Winter Date Ideas to Warm Things Up in Alexandria

Lock eyes across a crackling fire (and over seasonal gnocchi) at Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap in Del Ray. Nearby, head to Evening Star Café for firepits and a bottle of Brut. Find waterfront views, shareable tapas and sweet sangria at BARCA Pier, or scrumptious street food from across Thailand at Thai Signature.

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Head to the romance aisle: Once you’re sufficiently warmed up, share your favorite reads and flip through the titles at Old Town Books or Harambee Books & Artworks.

Choose your own sweets-filled adventure along King Street, starting at Casa Rosada for creamy handcrafted Argentinian gelato and sorbet in flavors like dulce de leche and stracciatella. Then, choose from options like rosewater and raspberry vanilla at picturesque Alexandria Cupcake or opt for Turkish delight and baklava from Turkish Coffee Lady.

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Boutiques between bites: Clear your palate between samples by exploring the King Street mile, featuring the largest collection of independent boutiques in the D.C. region, for curated selections of women’s fashion, stationery stores, home goods and more.

Head to Alexandria’s inviting and artsy Del Ray neighborhood and get to know one another over a warm drink and pastries at St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub. Take your drinks for a stroll spotting the murals dotting walkable Mount Vernon Avenue.

Elevate the evening: If all goes well, enjoy a French feast at Del Ray Café or fusion flavors like spicy tuna tostadas and bulgogi tacos at Kaizen Tavern. To keep it casual, savor deep-dish Detroit slices from Piece Out.

Stay toasty and safe with a private outdoor dining experience. Feel like you’re in your own world when you and your date dine in a heated igloo at King & Rye, The Garden or Delia’s Mediterranean Grill & Brick Oven Pizza. Or, let Picnic & Peonies set up a stunning luxury tablescape indoors or outdoors, with the option for seafood specialties catered by Hummingbird.

While you’re dressed up: While you and your significant other are all spiffed up for date night, take a pre-dinner photo session at one (or more) of Old Town’s top Instagram spots.

See art in action, and pick out unique pieces to take home, at dozens of studios at Torpedo Factory Art Center. Check out the current exhibit on display at The Athenaeum, then browse international artwork from Kyo Gallery and contemporary works at King’s Street’s Galactic Panther Art Gallery. Find al fresco murals and more along our Old Town Art Photo Walk.

Get creative together: Roll up your sleeves with classes at AR Workshop and Shop Made in VA. Plus, keep in mind that Wear Ever Jewelry regularly offers couples ring-making classes…

Culinary-inclined couples should make a reservation at Indochen’s King Street or Cameron Station locations for warming Indian-Chinese Flavors. You can also opt for the elevated options at Kismet Modern Indian or Vermilion. No matter where you dine, bundle up and link arms as you linger along red brick sidewalks under a canopy of twinkling lights.

Close the night with craft cocktails: Grab a nightcap at The Study, a literary-themed lounge where you can cozy up and enjoy live piano music on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Now through the end of February 2022, glide (or stumble) across the ice at Cameron Run Regional Park in Alexandria’s Eisenhower corridor. Whether you’re Olympic-level figure skaters or haven’t stepped on the ice since second grade, don’t let go of one another (or the wall), and you’ll be just fine.

Recuperate at Northern Virginia’s first urban cidery: Warm back up and rest your muscles at Lost Boy Cider in Carlyle, where you can share a flight featuring Virginia apples in everything from IPA-inspired Hazy Hopped to hot pepper-infused En Fuego, or take cans back to savor at home.

Step back in time—and into Professor Snape’s potions class—at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. Dream up a love potion as you see ingredients dating back to the 1700s, including dragon’s blood, mandrake root, lavender, castor oil and valerian, and learn about their real-life medicinal uses and origins.

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Continue with crêpes: Just around the corner, you’ll feel like you stepped into a European bistro at Fontaine. Be sure to order sweet and savory crêpes—sharing is encouraged.

Share a self-care date with your special someone. Unwind together when you book a couples massage at Old Town’s Lorien Spa.

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Treat yourselves to brunch: Follow up your massage with a luxurious brunch and your choice of riverside views, Southern specialties, boozy accompaniments and more.

Challenge your significant other to a game at Topgolf National Harbor, a short drive or rideshare away from Alexandria. Whether you and your date have off-the-charts competitive streaks or simply want to swing away and socialize, you can play at your own pace from the comfort of a heated bay.

Find stunning views nearby: Experience the thrill of MGM National Harbor, from the extravagant interior to world-class acts to thrilling casino games. Then, end your night on an epic note as you and your date cozy up in a climate-controlled gondola on the Capital Wheel, soaring above the Potomac River and offering views of Alexandria and the D.C. region.