If you're looking for a night on the town or an afternoon in the city, these date ideas get you out of the house and into the action. There are many opportunities for romance in each of the date ideas listing in our 'going out' section. When planning your date, remember that romance is in the details.
Tailgating
Spend a fall afternoon at a football game together and have a romantic (yes, romantic!) tailgate before. Check out our 4 tips for romantic tailgating.
Mall Shopping
Go to your local mall, department store, or large discount store, such as Target or Walmart. Split up and spend $20 each on various products to use that night for a romantic and seductive evening together. Keep your purchases a surprise until later that evening.
Take a Winery Tour
Spend a day at a local winery. After the tour, buy a bottle of wine and share it during a romantic picnic lunch.
Progressive Dinner
Don't settle for dinner out at one restaurant. Have your drinks and appetizers at one restaurant, main course at another, and dessert at another. You'll have a fun evening sampling new things and enjoying the different atmospheres.
Go to a Party
It doesn't matter if it's a work party, a friend's party, or even your niece's birthday party. Plan to go together and walk in arm-in-arm or hand-in-hand.
Walk Around a College Campus
Take a date on a tour of your campus (if you went to or currently attend different schools). If you don't live nearby, tour a local college campus and relive your glory days together.
See a Matinée Movie
Instead of having a traditional Friday night date, plan to skip out of work early on a Wednesday afternoon and catch a movie matinée together!
Attend a Lecture
Look at the even schedules at your local library, museum, or art gallery. Find a lecture that interests both of you and make plans to attend! Be sure to hold hands during the entire lecture.
Visit a Botanical Garden
Walk amongst the tropical birds, plants, and butterflies hand-in-hand when you visit a local botanical garden.
Eat Outside
Take her out to dinner at your favorite restaurant and dine on the patio or balcony while you enjoy the fresh air and brisk breeze.
Visit an Art Gallery
This is a cheap date with stimulating conversation and loads of fun. Whether you visit a large gallery or a small town shop, you'll enter a whole new world when surrounded by paintings, prints, and sculptures. Discuss what you see in the paintings. Debate over what you would buy if you could any one thing in the gallery. Top it off with a stop by a coffeehouse for a warm drink, a little music, and more conversation.
Drive-in Movie
It's the standard movie date with a very romantic twist. Bring along a basket of romantic goodies and a blanket for two.
Fireworks Blast
View a fireworks display and then light a few fireworks of your own during the grand finale.
Local Concerts
Check your local newspaper for weekly events. Most cities offer free evening outdoor concerts. Grab your lounge chairs or picnic blanket, take a few snacks, and enjoy a free evening of entertainment together.
Rummage at Garage Sales
You'll have a blast rumaging for bargains with each other. Commit to finding each other a romantic trinket by the end of your outing.
Dinner & a Movie
Movie's are not just popcorn times anymore. Most cities now have dinner theaters that show movies as well as serve meals. Enjoy a movie, eat a good meal, and enjoy each other's company with your own private table rather than squished in two theater seats.
Cultural Dinners
Expand your horizon's with a dinner out at a cultural restaurant that neither of you have tried.
Head to a State or City Park
Bring along some bread and feed ducks in a pond. No ducks? Then take a nice long walk and just enjoy the fresh air and each other. In warmer areas, you'll be able to marvel at all the beautiful flowers that are currently blooming.
Go to Church Together
Get to know your partner even better by attending a service at their church.
Arcade Games
Get a roll of quarters and have a blast playing games. Compete against each other on a racing game... winner gets to pick the reward!
Football Games
Go to a local high school game, college game, or pro game together. Be sure to huddle closely, cheer together, and feed each other Nacho's.
