The Best Place For Date Night Is Here In The Tampa Bay Area

A list of the best place for date night has come out and the #1 overall city is right here in the Tampa Bay area. BonusFinder did a survey of the top 10 best date night cities in the United States. Secondly, they compared 160 cities from the average price of a meal for two to the number of romantic restaurants. Finally they looked at fun date night activities and couple friendly attractions and romantic hotels and spas. The #1 overall city is Sarasota. It has the highest number of romantic restaurants in the United States. Additionally, it has the highest number of spas and couple friendly attractions. Finally, it comes in third for the number of bars and date night activities.

Here is what the survey says about Sarasota, “Nestled along the picturesque Gulf Coast, Sarasota sets the stage for a captivating romantic retreat with its coastal beauty and charming cultural attractions. With over 250 days of sunshine, the city provides an ideal backdrop for outdoor activities.
Whether strolling through the magical Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, embarking on a scenic cruise along Sarasota Bay to admire marine life, or simply enjoying the beautiful sunsets, Sarasota offers couples a blend of outdoor adventures and cultural indulgences, making it a delightful destination for a sun-soaked, romantic getaway.”

Sarasota isn’t the only Florida city in the top 10 as Orlando comes in #6 on the list and Fort Lauderdale comes in at #8.

Honestly, I am surprised that Sarasota is the #1 overall city for date nights. Although when you really think about it, there is tons of stuff to do down there so maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is.

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.

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!

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.

https://www.phillymagicgardens.org/

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.

https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central-west/clearwater-beach/

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

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.

https://www.gloverparkbrewery.com/

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.

https://ncartmuseum.org/

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.

http://www.lasvegasartmuseum.org/