Good Date Ideas That Aren’t Dinners and Movie Marathons
People often consider dinner dates and movie marathons as good date ideas. They’re classics for a reason: they never go out of fashion despite the world’s ever-changing ways.
But as timeless as those ideas are, some can’t help but get tired of them. We get it—there’s more to dates than just those activities. Unfortunately, ideas can be hard to scour sometimes, especially if circumstances like budget constraints and busy schedules get in the way.
But don’t fret or wave the white flag just yet. We see and hear you and have something up our sleeves.
We’ve gathered some good date suggestions that every couple can appreciate. See which one tickles your fancy.
Give These Good Date Ideas a Try
Whether you’re a long-term couple or just starting, you’ll find our recommendations enjoyable. Keep the conversation going and the connection building with these suggestions:
#1: Beach getawayLook at the photo above. Hanging out by the beach is a simple date idea, but it’s a good one nonetheless.
When you think about it, beaches are pretty romantic. The sandy shores, sunshine, clear waters, crashing waves, and quiet stillness are a great backdrop for romantic moments.
Also, there’s plenty to do at the beach. Go swimming, catch some waves via surfing, or walk along the shore. And for the most part, these activities (and more) are all free! Hit your nearest seaside paradise and have a little sweet escape.
#2: Night outLet’s say you two barely have quality time nowadays. You only bump into each other when you sleep and wake up. Squeeze in some time together by having a night out!
You don’t need to get drunk just to have fun. You can always head to your favorite bar, order your usuals, and catch up. You won’t notice the time ticking away.
Do you know what would be even better? Put on your dancing shoes and get your groove on. Even if you have two left feet, don’t let that stop you from hitting the dancefloor and having a ball.
If you don’t want to or can’t go out, you can recreate this good date idea at home. Make your favorite drinks and have a dance party in your living room! It’ll be just as fun.
And no, we don’t mean the academic kind. No pen and paper are necessary here (unless you want to take notes).
In all seriousness, strong relationships solidify even further when couples try new things together. Even research agrees with this.
A Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) study notes that it allows couples to experience more growth and security in their relationships. In addition, the participating couples commented they experienced equal levels of said factors.
Keep your relationship fresh by taking a class together. We suggest doing an activity you haven’t done before. Give something like pottery (pictured above) a try. And don’t worry: you don’t have to restage Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore from Ghost.
#4: Trivia nightIf you think quizzes and trivia games are for nerds, you may change your mind when you host one.
Quizzes don’t just showcase smarts. They’re pretty entertaining, too. Admit it: a little healthy competition is sexy. It gives enough of an adrenaline rush, and the playful banter makes for some good laughs.
Trivia nights at home are fun dates. The categories are up to you. You can quiz each other on your favorite movie franchise or even your relationship; just make sure the questions don’t go beyond the belt.
Do you want more people in the mix? Look out for trivia nights at your local bars. The increased competition will not only provide more entertainment, but it’ll also strengthen your teamwork.
#5: Road tripThe world is your oyster. Why not explore it?
Take a few days off (ideally, a weekend) for a road trip. It doesn’t have to be a far-flung destination. You and your partner can drive off somewhere nearby and have a mini-vacation.
A road trip not only gives you an escape; it has other benefits. Since you’ll be on the road for long hours, you’ll truly get to know each other en route to and returning from your destination.
Even if your planned distance is short, here’s something to remember: road trips can test relationships as much as they strengthen them. It won’t be as dramatic as portrayed in movies and TV shows, but the journey can get rough.
#6: StaycationThis is one of the unique date ideas for couples. After all, is it even a vacation if you don’t travel? But hear us out:
As much as we like vacations, they aren’t always feasible. It sucks, but staycations are the next best thing. They’re closer, which makes them budget-friendly. Staying in your locality means that you also have familiarity on your side, so your chances of getting lost in the middle of nowhere are unlikely.
Moreover, staycations hit two birds with one stone. You’ll get a break from your everyday life without the hassle of long-distance travel.
Your staycation can be anything you want it to be. You can check in at your favorite nearby hotel or stay at a resort that isn’t too far from your neck of the woods.
#7: Local explorationLet’s say you and your partner have lived and stayed on your home turf since you were in diapers. You know your locality at the back of your hand, from iconic landmarks to hole-in-the-wall joints.
But when was the last time you explored your neck of the woods? Don’t wait for visiting out-of-town loved ones to go around.
Acting like tourists is on this list of fun things to do on a date for a reason. Taking time to explore your hometown doesn’t sound like much, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you’ll see. Your discoveries will make you appreciate it even more.
Good date ideas don’t need to be fancy. Just because you’re straying from the usual wine-and-dine setup doesn’t mean you should go the expensive route. Who says you need heavy price tags for a good time? Not us!
Britton, Emily, and Kassandra Cortes. 2020. “Does Your Relationship Need a Boost? Try Something New.” Society for Personality and Social Psychology.
https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/does-your-relationship-need-boost-try-something-new.
