Bored of dinner and a movie? Check out these fun and interactive Wisconsin date night ideas for your next romantic rendezvous.
For Arts, Crafts and Culture Lovers:
Fire Escape DIY Art Studio
Oshkosh
Let your creative juices flow at Fire Escape, a DIY art studio located in Downtown Oshkosh. No experience or reservations are required. Just stop in and choose your piece of pottery and staff will help guide your painting and design. The team will then glaze your piece, which will be available to pick up one week later. Looking to stay home and be creative? Fire Escape also offers to-go kits with paints, paintbrushes and your chosen piece – the perfect at-home date night. For more information, visit www.fireescapeart.com.
Taliesin
Spring Green
Immerse in the unique mix of culture, nature, agriculture and architecture during a Wisconsin date night at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin outside of Spring Green. Designated as a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, various tours are available on the 800-acre estate celebrating the life and work of Wright. Tours include his home, studio, school and various other buildings from his career. Taliesin is open April through November, and reservations are recommended as tours sell out. For more information, visit www.taliesinpreservation.org.
Square One Art Glass
Milwaukee
Learn the art of glassblowing together at Square One Art Glass in Milwaukee. Square One teaches glassblowing to students of all ages and skill sets, offering its Introduction to Glassblowing class by appointment only as well as advanced individual and group classes. Students can create several items, like bowls, paperweights, wind chimes/bells and various ornaments. For more information, visit www.squareoneartglass.com.
The Fireside Dinner Theater
Fort Atkinson
Enjoy dinner and a show at the legendary Fireside Dinner Theatre, a premier destination in the state featuring Broadway hits, original reviews and live concerts. Open since 1964, The Fireside has been delighting audiences with musicals featuring Broadway performers and fine dining. 2024’s schedule includes shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, Rocky – the Musical and Miracle on 34th Street, to name a few. For more information, visit www.firesidetheatre.com.
For Food and Drink Connoisseurs:
Lake Geneva School of Cooking
Lake Geneva
Whether a novice in the kitchen or bordering on a sous chef, a class at Lake Geneva School of Cooking is the perfect Wisconsin date night for those who love to cook or just enjoy a great meal. This hands-on class will have you and your date slicing, dicing, chopping, laughing and dancing while you work in a small group to create a dish from your themed meal. The charismatic Chef John Bogan and his culinary students, who help along the way, host this lighthearted evening. You will learn about your dishes and enjoy the meal together after all of your hard work. Reservations are required, and dates fill up fast. For more information, visit www.lakegenevacookingschool.com.
Fromagination
Madison
Learn about cheese pairings with your partner at Fromagination in Madison. Spend an hour learning about Wisconsin cheese in a myriad of themed classes, like creating cheeseboards, making the perfect cheese fondue, wine/cheese and beer/cheese pairings. Public classes are held twice a month, typically on Thursday evenings. For more information, visit www.fromagination.com.
J Henry & Sons
Dane
Set on over 100 acres on a working farm just north of Madison, J Henry & Sons is a fourth-generation family creating a uniquely Wisconsin straight bourbon. Enjoy a 30-minute tour of the property, learning about the heirloom grains they grow, the distilling and aging process and the final product of small-batch bourbons they are creating. The tasting room is located in the former Henry farmhouse with a quaint seating area, a gift shop and beautiful warming fireplace. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor patio area overlooking the farm operations during the summer months. For more information, visit www.jhenryandsons.com.
For Nature Buffs:
Cave of the Mounds
Blue Mounds
A spelunking delight! Cave of the Mounds is a national natural landmark located 30 miles west of Madison offering an up-close look at a geological wonder. Expert guides who educate guests while traversing the colorful crystal formations along a lighted walkway underground lead traditional daily tours. Visitors can also enjoy a self-paced tour among the constant 50-degree cool natural limestone cave during this Wisconsin date night. Cave of the Mounds offers unique events throughout the year including a black light tour, old-fashioned lantern tours, and a Halloween trick-or-treat event. For more information, visit www.caveofthemounds.com.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
Janesville
Stroll among the flowers at this nonprofit garden in Janesville, dedicated to enriching lives through natural beauty, education and the arts. With more than 20 acres and 4,000 varieties of plants, there is surely something to delight everyone. Rotary Botanical Garden features many international-themed gardens including French, Japanese, Italian and English Cottage Gardens. The garden also features a holiday lights show every December. For more information, visit www.rotarybotanicalgardens.org.
Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Grab your bicycles and head out for a day of adventure on the 32.5-mile Elroy-Sparta State Trail. This popular trail among Wisconsinites is considered the first rail-to-trail in the United States. The hard-packed crushed-limestone trail passes through five towns, wetlands, farmland and prairies as well as traversing through three hand-dug railroad tunnels. A state trail pass is required for bicycling, but the trail is open year-round for pedestrians as well as winter snowmobiling and snowshoeing. For more information, visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/elroysparta.
For Sports Enthusiasts:
1st and Bowl
Wauwatosa
Football and bowling combine at this unique entertainment warehouse venue. Yes, throwing a football at bowling pins is the name of the game. 1st and Bowl also has additional games including pickleball courts, golf simulators, basketball Connect 4, cornhole and wiffle ball, as well as simple arcade and board games. Gamers can also enjoy a full-service bar and kitchen during this Wisconsin date night. For more information, visit www.firstandbowl.com.
Ice Skating at Pettit National Ice Center
Milwaukee
Enjoy open ice skating at Pettit National Ice Center, an official training site for speed skating located in Milwaukee. Two-hour evening and afternoon sessions are available along with skate rentals. Looking to hone your skating skills? The Pettit Center also hosts a skating school for those looking for fun and fitness or advanced competitive classes in both figure and speed skating as well as hockey skills. Classes are grouped by age and skating ability for youth and adults in various six-week sessions throughout the year. For more information, visit www.thepettit.com.
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Lambeau Field Stadium Tours
Green Bay
No matter if you cheer for the green or gold or are simply a pigskin fan, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Lambeau Field Stadium Tour is a true Wisconsin bucket list item. Stadium tours are offered daily, except home game days, and take approximately two hours. Guests will visit the Lambeau Field Atrium, premium seating areas, the press box, the visiting team locker room, the player’s tunnel and the actual playing field. The next stop is the Green Bay Hall of Fame chock full of interactive displays and an impressive collection of Packer and football memorabilia. Learn about the 13-time National Championship Green Bay Packers (more than any NFL team) and their remarkable and shiny trophy room. For more information, visit www.packershofandtours.com.