With Valentine’s Day coming up, here are some date destinations for you to think about visiting! Some of these places are closer to Rutgers’ New Brunswick campus than others, but none are too far away. Enjoy Valentine’s day, whether you spend it with friends, family, a significant other, or no one at all.
These destinations are not listed in any particular order.
- Livingston Theater Company (Rutgers’ Premiere Musical Theater Organization)
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Founded in 1998, the LTC has been bringing affordable musical theater to Rutgers students and the community. The LTC puts on several shows every year, and coincidentally, on the weekend of this year’s Valentine’s Day, they are performing HAIR, an American tribal love rock musical that navigates and explores what it means to be a young person in an ever-changing world. Whether you’re seeing a comedy or drama, the LTC is a great place to go for an enjoyable date night!
Follow their Instagram to find out more about show times & locations: https://instagram.com/rutgersltc?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=
Visit their website to buy tickets: https://www.rultc.org/
Address: 84 Joyce Kilmer Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854 in the Livingston Student Center’s Multi-Purpose Room
- Zimmerli Art Museum
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Located on the Rutgers College Avenue campus, the Zimmerli Art Museum is open to the public and offers free admission to all. With collections of over 50,000 works ranging from ancient to contemporary art, the museum is a place to visit and explore either with friends or as a couple. If you choose to do a guided museum tour, the educators at the Zimmerli Art Museum will work to provide the perfect interactive experience.
Visit their website to learn more: https://zimmerli.rutgers.edu/
Address: 71 Hamilton St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
- Hidden Grounds
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If you’re looking for a cute coffee date with the perfect vibes, Hidden Grounds is definitely the place to go! Located on Easton Ave near the train station, it has delicious coffee, warm buttered croissants, and amazing music! With a lot of room and tables, this place is also fit for one-on-one study dates.
- Efes Cafe
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Another spot located on Easton Ave near the train station, Efes Cafe is family owned and has more than just delicious coffee. With a large variety of cakes and pastries, Efes Cafe is the perfect place for a study session with your friends or S/O.
Visit their website for more information: https://efescafenj.com/
Address: 34 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
- Rutgers Cinema
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Nowadays, Netflix is a popular platform to watch movies at home with your friends or partner, but going to the movie theater is another exciting experience. Being able to watch movies on the big screen and eat mouth-watering buttery popcorn is extremely fun, and watching a movie for the first time in the presence of many other people is very stimulating. Thankfully with the Rutgers Cinema on the Livingston campus, going to the movie theater is affordable and a date that is easy to plan.
For more information on movie times & tickets: https://www.rutgerscinema.com/
Address: 105 Joyce Kilmer Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854
- Rutgers Gardens
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Located a bit farther from campus, Rutgers Gardens is an amazing outdoor location to visit. It is a botanical garden that consists of designed gardens, plant collections, natural habitats, and even a farmer’s market! A fun place to stroll and at the same time, learn more about plant science and landscape architecture.
Visit the website for more information and to review the Garden’s etiquette and rules: https://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/
Address: 130 Log Cabin Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
- The Canvas and Grapes Experience
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A 15-minute drive from the Rutgers College Avenue campus, Canvas and Grapes Experience was voted the best paint and sip studio in the tri-state area. Aside from an artist instructor, there is also a DJ providing music for you to dance and enjoy. There are two different styles of events: lounge style and karaoke style. All events include art materials, live instruction, DJ/host, a light show, and music entertainment.
Visit their website to book tickets or find out more information: https://www.canvasgrapes.com/
Address: 2595 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08817
- Color Me Mine (Menlo Park Mall)
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At Color Me Mine, you and your partner can paint ceramics that you choose from a collection provided on a shelf. Painting and crafts are the perfect activities for a date, or even hanging out with friends. Located in Menlo Park Mall, there are plenty of things to do after you are done painting like clothes shopping or stopping by the food court for a snack!
Visit the website for more information: https://edison.colormemine.com/
Address: 55 Parsonage Rd, Edison, NJ 08837
- Monster Mini Golf
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A 15-minute drive from the Rutgers College Avenue campus, this destination is a monster-themed, indoor, glow-in-the-dark, mini golf course. The course provides animated monsters that can move, talk, and wiggle for the enjoyment of the golfers. Aside from golfing, there are other fun activities like laser tag, an arcade, virtual reality, laser mazes, and even bowling! Monster Mini Golf is an awesome place to frequent!
Visit the website for more information: https://monsterminigolf.com/
Address: 775 US-1, Edison, NJ 08817
- Bowlero North Brunswick
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A 10-minute drive from the Rutgers College Avenue campus, Bowlero is a bowling alley with lots of different activities ranging from billiards and arcade games, with some locations even offering laser tag! The bowling alley is always a fun place to frequent, with good music and good vibes.
Visit the website for more information: https://www.bowlero.com/location/bowlero-north-brunswick
Address: 1 Carolier Ln, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902