The African American Museum is Philly’s Unexpected Date Hotspot

The Short Version: A good date location should give couples plenty of room for thoughtful conversation, and that’s certainly true for the African American Museum in Philadelphia. This cultural hub gives visitors the chance to explore, learn, and converse about topics that matter.

I’ve learned a lot about myself throughout my journey of singlehood. One big thing is I’m not a fan of the traditional dating format of dinner and drinks, and another thing is I prefer to know early on if my potential partner and I have similar values. 

For example, I believe that taking an interest in art, culture, and the goings-on of the world is a sign of good character. That’s something I’d like to share with the person I’m going to (hopefully) build a life with. 

This can be difficult (and awkward) to suss out early in a relationship, which is why picking places like the African American Museum in Philadelphia as the setting of your first (or second or third) date could be a game changer. 

Located in the heart of the historical district, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (or AAMP) is home to “the first institution funded and built by a major municipality to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of African Americans.” 

The museum’s goal — through a carefully curated smorgasbord of visual art, photography, multidimensional media, and historical artifacts — is, yes, to pay homage to the rich narrative of African American peoples, but also to bring curious citizens together in community. 

Theresa Spencer, director of marketing at this Philly-based cultural gem, touches on why the AAMP makes for a unique and off-the-beaten-path date spot: “We provide full offers for all generations. For example, we’ve hosted acrobatics yoga classes, game nights, poetry nights, cooking demos – we’ve done so much!”

The museum really is the ultimate two-for-one: Singles get to expand their knowledge of and appreciation for African history while igniting a romance based on shared values. It beats mind-numbing small talk over a cocktail that’s probably going to hurt my stomach later, if you ask me. 

At the beginning of a relationship — when things are still light and fun and full of whimsy — it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of infatuation and forget to check for actual compatibility.  Do you have shared interests? Do you value the same things in life? Do you view the world from similar lenses? These questions are difficult to answer if your first couple of interactions are at a movie theater or in a loud, chatty cocktail bar. 

Settings like the African American Museum in Philadelphia, however, serve as the perfect catalyst for meaningful conversations between two people attempting to get to know each other. 

You can mosey down the corridors of the “Audacious Freedom” exhibit, which showcases the history of African American impact in Philadelphia from 1776 to 1876, and share reflections on the progression of black civil rights over time. 

You could venture over to the “Shared Vision” portrait collection and exchange commentary on how these moving pieces spoke to the “beauty, identity, autonomy, and power” of the African American diaspora.

Or, after taking in all the different exhibits, you could become grounded via a group yoga class, and join in a collective “ohm” to close out this evening of learning and movement. 

This locale offers many opportunities to create bonds over some of the things that matter most, and, as Theresa mentions, not exclusive to a certain time: “You can come to the museum in the evening for a great night out — as long as it’s between Thursday and Sunday — “or you can come in the middle of the day, too, especially if we’re holding an ‘Art Break’, a guided tour on the current exhibitions in the museum.” 

Regardless of what time you decide to come or which collections you explore, new couples can expect ample chances to learn about their date’s values, beliefs, and perspectives in ways that may not have been accessible at more traditional date spots. 

Sure, you may be just fine watching the latest Marvel movie or checking out that new wine bar opening up around the corner. Let me guess: There’s a very Instagrammable hot pink neon sign in the entryway? But we encourage you to consider, as Robert Frost once said, take the road less traveled.

The AAMP’s rotating exhibits alone serve as the perfect icebreaker for you and your new boo, and if you’re worried that an hour or so of perusing won’t quite make the cut for a jam-packed dating experience, fear not. The museum doubles as an event space, meaning its calendar is full of exciting events to satisfy just about anyone.

Beyond the game nights, poetry readings, and adrenaline-boosting acrobatics yoga classes that were mentioned previously, they’ve also got live music, guest artist speakers, and interactive learning workshops.

“Jazz in the City” and “Sweet and Savory Mini Dessert Expo,” for example, are a couple of events I’ve found on the docket for the AAMP this year. Personally, I would love to find myself and a Hinge cutie talking culture over raspberry cream tarts on a Friday night.

This past summer, Theresa tells us, they also hosted a fun music series called “Black Music Month.”

“We featured a different genre of music each week, on Saturday, and we held it outside,” Theresa said. “We had a DJ come out, we had tons of games, hula-hoops for kids, a bar in the back, and vendors — It was kind of like a mini-block party!”

Plus, the fun doesn’t stop there. (At least, not if you don’t want it to). Philadelphia, Theresa tells me with a cheeky smile, has been voted the most walkable city in the country for the past two years, and is chock-full of restaurants and bars to visit — including near the museum. 

“We’re really just located in such a great space to say, ‘Hey, we can grab dinner and then go to the museum, or go to the museum and then grab dinner.’ ”

For anyone interested in ditching the standard dating format and making unique memories with their potential (or, perhaps established, partner), the AAMP flexes many ways to make that happen. 

“Of course this is going to sound biased because I work here, but I really mean it: the museum really is such a cool and fun place to come visit. There’s so much to do!” Theresa beams.

You and your date can feel inspired by the museum’s story-telling exhibits, get lost in the artistry of rising black painters and photographers, or lose yourself to the sounds of soothing jazz under the Philly night sky — all while unlocking deeper levels of meaning and understanding with someone special by your side. 

The opportunities for connection are plentiful, if only you’re willing to give something new a try — and pay a $14 entrance fee or more depending if there is a special event happening that day, which I still think is a pretty solid deal.