Carowinds Date Guide

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Park: 10 AM - 8 PM
Waterpark: Closed
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Park: 10 AM - 8 PM
Waterpark: Closed
View Hours

Plan a Date at Carowinds

Ashlyn Pecchio Photo Ashlyn Pecchio |
January 31, 2023

Tired of dinner and a movie? Try a date at Carowinds, whether it is a first date or a couples' date night. Carowinds has become a popular date spot for couples looking for fresh entertainment and excitement.

Carowinds can provide some date tips for both seasoned passholders and single-day admission guests to make the most out of a day at the park with their significant other.

Prepare for the Perfect Carowinds Date

Dress for the Occasion

Regardless of the activity, picking the perfect outfit for a date can be a daunting task. At Carowinds, comfort is key. Guests should dress in attire that allows them to comfortably enjoy walking through the park, enjoying thrill rides and dancing to the beat of Carowinds’ live entertainment.

Valuable items should be left at home when possible. If guests must bring a bag, they should consider taking advantage of park locker rentals. Lockers are located at North Gate, Fury 325 and Copperhead Strike. They can be purchased by the hour.

Choose Admission and Add-Ons in Advance

Purchase park admission ahead of time to save time upon arrival and guarantee the best deal. At Carowinds.com, guests can choose from a variety of admission packages, including season passes. A 2023 Silver Pass is the best value with unlimited admission to Carowinds and the Carolina Harbor Waterpark through the summer, unlimited fall daytime visits, free parking, and exclusive discounts. Add-ons like dining plans, Fast Lane and FunPix can also be purchased.

Things To Do During a Date at Carowinds

Enjoy Carolina Cuisine and Local Brews

Share a meal with your date at one of Carowinds’ many dining locations, serving dishes that range from authentic Carolina cuisine to amusement park staples.

Blue Ridge Country Kitchen is the newest dining location at the park, and a guest-favorite for this occasion. Here, guests can enjoy rotisserie chicken and traditional southern sides like mac and cheese, collards, and homemade biscuits. In addition to a spacious dining room, Blue Ridge Country Kitchen features a quaint patio for outdoor dining. The patio is also home to the Blue Ridge Bar, pouring select local brews, including the Copperhead Strike IPA, Carowinds’ collaboration with Sycamore Brewing.

Another popular date dining option is Harmony Hall, Carowinds’ flagship dining location. The restaurant features multiple stations offering a variety of dining choices like barbeque, poke bowls, gourmet grilled cheese, pizza, fresh salads, burgers, and hand-breaded chicken tenders. Harmony Hall has a large dining room, a full bar, and a patio complete with firepits.

Get an Adrenaline Rush on World Class Thrill Rides

During a date at Carowinds, couples take bonding to new heights, literally, on the tallest and fastest coasters around. Carowinds is home to Fury 325, voted World’s Best Steel Coaster. Those looking for smaller thrills will also enjoy the numerous classic rides, located in the County Fair area of the park. Across the park, is The Grand Carousel, which features a romantic nostalgic-feel with hand-carved horses and magical lighting.

Catch a Show

Enjoy Carowinds’ live entertainment with your date. With nearly a dozen shows each season, there is always something for everyone’s taste.

This winter, live music is featured each weekend, located inside Harmony Hall. Bands in Residence will include local bands: The Parks Brothers and Thirsty Horses. The high-energy performances will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the Harmony Hall stage.

The Parks Brothers: January 7 | January 14-15 | January 22 | February 4-5 | February 11-12 | February 19 | February 25-26 | March 4-5 | March 11-12 | March 19 | March 26

Thirsty Horses: January 8 | January 21 | January 28-29 | February 18 | March 18 | March 25

Shows vary by season, but the latest line-up of live entertainment offerings and showtimes can be found here.

Create Friendly Competition with Midway Games

Couples enjoy showing-off their skills and creating a fun competition at the numerous midway games found throughout Carowinds. Guests can purchase a reloadable Game Card at designated kiosks. Find classic midway games in Celebration Plaza, County Fair, Carolina Boardwalk and Country Crossroads.

Date Tips and Tricks

Download the Carowinds Mobile App

Download the Carowinds Mobile App for access to an interactive map, showtimes and wait times for each ride. The app also sends guests messages and notifications to stay updated on everything happening in the park.

Capture the Memory with a Photo

Couples will never want to forget their date at Carowinds. FunPix is the best way to capture Carowinds memories with professional in-park photography and on-ride photos. Photos may be purchased individually at the park, or guests can get the best value with All Day or All Season FunPix, which grants access to unlimited digital photos during a visit.

Save with a Carowinds Dining Plan

Get the best value on date night with a dining plan, available for purchase at Carowinds.com. All Day Dining allows guests to enjoy a meal or snack every 90 minutes, while All Season Dining can be added to a Season Pass to enjoy lunch and dinner every visit.

Now you have all the information needed to plan the perfect date night at Carowinds! Get started at our online ticket store