Netflix and chill is not a date. Even dinner and a movie seems to be, well, outdated… get it? Outdated! Okay, I’m done with the puns, I promise. You’re here to make your next date special and fun, so here are 15 unique date ideas that are sure to create awesome memories for you and your boo.
1. Have a picnic in a secluded area OR a packed spot.
Pack a basket, backpack, or bag with a few sandwiches, finger foods, and fruit. You get extra points if you bring some of your date’s favorite foods and snacks. Don’t forget a big sheet or a picnic blanket, some bug spray, and sunscreen or sunglasses. If you plan to be out in the open, choose a spot that’s either somewhere secluded and picturesque or somewhere busy so you both can people-watch.
Check out: 20 Cheap Date Ideas
2. Attend a hot air balloon festival.
You’d be surprised how many states have annual hot-air balloon festivals that just aren’t publicized enough. These are awesome events where you can see tens or sometimes hundreds of hot air balloons rising into the sky throughout the day. Many have special light events at night or if you’re trying to do it big, then you could even pay to go up on a balloon with your date. Now that would be something!
3. Try a ceramic, glass-blowing, or art class.
For the creatives out there, there are plenty of classes and courses that will let you and your date try out new art activities. You two could make your own ceramic vases or mugs, face the fire in a glassblowing course, or take a painting or coloring art class, depending on your interests. By the way, I’d walk through a fire in a glass-blowing class for you if you could do me a favor and like and subscribe. You know how much I appreciate you!
4. Go skydiving.
All right, you daredevils, now is your chance to do something wild. I have personally gone skydiving myself, and I can tell you that it is one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life. Does it sound too scary? Well, statistically, you have a much greater chance of dying on your drive over to the airport than actually going skydiving, but I’ll leave this one to the wild cards out there who want to give their date the experience of a lifetime. Trust me, you won’t get any more exciting than this, but remember that your date has to be on board, which isn’t always the easiest.
5. Take a cooking class.
Whether you’re a foodie, a normal lover of food, an amazing chef, or have never cooked in your life, a cooking class is beneficial. Join a few other people and learn how to make something new with your date. These are usually the most fun when you learn to make a cuisine that is new for you both, especially if it’s something, you only tend to order or see at restaurants or something you tried back on that amazing trip a few years ago. Kudos to you and your date if you learn to cook food that you’ve never even tried before. Cooking classes can range in price, but you can often find good deals for them on websites like Groupon. Come hungry and leave happy with your date and make a memory that’s easily remembered.
6. Go bike riding or rent a tandem bike together.
If you haven’t ridden a bike in ages, don’t worry, it’s just like riding a bike… you always remember! Head to the city center or your nearest large park and plan out a cool bike ride with your date. I recently did this in Central Park and boy, was it an adventure! We will surely be talking about it for days to come because of the sights, thrill, and surprising amount of exercise. Also, if you have a chance, rent a tandem bike for a lot of laughs and some exercise to remember.
7. Visit a local farm for outdoor activities.
Local farms are highly underrated date and activity spots. No matter where you live, chances are there is a farm within 30 to 40 minutes of you that you can visit for things like apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, petting cute baby farm animals, and buying delicious homemade goodies. The best times to do this are usually summer and fall, but that will depend on where you live. Support local businesses while also supporting your growing relationship with this date idea.
8. Host a game night.
If you are a game night guy or gal or know that your date is, why not make it a big event and host your own game night? This is great if you are still trying to break the ice with this person or if you had your fair share of intimate dates and don’t mind mixing it up by dating during a group hangout. You could even make it a couple’s game night and amp up the competition to get you two closer and more competitive on a team.
Check out: What to do on a date 8 tips
9. Take a dance class.
Even people with two left feet benefit from a dance class. They probably benefit the most! Leave your embarrassment at home and put yourself out there. Learning something new with a girl or guy you like could be especially fun if one of you is already a better dancer than the other and needs to start teaching your trade.
10. Head to a spa for ultimate relaxation.
If you’ve got a bit of cash to blow, why not do both yourself and your date a favor and plan out a relaxing day at the spa? For those on a budget, you could find great deals on massages online and do a lot of the other stuff – like facials and cucumbers on the eyes – at home. There’s nothing quite like a couples’ massage to bond in silence – trust me, I try to book one at least once a year with my boyfriend! It’s the best way to unwind and connect through calmness. You and your date will finish the day relaxed, rejuvenated, and feeling romantic.
11. Attend a local festival.
Music festivals, art festivals, and cultural festivals abound in most parts of the world. Google searches will usually tell you what’s going on in your area that month, so check out what’s free and what you need tickets for beforehand. Just choose something that you’re both interested in or something completely random to make it a spontaneous day!
12. Explore a nearby town or city.
Most of us don’t know enough about that little town that is a short drive away from where we live. Everything has its charm, so why not check out the places near you to discover some hidden gems?
13. Check out a comedy show or play.
Laughter is the best medicine, and it also happens to be a love potion. If you’d rather skip the puns or dirty jokes, perhaps a romantic or comedic play is more up your alley. Any local stage is sure to offer some interesting entertainment for you and your date.
14. Volunteer together.
Volunteering has been shown to increase feelings of happiness, lower stress levels, and even correlate with well-being and longevity. Why not add all of those good things to your relationship by volunteering together for a cause that both of you support? If this date idea speaks to you, we also have a video called “Doing the Right Thing When No One Is Looking” that you may enjoy.
15. Find a top spot to catch the sunrise or sunset.
No matter where you live, there are bound to be some great spots to catch the sunrise or sunset together. My best date ever was watching the sunrise with Dan from Montana. If you’re watching this, Dan, you have a special place in my heart and the number one date spot in my memories for life! As for you guys on YouTube, feel free to combine this with a picnic idea or bike ride. Mountains, lakes, and other waterfronts are great places to start.
Conclusion:
Unique date ideas don’t have to be hard to come by. If you’ve got someone special in mind, there’s something special you can share with them. Let me know which unique date idea you end up using in the comments, and be sure to add any that we haven’t mentioned today!