109 Fun Date Night Ideas to Inspire Romance

Looking for creative date ideas for your next night (or day) out? Look no further than these romantic, fun and totally unique dates.

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Updated Feb 07, 2024

Date night is important—not just for getting to know a love interest, but to share experiences and spice things up throughout a relationship. But coming up with fun date ideas and romantic things to do as a couple is harder than it seems! That's why we polled the experts to reveal their best advice and favorite date night ideas for couples.

Deeper into a relationship, regular reconnections can help keep your bond solid. "Date nights can be extremely beneficial toward keeping romance alive, and making a practice of going on regular dates can be a great way to jump-start that habit," says Denise Limongello, a licensed psychotherapist based in Manhattan, who points out that lack of romance is a common reason for breakups or divorce.

"Date nights, whether it's your 15th or 150th [date], is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your relationship healthy and long-lasting," adds Esther Boykin, licensed marriage and family therapist and author of The Date Deck. "When you are consistent about having date night together, you are reminding each other that your relationship is a priority no matter how busy life gets."

Whether you're looking for good first date ideas, fun and creative activities or romantic date night ideas to celebrate Valentine's Day or an anniversary, we've got lots of inspiration for you, whatever your relationship status or budget.

Bonus: If you're searching for "date ideas near me", you're in luck. Jump to our city guides below for the best date night ideas near you.

Date Ideas Near You

In this article:

Fun Date Ideas
Romantic Date Ideas
Cute Date Ideas
Creative Date Ideas
Engaged Couples Date Ideas
Indoor Date Ideas
At-Home Date Night Ideas
Cheap Date Ideas
Date Ideas Near You

Fun Date Ideas

Planning a fun date adds joy to any relationship, whether you're married or it's a second date. "Fun" has different meanings to different people, so choose something that speaks to your and your date's personalities. What makes you smile? Let loose? Act silly? Here are some fun date night ideas:

1. Plan a Slow Food Picnic

Spend quality time together preparing and grazing on good, clean, locally sourced foods.

2. Be Adventurous

Try biking, hiking on a trail or kayaking; enjoy an afternoon in nature.

3. Sing Karaoke

Who cares if you can't carry a tune? Pick a few favorite duet karaoke songs, and we're sure you'll lower your inhibitions a bit.

4. Go Dancing

What's great about going dancing is that there are so many different types and genres of music to dance to. Choose a spot that plays your favorite tunes or try something completely new and different.

5. Take a Pottery-Making Class

This DIY activity can be romantic too. Remember the sensuous scene from the movie Ghost? You don't even need to go out—get creative with a DIY pottery kit at home instead.

6. Visit an Amusement Park

Share the adrenaline rush of a roller-coaster ride or the hilarity of walking through a funhouse.

7. Drive a Go Kart

Test your driving skills and create some friendly competition with a spin around a go-kart race track.

8. Try Axe Throwing

Speaking of competition... put your axe-throwing skills to the test. If you haven't tried this exhilarating activity, it's worth giving it a go. If you really love it, you can even join a league together.

9. Play Mini-Golf

Mini-golf is a tried and true date idea. Whether it's a classic outdoor course or a new indoor design at an arcade, navigating your way around the holes is pretty fun.

10. Go Shopping

Not just any old shopping—go to places that are new and novel to the two of you. Browse through vintage shops, buy vinyl on Record Store Day, and explore art galleries or other specialty shops that pique your curiosity.

11. Do Sunday Brunch

A brunch date is always a good idea, but a brunch double date is twice as fun.

12. Tailgate

Mingle with your fellow football fans.

13. Visit Your Local Farmer's Market

Pick up fresh produce to cook a delicious meal together.

14. Go to the Zoo or Aquarium

Marvel at the exhibits and learn about your favorite animals together.

15. Rent a Convertible

The perfect spring date idea, go cruising through scenic parkways and rural back roads to celebrate the change in season.

16. Go Horseback Riding

Ride off into the sunset together on horseback.

17. Take a Road Trip

Road trips also encourage you to be collaborative with each other as you plan where to go and how to get there.

18. Hop on the Alphabet Date Idea Trend

Add some order to your date night planning and narrow down all the fun options by working your way through alphabet date ideas.

Romantic Date Ideas

Whether you're looking to ignite or rekindle romance—or simply keep it aflame—it's not just what you do on the date, it's how you treat your significant other while you're on it.

"Romance is created through affection between the two of you, like compliments, light touching or remembering what your partner likes—like their favorite ice cream or a single stem of their favorite flower," says Jane Greer, a marriage and sex therapist. "Romance can be found when you pay attention to your partner, remember what they like and show them they matter to you." Some romantic date night ideas for her or him include:

19. Dinner Date Night

Have dinner at a quiet, quaint romantic restaurant or make something at home, paired with a good bottle of wine. Make it extra special and dress up, even if you're dining in.

20. See a Comedy Show

The couple that laughs together, stays together. "Laughter is the fiber of intimacy," Greer says. "Laughing together helps people bond."

21. Book a Spa Day

Put a focus on self-care and wellness by booking a couple's massage, manis, pedis and other treatments. Spoil yourselves to some time at a spa or invite a Soothe professional to give you a treatment at home.

22. Get a Couple Tattoo

Seal the deal and proclaim your love to one another with some permanent ink. The design can be a subtle nod to your relationship or a more obvious declaration of love. It's up to you.

23. Plan a Weekend Away

Plan a ski trip, a stay at a cozy cabin, or a quick getaway to a nearby city. A change of scenery is a great way to recharge your relationship.

24. Take a Wine Tasting Tour

This is a great date for wine enthusiasts or newbies interested in learning a little more about wine. Head to a wine region to tour some wineries or keep it close to home and visit some local wine bars in your area.

25. Rent a Rowboat

Recreate a romantic scene from The Notebook and paddle around a pond or river for the afternoon. Surprise your partner by reciting some passages of poetry.

26. See a Band

Have a night out listening to a local band that plays covers of your favorite artist or a band you saw together early in your relationship.

27. Relive your First Date

Go back to the restaurant or coffee shop where you had your first date. Before you go home, consider re-creating your first kiss too.

28. Relive the Wedding, if You're Married

A double date with your maid of honor and best man or another favorite couple can be a really great way to share your love and memories.

29. Plan a Staycation

Spend 24/7 time together with a staycation. Stay in a swank hotel, get drinks at the hottest new bar, see a show and have fun!

30. Start a New Tradition

Whether it's taking a selfie each year to add to your wedding album or reading your wedding guest book, make it an annual tradition.

31. Book a Helicopter Ride

Plan an OTT date for a special anniversary date experience—booking sites like Viator can help. Score bonus points by planning a stop along the way on a mountaintop or another remote location for a private moment together.

32. Go Stargazing

Escape the city on a clear evening and seek out a good dark viewing point of the night sky.

33. Ride a Motorcycle

The added level of physical closeness and trust involved when riding a motorcycle or scooter can turn a casual afternoon into a very romantic experience without much effort.

34. Celebrate an Anniversary

Go beyond wedding anniversaries to celebrate other sentimental moments like the anniversary of the day you met, moved in together, got engaged, etc. That way you'll have multiple milestones to inspire extra romantic anniversary date nights.

Cute Date Ideas

Okay, so your partner says they want to "do something cute." You're probably wondering what exactly that's code for. Well, when we want a cute date idea, we want to break the mold and turn the typical date on its head. "Research shows that many satisfied couples report appreciation when their significant others take the time to surprise them," Limongello says.

Don't tell your partner you have something planned, and create a fun night. Or, dip into a date night jar filled with ideas and select one so the activity will be a surprise to both of you. Get cute with one of these adorable date ideas:

35. Plan a Date Night Surprise

It can be having a simple candlelit dinner waiting when they get home, but the fact that it's a surprise will make it special.

36. Have a Lunch Hour Date

Whether you have conflicting schedules or just need to switch things up a bit, it will be fun to rendezvous in the middle of the day for a change.

37. Cook Something New

Cooking a new recipe for the first time can be challenging and rewarding. And if you're stuck for ideas or the right ingredients, meal delivery services like Hello Fresh can help.

38. Plant a Garden

Whether it's an herb garden, cacti or mini fruit trees, this is a fun, sweet activity that can be as labor-intensive or simple as you want it to be.

39. Frame your Favorite Photos

This is a fun activity for an established couple. "Give new life to old frames from thrift and vintage stores by filling them with photos you cherish," Li says.

40. Go to a Drive-In Movie

Kick it old school and catch the latest movie release at a drive-in theater. Watch it from the comfort and privacy of your front seat or back seat;). Or for a classier vibe, go to the oldest movie theatre in town and take in the ambiance, as well as the show.

41. Order a Subscription Box

We love the idea of signing up for one of these cute date night subscription boxes.

42. Go Apple Picking

Head to the countryside for a stroll through an apple orchard. Bring home some apples to make a pie.

43. Go to a Local Fair or Festival

How fun is it to play fair games, eat cotton candy and ride a Ferris wheel?

44. Visit a Christmas Tree Farm

Sure you could get a tree at your local store, but make driving to a tree farm an annual tradition.

45. Make it a Double Date

Plan a double date with your BFFs. "Research shows that double dating can be good for your relationship because it often sparks deeper and more meaningful conversation than when we go out alone." Boykin says.

46. Spook Yourselves

In the fall spooky season, tour a haunted house or take a haunted hayride.

Creative Date Ideas

Use your imagination to come up with a few unique date night ideas your partner won't see coming. Some of our favorite dates are unexpected, creative and adventurous. Give these out-of-the-box date ideas a try for a new twist on the same old date. "Make something beautiful," Li says. "Put your creative minds together—bury a time capsule, make a short film, homebrew with seasonal ingredients or make jewelry." Make it memorable with one of these unique date ideas:

47. Go Glamping

Let's say one of you loves to "rough it" and the other would rather stay in a fancy hotel. Meet in the middle for a little "elegant camping," Limongello suggests. Book a glamping trip to enjoy the great outdoors together but with some creature comforts.

48. Get Crafty

Attend a paint and sip class, jewelry-making workshop, or glassblowing studio, or give one of these crafts for couples a try.

49. Foster or Rescue a Pet

This is a good date idea for couples that live together. Go to an animal shelter and welcome a furry friend into your home!

50. Do a Food Truck Tour

Support local entrepreneurs while you enjoy a range of tasty treats.

51. Take a Photo Walk

"Wander around and capture anything that catches your eye with a camera or phone," Li says. "Try shooting from a different perspective than you usually do. Have fun and be silly!"

52. Plan a Scavenger Hunt

Surprise your partner with a list of items (or make it together) to search for in and around your neighborhood. You might even find a fun city scavenger hunt nearby on Let's Roam. Or why not create a romantic scavenger hunt at home using Scavenger Box? The kit comes with everything you need to plan a memorable surprise for your other half.

53. Skydiving

This is probably the most thrilling idea on this list. If jumping from a plane is too terrifying, but you'd like to give skydiving a try, you can always go to an indoor skydiving wind tunnel.

54. See a Play

Going out to the theater can be pretty special. Discuss the play afterwords over a drink.

55. Watch a Sports Game

Cheer on the home team with your fan friends for some lively debate on how well they're playing.

56. Go to an Art Gallery

Plan a cultural excursion to take the time to appreciate the exhibits together.

57. Run a Race

Create some healthy competition and motivation.

58. Attend a Charity Event

Double your contribution to the charity by making it a date night.

59. Go to a Trivia Night

Many local pubs hold a trivia night making for a fun date night idea with friends and neighbors.

60. Host a Game Night

Make it a group date with your BFFs and host your own game night at home.

61. Start a Blog

Li suggests starting a blog "Your blog can be a collection of your favorite poems, photos and inside jokes. Or, if you have a shared interest like baking, juggling or upcycling, consider starting a themed blog to grow your community."

62. Make Holiday Decorations

Design wreaths, put up Holiday lights or try something ambitious like making your very own gingerbread house.

63. Go on a Garden Tour

Contact your local horticultural society to learn about any garden tours in your area. It's interesting to see all the variety of plants and get ideas for your own garden.

Date night idea for engaged couples - cake tasting

Engaged Couples Date Ideas

If you're engaged, you probably have a wedding checklist to work your way through. Make it a joint effort and turn some of the tasks into fun couple date night activities. Here are some date-worthy wedding tasks:

64. Do a Wedding Cake Tasting

Many wedding cake designers offer a tasting package so turn it into a sweet date.

65. Create a Wedding Registry

Creating a wedding gift registry is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make planning your future home together, a fun and romantic excursion.

66. Tour Wedding Venues

Spend a weekend doing wedding venue site tours. You may even get to taste test their food and drink specialties.

67. Practice Wedding Photo Poses

You're going to want to make the most of your time in front of the camera on your wedding day, so make a date to practice couple poses.

68. Go Antiquing

Hit up some flea markets for rustic, vintage or boho objects for your wedding theme.

69. Take a Mixology Class

Stir up some signature cocktail ideas with the help of a professional bartender.

Indoor Date Ideas

If you're stuck indoors because of rain or intense heat, there are plenty of fun date night ideas. And just because you're not out in the sunshine doesn't mean your date has to be boring. "Be adventurous," Li says. "Get sweaty!"

"Dancing together is a date you'll be glad you tried," Boykin says. "It's not just a good excuse to get closer, it's also a good way to practice your nonverbal communication with each other. Sometimes you need to let your body do the talking." Here are some indoor activities for a great date:

70. Take an Aerial Yoga Class

Not your typical yoga class, but an anti-gravity one where you'll be suspended in air.

71. Learn to Trapeze

Swinging your partner through the air is the ultimate thrilling couple experience.

72. Try Indoor Bouldering

Clambering about a rock climbing gym is a great way to work together and break a sweat.

73. Take a Dance Class

Ballroom dancing, Zumba, salsa, swing—there's a dance class for every genre.

74. Take a Cooking Class

This is another date night idea with lots of options and the chance to try cooking a new cuisine. You could even sign up for a meal subscription like Blue Apron, so you can make delicious, chef-designed recipes at home with fresh, pre-measured ingredients.

75. Escape Room

Enjoy the rush of entering the unknown and working together to solve a riddle.

76. Murder Mystery Night

Also intriguing, solving a crime at a Murder Mystery event. If you haven't tried one before, you're in for an experience. at-home murder mystery games are a fun alternative to going out that'll give you and your partner hours of fun sleuthing.

77. Go to an Arcade

Love the nostalgia of old-school arcade games, or, an immersive virtual reality video game experience? There are lots of options to try.

78. Indoor Beach Volleyball

If it's miserable outside, get those summer vibes with an afternoon playing indoor volleyball.

79. Play Board Games

Play a couples board game at home or head to a board game cafe for a whole new selection of games to play.

80. Go to a Museum or Science Center

Take advantage of all the museums in our own backyard or a nearby locale.

At-home date night idea - Read to One Another

At-Home Date Night Ideas

"I love to cook a great dinner, open a favorite bottle of wine and lay out a blanket in front of the TV," Boykin says. "Research has shown that watching movies with relationship themes and talking about them can be as effective as premarital counseling," she adds. "The secret? Couples must be intentional about the conversation they have after the movie." Here are some intriguing at-home date ideas:

81. Start a Couple's Bucket List

Regular date nights are great but dedicate an evening to making some loftier plans and capturing them in a bucket list journal.

82. Have an Indoor Picnic

Sprawl out on the living room floor and graze on picnic-style food and drink.

83. Make a Playlist

This date idea can be a joint effort or you can surprise your partner and make a playlist for them. Spend some time really listening to and discussing the music and lyrics. Dancing is encouraged too.

84. Read Spooky Stories

Set the scene with a roaring fire and cozy blanket.

85. Binge on a TV Series

If you've fallen into the trap of using your screen time to each of you watching different TV shows, schedule a Netflix and chill night to binge on a show together or watch a movie —choose one with a relationship theme that you can discuss afterward, as Boykin suggests.

86. Listen to a Podcast

Ted Talk, crime show, comedy act... listening to a podcast together can lead to a lively conversation about a topic you've never discussed before.

87. Rearrange your Living Room

Switch up your living space for a change of scenery. It doesn't have to be permanent. Make it a temporary change for a coffee table dinner date or a comfy pillow crash pad in front of the fireplace or TV.

88. Research your Family History

Share what you know about your family history. Take it a step further and do a DNA test with a service like Ancestry.com.

89. Create a Video

Edit together old video clips on your phone using an app like Splice or shoot some new footage of something fun—a funny pet, party tricks, a dance routine.

90. Make a Slideshow

Prefer stills to video? Go through your old photos to create a slideshow that documents your relationship, a trip or a joint project.

91. Read to One Another

Read poetry, a novel, song lyrics, a children's book to help you both escape for a while.

92. Make a TikTok

Get creative making a TikTok video. Who knows, it may even go viral. P.S. Don't forget to follow The Knot.

Cheap Date Ideas

Don't feel as if you need to spend a lot of money on a date. "It's not the amount of money you spend or what you're doing, rather than the fact you're setting aside time to be together and build intimacy," Greer says. "Wish you could take a cooking class together? Find a video or recipe online and learn how to cook a great meal together," Boykin suggests. "If you love the idea of those sip and paint evenings, create your own art studio at home with inexpensive paints and canvases from your local art store." Cheap and free date ideas include:

93. Go Leaf Peeping

For a relaxed fall date idea, go see the beautiful autumn colors and take some cute couple photos.

94. Head to a Pumpkin Patch

Select the perfect Jack-o'-lantern to carve together.

95. Movie Night At Home

Order a pizza or affordable take-out!

96. Take an Exercise Class Together

Couple's yoga is a good bet! Or, if one of you is a gym member, get a guest pass and bring your date along with you.

97. Sit by the Water

Relax by the lake, pond or river. Feed the ducks, people-watch or gaze at the sunset.

98. Go on a Ferry Ride

Another affordable way to get out on the water is to hop on board a ferry.

99. Spend the Day at the Beach

Bring along a picnic and some games; collect seashells and rocks.

100. Re-Create a Class at Home

If you like the idea of going out to a class or workshop, but need to keep costs down, search the interweb for some videos to re-create the experience at home.

101. Volunteer Together

Donating your time to a food bank or local charity is a great way to connect with your partner and your community. It's easy to find nearby volunteering opportunities online.

102. Explore a New Neighborhood

Take a stroll through a part of town you've never visited before.

103. Ride Public Transport

Choose a famous bus or train route and ride it to do some sightseeing and people-watching.

104. Do a Winter Sport

Take your pick: ice skating, tobogganing or snowshoeing.

105. Dine Al Fresco

When the weather is nice, there's nothing better than a meal and a glass of wine outside! (Psst, this wine tumbler set will make sure your drinks stay refreshingly chilled.)

106. Fly a Kite

You'll need a steady breeze, serious teamwork, and, of course, a kite to fly.

107. Attend a Free Outdoor Concert

Nothing beats the sweet sounds of live music filling the summer air.

108. Build a Campfire

Spending time sitting by a campfire is a summer must. Be sure to bring along the ingredients to make S'mores.

109. Watch a Sunset

Take a moment together at the end of the day to reconnect with your partner and appreciate Mother Nature with a sunset session.

Date Ideas Near You

If you've been searching for "date ideas near me", we've got you covered with the best date ideas and activities in major cities across the U.S. So whether you're looking for things to do or romantic restaurants, find local date ideas in our city guides for couples.