15 Best Date Ideas in Joliet, IL (Fun & Romantic)
Joliet is a city filled with amazing outdoor spaces and historic sites. With a diverse and young population, you are sure to find a great mix of date ideas in Joliet, IL.
Whether you want a romantic meal or an adrenaline-pumping adventure, Joliet has you covered.
Date Ideas in Joliet, IL
1. Do a Wine Tasting at Bishop’s Hill Winery
Cost: $20-$50
Best for: First date
Location: 310 Bridge St Joliet, IL 60435
Bishop’s Hill Winery is a great place to meet up with someone you met on a Joliet, IL dating app.
Set in a beautiful castle-like building, this winery is a perfect place for a first date in Joliet, IL. It is not too expensive, and you can enjoy a wine tasting for as little as $20 pp. This includes a taste of 9 wines.
They also have pizza or a charcuterie board, so you can turn your evening into a date night in Joliet, IL.
2. Walk a Trail at Pilcher Park Nature Center
Cost: Free
Best for: Energetic date
Location: 2501 Highland Park Dr Joliet, IL 60432
Pilcher Park has beautiful scenic trails that you can enjoy together. Not only is this a cheap date idea in Joliet, IL, but you can either picnic or make use of the vendors in the park.
It is the perfect place to walk, talk, and get to know each other if it is a new relationship. The nature center also has animals you can learn about.
For more energetic couples, there are bike and cross-country ski trails to enjoy.
3. Have a Romantic Dinner at Cut158 Chophouse
Cost: $150-$200
Best for: Romantic date
Location: 110 N Chicago St Joliet, IL 60432
Cut158 Chophouse is a romantic restaurant in Joliet, IL serving steak and cocktails. From bison prime rib to oysters, you can’t go wrong with this restaurant if you are wanting to spoil your date.
If you are going to visit Cut158 for a Joliet, IL date night, make a reservation and be prepared to spend a bit more. You get what you pay for, though. The food and decor are on point, and you will enjoy a romantic and special evening.
4. Watch a Show at the Rialto Square Theatre
Cost: $50-$100
Best for: Fancy date
Location: 102 N Chicago St Joliet, IL 60432
Going to the theater is a real treat and makes a great date idea in Joliet, IL.
From comedy shows to ballets, the Rialto Square Theatre offers shows that will make for a memorable date in Joliet, IL.
The historic building has the most breathtaking architecture and detail. Not only will you enjoy the show, but you will get to dress up and enjoy the opulence of a bygone era.
5. Play Mini-Golf at Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center
Cost: $20
Best for: Fun date
Location: 1423 N Broadway St Joliet, IL 60435
Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center is a fun date idea in Joliet, IL.
If you are on a first date, this spot is ideal for helping you break the ice. You can enjoy two uniquely-themed, 18-hole mini-golf courses. These award-winning courses are challenging and exciting.
If golf isn’t for you, there are laser tag, batting cages, and escape rooms. This is one of the best date ideas in Joliet, IL, because it offers you and your date options.
6. Catch a Drag Race at Route 66 Raceway
Cost: $50-$100
Best for: Drag racing
Location: 500 Speedway Blvd Joliet, IL 60433
Route 66 Raceway is a drag racing facility that also makes for a fun Joilet, IL date. You can choose from attending a concert, NHRA drag racing event, or demolition derby.
The tickets are reasonable, and the parking is organized. You can get food at the track but if you went with a group of friends, then consider tailgating.
There are great restaurants nearby, like MyGrain Brewing company, so head out for dinner after the race.
7. Get Active at the Rock Run Preserve
Cost: Free
Best for: Outdoor date
Location: 17540 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL 60433
For those of you who are looking for an active and adventurous Joliet, IL date idea, try Rock Run Preserve.
With biking, hiking, kayaking, and even horse trails, it has everything you could need for a a ll and exhilarating day out.
You can even purchase a permit for the dog park if you and your date both have furry friends.
The trails are popular, and the recreational amenities offer many date attractions.
8. Do an Aerial Obstacle Course at The Forge Lemont Quarries
Cost: $95 pp
Best for: Daring date
Location: 1001 Main St Lemont, IL 60439
If you are an adventurous couple looking for date spots in Joliet, IL, try The Forge Lemont Quarries.
The Aerial Course and Zipline are perfect for beginners and they have a wide range of other activities. You can enjoy laser tag, axe throwing, water tag, scavenger hut, among other things.
For things to do in Joliet, IL, you can’t go wrong with this spot. There are even food options to keep your energy up.
9. Explore the Bird Haven Greenhouse
Cost: Free
Best for: Relaxing date
Location: 225 N Gougar Rd, Joliet, IL
Strolling through the Bird Haven Greenhouse is a unique Joliet, IL date idea. Filled with flowers, bridges, waterfalls, and koi ponds, this is a beautiful spot for a leisurely and romantic stroll.
There is also a desert section filled with cacti. The 1-mile walk to the conservatory is a pretty magical strip of forest.
Admission is free so pack a picnic to enjoy after your greenhouse exploration. You can even book a $20 photo session and have beautiful couple shots inside the conservatory.
10. Enjoy an immersive Experience at Gamma VR
Cost: $60-$100
Best for: Fun date
Location: 2419 W Jefferson St Joliet, IL 60435
Gamma VR is a great date night idea in Joliet, IL, if you are looking for something different.
With 198 games and experiences to choose from, you and your date are sure to find something you both enjoy.
This is a way to escape life for an hour and lose yourself in an immersive world. You can go into an experience together or choose separate ones.
Either way, this is a fun way to spend a date night.
11. Play the Slots at Harrah’s Joliet Casino
Cost: $100+
Best for: Gambling
Location: 151 N Joliet St Joliet, IL 60432
Harrah’s Joliet Casino is a Joliet, IL date night idea that might make you money.
Go with a budget, an open mind, and a fun attitude, and you can enjoy an evening of frivolous gambling. If you aren’t brave enough to play the tables, you can play the slots before heading out for dinner and cocktails.
Visiting a casino doesn’t need to break the bank, and you can go for a fun time rather than serious gaming.
12. Race Go-Karts at Kart Circuit Autobahn
Cost: $100+
Best for: Fun date
Location: 1801 Centerpoint Way Joliet, IL 60436
Kart Circuit Autobahn is the best date in Joliet, IL if you want to experience your own brand of the racing Joliet is famous for.
The karts are fast, the track beautiful, and the staff professional. This outdoor track allows you to reach speeds of 55mph.
It isn’t a cheap date, with 3 10-minute rounds costing $84 per person, but it is worth it to enjoy this professionally designed track.
13. Old Joliet Prison
Cost: $40-$80
Best for: Spooky date
Location: 1125 N Collins St Joliet, IL 60432
Joliet is known for its prison, and having a tour of this spooky and historic building is a unique date idea.
Old Joliet Prison offers different tours. You can do a self-guided tour, but you can also pay $40 per person and enjoy a 90-minute walking tour of the prison after dark.
A tour of the prison is a fun way to learn more about Joliet’s notorious building, and you might find your date snuggles closer as you explore the dark rooms.
14. Build a Burger at Burger Theory
Cost: $50-$100
Best for: Date night
Location: 1471 Rock Creek Blvd Joliet, IL 60431
Burger Theory is a date night restaurant in Joliet, IL, where you can build your own burger.
They have great daily specials if you are after cheap, light bites and local craft beer. They also offer a stellar vegetarian burger option that you can customize to your taste.
The decor inside is trendy, and the outdoor patio is romantic. Burger Theory has everything you need for a fantastic date night in Joliet.
15. Joliet Historical Museum
Cost: $8 pp
Best for: Interesting date
Location: 204 N Ottawa St Joliet, IL 60432
If you are looking for an unusual and romantic date idea in Joliet, IL, then the Joliet Historical Museum is worth a try.
Stroll hand-in-hand through the history of Joliet for only $8 each. They even offer a combination pass for the museum and Joliet prison tour for $25 per person.
The gift shop is filled with amazing mementos and memorabilia, so you can buy something sentimental to take home with you.
