ll remember for a while!

The spot for this is House of Que in Hoboken. They have weekly Saturday night Dueling Piano events.

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Staycation in New Jersey

If you want to extend your date night into the weekend, why not plan for a super fun staycation? What’s better than a getaway that’s not too far away from home but still makes you feel like you’re on a trip?! My picks below include hotels with great reviews, versatile amenities and are located in prime spot areas.

  • Asbury Ocean Club – Located in Asbury Park, Ocean Club offers nice dining options, an onsite spa and a great surrounding area to explore during the day.
  • W Hoboken – A Hoboken waterfront beauty and the perfect spot to explore the neighborhood.
  • Wave Resort – Wave in Long Branch offers stunning rooms, numerous dining options, and an on-site spa! Not to mention it’s not far from the beach.
  • Envue – A really cool spot in Weehawken, offering prime NYC views right from your room. It’s also right next to the ferry and light rail giving you the prime commuting spot to the city.
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Photo Credit: Envue
wave resort New Jersey
Photo Credit: Wave Resort

Seasonal Fun Date Ideas

Colder Times

Once it gets a little colder out but sitting still isn’t your idea of fun, try Ice Skating, a very fun thing to do on a date! American Dream has The Rink, Bergen County has the Winter Wonderland with Bumper Cars and Ice Skating, Jersey City has Newport Skates, or the Igloo in Mount Laurel. Want more outdoor adventure? Stay at Mountain Creek Resort for a day full of snow activities.

If you’re specifically looking for colder weather ideas, I have awesome two guides for New Jersey Fall activities as well as winter ones!

Warmer Times

Don’t forget that Roller Skating is still around and is an awesome way to do something unique together. For a full list of fun summer activities that can certainly be ideas for cute dates, check out my New Jersey Summer Activities guide!

Final Thoughts

People are craving local activities more and more as travel becomes pretty expensive, especially with all the skyrocketing prices in 2024. Making reservations or booking local getaways has become quite popular so don’t be surprised when a lack of preparation will leave you disappointed. My tip for you is that if you have something important coming up, you book it far in advance!

I hope you enjoyed my suggestions for the best date night! If you have cool spots you’d like to recommend to PDS readers, don’t forget to comment below!

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Kasia is a travel blogger that loves to share her detailed itineraries and travel tips with her community. She's traveled to numerous countries and makes it a priority to explore her home state of New Jersey while still being passionate about her 9-5 career.

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