277 Amazing Date Ideas for Couples

Whatever you think makes a date great, you've come to the right place for all the inspiration you'll need. Bookmark it, share it, and print it, but most importantly DO IT!

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1. Take a hike. Preferably somewhere scenic. Waterfalls and overlooks are good

The fresh air and exercise will get your blood flowing. Pairs well with a bubble bath.

2. Explore a new or forgotten neighborhood

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you might miss it.

3. Go to a concert

Open mic night, music in the park, intimate concert setting, jam packed arena. Whatever your musical style and social preferences, there's bound to be a great date option involving live music.

4. Eat food samples

5. Hunt for geocaches

6. Play board games

Risk, Monopoly, Settlers, Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, Sorry, Trouble, the list goes on. Pick a classic or a new favorite and host a private board game party for just the two of you.

7. Tour a museum

8. Chill at the beach

9. Glide around on roller skates

Or roller blades, if you prefer. Location is everything. Beach sidewalk, roller rink, scenic park trails, the destinations make the date.

10. Slip 'n slide

11. Volunteer together

Habitat for Humanity helps people build houses. There are thousands more charities. Check out Charity Navigator to find a reputable one near you.

12. Watch a movie and cuddle

13. See a movie in the park

14. Tour expensive open houses

What's the most expensive house you've ever toured? You may never want to buy a million dollar home, but why not go for a tour? You might get some great decorating ideas.

15. Camp in the yard (or on a deck)

Camping is fun, and camping at home is a great option for the time (or kid) constrained couple. Pitch a tent in the yard, on a patio or deck, or even in the garage.

16. Play Twister in the bedroom

17. Croon at Karaoke

18. Take your dream car for a test drive

19. Compete in a game of trivia

Find a local restaurant with a trivia night and go join in the fun. It's a great way to work together on something small and the questions can be great conversation starters.

20. Share embarrassing photos

21. Capture embarrasing photos

22. Conquer some old-school video games

Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, Oregon Trail. You get the idea. Dust off the old game box and fire up a classic.

23. Be Instagram influencers for a night

What's your style? Fashionista? Foodie? Travel vlogger? Become influencers for a night as you document your date.

24. Tour scenic landmarks in town

25. Go for a swim

26. Visit an art gallery

27. Try your hand at deep tissue massage

28. Enjoy a couples massage together

29. Absorb the tranquility of a sensory deprivation tank

This one is for the parents of small children out there. The rest of you won't understand.

30. Search for rare books

31. Hear an author's reading

32. Attend a class

34. Watch cars go really fast

At a race track, that is. Auto racing is a fun event that doesn't require a ton of attention and has snack options available.

35. Attend a polo match

Polo is that sport where people play soccer on horses with croquet balls and mallets.

36. View a golf tournament

Golf courses are like giant lawns with landscaping. Golf tournaments are a great excuse for hanging out at golf courses.

37. Pick favorites at a horse race

38. Do some indoor sky diving

What could be more fun than floating in a vertical wind tunnel with see-through walls? All the fun of sky diving, without having to dive out of the sky. If you have one of these facilities near you, this is definitely one to check out!

39. Go bungee jumping

40. Upgrade your dancing skills

What's your style? Salsa, tango, swing, ballroom, shuffle, hip hop, tap? You may not be Fred and Ginger, but that doesn't mean you can't have some fun on the dance floor.

41. Go ziplining

42. Hit the lanes for some bowling

If you're a good bowler, try playing with your non-dominant hand.

43. Write each other love poems

44. Do clothing optional yoga

45. Go horseback riding

46. Peer into a virtual reality

At a VR cafe, that is. They're popping up all over the place. If there's not one near you, wait a couple of weeks and check again.

47. Hunt for treasure with a metal detector

48. Storm the yard with a water gun fight

49. Root for people you've never met

Attend a minor league, high school, or collegiate sports event for some low-key fun.

50. Cruise on longboards

51. Go ride bikes

52. Hire a Segway tour

53. Refashion yourselves for a night

54. Ride on rollercoasters or go down waterslides

55. Climb an indoor rock wall

Indoor climbing is a great activity for hot summers (or cold winters). Climbing gyms often have gear rentals and classes available making this a low investment option.

56. Try playing a sport neither of you are good at

Like Rarajipari.

57. Rent a convertible, Jeep, or luxury car and cruise around

58. Find a local restaurant using nothing but a map and the address

59. Simulate a power outage for an adventurous date night at home

Go off grid for a night. How will you cook dinner? Can you get around your house in the dark? What could a couple possibly do that doesn't involve screens or the internet?

60. Throw an adult kids party with an invite list of two

When's the last time you played pin the tail on the donkey? Exactly. It's time to throw yourselves an adult birthday party. Get a pinata and party hats and have fun!

61. Engage in some grocery store games ($20 deli counter, 5 things we've never tried, etc.)

There are SO MANY great ideas for grocery store games! Use your imagination but make sure you agree on the rules before you leave for the store.

62. Weave together a progressive dinner

A progressive dinner is a social occasion in which the different courses of a meal are eaten at different people's houses. For the date version, substitue houses for restaurants. Appetizers at one location, main course at the next, dessert somewhere new, and coffee elsewhere. Fast food, fast casual, table service, there are great options here for just about any budget and mood. If you want to get complicated, add in coupons and time of day specials.

63. Dig for some antiques

64. Make messy sundae Sunday fun day a thing

65. Unearth your inner sidewalk artist selves

Get out the chalk and make some chalk art!

66. Draw portraits of each other drawing portraits

67. Hack your way through a Pinterest craft

Or at least browse through some Pinterest fails. Careful not to hack off any fingers though!

68. Go along for a factory tour

69. Tour a brewery or distillery

70. Attend a fundraising event

71. Forage for edible plants

72. Journey outside for some birdwatching

73. Depart on a yardsaling adventure

74. Set sail for an evening

75. Become a history buff and tour historic sites

76. Make clay models

77. Play Lego's (buy matching sets and race, buy a huge set and build it together)

Buy matching sets and race each other. Or buy one big set and work on the same team. Lego's are a great activity for leaving behind the stresses of work and kids for a while so that you can really connect with each other.

78. Plunge into the adventure that is a flea market

79. Shop local for dinner at a farmer's market

81. Try your hand at orienteering

As in, get a map and a compass and figure out how to get around. No smartphone, GPS, or signage. It's like super advanced hiking.

82. Play Hollywood makeup artists

83. Recreate cliche Instagram poses

If you both spend a lot of time on Instagram, this may be the perfect date idea. Pick some cliche poses and do your best to recreate them. Mountaintop cup of coffee, anyone?

84. Assemble a time capsule

85. Go for a 5k fun run

86. Visit a science center or technology museum

87. Get uncompetitive at the putt putt course

88. Stroll through a botanical garden

89. Sit through a standup routine

LOL IRL

90. Paddle a canoe

91. Pedal a paddleboat

92. Channel your inner Robin Hood with some backyard (or range) archery

It's all about the time between shots, strolling to retrieve your arrows, taking in the scenery. Archery is a great date option for couples that like to be outside and prefer a more casual pace. Find a local archery range or, if you have the space, set one up in your backyard.

93. Wine tasting

94. Buy two cheap drones and start your own mini drone racing league

95. Hop on the midnight espresso train

Go to a local coffee shop, share a drink, repeat every 30 minutes. Coffee shop crawl dates are great for couples trying to mix things up a bit. Caffeine, people watching, and changing scenery all contribute to a fun, conversational experience. It's a great way to catch up!

96. "The theater, the theater, what's happened to the theater?"

Anyone else remember Danny Kaye's "Choreography" routine in "White Christmas"? Regardless, watching a play or musical at the theater is a fun date idea for a couple wanting to take in more the arts.

97. Asteroids anyone? Laser tag? Stuffy grabber?

98. Check out the animals at the zoo

99. One direction, drive 100 miles, take a picture

Sometimes you just want to get out of your stomping grounds for a day. The 100 mile day trip is far enough to be different, but not so far that you're exhausted from the drive. Pairs well with audiobooks, music playlists, and conversation.

100. Do you like feeling trapped? Escape game it is!

Seriously though, this isn't the date idea for you if feeling trapped is not your thing.

101. "Triple sow cow" or "hug the wall", ice skating is great fun!

102. Scooters. Cities. Sunshine. Do it.

Bird, Bolt, Jump, Lime, Lyft, RazorUSA, Scoot, Skip, or Spin your way around town on some rental electric scooters. It's not quite the Jetson's flying car, but it is a great date idea. Pairs well with coffee shop crawling.

103. Watch a demolition derby

A demolition derby really is the perfect metaphor for marriage. Think about it. One minute they're crashing into each other, looking like mortal enemies, but afterwards they're still friends.

104. Shoot for the moon with a model rocket!

105. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's you on an aerial tour

This is a little on the expensive side but we just had to include it. Maybe you're in Hawaii right now, sitting on the lanai, sipping some passion guava juice, wondering how things could possibly be any more fantastic. Two words. Helicopter tour. It's like hiking but without the exercise. Pairs well with being Instagrammers for a day.

106. Bob Ross party. Enough said.

"If you wanted to make the indication of a happy little cloud, all you do is just sorta tap..." Did you know there's an official Bob Ross YouTube channel? Here's a look at season 29 episode 1, "Island in the Wilderness":

107. Enjoy the great outdoors at a nearby state or national park

108. If you can't remember the last time you colored, you're missing out

#coloringforadults #paintbynumbers #coloringforgrownups #paintbynumberforadults #colorfun

109. Mingle at a cars and coffee meetup

110. Take disc golf for a spin

111. Take in the sights at a hot air balloon festival

112. Put together a jigsaw puzzle

113. Origami with a view

114. Campfire and s'mores

Campfire optional. S'mores indoors are also nice. S'mores bars are good too...

115. Plan a couple's bucket list together

116. Lights, camera, and action later if everything goes well

A photography date, obviously. Take turns as the model. Use the timer. Glam or folksy, you decide. It's not uncommon for couples to go months, if not years, without taking any photos with just the two of them. Don't let that be you!

117. Mix up your media by finding a new YouTube channel you both enjoy

118. Do a "local guide" tour and review local businesses

119. Listen to an audiobook together

Pairs nicely with a scenic drive.

120. It really is a walk in the park

When you spend your date walking in the park.

121. Skip rocks on a pond, lake, or abandoned runway

122. Go people watching

123. Check out a library book and take turns reading it to each other

124. Tackle some tasks together with a todo date

125. Enjoy some time outside doing litter cleanup at a park or trail

126. Lyric much? Write a song together!

127. Direct your own music video cover and publish it on YouTube

Or delete it. Either way, it's a fun way to mix things up and dance a little.

128. Do a Facebook live together and see if anyone shows up

129. Synchronize your moves as you dominate a workout video together

130. Watch the planes takeoff and land

131. Start a book club for two

132. Do a seasonally themed date

133. Plan your dream vacation

134. Build sandcastles in the garage*

*Some cleanup required.

135. Design or make t-shirts

136. Make party masks

137. Get started learning a new language together

138. Get henna tattoos

No names, hearts, anchors, or foreign languages. Be more creative than that.

139. Build a collage of your favorite vacation

140. Tell the story of your relationship in 21 pictures

141. Conquer an obstacle course

142. Go to a plant nursery, buy a plant and a pot, plant the plant in the pot

You get the idea. Green thumb date.

143. Visit an aquarium

144. Scavenger hunt

145. Go fly a kite. Or two.

146. Get a picnic basket, have a picnic

148. Make a fort in the living room and spend the night in it

This is probably the best ever date idea of all time. Seriously. If this isn't on your date idea bucket list, it needs to be. Pairs well with cartoons, scrapbooks, indoor picnics, music playlists, and s'mores.

149. Watch your favorite movies or cartoons from childhood (preferably in the fort)

150. Cook a new recipe together

151. Sample a new type of cuisine

Thai curry, Japanese sushi, Ethiopian, German bratwursts, Brazilian steaks, whatever you usually do, don't. Try something new! Branch out! Even if that means ordering something different at the only restaurant in town.

152. Gaze at the stars

153. Make cool flip books

154. Roast, brew, and sip a cup of single origin coffee

It's easier than you think and it tastes A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

155. Calligraphy, easier said than done

156. Make dessert

Like s'mores. Are you noticing a theme?

157. Assemble an Arduino or Raspberry Pi project

If you've never played with an Arduino or Raspberry Pi, start with a kit. For those already in the know you can find some more challenging projects on YouTube or forums.

158. Learn the rules of a new sport, then watch a game

Cricket. Rugby. Curling. Pick a sport, learn the rules, watch a match. If you're a more intellectually inclined couple, try Go or Chess.

159. Rewatch a favorite movie and make memes

160. Throw darts, keep score

161. Cue up a game of billiards

162. Play airsoft or paintball

163. Get your marriage on track with a train ride

Puns optional.

164. Pick fruit at a farm

165. Race boats in a creek or stream

166. Make matchbox cars. Out of matchboxes.

167. Make match rockets (with all the leftover matches from making the matchbox cars)

168. Fold and fly paper airplanes

Yes, I'm sure you have. But have you ever made one that flaps it's wings like a bird? No? Watch this:

169. Buy cheap RC cars and turn your place into raceway park

170. Go tech-free for a day or night

171. Romance each other with love letters

"Dear Love, I love you. Love, Your Love". Want better? Learn how to write a love letter.

172. Cut and paste a scrapbook

173. Consummate your vows in every room

Yep. That's what it means. ;-)

174. Hand monogram all of your towels

Or maybe start with just 2 towels. And a washcloth? Ok skip the washcloth, just do the two towels.

175. Go on a kissing photo scavenger hunt

So let me explain. A kissing photo scavengar hunt is when you write up a list of fun, creative, romantic, adventurous, or whatever other type of kissing scene you'd like to try, and then you see how many of them you can complete in a single date. Need some ideas to get you started? Leaning across a table, on a bench, in a car, at sunset, on a roller coaster, under water...is it starting to make sense? Highly recommended for couples with the love languages of touch and quality time. Obviously.

176. Climb to the top of a mountain peak

177. Create a music playlist of your relationship

178. Soak in a bubble bath for two

179. Spend at least $200 on dinner

Steak is a good option. Wagyu to be precise. Ribeye is a nice cut. Share a light appetizer. Get the dessert to go. (Sorry vegans, this one is not for you.)

180. Take a carriage ride

181. Go hot tubbing

182. Or skinny dipping

It's basically just bathing outside, right? Not a big deal.

183. Enjoy breakfast in bed

Great as a morning after treat following an amazing date night comprised of pretty much any of the other ideas on this list.

184. Go shopping

185. Get ice cream at an ice cream parlor

Hot fudge sundaes are also delicious. Doesn't an ice cream date sound nice? Follow it with coffee and a walk in the park if you want to be extra.

186. Swing away at a batting cage

The good news that you can't strike out.

187. Top golf for the win

188. Wax poetically as you write a few stanzas of prose

Here's a line to get you started: "Beyond the bright lights..."

189. Ride along on a riverboat or harbor cruise

Want to mix up your dinner dates? Find a river or harbor dinner cruise. Just looking for some fun outside time to enjoy the breeze? Scenic cruises are a great way to go.

190. Play a few matches of tennis

191. Bake a big batch of cookies

A freezer full of chocolate chip cookies is a great problem to have. Ready for something new? Make your own kitchen sink cookie recipe.

192. Listen to a live symphony

193. Crank out some homemade ice cream

If you don't have an ice cream maker, ask on Facebook if anyone has one you can borrow. They probably won't miss it (if they can even find it).

194. Watch something on the really big screen (IMAX)

195. Visit a tea room

196. Have a tea party

197. Eat at a restaurant that requires reservations

Steaks are a good option. See above.

198. Pamper yourselves with a spa day

Manicure, pedicure, hair salon, accupuncture, aromatherapy, be creative and splurge a little.

199. Take a cooking class

200. Put a blanket on the floor and have a picnic inside

Preferably in a fort while watching cartoons and eating s'mores bars.

201. Toy store play date

Go crazy, buy toys, have fun. The obvious choice here is Nerf guns.

202. Visit an animal shelter, sanctuary, or rescue

203. Low on dough? Make your own pizzas!

204. Ride a city bus or subway for it's entire route

205. Stare at each other for 15 minutes (try it, you'll see)

206. Pool day, party of two

207. Share a milkshake

208. Shop for flowers at a florist

209. Dig up some classic vinyls at a record store

210. Have drinks at a rooftop bar or cafe

211. Watch the sunrise while holding each other in your arms

212. Watch the sunset while holding each other in your arms

213. Host a party

214. Find your perfect scent

Go perfume and cologne shopping and freshen up your ambience.

215. Attempt to create a replica of a famous piece of art

Mona Lisa is too obvious. Try something a little more obscure. "Pine Tree and Crane" by Xu Gu is a good option.

216. Get off the pavement on an ATV ride

Four wheelers, side by sides, snowmobiles, pick your favorite and get out on the trails.

217. Under the sea is a great place to go scuba diving

219. Pose carefully as you reshoot famous portraits

220. Visit a glass blowing studio

221. Take a pottery spinning class

222. Or a spin class

223. Arrange a flower bouqet

224. Knit, cross stitch, or crochet? Needlecrafting is on point

If doilies and hot pads aren't your things, check out modern cross stitch.

225. Practice wrapping presents (if not now, when?)

Learn a skill that will benefit you for years to come.

226. Help each other apply for dream jobs

Who knows, maybe they'll say yes?

227. Apply to star in a TV show together

228. Do some hula hooping

The one thing that actually does revolve around you.

229. Try juggling

230. Make a house of cards

Without any political backstabbing. Like actual playing cards. Stacked up.

231. Build a domino train for a true domino effect

232. Watch a documentary and learn something new

233. Donate to a cause or charity

234. Watch a rocket launch (geographic restrictions apply)

235. Dress up like a famous couple

Pairs well with portrait painting or photography dates.

236. Wax on, wax off

Hair be gone when you're done.

237. Experience a fish pedicure

Yes, it's a thing. Google it.

238. Mix up some homemade beauty products

239. Shop for heirlooms at a jewelry store

240. Pick some penny-stocks

241. Nab a last minute luxury hotel deal

242. Play airport roulette for a crazy daytrip

Go to the airport. Buy roundtrip tickets returning today. Board.

243. Recreate your favorite British Baking Show challenge

244. Do a cleanse together

245. Source honey straight from the hive

246. Solve a crossword puzzle

247. Take selfie's while photobombing tourists

Meta.

248. Recreate childhood photos

249. Run through sprinklers

Bonus points if it's in public and nobody else is doing it.

250. Help shelter dogs get some outside time

Find a local rescue and ask if you can help with dog walking. It's great way to boost your endorphins, get some outside time, and work together to love on the animals. You might even find a new best friend.

251. Donate blood to the Red cross

252. Empower someone's dreams with a Kiva loan

Kiva is a micro-finance lender providing loans to improve lives. Read through the inspiring stories and find someone you want to lend a hand to. Only God knows the impact you could have.

253. Make care packages for soldiers

254. Compose a haiku

The page is plain white. The pen leaves letters of ink. No more plain white page.

255. Write a children's book

256. Toss a boomerang

Don't worry, it'll eventually start coming back to you.

257. Play catch

Stuffed animals are a nice option for indoors on a rainy day. Kittens, preferably.

259. Play croquet or bocci ball

Or whatever other yard game you have around or can dream up. Badminton is a good one. That thing with the golf balls on the strings. The one with the frisbee and buckets. Oh, and the bags that fall through holes in boards. Lot's of options here.

260. Back a Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign

261. Rip through the water on a jetski

262. Buy a Tesla (or at least take a free test drive)

263. Ride a tandem bike

264. Pan for gold

It's mainly just fun sloshing pebbles around in a pan. No need to find somewhere with actual gold. Maybe you'll start a local trend at that one creek by the park?

265. Scour the city for a fountain

266. Build and decorate a birdhouse

267. Construct a terrarium

269. Do some squirt gun painting

270. Play balloon tennis

271. Go fish

272. Rearrange your furniture

273. Work on your budgeting skills

For all the Dave Ramsey fans out there. You know who you are.

274. Start a new collection

If you think stamps and bottle caps when you think of a collection, here are some things people collect that will freshen up your mental image of the hobby.

275. Make some playdough

277. Spend some time in a hammock

It's relaxing just thinking about, right? Gently swaying in the breeze, toes dragging in the sand, waves crashing on the shore.

BONUS: 9 Tips For Making Every Date Better

  1. Have a "Top 10 List" of date ideas ready
  2. Plan ahead, groom well, and dress for the occasion
  3. Send quick messages and love notes leading up to the date
  4. List potential distractions beforehand so you can focus on your date
  5. Compliment, touch affectionately, and kiss
  6. Take turns talking, ask questions, embrace silence:
    • Men: listen to what she's saying and try to figure out why, it'll keep you focused on what she's saying and let her know that you feel she's important
    • Women: let him be silent without taking it personally, it'll let him know that you genuinely want to spend time with him and that you care about him
  7. "Don't criticize, condemn, or complain" - Dale Carnegie
  8. Make pictures
  9. Take a deep breath, relax, and have some fun together!

Want Even More Great Date Ideas for Married Couples?

We asked some of our favorite marriage-focused instagram accounts and bloggers what their favorite date idea recommendations were.

Here's what they told us:

“Our favorite date nights consists of laughing, smiling and connecting emotionally. We typically play card games at a new coffee shop or head to the beach and talk and walk for hours.” - @marriage365

"Make a time capsule with a notebook full of all your goals, dreams, fears and plans. Then lock it in your safe and don't open it for ten years." - @youmeusfirst

"Choose a good book together, read it separately, then discuss it together." - @themarriagementality

"Attend a mixology class!" - @restorationmarriages  

"Recreate your first date!" - @emptynestblessed

(Suzy also has her own list of 35 Inexpensive Date Ideas for Empty Nesters!)

"Go for a nature walk, they saved our marriage!" - 
@liveyourbestmarriage: https://www.liveyourbestmarriage.com

"Find a couple in public who looks like they're in love and make up a love story about them. We always add in parts of our story, which keeps our story alive and romance on fire!" - @tandemmarriage

"Grab your favorite ice cream from a local ice cream and shop and people watch." - @her.dope.marriage

"Go for a walk in an exclusive neighborhood and talk about what like/don’t like about the homes." - @buildyourmarriage

Now It's Your Turn!

What's your favorite date idea and how many of these have you already tried? We want to know!

Are you looking for more than date ideas for your marriage?

Authentic Love Blueprint is the 30-Day Devotional Challenge designed to take your life and relationships to the next level by putting God at the center.

"My marriage has changed. Not because my husband has changed. But as I live in the love of God, I see my husband in a new light."

Harper

"I wasn't sure that I could ever sincerely be passionate toward my husband again…but I was shocked when I spontaneously hugged him…"

Katie

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