Newark, New Jersey may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a romantic getaway. However, New Jersey’s largest city offers plenty of hidden gems and unique date spots for couples looking to kindle their romance.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Stroll Through Branch Brook Park | Enjoy cherry blossoms and scenic walks in a large park. |
| Cruise or Canoe Along the Passaic River | Romantic water journey with city views. |
| Catch a Performance or Show | Explore Newark’s performing arts scene. |
| Stargaze at the Newark Museum Planetarium | A cosmic experience for couples. |
| Wander Through the Indoor Cherry Blossom Garden | Indoor garden with cherry blossoms and waterfall. |
| Relax at Weequahic Park | Scenic park with a lake and walking trails. |
| Stroll Through the Newark Museum’s Collections | Explore diverse art and historical collections. |
| Take a Master Chef-Led Cooking Class | Culinary experience for couples. |
| Enjoy Fine Dining at Maritime Parc | Elegant dining with views of the Passaic River and city skyline. |
| Take a Moonlit Stroll Downtown | Romantic evening walk in downtown Newark. |
| Picnic at Branch Brook Park | Picnic under cherry blossoms in a scenic setting. |
| Take a Dance Class Together | Private dance lessons for couples. |
From scenic waterfront walks to moonlit fine dining, Newark has an array of options to wow your special someone. Here are the top 12 most romantic things to do in Newark for an unforgettable couples’ trip.
Stroll Through Branch Brook Park
Name and Location: Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: Historic city park designed in 1900 by Frederick Law Olmsted. Home to the nation’s largest collection of cherry blossom trees.
What to Expect: Walking/biking paths wind through rows of cherry blossoms. Lakes, athletic fields, playgrounds, gardens. Ideal for picnics, recreation.
Visitor Information: Open daily dawn to dusk. Free admission. Parking available throughout and along park roads.
Spanning over 350 acres, Branch Brook Park is home to Newark’s iconic cherry blossom trees that erupt into breathtaking blooms for about two weeks every spring. Over 4,000 Japanese cherry trees line the paths and waterways, making it one of the largest cherry blossom collections in the United States. The blooming season typically falls around early to mid April.
Hand in hand, you and your sweetheart can leisurely stroll under the cotton-candy clouds of cherry blossoms breathing in the delicate floral scent. Have a romantic picnic on the meadows surrounded by the sheer natural beauty. Don’t forget your camera to capture engagement or wedding photos against the fairytale backdrop of blossoms.
Even outside of cherry blossom season, Branch Brook Park makes for a romantic escape with scenic ponds, gardens and elegant stone bridges perfect for meandering walks.
Cruise or Canoe Along the Passaic River
Name and Location: The Passaic River flows through Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: The Passaic is a historic waterway used for transport and industry. Now a recreational and environmental resource.
What to Expect: Paddle a canoe or kayak along the river. Riverboat cruises also available seasonally to see sights along the waterfront.
Visitor Information: River access from Riverbank Park. Guided tours available. Some sections may be closed due to tides or conditions.
The windswept Passaic River, flanked by the striking Newark skyline, sets the scene for romance as you cruise along the water. Step aboard the Riverboat Cruise fleet and snuggle up on deck with your date as you sail downriver past city sights. Cruises run during the warmer months, some featuring live music, dining or dancing under the stars for extra ambience.
For an active outdoor option, rent a canoe or kayak from one of the urban boat clubs. Paddle your way downriver with your sweetie, taking in city views with wildlife like herons, egrets and cormorants. Pack a picnic to enjoy on a riverside stop. As the sun sets, the energy of the city fades to the background for an intimate time on the water.
Catch a Performance or Show
Name and Location: Newark, NJ has several renowned performing arts venues.
History and Significance: Newark is home to top-notch centers showcasing music, dance, theater, including NJPAC and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
What to Expect: Attend Broadway shows, concerts, operas, and more at Newark’s acclaimed performing arts spaces.
Visitor Information: Show schedules and tickets available online. Venues located downtown near dining and transit options.
From Broadway musicals to comedy shows, Newark’s thriving performing arts scene sets the stage for a dazzling date night. The opulent New Jersey Performing Arts Center is home to the NJ Ballet and NJ Symphony Orchestra along with big-name concert tours and Broadway productions in their theaters.
For edgy, intimate shows, check out music and comedy venues like NJPAC’s Victoria Theater, Newark Symphony Hall or the New Jersey Historical Society. Other venues like Hell’s Kitchen Lounge, Kilkenny Alehouse and McGovern’s Tavern feature local bands and indie acts in lively settings. Surprise your partner with tickets to their favorite genre of show for an unforgettable night immersed in music, theater or comedy.
Stargaze at the Newark Museum Planetarium
Name and Location: Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden and Planetarium at the Newark Museum, NJ.
History and Significance: Historic planetarium opened in 1953 with a Zeiss Mark II Star Projector. Recently renovated with digital projection.
What to Expect: Interactive planetarium shows narrated by astronomers. See constellations, planets, and more up close.
Visitor Information: Included with museum admission. Show times listed on museum website.
The Newark Museum Planetarium provides a gateway to the cosmos for starry-eyed sweethearts. Hand in hand, you and your love can gaze up at 360-degree immersive shows that transport you through space and time. Learn about distant galaxies, exploding supernovas and vast nebulas as dramatic visuals surround you in the planetarium’s dome theater.
Romantic seasonal shows like “Season of Light” exploring winter solstice rituals are offered. Themed laser light shows set to the music of Pink Floyd, The Beatles and other artists also run regularly. Gazing at the cosmos together is sure to pull you closer than gravity.
Wander Through the Indoor Cherry Blossom Garden
Name and Location: Newark Museum’s cherry blossom greenhouse exhibit.
History and Significance: Opened in 1993, allows visitors to enjoy cherry blossoms year-round. Part of the museum’s expansive Japanese art collection.
What to Expect: Stroll through a tranquil greenhouse filled with blooming cherry trees. Seasonal flower shows also held.
Visitor Information: Included with museum admission. Open during normal museum hours.
Within the Newark Museum’s expansive complex, you’ll find the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden – an indoor greenhouse space housing a gushing waterfall and over 140 cherry trees. This tranquil garden provides a romantic atmosphere reminiscent of Branch Brook Park’s outdoor cherry blossoms at any time of year.
Wandering the paths as petals drift down around you, it’s easy to forget you’re indoors. Have an intimate tête-à-tête seated by the waterfall or on one of the garden benches. Natural light filters in through the soaring glass ceiling. It’s a little piece of paradise perfect for holding hands, stealing a kiss or popping the question!
Relax at Weequahic Park
Name and Location: Weequahic Park in Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: Historically significant Essex County park designed by the Olmsted Brothers. Opened in the early 1900s.
What to Expect: 80-acre green space with playgrounds, athletic fields, lake, walking paths. Perfect for taking leisurely strolls.
Visitor Information: Open daily from dawn to dusk. Free admission. Parking lots throughout the park.
Despite its tongue-twisting name, Weequahic Park offers laid-back relaxation for couples. Stretching over 325 acres near Newark Airport, the park features a tranquil lake for boating, scenic walking trails through woodlands and gardens, and green space for picnicking or lazing under the sun.
Rent a rowboat with your sweetie and spend a romantic afternoon drifting across the 80-acre Weequahic Lake, a birdwatching haven. Walk hand in hand along the picturesque Hendrix Creek. Have an intimate picnic on the lakefront grassy fields. Feed the ducks together from one of the ornamental footbridges crossing the water.
With its scenic lake setting and ample space for meandering strolls, Weequahic Park creates the right mood for romance away from city energy.
Stroll Through the Newark Museum’s Collections
Name and Location: The Newark Museum in Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: Founded in 1909, one of the largest museums in the NY metro area. Known for American and Tibetan art.
What to Expect: Sprawling collections of art, cultural artifacts, and science/tech exhibits. Something for visitors of all interests.
Visitor Information: Open Weds-Sun. Admission fee. Validated parking. Guided tours available.
From Egyptian mummies to contemporary American art, the Newark Museum’s world-class collections provide a thought-provoking backdrop for exploring with your date. The museum’s wide-ranging galleries showcase everything from classical statues to Tibetan paintings to ivory carvings.
Wander through the American art wing while discussing your interpretations of the pieces. Linger over the exquisite Tiffany blown glass vases shimmering with color. Chat about which historical era you’d most want to time travel back to. Enjoy an intimate lunch at the museum’s garden café. You’ll leave the museum feeling intellectually and emotionally closer.
Take a Master Chef-Led Cooking Class
Name and Location: Chef-led cooking classes offered at various venues in Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: Unique opportunity to learn skills and recipes from acclaimed local chefs. Small, hands-on classes.
What to Expect: Instruction in preparing dishes, cooking techniques. Chat with the chef. Enjoy the food you cook!
Visitor Information: Classes offered at private kitchens, markets, restaurants. Schedules and fees vary. Advanced booking required.
If you and your darling both have a passion for food and cooking, a couples’ cooking class creates the recipe for romance. Newark’s own star chef and culinary arts educator Georgeann Leaming offers private couples’ cooking classes at her cooking school. Under Chef Leaming’s guidance, you’ll hone culinary skills while bonding over preparing a gourmet three-course meal together.
Cooking side-by-side fosters teamwork, playfulness and closeness. Afterward, you’ll sit down in the dining room to savor the delicious creations you cooked up as a couple. Interactive date nights don’t get much tastier than this!
Enjoy Fine Dining at Maritime Parc
Name and Location: Maritime Parc restaurant in downtown Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: Elegant restaurant located in a historic bank building near the river. Critically acclaimed since opening in 2010.
What to Expect: Creative New American dishes made with seasonal, local ingredients. Refined ambiance with stellar service.
Visitor Information: Open for dinner Mon-Sat. Reservations recommended. Valet parking available. Proper attire required.
Set on the upper floor of an historic wool warehouse from the 1800s, Maritime Parc’s unique architecture and seasonal New American cuisine provide a romantic dining backdrop. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views over the Passaic River and Newark skyline, especially stunning at sunset and after dark when the city lights glitter.
Bask in the intimate glow of candlelight, order a bottle of crisp rosé and indulge in locally-sourced dishes like seared scallops or filet mignon. The elegant yet relaxed setting coupled with award-winning food makes Maritime Parc the ultimate restaurant for wined, dined and romance.
Take a Moonlit Stroll Downtown
Name and Location: Downtown Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: Newark’s downtown has undergone major revitalization in recent years, with new shops, dining, and parks.
What to Expect: Take an evening stroll by the glowing Newark Penn Station. Pop into lively bars and restaurants.
Visitor Information: Downtown is walkable and accessible by public transit. Street parking available.
Once the sun sets, downtown Newark sets the scene for romance with its strikingly lit architecture and walkable Riverfront District. Take an evening stroll with your sweetie by the glow of streetlights and illuminated city sights. Snap selfies on the Bridge Street Bridge as theater marquee signs shine in the background. Pop into Alvarez for live jazz and house-made sangria in a dimly-lit lounge.
Stop to sneak a kiss in scenic spots like Triangle Park with fountains and sculptural monuments. If your date goes late enough, you may catch a view of the nightly light show projected onto Newark City Hall. The city really comes alive after dark for an atmospheric and intimate couples’ outing.
Picnic at Branch Brook Park
Name and Location: Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: The cherry blossom trees make this Olmsted-designed park an iconic Newark landmark and popular picnic spot.
What to Expect: Pack a lunch or snack and enjoy it under the blooming cherry trees in spring. Ideal picnic location.
Visitor Information: 400+ acres with sites and open areas for picnics. BYO blanket/chairs. Trash cans available.
When in full bloom, Branch Brook Park’s sprawling cherry blossom groves provide the dreamiest picnic setting imaginable. Pack a basket with charcuterie, cheese, fruit and a bottle of Champagne or rosé. Spread out a blanket under the fluffy pink blossom canopies and toast with your sweetie to time together in paradise.
Capture the magic in photos before the petals litter the ground. The dazzling colors and floral scents heighten the senses for romance. Plan your visit for a Tuesday through Saturday to avoid crowded weekends. Arrive early to stake out a good picnic spot before the masses arrive. This will surely be one of your most memorable picnics and romantic days ever.
Take a Dance Class Together
Name and Location: Couples dance classes offered in Newark, NJ.
History and Significance: Learn partner dances like swing, salsa, tango, ballroom from professional instructors.
What to Expect: Expert instruction in a fun, social setting. Bond with your partner learning new dance skills together.
Visitor Information: Classes held at local dance studios and event spaces. Schedule and fees vary. All skill levels welcome.
Trying something new as a couple builds intimacy. Shake up date night by booking a private dance class where you can sway, twirl and get closer without an audience. You’ll gain skills together while having fun and loosening up. Ballroom dance studios like Fred Astaire Dance Studio offer private lessons in styles like swing, salsa and tango.
The Kupfrian Dance Experience studio focuses on Latin dance, also in a private setting. Gliding in unison to music strengthens nonverbal communication. Mastering new moves successfully breeds confidence and chemistry. And dancing cheek-to-cheek never fails to fan the flames of romance.
Conclusion
Who knew Newark was such a hub for romance? From the swoon-worthy cherry blossoms to sunset river cruises, Newark lays the groundwork for kindling passion and closeness as a couple. Trying new activities, showing your creative sides through cooking or dance, and exploring museums and natural settings together check all the boxes for an unforgettable romantic getaway. These Newark date ideas range from playful to lavish, but all allow you to focus fully on each other.