100 Cute and Romantic Date Ideas That Will Totally Change Your Game
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Sometimes, dreaming up a date activity that's as fun and unique as your relationship can be just as difficult as finding someone to date in the first place. Whether you're commuting to work or traveling 20 steps from your bed to your desk and back again, most of us just don't have a lot of creative juices left when we're done for the day. There's only so many dinner-and-a-movie nights you can stomach, and if you're anything like me, your couch has a you-shaped imprint in it from all of the quality time you're spending together. And if you've got kids in the mix, that's a whole other level of complication.
Because we love love, we came up with a boatload of alternatives, in case you'd like to give the couch some alone time of its own. With all of these date ideas, there's something for every type of couple personality, activity preference, level of DIY skills and budget. We've got enough options to last you a few year's worth of weekends. Here is a somewhat comprehensive list of our favorite cute date ideas.
Restaurant hop. If you've got your favorite spot's menu just about memorized, check out a few new places to find your new standard. Visit a food hall if you've got one nearby or head to an area with a few different restaurants and try one place for appetizers, another for dinner and a third for dessert.
Play tourist in your hometown. When was the last time you took advantage of the things everyone always wants to see when they visit? Probably the last time you had out-of-town guests, that's when. Take an afternoon or an evening and hit up your local landmarks or must-see attractions like you're seeing them with fresh eyes.
Make a fun new recipe. Even if you're not much of a cook, trying out a new dish can result in lots of laughs. Not to mention, you get to eat the results.
Go on a picnic. If it's nice outside, there's nothing more romantic than packing up some al fresco food and bev, spreading it on a blanket and enjoying the great outdoors. If the weather outside is frightful, move the party to your living room.
Take a hike. Something about exploring nature with your main squeeze really gets the heart going in other ways, if you know what we mean.
Hit the beach. Sun, sand, surf and lots of skin. Come up with a better afternoon. We dare you.
Go skiing. Not beach weather? Hit the slopes instead. If you don't get hot cocoa afterward, it didn't count.
Play a board game. Drag out the classics or try a brand new one, for a healthy dose of competition. Toss in a friendly wager to spice things up a little.
Throw a casino night. If they call you Lady Luck, see if your partner can roll snake eyes and win your heart. That, or play cards with that week's chore list on the line.
Build a campfire. Ignite the flames of passion in a Smoky-approved way by gathering around a campfire in your backyard. If your municipality doesn't allow fires, huddle by the fireplace instead or even make s'mores in the microwave.
Have a spa night. Hit up the drugstore for face masks, mani-pedi supplies and massage oil for a DIY pampering sesh that will improve your bond and your skin.
Take a day trip. Hop in your car and see where a tank of gas can get you. Even checking out the next town over can feel like an adventure, especially when you're doing it with your favorite person.
Go grocery shopping together. Need eggs and bread? Turn a boring chore into a fun couple activity. Split your list in half and race to see who can finish it first, or just wander the aisles hand-in-hand.
Learn a new skill. You don't need to invest in a lot of fancy equipment to try something new. Give origami, drawing or even card tricks a shot. You'll have a blast laughing over how bad you both are, at first.
Play hide 'n seek. It's not just for kids anymore.
Look through old photos. Pull out the albums and get ready for an awwww-fest. Share stories of your childhoods and your awkward teen years to learn something new about your sweetheart and grow to love them even more.
Go antique hunting. You'll be amazed what kinds of gems you can find at an antique store, not to mention the creepy AF tchotchkes you'll run into.
Take a dance class. Even (or especially!) if you have two left feet, taking a dance class can make a unique date. You'll be the talk of the dance floor at the next wedding or party when you bust a move.
Volunteer together. Sign up to serve at a soup kitchen, a clothing drive or other local initiative to make a difference in your community and see how hot your honey looks when helping others.
Visit the zoo or aquarium. Come on, even fish are cute. Show your sensitive side and squee over some new fuzzy or finned friends.
Read to each other. Grab some steamy reading from your local library or used book store and take turns reading to each other. You'll be in the mood before you can say "once upon a time."
Arrange a scavenger hunt. Bonus points if you craft one that recreates your first date and features all of your special spots.
Explore a museum. If you haven't been to your nearest museum since your class field trip, it's time to make a trip. Learning is sexy, don't you think?
Go out for dessert. I don't know about you, but I'm always too full to get dessert after a nice dinner. Skip right to the sweets, and see what you've been missing.
Commandeer the jukebox at a bar. Ensure you've got danceable tunes all night long by taking control of the jukebox at a local watering hole. Don't forget to sing along.
Make a craft together. Creativity feels even more satisfying when you do a project with your sweetheart. Don't worry if you're not a pro artist; there's beauty in imperfection.
See a comedy show. Laughing gets endorphins flowing, and comedy often comes cheaper than other forms of live entertainment. Even really bad standup can be fun, in its own special way.
Go to an open house or estate sale. Even if you have zero plans to buy a home, looking inside someone else's casa is the best (and least creepy) kind of voyeurism.
Tackle a home improvement project. If you've been meaning to hang some shelves or finally cleaning out your closet, enlist the help of your main squeeze. Doing it together will make the task go by faster.
Go berry or apple-picking. Depending on the time of year, there's probably something edible growing out there. Pick apples, berries, pumpkins, whatever. It's a seasonal, Insta-friendly outing that ends with yummy snacks.
Hold a baking competition. Make like Paul Hollywood and challenge your beau to a baking contest. Once you're eating the spoils, everyone wins.
Wander a new neighborhood. Drive or walk to a new locale and see what's around, for a free and unique date. Pick out your favorite houses and make up tall tales about who lives inside, or choose the one you'd want to live in.
Go horseback riding. It's a better workout than you expect, not to mention an offbeat way to get a good dose of nature.
Try rock-climbing. Thanks to its newfound trendiness, many cities have at least one climbing gym. Don't belay, chalk up those hands (sorry, not sorry).
Take a cooking class. Level up your kitchen know-how and get to enjoy a delicious meal, all in one.
Try a new fancy coffee or tea. If you usually take it black or with just sugar or cream, branch out! Hit up a local coffeeshop and try the most unique offering they've got.
Fly a kite. This is one instance in which "go fly a kite" isn't an insult. Really, try it.
Stay in a bed and breakfast. Whether you go old-school or rent an AirBnB for the night, bed and breakfasts feel like sneaking into someone else's house, except you're totally allowed to be there.
Go to a water park. Make like a kid again and splish splash to your heart's content. Water slides really are worth the hype.
Play trivia at a bar. Look, I don't know anything about anything and I love trivia. You will too.
Go to a farmer's market. Supporting local merchants, eating delicious healthy foods and enjoying a stroll in the sunshine – yup, that's definitely date material.
Try a new workout. If you're a Spin person, drop in on a kickboxing class. If you're usually a free weights fan, step it up with some Zumba. Giving a new class a shot is less intimidating with a pal, and you can even use an app if you don't want to shell out for one.
Tour a brewery or winery. You'll learn what goes into making your favorite beverage, and there are usually samples. Win-win!
Stargaze together. There's just something inherently romantic about the night sky. Bring a blanket to the backyard or a local park and see how many constellations you can find.
Do karaoke. Everyone's a star at karaoke, especially if you can find the kind with private rooms. The sappier ballads you can belt out, the better.
Go ax-throwing. As soon as you let the first one fly, you'll understand why ax-throwing is so trendy. It's also a great way to unload some stress.
Put together a puzzle. There's something so satisfying about finally clicking that last piece into place, plus it's good for the ol' noodle.
Go bowling. This is one instance in which you actually want to strike out.
See a drive-in movie. Many drive-ins still play double features, so you get twice the films for your buck. Besides, it's delightfully retro.
Go skating. Whether you go the ice or roller route, skating is just as perfect a date night as it was when you were 12.
Take a wine tour. If you live near wine country, enlist a designated driver and get your grape on. If not, buy a few bottles of varietals you've never tried, print out some deets from the Internet and DIY it at home. Don't forget the cheese.
See a concert. Even terrible cover bands make a fun night out, especially if you dance like fools the whole time.
Cowork together. This is for the busy bees: If you and your sweetie work remotely, try out a cozy new coworking space together. Don't forget to build in breaks to grab snacks and lunch together.
Try a dinner cruise. A candlelit dinner on the water? I'm sorry, did somebody say "most romantic night ever?"
Rent a kayak or canoe. Your arms may get tired and your lap will definitely get soaked, but steering a double kayak or a canoe will give you new insight into your cooperation skills.
Make your own pizza. Yes, including the dough. Top it with all of your favs, or go with personal pies and challenge each other to come up with the tastiest new combo.
Take a dollar menu date. Go to a fast food restaurant and order everything on the dollar menu for a fresh take on the classic dinner outing.
Visit your hometown. Showing your main squeeze where you grew up (or went to college if you're from the same town) is surprisingly romantic and it's sure to elicit some mushy feelings. Go ahead, share those embarrassing childhood stories.
Challenge them at an arcade. Go a few rounds at Ms Pacman and Big Deer Hunter for a unique night out that will bring out your competitive side.
Go camping. Snuggling under the stars is a cliché for a reason. Pitch a tent in the backyard if you don't have a campground nearby.
Plan a future date. If your wallet's a little light right now, crack open a bottle of wine and spend a cozy night in planning an extravagant future date. Romantic, whether you actually go on it or not.
Throw a dinner party together. Put your cooperation skills to the test by inviting a few other couples over and making an apps-to-dessert meal. Place cards and centerpieces optional, but if you're gonna do the thing, you might as well do it right.
Choose library books for each other. For a free and quirky date, head to your local library and choose books for the other to read. Hand your sweetheart your most awww-worthy childhood favorite, or introduce them to a current literary obsession.
Thrift new outfits. Visit a secondhand store and dress each other in the craziest clothes you can find. Goofy photos mandatory.
Have a themed movie night. But make it a theme. Choose a flick and add snacks to match. Think The Godfather and cannoli or Ratatouille and, well, you know.
Make a romantic playlist. Remember when you used to exchange mix tapes with your crush back in the day? Thanks to digital streaming services, it's easier than ever to create a musical journey through your relationship, no sitting by the radio for hours required.
"Shop" for adoptable pets online. Cooing over cute puppies and kitties will bring out your softer side, even if you can't have a pet where you live.
Paint and sip. If you've got a paint nite program nearby, it's a fun and easy date. If not, get some canvasses (or coloring books), some bevvies and throw your own.
Try tie-dye. You may have noticed that all kinds of things are tie-dyed lately. Get in on the trend by making your own. Even if it doesn't come out perfectly, you'll have a fun memory.
Watch a sports game. Even high school sports can get your adrenaline going if you get really, really into it. And you definitely should.
Have a breakfast date. Turn date night on its head and start your day with some you time. Mimosas highly encouraged.
Taste some cheese. Some cheese shops hold tasting events but if you don't have any near you, buy a few new-to-you varieties and DIY it.
Play laser tag. Recreate your 10th birthday party, except now you can have a beer with your pizza afterward.
Go skydiving. Yes, it's a little pricey and not for the faint of heart. But this is one of those special occasion dates you'll never forget. Try it for an anniversary or other occasion.
Drive go-karts. Mario Kart experts and those who drive anything other than the carpool minivan can both rock a go-kart arena.
Train for a 5k. Having something to work toward will motivate you both, and you can keep each other accountable as you lay down those miles.
Go to a burlesque or drag show. Raucous, rowdy and a little bit risque, both drag and burlesque shows make great dates.
Swap houses with a friend. Enjoy a staycation for free by exchanging houses with a nearby pal. Living in someone else's shoes for the night or weekend feels like stepping into someone else's life, even if you just bunk down next door.
Build a snowman (or a sand scuplture). Make the most of the weather by creating a new friend.
Shop for charity. Food pantries, homeless shelters and community organizations need supplies all year round. Spread the love while spending quality time with your partner.
Watch the sunset. There's a reason so many romantic movies end this way.
Take public transit somewhere new. Ride the subway to the end of the line or take the bus to a new part of town for an adventure that's easy on the wallet.
Order each other's meal. See how well you know your loved one's tastes by ordering for the other at dinner. No swapping back when the food arrives!
Listen to podcasts. For a twist on the usual movie night, cuddle up and turn on a podcast instead.
Do couples' yoga. Getting bendy together can really heat things up, plus you're doing something good for your body and mind.
Play "never have I ever." Asking each other to get deep can reveal some new things about your loved one.
Make a video together. The only thing more fun than watching reality TV is making your own. Use your phone to shoot a cooking video, do a tutorial or even give each other makeovers.
Go low-tech. Pretend the power went out and have a no-tech evening. Yes, that includes your phones.
Relive a past vacation. Put on your swimsuits, shake up some margs and look at photos of your last beach getaway. You'll almost feel the sand between your toes.
Play a role-playing game. Former theater kids, this is right up your street. Try a classic like Dungeons and Dragons or an online game to step outside yourselves for awhile.
Visit a dog park. You don't have to have a dog to watch the pooches play. Just don't interact with any strange pups without asking their owners if it's OK first.
Write each other love letters. Getting your feelings down on paper can ignite some real sparks, plus create a keepsake for years to come.
Climb your family tree. Sit down with Ancestry.com and learn about your backgrounds. Or even better, interview an elderly family member to get personal stories about where you came from.
Go for ice cream. Nothing tastes as good as a cone on a hot day, but we scream for ice cream on chilly afternoons, too. Set up a sundae bar for a real treat.
Stroll a street fair. Chow down on some fried dough, bask in the midway lights and win each other a stuffed toy – if you've got the skills.
Have a photo shoot. Make like influencers and take photos of each other around town. You may even come up with your next holiday card.
Listen to a lecture. Many local colleges, libraries and community centers have evening events that are open to the public. Learning is sexy!
Take an improv class. Embracing the concept of saying "yes, and" is a lesson that can work well in your offstage life, too.
Cultivate a garden. Even if you live in an apartment, try your hand at growing a window garden. Plants make any dwelling feel like a home.
Build a bucket list. Sit down together and think big: No item is too out-there or mundane to plan ahead for the rest of your life as a couple.
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