Fun Date Ideas for Couples 

A bit of excitement in a relationship goes a long way. Having fun together not only builds memories that bind a couple together, but those moments allow the couple to reignite and cement their friendship. Whether you’ve been in a relationship for a long time, or you’re just starting, it’s good to have a few date ideas for couples in your back pocket.

The point of a date is to have a connection, whether the connection needs to be refreshed or formed for the first time. It’s an opportunity to know the other person a bit better, and to make yourself available to be known.

A date doesn’t have to be expensive or exotic for it to be impactful and meaningful for a couple. Sometimes, for married couples, even revisiting a place you used to frequent before you got married or recreating your first date can be an enriching experience. Married couples need to keep dating; that is how a couple stays connected and continues to fan the flame of romance in their relationship.

To have a great date, being imaginative, thoughtful, and intentional can go a long way. If you’re a couple that’s been together for a while, do something that works for you both, or treat your spouse by doing something you know they like but you don’t typically do because it’s not your thing.

Tips for Your First Date

If it’s your first date, there are a few things to consider:

Let the date idea you choose be something that reflects something about you. A night spent at an art exhibition opening sounds great, but not if you hate art, find it pretentious, and you simply thought it would be cultured to go to an exhibit. If this is the case, you’ll find yourself bored, out of your depth, and uncomfortable the whole time.

There’s nothing wrong with challenging yourself, but for a first date, it’s probably best to stick to what interests you. If you know a little bit about the other person, you can try something that you think will lend itself to their interests.

Lean toward an activity that allows you to move your bodies and doesn’t force you to look at each other all night. Dates can sometimes get awkward, especially in that getting-to-know-you phase. Being able to do something alongside someone is great as it unlocks different levels of interaction with one another.

Things like riding bikes, rollerblading, going for a hike, skiing, or a drive along the coast or an area with great landscapes are great because moments of silence aren’t automatically awkward. You don’t have to feel the pressure to stay engaging; your environment can lend a hand.

Don’t cheap out but don’t break the bank either. A date can be cheap, but tasteful. Just because you spend a lot of money on the date, doesn’t mean you’ll have more fun, nor does it mean the other person is somehow obligated to you. Spending a lot of money on a first date may be a recipe for resentment if things don’t go your way. Keeping it middle-of-the-road takes the pressure off and helps you both keep your expectations realistic.

It’s not a bad idea to have some friends with you. Whether it’s their friends or yours, it allows you to gain deeper insight into each other’s worlds. It also takes away some of the pressure to be in the spotlight the whole time, as you’ll share the conversational load.

Sometimes, your creative juices need a bit of a refill because you’re fresh out of ideas. Life gets busy, and having simple, tried, and tested ideas that you can easily implement could be a huge help.

Fun Date Ideas for Couples

Here are a few date ideas to get your thinking going and to spark your imagination. Pick whatever works for your location, your relationship, your budget, and whatever time of year you find yourself in. And don’t forget to have fun!

1. Attend a local festival together. Whether it’s in your town or one town over, take in some music, food, and good vibes together.

2. Take a day trip. Jump in your car and see where a full tank of gas will take you.

3. Play a board game. Pull out one of the classics or try a brand-new game. Throw in a friendly wager to make things a little more interesting.

4. Explore the nearest state park. Take a drive to the nearest state park. You can hike, have a walk in nature, and maybe even have a meal together if you pack a picnic basket.

5. Go to the beach.
Nothing beats a little sun, sand, and surf. Go for a swim together, walk along the beach, or take a picnic with you to enjoy as the sun sets.

6. Go antique hunting. You can browse antique stores, flea markets, second-hand shops, or yards. Just looking is fun, and who knows what kind of tchotchkes you’ll find along the way?

7. Find a farmer’s market. These keep getting better and better. There are lots of things to see, loads of delicious healthy foods to try out, and you’ll be supporting local merchants. What’s not to love?

8. Do some karaoke. Ready to let your hair down? With the right person, karaoke is the place to be to belt out some sappy ballads or rock out to fulfill a childhood fantasy. After all, everyone’s a star at karaoke.

9. Try out a new restaurant. If you’ve had plenty of dates at your local favorite, maybe try something different for a fresh experience.

10. Do some stargazing. If the weather allows, this is a great date idea. You can do this with or without a telescope, and there are apps that can help you map out the constellations. A planetarium is a great alternative on a cloudy night.

11. Go and see a comedy show. A good laugh gets the endorphins flowing, and even bad comedy has its charms. If comedy is not your thing, perhaps an evening at the ballet, or an art exhibit will suit you better. It’s all a good time.

12. Go for a quiz or trivia night. This is a great way to enjoy a whole range of emotions together, from the sweet taste of victory to the bitter dregs and agony of defeat.

13. Go out on the water. You can rent a sailboat and just enjoy being out on the water, but if that’s not your thing, a rowboat, paddle boat, or kayak will do just as nicely.

14. Go fruit picking. Depending on the time of year, whether you’re into pumpkins, berries, apples, or other kinds of fruit, there’s probably something edible that’s growing out there just waiting to be picked.

15. Stay at a bed and breakfast. Get out of your house and spend a night away from home. For married couples (especially with children), being able to be away from home and wake up with a breakfast someone else has made is an amazing experience.

16. Take to the air. If you like being up in the air, you can go in several directions: hot air balloon ride, paragliding, parachute out of an airplane, or take a small aircraft out for a short flight. It’s exhilarating being able to glide over rooftops and point out the sights of interest below

17. Look through old photos. Your life together in photos is a rich history worth revisiting. There are stories to be retold, discoveries to be made, tears of joy to be shared and laughter to be had as you look back at your lives.

18. Take a dance class. Maybe this is something new for one or both of you. This will get you moving and give you a skill too. It will make the next wedding or party you attend a thing to remember.

19. Volunteer to serve together. Sign up to serve at a soup kitchen or a clothing drive.

20. Go out for dessert. Who says you need to have dinner before dessert? Share your favorite sweet treats, and maybe you can go to a few spots and see what you like best.

21. Go for a picnic. If it’s nice out, there’s nothing more romantic than packing up some food and enjoying it outdoors. An indoor picnic is great for those cold winter days and nights.

22. Go for a drive-in movie. Drive-ins are making something of a comeback. Enjoy the night air and don’t forget the popcorn.

23. Visit an aquarium. Aquariums aren’t just for young kids.  Take a laid-back stroll as you survey the sea life. There’s plenty to point at and talk about, so you won’t get bored.

24. Take a wine tour. Go for a wine tour at local wineries, or try a wine-tasting evening. You can take a walk through the vineyard, taking in the sights and enjoying the best fruit of the vine.

25. Try outdoor theatre. Shakespeare in the park or any other theatre production is a great way to have a laid-back afternoon enjoying the outdoors and art.

26. Dinner and a movie. This one is a classic, but it’s a classic for a reason. If you make the right call, good food at an amazing restaurant followed by a movie and maybe even dessert afterward is a great night out.

There are many more date ideas for couples that will work great for a first date or your five-hundredth date. If you’re struggling to come up with something, it doesn’t hurt to consult with your significant other to find out what they like.

For married couples, continuing to date each other works wonders for their marriage. It’s easy to lose sight of one another, to lose that spark of attraction that drew you to one another. Carving time out to be with each other is a practical way to love each other.

If you’re married, your relationship matters and requires constant investment to keep it flourishing. Dating is one way of investing in your marriage. You can also make use of a tool like couples counseling to help deepen emotional or physical intimacy, improve communication, resolve conflict in a healthy way, and learn how to meet each other’s needs in ways you both appreciate. If you need that kind of help, don’t hesitate to reach out to inquire about couples therapy today.