Finding the right partner might take some trial and error, but planning the perfect date isn’t difficult in a city like Greensboro. Whether you’re looking for a romantic, artsy, or active vibe, we’ve got your guide to planning a sweet date at any price point.
For Foodies
$: Cheesecakes by Alex
For a first or second date, there’s no better “getting to know you” atmosphere than Cheesecakes by Alex. Grab a coffee and dessert at their Elm Street location and then compare tastes in books down the street at Scuppernong. Not crazy about cheesecake? Alex’s has a varied selection of cookies and confections in addition to the many cheesecake flavors they offer.
$$: Sticks and Stones
Pizza might be a perennial collegiate favorite but Sticks and Stones isn’t your typical pizza joint. Venture west of campus down Walker Avenue and find woodfired gourmet pizza at “The Corner,” a popular intersection of bars and restaurants. Choose a classic Margherita pizza, sopressata (that’s salami for Stick’s patrons), or go for one of their signature pies with toppings like walnut pesto and chicken, local sausage and ricotta, or fried eggplant and mushrooms. This is one funky pizza joint.
$$$: MACHETE
Real foodies looking for a culinary experience will find exactly what they’re looking for at MACHETE, owned by UNCG alumnus Tal Blevins ‘95. MACHETE creations take classic ingredients, combine them with unexpected flavors, and turn out delicious art on a plate. The atmosphere is casual, but the experience is anything but. If you’re looking to impress a date or wow family or friends for a special occasion, Machete is the award-winning, high-end palate pleaser in Greensboro.
For Gamers
$: Game On
Sometimes the greatest dates start with the simplest asks: “Hey, let’s grab dinner and play some video games!” This plan is easier to execute once the Esports Arena at Moran Commons re-opens in mid-August. In the meantime, Lost Ark on Spring Garden charges only $10 for gaming Sunday – Friday. (Saturday’s admission is $15.)
$$: Boxcar Arcade + Bar
Retro gamers will love Boxcar on Lewis Street off South Elm. It’s part bar and part arcade with over 4,000 square feet of games like Guitar Hero, Ms. Pac-Man and Skee-Ball. At Boxcar, you and your date can load up on tokens for classic arcade games, grab a drink, and order pizza on the patio. Check the website for tournaments, live music, and other events. Admission is free, but you must be 21 to enter.
$$$: Bourbon Bowl
Around the corner from Boxcar, Bourbon Bowl is a restaurant and bowling alley that’s a true crowd pleaser. Under 21? No problem, since all ages are welcome before 9:00 P.M. The lunch and dinner menus are reasonably priced with seating in or outside on their Elm Street patio. Or you can book one of their six full-sized bowling lanes and order dinner while you play. Lanes are priced at $30-45 (depending on the day and time) and include up to four bowlers, so this is a more economical option if you’re planning a double date.
For Art and Music Lovers
$: Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park (MUSEP)
If you’re looking for a laid-back date, you can’t go wrong with a Sunday evening concert in the park. For years, the city of Greensboro has been sponsoring the free MUSEP concerts at local parks each summer. Attendees need only a chair or blanket to enjoy an evening with someone special. Pack a picnic or purchase dinner from food trucks on site. On Sunday, July 28, nearby Lindley Park will host a salsa concert; soul and beach music bands will be on stage at Hester Park on August 11; and the series wraps with reggae music at Keeley Park in McLeansville on August 25.
$$: Orchestra by Candlelight
A new concert series held in the Greensboro Cultural Center’s Van Dyke Performance Space has been wowing locals this summer. Candlelight Concerts feature popular music performed by orchestra players surrounded by candles. It offers a date night that will stir the senses in the most artful and romantic ways. Catch tributes to Vivaldi, Adele and Beyonce coming in August and September. Tickets start at $29.
$$$: Tanger Center Shows
The premier theater in town for concerts and shows is downtown Greensboro’s Tanger Center. Check out its events list for musicals and plays like Mama Mia, tribute shows featuring the music of Elton John, Queen or Wynton Marsalis, and concerts from Idina Menzel or Travis Tritt. Ticket prices vary, but don’t be surprised to find a great deal at the last minute by checking in at the box office. And keep in mind that the Downtown Hopper Trolley runs up and down Elm Street connecting the theater with preshow dinner or post show dessert options. No matter what you see, a Tanger show will be a date to remember.
For Outdoor Enthusiasts
$: Piney Lake
A trip to the beach may be too much of a commitment, but an afternoon at Piney Lake could be the perfect date for those who love to soak in the rays of summer. Piney Lake is open and free for UNCG students and their guests on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Land activities like bocce, volleyball, and cornhole overlook the lake where paddleboards, water trampolines, and paddle boats set the stage for a fun summer day. Bring a picnic and stay all afternoon!
$$: Hanging Rock
A little extra gas money will get you an active date in the foothills of North Carolina. Invite your partner on a hike up to a beautiful rocky perch followed by a dip in the lake at Hanging Rock State Park. Just an hour northwest of campus lies beautiful hiking trails, canoe and paddleboard rentals, and a lake for swimming and fishing. Hanging Rock State Park offers free activities except for swimming and boat rentals, so your dollar stretches if you decide to plan a date to Hanging Rock.
$$$: Wet ‘n Wild
Finally, if your summer fun falls more towards thrill seeking than communing with nature, you should grab a date and cool off at Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Point. Until Labor Day Weekend, there’s still time to spend the day water sliding and wave pooling and lazy river-ing with your favorite person. Admission isn’t cheap, but it’s not a bad way to stay cool during the dog days of summer and the park is only a15-minute drive from campus.
From budget-friendly to splurge-worthy, Greensboro has a date plan for everybody’s vibe. Try one this weekend!
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications, unless otherwise stated.
Videography by Grant Gilliard, University Communications.
