One thing I love more than anything? Seeing a free night on the calendar weeks in advance. I immediately scribble “date night” before anything else has the opportunity to take its place, and I start dreaming up where we’ll go and what we’ll do. Fast-forward to two days before the date, and I’ve come up with zero date ideas other than the usual. You know, we’ll go to the restaurant we know and love, order the same thing we always do because we know it’s good, and go home. It’s a tried and tested plan we’re always happy with. But I’d be lying if I said there was anything that exciting about it.
Date nights, in new relationships and veteran relationships alike, can feel a little repetitive. My mom always says, “It’s not about where you are, but who you’re with,” and she’s right, but still. I think we can all agree that date ideas can run a little dry sometimes. With that in mind, I took it upon myself to come up with a giant list of date ideas, so my husband and I never run the risk of getting bored. I encourage you to reference it whenever you’re tempted to do the same old thing with your date. From challenging each other to a game of pickleball to heading to the bookstore, these dates are sure to be much more enjoyable and memorable for both of you.
At-home date ideas
- Bake a new recipe together
- Make pizza and drink wine
- Do a blind dessert taste test night
- Start a puzzle
- Rewatch a nostalgic movie
- Make pasta from scratch
- Plant a garden
- Craft specialty cocktails together
- Tackle a DIY project
- Play card games
- Take an online class together
- Build a blanket fort
- Start the same book
- Make ice cream sundaes
- Watch a documentary
Budget-friendly date ideas
- Explore the farmer’s market
- Shop at thrift stores
- Explore a flower farm
- Visit a historical district
- Walk around an art festival
- Go out for ice cream
- Explore an antique store
- Get dinner from food trucks
- Explore a part of town you don’t go to often
- Volunteer for your favorite cause
- Visit a bakery
- Take a workout class
- Visit a new coffee shop
- Visit a bookstore
- Take a day trip to a neighboring town
Outdoor date ideas
- Head out for a bike ride
- Go for a long walk
- Go rock climbing
- Go for a nature walk or hike
- Play pickleball
- Set up a picnic
- Go ice skating
- Go to a theme park
- Play a round of golf
- Go kayaking or paddleboarding
- Explore a local or state park
- Play frisbee golf
- Visit a U-pick fruit farm
- Spend the day at the beach/lake
- Go rollerblading
- Hit a bucket of balls at the driving range
Creative and unique date ideas
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- Visit a museum or art gallery
- Go to an afternoon tea
- Head to a cat cafe
- Go to a wreck room
- Attend a paint night
- Go to a botanical garden
- Take a crafting class
- See a psychic
- Take a pottery class
Entertainment and night-out dates
- Go watch live music
- Attend a sports game
- Go see a play
- Go to the zoo or aquarium
- Go to a comedy show
- Play arcade games
- Go to a fair or a carnival
- Go to the casino
- Go line dancing
- Play darts or pool at a local bar
- Visit a speakeasy
- Go axe-throwing
Romantic date night ideas
- Enjoy rooftop drinks
- Go to a drive-in
- Visit a winery
- Take a cooking class
- Stargaze
- Take a dance lesson
- Watch the sunset
- Get a couple’s massage
- Rent a boat for the day/night
- Write future letters to each other to open in a year
Double date ideas
- Go bowling
- Team up at trivia night
- Tour a brewery or distillery
- Have a game night
- Play mini-golf
- Play putt-putt
- Have a bonfire
- Go on a ghost tour
- Play laser tag
- Go to an escape room
- Have a cornhole competition
- Try a new brunch spot
Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor
As Assistant Managing Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Tagliarino oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.
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