Catch a Thrill With These Adventurous Date Ideas

While dinner and a movie are a nice way to spend time together, nothing beats the thrill of an off-the-cuff date with your other half. Adventurous date ideas open the window to a different sort of connection—one where your hearts pound, adrenaline rises and you see each other in a different light.

"Our brains love novelty and tend to remember new experiences more than routine ones," says Betsy Pake, a certified master coach and speaker. "I've seen time and again how changing the external environment—through play, risk or even slight discomfort—can act as a mirror for the internal dynamics of a relationship."

Want to spice things up a little bit for your next big date together? Take your inspiration from our list of fun and adventurous date ideas, which range from downright daring to just the right amount of bold.

1. Camp (With a View)

Pitch a tent somewhere absolutely epic and let nature be your third wheel. Bonus points for s'mores, star maps and a tent outfitted with cozy sleeping gear.

2. Summit a New Peak

Grab your backpack and ascend a new peak or trail for a fun outdoor date idea. Pake says, "Being in nature reduces stress and the new activity creates some excitement, and helping each other through a physical challenge builds trust and teamwork."

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3. Take a Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride

For the perfect fusion of romance and adventure, hop aboard a hot-air balloon and soar across a scenic landscape hand in hand. Grab brunch afterward and rehash the experience!

4. Go to a Themed Bar

"If you don't want to take too much of a risk, especially early on in a relationship, going to a bar with an adventurous theme could be a good start," says therapist Leanna Stockard, LMFT. "For instance, an F1 bar, a mini-golf bar, dart bar, ping-pong bar, karaoke bar or ax-throwing bar," she says. "It's a way to engage in a fun competition with your date."

5. Unplugged Challenge

You don't have to jump out of an airplane—or even leave your house, for that matter—to reconnect. "Try a 24-hour (or 12-hour) unplugged challenge at home: Power down your phones, cover the clocks, turn off the lights and light candles instead. No streaming, no emails—just each other," says therapist Janice Holland, LPC.

6. Try Indoor Skydiving

If the idea of literally jumping out of a plane isn't quite for you, then try a more controlled environment via an indoor skydiving center. This cool, adventurous date idea will definitely trigger your adrenaline. "If your heart races (in a good way!) and it feels exciting, going for it will create a powerful bonding moment," Pake says.

7. Hit the Water

So many thrilling date ideas include water, whether that's going deep-sea fishing, gliding along in a canal or SUPing. "Research local recreation spots and equipment rentals, if necessary," Pake says. "For activities that require more, book a beginning lesson."

8. Try a New Cuisine

How many times have you ordered takeout from your go-to place? Sure, the apps are fire, but what if you stepped outside of your comfort zone and tried a new cuisine altogether? Ethiopian, Venezuelan or Georgian are all tasty options.

9. Book a Stay Somewhere Zany

Thanks to rental sharing sites, the world is your oyster when it comes to booking adventurous stays. Maybe it's an old Airstream, a treehouse, a tiny house or an abode shaped like a seashell. The pics are gonna be insane.

10. Rent ATVs for an Off-Road Adventure

You'll definitely channel your inner daredevils on this adventurous date idea. Zoom over dirt trails and through rugged terrain; prepare to laugh a ton and get super dusty along the way.

11. Sign Up for a Themed Run

Check your community's local calendars to see if any themed runs are coming up, like a mud run, color run, Hyrox course or Spartan race. You'll climb, crawl and maybe question why you signed up for this in the first place, but you'll both feel like superheroes at the finish line.

12. Do a Wilderness Horseback Ride

Picture it now: dusty trails, gorgeous golden-hour views, and the sound of hooves clopping through forests or canyons. Horseback riding is adventurous and oddly romantic (go ahead and wear the cowboy hat).

13. Deep Questions

For another low-key adventurous date idea, Holland says to sit with one another in a quiet room and take turns asking each other deep, provocative questions. "These prompts keep things emotionally rich, spark reflection, and offer space to share thoughts you rarely make time for in the rush of daily life," Holland says.

14. Test Your Smarts at an Escape Room

Booking an escape room is one of the best adventurous date ideas for communicating and connecting. Remember: Patience is key here. After all, you're teammates!

15. Partake in a Scavenger Hunt

A fun, adventurous date could be one partner creating a scavenger hunt for the other to accomplish. "This type of date shows clear thought from one partner, and will be fun for you two to create fun memories in this way," Stockard says. She suggests creating a theme, like the other's favorite things or unique places, etc.

16. Wander Through a Haunted House

This one's season-dependent, but if it's nearing Halloween, this is one of those things to do that just makes sense. Even if you're a bit spooked, research has shown that a little bit of stress or fear can actually intensify attraction, Pake says. (Not Halloween? Try touring a haunted building or—if you dare—staying the night in a haunted hotel!)

17. Dunk in Ice Baths Together

This Nordic date might be frigid—and perhaps a little painful—but the two-minute adventure promises lots of rewards. Like a boost of adrenaline, soothed muscles, and warm and cozy hugs at the end.

18. Do Sex Differently

Variety is the spice of life, and that goes for the bedroom, too. Whether intimate time is the main fare or dessert, get a little spontaneous and try something different from your usual routine. "This date is about disrupting the routine and inviting fresh energy into your intimacy," Holland says. "Try a new location (the floor, the balcony, the kitchen), experiment with only nonverbal communication, or write down a fantasy or curiosity you've never shared."

19. Visit a High Ropes Obstacle Course

Balance, swing and climb your way through tree-top challenges. Along the way, you can encourage each other when things get scary, and work as a team to make it to the end.

20. Hit a (New) Gym

We tend to get stuck in our routines, and fitness is not excluded. For an adventurous and active date idea, hit up a new gym or class together. Ideally, neither of you has tried it before. Aerial yoga? Boxing? Battle rope training? You guys get to decide!

21. Be a Tourist in Your Own City

There's something powerful about seeing the familiar through new eyes. "Book a local food tour, visit a museum you've never been to, or try that weird themed bar you've always walked past but never entered," Holland says. The goal is to get out of your comfort zone and experience your surroundings like you've never been there before.

22. Book a Cooking Class

Whether you two love the thrill of whipping up a tasty meal or dessert, or you don't really know your way around a spatula, a cooking class is the ultimate fun, adventurous date. Bonus: You get to eat something tasty at the end!

23. Go Indoor Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is competitive, confidence-building, and makes for great post-climb banter over green smoothies. Not to mention, you'll get to work in a few trust falls together!

24. Recreate Your First Date (But With a Twist)

Go back to where it all began—but make it a performance! Dress how you did that night, or exaggerate it for laughs, and pretend you're meeting for the very first time. "And here's the twist: say the things you were too shy to say the first time," Holland says. "Make it spicy. Flirt harder. Show up as the version of yourself you usually reserve for people who've seen all your sides."

25. Go on a Random Location Date

If you've got a full day ahead of you, fill it up by venturing to a completely random spot! "Find a random location on a map—that is a drivable distance away—and explore the town together for the day," Stockard says. "It can either be an opportunity to find your new favorite city or something to laugh about with your partner in the future."