The Background
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed bipartisan legislation to create the National Cultural Center. Once elected, President and Mrs. Kennedy continued the construction, driven by their love of the arts. After President Kennedy’s assassination, Congress renamed the Center in his honor. Today, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts connects millions of people every year to works by thousands of artists. The world’s most exquisite talent comes here, and so should you.
The Standout Features
Here’s why this date performs:
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Free: It’s hard to believe this jam-packed date is zero bucks.
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Playful: Completing the scavenger hunt and collecting your fabulous prizes is just plain fun. Plus, whenever they use their reward, they’ll think of you.
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See Their Artistic Side: What paintings do they like? Does ballet or theater appeal to them more? Explore what moves them and find out.
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Teamwork: During the scavenger hunt, discover how well you work together. Do you divide and conquer, or does one steal the spotlight?
The Experience
Date Lead Up - Bikerides & REACH
My date and I lock our rides at the nearest Capital Bikeshare station. As we ascend the stairs, I spot the impressive white marbled exterior of the Kennedy Center. The facade was a gift from the Italian government, and the quality shows. Willow trees rustle at its sides underneath a bright blue sky. Then, we walk the full length of the building to the REACH complex. There, we sit to watch a giant outdoor visual art installation.
My date and I lock our rides at the nearest Capital Bikeshare station. As we ascend the stairs, I spot the impressive white marbled exterior of the Kennedy Center. The facade was a gift from the Italian government, and the quality shows. Willow trees rustle at its sides underneath a bright blue sky. Then, we walk the full length of the building to the REACH complex. There, we sit to watch a giant outdoor visual art installation.
When it’s over, we enter the glass doors of the main REACH facility and spiral down the staircase. Inside, we come across a series of paintings. A faint drumming catches my date’s attention. As we get closer to it, we realize it’s steel drums for a Caribbean dance class. I remind myself to find an upcoming course to try.
After exploring REACH, we move through the Kennedy Center’s Hall of Nations. Flags from every country line a luxurious red carpet that beckons us deeper into the room. When we are halfway down the runway, we see elevators. Soon, we hop aboard and hurry to the top floor.
Date Main Event - Solving the Puzzle
When we arrive at the JFK museum entrance, there’s a stand with a free scavenger hunt. My face beams with excitement as I grab the paper and my date. The museum holds the answers. Now, we just have to find them. We comb through the displays, documenting the solutions as they come.
Along the way, we learn fun JFK facts. For example, JFK’s help message inscribed on a coconut saved him and his fellow soldiers stranded at sea. Before long, we finish the puzzle and discover a bonus activity. We take a picture nearby and watch the screen paint us. I love the keepsake.
All that searching worked up an appetite. Next, we pop into the huge cafe. It’s hard to decide between the lavish desserts, abundant snacks, and delicious beverages. While I’m thinking, I turn to find an alcohol dispenser. I’ve never seen such an invention! From Maker’s Mark and high-end tequilas to cocktails and wines, even the cafe is elevated. Finally, I choose a caramel coffee, and my date grabs a free cup of H2O. Then we head to the terrace.
The massive rooftop balcony wraps around the entire building. While strolling, we soak in the incredible views. Ahead, the sun sparkles off of the Potomac River. Yachts and rowers dot the water, with Rosslyn in the distance. Georgetown’s Victorian gothic hall looms to our right, and the heart of DC is a stone’s throw away. At one point, we swing our arms over the railing and get lost in conversation.
Date Wrap Up - Collect the Prize
The Planning
No need to do all the planning yourself. Here are the highlights, though always double check!
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for... | ✔ First date ✔ A few dates in ✔ Steady couple |
| Seasons | Runs year round |
| Typical Hours | Open daily 10am - midnight except during scheduled closures. |
| Duration | 2-3 hours |
| Cost | Free! |
| Booking | No booking or ticket necessary. Just show up and walk right in. |
| Website | |
| Address | 2700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20566 |
| Transportation | Metro: Closest station is Foggy Bottom-GWU (8 min walk). Biking: Closest Capitol Bikeshare station is at Wilson Blvd & Ft. Meyer Dr. Driving: Park in Kennedy Center garage for $25 or $22 if purchased at least a day in advance. Parking is first-come, first-served. Limited parking at Watergate garage and Columbia Plaza at 2400 Virginia Ave. Free Shuttle: Hop on the shuttle straight to the Kennedy Center at the curb side as you exit the Foggy Bottom metro escalator. |
| Attire | Wear what's comfortable. No need to dress up. |
| Contact Info | Phone: (202) 416-8000 |
| Special Features | Go on a free guided tour of REACH, the Kennedy Center's original building, or a highlight tour of both. Visit the Tour Desk in the Hall of Nations for details. There are also rotating free and paid events to consider. |
| Accessibility | All exhibits are wheelchair accessible and videos are captioned. There is access to the terrace via elevator. For additional information about accessibility or to request an accommodation, contact the Access Office at 202-416-8727 or Access@kennedy-center.org. |
The Pre- and Post-Date Options
If you want to keep the date going, we have a cheat sheet to guide you to your next destination. You can visit these places before your date, too. Make this list your own. The map shows the Kennedy Center (purple), as well as bonus date options (green) in one place. Before you go, though, always check times in case something’s changed.
Tazza Cafe (1 min walk): Across the street from the Kennedy Center, this cafe offers American and Mediterranean fare with gluten-free and vegetarian options. From the Moroccan Lamb to the Turkish Beef Kofte, this family-owned business has a lot to offer. Open Mon-Fri: 8am – 8pm, Sat: 10am – 8pm, Sun: 10am – 6pm.
Roof Terrace Restaurant (2 min walk): Take in the city views from the iconic Kennedy Center terrace. Enjoy a twist on French classics and other global spices amidst a romantic atmosphere. Open for dinner 5-8pm daily and on Sundays for brunch from 11am – 2pm.
Hive Bar (9 min walk): Tucked inside the modern charm of the Hive hotel, this spot offers hip craft cocktails, local brews, delicious brunch, and so much more. Take it up a notch by sipping your drink of choice on their gorgeous rooftop. Open year round with views of the city, you won’t want to miss it. Feeling hungry? Order food from their menu or from &pizza built into their first floor. Roof hours (wind and temperature permitting): Daily 3-10pm. Regular hours: Sun-Thurs: 6am – 10:30am, 11am – 10pm, Fri-Sat: 6am-10:30am, 11am – 11pm.
Fiola Mare (12 min walk): For an elevated experience, head to this elegant Michelin seafood spot overlooking the Potomac River. Nestled in the Georgetown waterfront the ambiance is divine. Open Mon: 5-9:30pm, Tues-Thurs: 11:30 am – 10pm, Fri: 11:30am – 10:30pm, Sat: 11am – 10:30pm, Sun: 11am – 9:30pm.
Bozzelli’s Italian Deli in Georgetown (13 min walk): What started as a deli run by two Italian brothers has blossomed into a local hit. Troops used to write letters to the owners about missing their subs on deployments. Even the famous band Glass Tiger had them cater. When brother Lou passed, the family honored his legacy by relaunched the restaurant as Bozzelli’s with a spaceman theme. The family was always looking towards the stars. Come for your own out-of-this-world experience. Open Mon-Fri: 8am – 9pm, Sat: 10am – 10pm, Sun: 11am – 7pm.