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I feel like winter is the season a time when I don’t typically do much of anything, but I’m trying to reframe my perspective. It’s the perfect time to turn the chilly weather into a season of warmth and romance. If you’re searching for the perfect winter date activities in Rhode Island, let this list be your guide. I’ve curated 20 enchanting date ideas throughout the state that will help you capture the essence of the season.
Whether you want to go low-key or all-out, have a relaxing night at home, or try something you’ve never done before, I’ve got some ideas to inspire you. This is where love meets the charm and magic of winter, and hopefully, we can fend off a little seasonal depression with some winter date night ideas to look forward to.
Ice Skating @ Kennedy Plaza:
Glide hand in hand on the ice at BankNewport City Center. The twinkling lights and festive atmosphere make it a romantic winter activity. Enjoy the cold breeze as you share laughs and maybe even attempt a few spins on the ice! (We all know I’ll be doing my best not to crash – there’s no shame in admitting it!)
Sledding
I don’t care how old I get; I will always be down to go sledding. (Yes, nowadays I will probably be sore af afterwards, but it will still have been worth it). Find some local slopes – even in Rhode Island – and embrace the thrill of sledding down those snowy hills.
Bring your own sled and find yourself the perfect sledding spot. Rhode Island Monthly put out a great list back in 2021; here are some suggestions from that list:
Durfee Hill Management Area, Glocester
Diamond Hill Park, Cumberland (In past years, they were closed to snowing, so double-check me on this one, guys.)
India Point Park, Providence
Roger Williams Park
Sand Dunes at the Big River Management Area, West Greenwich
Village Green, South Kingstown
Wickford Elementary School, North Kingstown
Wilcox Park, Westerly
Fort Adams State Park, Newport
Shorby Hill, Jamestown
Do you have a favorite sledding spot? Share it with me so I can add it to my list!
Have a Snowball Fight
I realize some of these suggestions are weather-dependent, and we haven’t exactly been having the weather that makes the right kind of snow for this, but having a snowball fight can be a really fun way to spend the afternoon. Let loose and have a snowball fight in the backyard or at a local park, build snow forts, and enjoy the childlike joy of this winter classic.
Themed Movie Marathon Night
Cozy up indoors (after that exhausting snowball fight or a long day of sledding!) and watch a themed movie marathon. Pick your favorite movies, prepare popcorn, and snuggle under the blankets. It’s the perfect way to relax and enjoy each other’s company on a chilly night.
Need some movie recommendations? I’ve got you covered:
Fast & Furious Series
Harry Potter Series
Lord of the Rings
The Marvel Cinematic Universe
James Bond Movies
Star Wars
Mission Impossible
Friday the 13th
Back to the Future
The Godfather
What else would you add to this list?
DIY Spa Day
Transform your home into a spa retreat. Use some face masks. These are my favorite face masks & eye masks. Draw a warm bath, pour a glass of wine (or your favorite alcohol-free beverage), and practice the art of reconnection. Taking a bath is an extremely relaxing and intimate date idea that lets you unwind and feel rejuvenated together.
Explore Winter Nature
Maybe you’re more of an outdoorsy couple. Bundle up and take a trip outside, walking around in nature. Visit a local park like Roger Williams, or take a walk through Arcadia Management Area or Great Swamp Management Area. Admire the beauty of the snow-covered landscapes, listen to the crunching snow beneath your feet, and enjoy the serenity of nature in the wintertime.
Bake or Cook Together
Spend some quality time in the kitchen baking or cooking together. Choose a winter recipe, whether cookies, a hearty stew, or festive treats. Personally, we love to do an at-home hot pot night. As two people who often eat on the couch, we take the time to set up our kitchen table with a full selection of meats and veggies and enjoy the hot pot experience in our own home.
Have a Game Night
I recently realized the hard way that we have no board games in our home. We were bored one night, and I was suggesting things to do (off of this list that I was creating) and realized we didn’t actually have any games to play. We only own a deck of cards.
That’s fine; we’re not really board game people. We love a good game night with friends, but it’s not something we gravitate towards, just the two of us.
The sentiment remains, though – it doesn’t have to be board games; it can be card games or video games! Unleash your competitive side with a cozy game night at home. It can be a lighthearted way to bond and enjoy each other’s company while staying warm and cozy indoors.
Look at Christmas Lights
Does your neighborhood go all out for the holidays? Ours does. All through the fall and winter seasons, Halloween decorations can be seen in magnificent displays, followed by gorgeous displays of lights.
Take a stroll through your neighborhood or drive around and enjoy the twinkling lights. Roger Williams Park Zoo does a wonderful display of holiday lights all through the month of December. We didn’t make it this year, but our friends have taken their kids, and even the adults loved it! With some hot chocolate in hand, it’s the perfect minimal-effort date-night activity.
Make a Charcuterie Board
Get creative in the kitchen and assemble a delicious charcuterie board together. Select from a variety of cheeses, meats, and accompaniments. It’s a tasty (and visually impressive) way to enjoy a relaxing evening. It doesn’t even have to be that fancy if you don’t have or like all the trimmings, make a board that you and your partner will enjoy.
Have a Happy Hour at Home
Create a cozy happy hour in your own home. Mix up some seasonal cocktails or mocktails, set up a charming drink station, and enjoy each other’s company with your favorite beverages in hand. This can be a delightful way to unwind and connect while showing off a hint of your creative side.
Go Rock Climbing
Looking for an activity to take you out of the house? Try indoor rock climbing together at Rock Spot Climbing; they have several locations throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts.! It’s an adventurous and active winter date idea. Challenge each other on the climbing walls, support one another, and enjoy the thrill of reaching new heights – literally! (Unless you’re anything like me and are afraid of heights… then it’s not so much thrilling as it is terrifying…)
DIY Craft Night – Pottery, painting, or drawing
Another way to tap into your creative side, have a DIY craft night. (I can already see the boys rolling their eyes at this one, but we all know once they start, they’re going to get super into it.)
Choose a craft, whether pottery, painting, or drawing, and create art together. It’s a meaningful and artistic way to spend the winter evening.
Not into creating art like that? Set up your phone or camera and have a photo shoot around the house. Choose poses for each other and with each other, and set the timer on your camera to capture the moment.
Go Skiing, Snowboarding or Tubing
Hit the slopes for a day of winter sports. “Katie, people don’t go skiing or snowboarding in Rhode Island… there are no mountains.” Okay, fine, you guys caught me on that one; maybe not the best suggestion for winter dates in Rhode Island, but throughout New England? That’s possible!
You CAN, however, go cross-country skiing or tubing in RI though – both activities I would recommend. Check out Yawgoo Valley for some epic tubing adventures.
Whether you’re experienced skiers or trying it for the first time, skiing, snowboarding, and tubing can be exhilarating and a great way to enjoy the snowy season.
Give Each Other Massages
Create a spa-like atmosphere at home and exchange massages. Use aromatic oils, dim the lights, and take turns giving each other relaxing massages. It’s a soothing and intimate winter date idea (bonus points if you do this after spending time shoveling snow!)
Make Brunch @ Home, or Hell – Go Get Brunch!
Brunch is always fun, but if you’re longing for something to do at home, cook up a delicious brunch right in your very own kitchen. From pancakes to omelets, create a spready of your favorite breakfast items. Share a leisurely brunch in the comfort of your own home, creating a cozy and intimate setting.
If you’d like to venture out into the world on a cold Sunday morning, might I recommend two of my favorite places: The Black Sheep and Federal Taphouse & Kitchen.
Go Snowshoeing at Lincoln Woods State Park:
Experience the beauty of winter landscapes by going snowshoeing at Lincoln Woods State Park. Rent snowshoes and traverse the snowy trails hand in hand (or not – if I did this with Kelvin, you know I’d drag him down with me as I fell over). It’s a great way to get outdoors, get some exercise, and have intimate conversations surrounded by the winter wildness.
Winter Wine Tasting at Newport Vineyards:
Maybe the outdoors isn’t your thing, but that’s okay, too! Escape to Newport Vineyards for a cozy winter wine tasting. Indulge in a selection of local wines in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Pair the wines with some artisanal cheeses and snacks. It’s a sophisticated and romantic date idea, perfect for a couple looking to savor the flavors of Rhode Island.
Take A Train Ride
Take a scenic winter train ride on the Grand Bellvue Rail Dining Experience, formerly known as the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad. Enjoy an elegant dining experience and murder mystery trains along the Aquidneck Islands and Narragansett Bay. Be advised that the train is closed for the month of January, according to their website, and while open, it does not move through the month of Feb-March.
Attend a Winter Festival
Winter festivals are held all throughout Rhode Island, celebrating a range of activities. Attendees can enjoy dazzling light displays, holiday markets featuring local artisans, live performances, and seasonal treats!
Here’s a few that we think look enticing for 2024:
Providence Restaurant Weeks: Winter 2024 (January 7-20)
Lumina Light Festival (January 19-February 20)
Rhode Island Brew Fest (January 27)
Newport Winter Festival (February 16-25)
So bundle up, grab your partner’s hand and take a romantic little journey through Rhode Island this winter. With it’s snow-kissed landscapes and festive charm, let Providence or Newport become your playground. Whether you’re searching for something adventurous like rock climbing, tubing or ice skating, or you’re searching for something a little more lowkey like a wine tasting or romantic dinner for two, these winter date ideas will create memories that will linger long after the snow has melted.
Cheers to a season filled with love, warmth, and romance – winter doesn’t have to always be dull & grey!
