We are all about parent-kid dates. But this post isn’t all about that. This is for that magical, elusive, nobody’s sick, sitter’s secured, go out on the town with your person date — summer edition. We’ve got ideas to take full advantage of the season, from free to splurge-worthy. Happy date night!
Free Summer Dates, Because Sitters are Expensive
Comedy in the Park
Every Friday, all summer long you can attend a free Kickstand Comedy show in Laurelhurst Park. This event is popular, so arrive early.
Check out our reel of a recent comedy show!
Parks & Recreation Free Outdoor Concerts, Movies, and Events
Portland Parks & Rec hosts free summer concerts, outdoor movies and cultural events throughout the summer at parks across town. Looking for jazz, Somali dance music, groove-heave Mexican folk? They’ve got it all. Want to dress in pink and watch Barbie on the big screen under the stars? It’s on the calendar. Check out their full summer schedule of events here.
The Classic Picnic
There’s nothing more romantic and low-cost than the classic picnic. And if you’re looking for inspo for that perfect spot, lots of these hikes offer scenic vistas.
Shakespeare in the Park
Original Practice Shakespeare travels to parks across Portland to speak the speeches, trippingly on the tongue. Check out their schedule here. All shows are free!
First Thursdays in the Pearl
During the summer months, there’s a monthly street gallery featuring original work on NW 13th street between Irving and Lovejoy, packed with artists, musicians and art-lovers. It’s free to attend, though you’ll definitely be tempted to take home a piece or two.
Festival Fun
Portland is serious about festivals; there’s at least one (usually more) every weekend, all summer long. Most are free to attend!
Sunset at Mocks Crest
For sunset and people watching, there’s no place quite like Mocks Crest on the Skidmore Bluffs. From the Bluffs, you can catch views of the Willamette, the West Hills, the rail yard and the city skyline. But the real fun is what you might see in the park — unicycles (probably), hula hoops (almost definitely), a wedding on stilts (it’s been rumored to have happened). It’s a great spot to feel reconnected to Portlandia.
Splurge-Worthy and Slightly-Splurgy Date Nights
Farm to Plate Experiences and Live Music Nights at Topaz Farm
You’ve probably already visited Topaz Farm with your kids on one of their free Animal Talks or Tractor Talks, but Topaz also hosts some incredible events perfect for date night. At their Farm to Plate dinners, you’ll eat a five-course meal under a 500-year-old oak tree, prepared by “culinary power couple” Christian and Janelle Ephrem. The dinners are made from ingredients grown on the farm — some harvested the very day they serve them to you. Or check out their Americana Harvest Nights: they’re very affordable, the music is incredible, and you can sip craft beer or wine and eat a picnic dinner while you listen.
Conspirators Coffee Lounge
If you want to have a spooky good time, and eat the best frozen custard of your life, there’s only one place to go for date night: Conspirators Coffee Lounge. This Old Town establishment is a speakeasy-style coffee shop, that requires a password. Don’t miss ordering the Black Cat Frozen custard. You won’t regret it.
Check out our reel here!
Baseball (and Soccer) Games
Check out the collegiate team The Portland Pickles in Lents. You can take part in this quintessential summer activity, snack on hot dogs and enjoy the antics of Dillon (okay, just got that), the Pickles’ mascot. Another option — check out a minor league game with the Hillsboro Hops. Looking for soccer instead? Watch a Portland Bangers game.
Urban Wine Tasting
It’s a pretty short drive to wine country — but did you know you don’t actually need to leave Portland to have a true wine tasting experience? With over a dozen in town, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get those palates working. Here’s a list of the wineries.
Get into the Spirit(s)
Portland’s distillery row is the place to go for tasting locally-made spirits. Get a behind the scenes look and taste of vodkas, whiskeys, brandies and more. Check out where to go here.
OMSI After Dark
When you’ve got a kid-free evening, OMSI might not be the first place you think of. But hear us out. OMSI After Dark is just for adults. That means you may actually have a chance to look at the exhibits. Plus every month, they have a theme — like astronomy, or even beer or spirits. They have vendors, artisans, science experiments and presentations around that theme, and they serve alcohol.
Sunflower Fields
For the perfect August date night, check out one of the many sunflower fields in the Portland metro area. Entry is always affordable, and strolling through the flowers basically shouts romance.
Looking for more date night inspo? Check out these budget-friendly ideas!