Best Date Nights In Silver Spring

Our Favorite Date Nights In Silver Spring

Do we love our homes in MoCo Maryland? Yes, of course we do.

But do we also love getting out of the house and doing something fun – especially with a spouse or partner? Definitely!

As Silver Spring and nearby communities grow and boost their “hip” quotient, more and more options for great date nights (and date days!) are just around the corner. Everyone has a list of favorites. Here are some of mine, plus a few suggested by friends:

The Fillmore: The name is legendary. In the 1960s, the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco was a stage for famous performers including the Dead, the Doors, Frank Zappa and Pink Floyd. Today, Fillmore venues exist in several cities – including downtown Silver Spring. Viewing is available on two levels, and the beer flows generously. For upcoming shows, check the online calendar or keep an eye on the very cool lighted marquee over the main doors on Colesville Road.

Silver Strings Restaurant and Bar: Why did it take so long to open a place this cool? Good food (remind me to try the linguine and clams) and a very nice live music line-up, ranging from jazz to rock to acoustic. Very nice location, also in the heart of downtown Silver Spring. And just a very nice vibe – wood floors, padded chairs, and love the copper accents.

The Urban Winery: Speaking of great places for music, drinks and good company, I highly recommend the Urban Winery on Bonifant Street south of downtown Silver Spring. The key word here is relaxation. Call up the monthly calendar to see who’s playing jazz on Wednesday nights or an eclectic mix on Fridays and Saturdays. Local craft brews are featured Thursday nights. The winery -- the first in the D.C. area in an urban location -- has quite a family story. And if you want to learn more about the greatness of grapes, think about you and your date taking a class together!

Top Golf: OK, so this one’s not around the corner. But Germantown is not that far – only about a half hour drive from Silver Spring. And this place is quite the spectacle. Imagine a bowling alley except you’re whacking golf balls from one of 102 bays located on three different levels. Tons of fun for a date but also for groups of friends. The classic game calls for smacking microchip-embedded balls at huge targets as far as you can image. If you want a break, there’s foosball, pool, tons of TVs, food and bars.

GoApe: This one’s up the road a bit in Rockville, but if you like outdoor fun, it’s worth the trip. Located at MoCo’s Rock Creek Regional Park in Derwood, it’s all about up-in-the-trees adventure -- zooming on zip lines, dodging obstacles, crossing elevated bridges and swooping on Tarzan swings. Basically, you scream and laugh until your sides hurt. Plus, there’s axe throwing. I’m not joking. And if you love it, here’s another attraction for elevated exhilaration: Sandy Spring Adventure Park. 

Big Escape Room: It’s fun to be panicked, right? Especially if you’re with a panicked partner! Escape rooms offer a chance for two or more to put their heads together to solve clues and, well, escape from precarious circumstances. This venue in downtown Silver Spring offers plenty of challenge. The doors are locked. The clues are hidden in all corners of each room. And the clock is ticking. Choose from a handful of frightening venues, including a clown theme (ah!) and a desperate struggle in the age of pharaohs. Book your reservation in advance. When you succeed (fingers crossed), grab a cocktail at one of the neighborhood pubs and recount the fun!

American Film Institute: Every time I walk into this treasured theater, I’m reminded of my childhood, when movie theaters were grand, classy places where the newest films set my imagination soaring. Today’s multiplexes are fine. But this place, with one main theater and two others for intimate viewings, is special. Whether you’re into documentaries (don’t miss the annual documentary film festival), foreign films or the newest artful releases that quickly disappear from mainstream theaters, this is the place. 

Glenstone: I love the Smithsonian Museums. But seriously, there is no place like this – one of my favorite jewels to show off when guests come to town. It’s located about 30 minutes or so northwest of Silver Spring, but well worth the trip. Where to start? Situated on spectacular, rolling grounds, it offers a captivating mixture of breathtaking landscaping, architecture and fabulous post-World War II art in 50,000 square feet of pavilion space. And, it’s free. Reservations are recommended because admission is not guaranteed (unless you take the MoCo Ride On, which drops you at the entrance, which is also very cool). 

Brookside Gardens: If you’ve never visited this 50-acre wonder inside Wheaton Regional Park, you really should. I recommend waiting for spring or summer and taking your best honey with you. See the aquatic garden, azaleas, the Rose and Japanese gardens and the Woodland Walk. Good for hand-holding – just sayin’! There’s also the “Wings of Fancy” live butterfly and caterpillar exhibit. And keep your eyes peeled – you may see a wedding party getting ready for the big ceremony!