Things to Do

6 Ideas for Outdoor Dates in Northern Virginia this Spring

Now that the weather is warmer and the sun is shining, transitioning date night (or day) to the outdoors is always a good idea.

By Kate Oczypok April 17, 2025 at 8:47 am

With weather this nice, it would be a shame to stay inside all day. For your next date, venture outside to enjoy the sunshine at these NoVA gardens, parks, and outdoor eateries.

Check Out the Bull Run Wine Festival 2025

May 31–June 1, 12–5 p.m.

Wine lovers will enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting from the state’s leading vineyards. There will also be live music, food, and the opportunity to shop for goods from local artisans. Continue the date into the evening and purchase your favorite wine by the bottle or case to take home. 15950 Route 29, Centreville

Stroll Through River Farm

Take in some fresh air at the 27-acre property of both formal and naturalistic gardens. Stroll through the Garden Calm, which features an Osage orange tree that is over 200 years old. Other features include the White House gates, which were installed at the White House in 1819 after the War of 1812. They stood for over 120 years before being removed in a renovation. River Farm is perfect for a Saturday morning date — through November, it’s open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7931 E. Boulevard Dr., Alexandria

Hike at Seneca Regional Park

Enjoy a romantic hike through this park, located along the Potomac River at the Fairfax and Loudoun County line. Make your way to the river for some great views (and a picnic, perhaps?). You may even spot equestrians letting their horses splash around a bit. 101 Seneca Rd., Great Falls

Bike the Mount Vernon Trail

The Mount Vernon Trail is 18 miles long and perfect for beginners, making it an easy outdoor date option. There are spectacular views from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument, and plenty of opportunities to stop for a bite to eat in Old Town. Rosslyn to Mt. Vernon

Have Dinner on the Patio at Trummer’s

Trummer’s, located in Clifton, is a romantic, small-town spot perfect for outdoor dining. The restaurant, which serves seafood, pasta, and other New American fare, has both a covered back patio and front porch seating for bar and lounge guests. 7134 Main St., Clifton

Go Mini Golfing at Perch Putt

Sure, mini golf is a typical warm-weather date idea, but Perch Putt is anything but typical. Located 11 stories up at The Perch at Capital One Center, the 18-hole mini golf course has gorgeous views of Tysons and beyond. It also has fun features like food trucks in retro buses and the Rhum Roost tiki bar. 1805 Capital One Dr., 11^th Floor, Tysons

Feature image, stock.adobe.com

Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.