These best Miami date ideas make for a guaranteed good time with bae

Knaus’ irresistible cinnamon rolls work for apologies, first impressions and creating general goodwill. But a pastry run does not a date make. However, strawberry picking at the bucolic Redland compound does make for a lovely afternoon together. You’ll want to beeline it to the milkshake stand before you go—a strawberry milkshake is as quintessential to the Knaus Berry Farm experience as those chewy, doughy rolls.

Your father’s driving range got a makeover for the 21st century, and now it’s cool enough to take your girl on a Friday night. Topgolf isn’t just for working on your swing; it’s also for cocktails (there’s a full bar) and for breaking the ice. 

Miamians spend an ungodly amount of time sitting behind the wheel, so good luck getting your date to agree to cozy up in a car for a cute drive-in movie experience. Besides, the only option is more driving north to Fort Lauderdale to find the closest drive-in theater, Thunderbird at Swap Shop. For an equally unique moviegoing experience that’s arguably more fun (and less expensive), catch a flick at Soundscape Park. Every Wednesday through spring, you can bring a blanket and a picnic and sprawl out to watch classics as well as new releases projected on the New World Center for free.

For the couples who run, swim and do about every other sporty thing together, there’s probably one outdoorsy activity you haven’t attempted yet: moonlit kayaking. Once a month, BG Oleta River Outdoor Center organizes a fun full moon ride through the massive state park. You’ll get set up with a kayak lit by glowsticks and set off with a guide. Up for an adventure? We found it. 

Graze the food trucks, cozy up on plush cushions under a Bedouin-style tent, catch a live music or DJ set and take in a variety of rotating immersive art exhibits at this sprawling outdoor venue in Little Haiti. Twinkling lights and adult-sized swings strung up in mature Banyan trees add to the romantic charm. Pro tip: exchange your ID for a free blanket to spread out in a grassy area and order a bottle of wine to share.

Whether you’re in it for the dancing, are hoping to recreate some romantic figure-skating routine or just want to impress your girl with an out-there idea for a night out, ice skating at Miami Beach nightclub Basement will more than impress your date. The 2,000-square-foot rink is small enough for novices to navigate—and the perfect size for experienced couples looking to keep it cozy all night.  

Brunch dates are tricky—hit the Bloody Mary bar too hard and it could mean the end of your relationship. Or, suggest a daytime meal early on and it could mean failure to launch. East, Miami found a way around this for couples who love to brunch. Every weekend, its secret Tea Room (yep, we’re spilling) hosts a five-course Asian Night Brunch, featuring two hours of bottomless drinks, a selection of specialty brunch items and DJ-spun tunes. She gets her flowing champagne and you stay the hell out of the friend zone. Everyone wins. Thu–Sun 6–10pm; $88.

Bowling might seem like the kind of date you suggested when you were 16 and your parents dropped you off at Bird Bowl to meet your high school crush. But thanks to places like Kings Bowl in Doral, the activity has evolved to include karaoke, cocktails and even a rum lounge, where you can dance if you’re really hitting it off. Feeling fancy? Book the private King Pin room and enjoy four lanes to yourself.

What says “I love you” more than a fresh, delicious pizza? At Mister-01’s Wynwood location, which doubles as the Miami Pizza School, you and your S.O. can sign up to learn the ins and outs of pizza making with chef Renato Viola. The three-hour class keeps things structured with simple instruction and quality ingredients, and intimate with a maximum of 12 students per class. After working up an appetite, enjoy the fruits of your labor onsite with other students and head home with full bellies and the satisfaction of knowing you and boo made created the most delicious masterpiece of all. $295 per couple

When you can’t find the time (or money) to get away, spending the day on Española Way is the next best thing to a European vacation. Stroll the promenade and take a moment to admire the Spanish colonial architecture then grab dinner at A La Folie, a tiny French café serving up airy crepes and casual lunch fare. Looking to make it an overnight stay? The charming Paseo Hotel is right on the strip. 

Consider this an opportune time to work up a sweat, work on your trust falls and ogle his or her cute bum from down below. Miami might be devoid of mountains, but beginner and veteran climbers alike flock to the cavernous Magic City Rock Gym in Kendall to get their vertical fix. Find a variety of indoor rock climbing courses and climbing instruction plus a full exercise facility and spacious yoga area. 

If the idea of coffee cupping is giving you the jitters, try something more calming, like tea. Book a tasting at JoJo Tasting Room, an intimate tea speakeasy in Coral Gables with just eight seats. An 80 to 100-minute guided session will run you $35 to $45 per person and includes samples of JoJo’s proprietary blends. Reservations are required for these intimate weekend tastings. 

Despite its location off the train tracks near Wynwood, a night at Lagniappe feels like an intimate backyard bash: mismatched patio furniture, strung-up bistro lights and lush foliage all lend to a more private, romantic vibe. Whether you’re enjoying the live jazz music inside or the ambiance outdoors, Lagniappe keeps things cool and casual. Walk in, select your bottle from the cooler (generally stocked from small-production wineries) and head to the register, where it’s uncorked to enjoy with a selection of charcuterie and other yummy shareable snacks. 

Channel your inner Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze à la Ghost at one of Kuu’s pottery workshops. Yes, wheel throwing is inherently sensual and yes, your amorphous clay shapes will inevitably begin to resemble certain body parts. It’s all part of the process at these workshops hosted by Miami-based ceramicist Kassandra Guzman. Options range from single classes and beginner throwing to intensive six-week courses and even erotic pottery nights (usually on Valentine’s Day). Not only do you get to have some fun learning a new skill together, but you end up with a thoughtful, handmade gift for bae.

Show off your artsy side—and your killer dance moves—at ICA’s monthly free party, First Fridays. The exhibits stay open late but the real draw is the shindig that happens out on its lush backyard terrace dotted with cool sculptures and rotating installations. It’s where you’ll find pop-up bars handing out free cocktails, live music and performance art, DJs and more.

The sites, restaurants, bars and attractions to tick off your bucket list