17 BFF date ideas to get you out of your brunch funk

Get some retail therapy

Take your shopping partner out for a day of supporting local businesses. Whether you're looking for sportswear or vintage clothing, there are plenty of shops to find your next 'fit.

Go deeper: 15 of Charlotte’s best secondhand stores

Spend a day with exotic animals at Darby Safari

Take your friend to have personal encounters with various exotic animals — including a capuchin monkey, lemurs and baby otters — at a family-owned petting zoo.

Cost: General admission is $20, which comes with one generous bucket of fruits and vegetables to feed the animals.

• For an additional $24-$45, you can add on a personal encounter with a few of the animals in an up-close private setting.

Go deeper: Spend a day with exotic animals at Darby Safari in northwest Charlotte

Set up a puppy play date at Skiptown

This is for all the friends who prefer that their social calendar include dogs. There are indoor and outdoor spaces for your pup to run around while you chat with friends over a drink from the bar.

Catch up with friends over a drink 

Sometimes a drink (or two) can get the conversation going. Luckily, our city has a brewery or cocktail bar offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options in almost every neighborhood.

Go deeper: 50 best bars in Charlotte, ranked

Play with interactive exhibits at the Museum of Illusions

This local museum can alter your perspective with holograms, optical illusions and unusual rooms that’ll challenge the minds of curious individuals. This hands-on museum is a fun friend date activity for adults, but it can also be a great activity for friends with kids.  

Cost: Tickets range from $20-$28.

Go deeper: 5 takeaways from my visit to Charlotte’s Museum of Illusions

Party at a nightclub

Whether your friend group is filled with night owls or you simply love to dance, there are plenty of nightlife spots around the city to check out. 

Go deeper: 5 hot nightclubs in Charlotte

Run with Mad Miles Run Club

If exercising isn’t your forte but you’re working toward developing a healthier lifestyle, Mad Miles is a good place to start. You’ll run, walk or jog a two-mile route before celebrating the workout with dancing to music from a live DJ. Since the run club meets every week, regardless of the weather, it makes scheduling easy — and more possible to hold your friends accountable.

• They meet on Mondays at Social Status in Plaza Midwood, Tuesdays at YVY Training in Camp North End and Saturdays in Elizabeth Park.

Go deeper: I hate running but I’ll exercise with Mad Miles Run Club

Cheer on one of the local sports teams

Attend a soccer, baseball, basketball or football game if you and your BFF bond over sports. Even if you don’t love sports, you can enjoy food and drinks from local vendors.

• Knights' baseball schedule also has highlighted game nights that offer fireworks, discounted drinks and souvenirs.
• Charlotte FC schedule.
• Panthers’ home game schedule.
• Hornets schedule.

Hike around the city

Take advantage of the natural views by taking a stroll through the city’s greenways and trails. This a great activity for friends of all ages, and there are several locations to choose from.

Go deeper: Definitive hiking guide: The 16 best hikes around Charlotte

Link up at a coffee shop

If you're meeting in a hurry or you’re a multi-tasking friend who likes to work and chat, meet up at a local coffee shop. If you and your bestie work remotely, you can pretend at a coffee shop that you work together. You can also take a break from the “work day” and grab lunch.

Go deeper: The 26 best coffee shops for working remotely in Charlotte

Ride a roller coaster at Carowinds

Get your adrenaline pumping with a friend from riding on a roller coaster. There are more than 50 rides at varying thrill levels. Scan Carowinds’ full list of rides here and sort by attraction type, thrill level, minimum height and fast-lane accommodations.

• There are plenty of kid- and family-friendly rides, including the Flying Ace Balloon Race and the Kiddy Hawk coaster if your children want to tag along on your friend date.

Cost: Day passes cost $40. You can also opt for a season pass, which includes unlimited visits.

Fast Lane pass: For $75, you can spare yourself the time spent standing in line for all the major rides. 

Compete at Victory Lanes

If you enjoy a little competition, this is the place for you. Challenge your friends with go-karts, bowling, axe throwing, virtual reality and arcade games. After a few intense games, head over to the bar for cocktails or something to eat.

• Axios tip: One free race is available if you’re celebrating a birthday with an annual race license.

Light up your friendship at Paddywax Candle Bar

Book a workshop to make a candle to take home. Candles are also available to purchase. Plant potting workshops are available, too.

• Axios tip: At-home candle kits are available to purchase online and in-store.

Picnic in style with Styled by Saint Fort

Owner Toanna Gelin will create an aesthetically pleasing picnic with a rug, pillows, a low table and games. After you’re done, she’ll handle the clean-up.

• Axios tip: This is an Instagram-worthy outing.

Get active at The U.S. National Whitewater Center

Spend an entire day outside on the water and check out activities like whitewater rafting, kayaking and rock climbing over deep water. Challenge the friend group to face their fears in the air through zip-lining, hawk jumps, obstacle courses on the ropes or bouldering. Land activities include seasonal ice skating, biking, yoga and hiking.

• Axios tip: Take a look at the schedule to plan to go on a day with events or live music.

Go deeper: 13 ways to spend a day at the Whitewater Center

Create matching succulents at Plant House

Get your hands dirty by creating a terrarium with your bestie through a workshop class. Decor ranges from nautical to dried florals. Reservations are recommended for workshop classes with a group.

• Axios tip: Receive 10% off workshops if you sign up with your email. Also, view the calendar for events with themed classes.

Take a swing at Puttery

Enjoy a modern take on putt-putt with high-tech gameplay and unique golf courses. Enhance the experience with a crafted cocktail.

• Axios tip: Make reservations to lock in a 90-minute tee time slot. The weekends can be busy.

Axios Charlotte thanks our partners for supporting our content. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content.

Editor’s note: We originally published this story in May 2022 and updated it in June 2024.