When you’ve been married long enough, it can be challenging to make date night interesting again.
All the same restaurants, time after time, get boring. Check out this list of unique date night ideas you have to try!
1. Watch a Live Concert on YouTube
This is way more fun than it sounds.
Grab a cocktail or smoke a little weed, turn the lights low, turn the volume up, and enjoy one of your favorite artists online.
You can also search for the venue to feel like you were there. One of my favorites is Rufus Du Sol at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.
2. Helicopter Tour
This is one of my favorite date night ideas.
Many helicopter tour companies have an option for couples tours that are made to be romantic. I’m talking about champagne, roses, and more. It’s like a hot air balloon ride without the fear of falling over the side.
They don’t have to cost a lot of money either.
Usually, you’ll spend about the same as a nice dinner. Fly Venture offers helicopter rides in Florida and Colorado starting at $285.
3. High Speed Go Karts
I’m talking about helmets, jumpsuits, gloves, and a go-kart that goes 45+ mph around a racetrack.
It’s great for friendly competition between you and your spouse, along with a heavy dose of adrenaline.
Some also serve beer, which hits the spot after a few races.
4. Rent an Exotic Car
Most major cities have rental companies that specialize in exotic cars.
Imagine how fun it would be cruising around your city in a Lamborghini or a Ferrari. Or, you can take a long drive down your favorite scenic route. Roll down the windows and enjoy the luxury.
5. Food Truck Festival
Come hungry and have a plan.
When attending a food truck festival, see if you can find which trucks will be attending. Research and read some reviews; that way, you know which trucks you want to hit ahead of time.
6. Local Flea Market
“A farmers market inside a garage sale inside an amusement park.”
Flea Markets always have unique purchases you won’t find elsewhere.
But not all flea markets are created the same. Some can be a little grimy. Others are full of local vendors who bring incredible products made by small businesses.
You can find everything from food to furniture to clothes, and the people working are always friendly.
7. Hotel Date Night
Also known as a staycation, hotel date nights are wildly underappreciated.
When you’re married, it can feel impossible to enjoy alone time, especially if you have kids.
That’s why hotel date night is perfect for married couples. You get a clean room with privacy and zero interruptions.
Read my post about hotel date nights.
8. Re-Arrange Your Furniture
Who doesn’t love the new home feeling you get from re-arranging furniture? It’s a breath of fresh air and a fun activity to try different ideas with your spouse.
9. Dine-in Movie Theater
When you’re on a time crunch, dine-in movies are the perfect date night idea!
No need to get dinner first. You get your meal in the theater while you watch the movie.
The theater seats are organized in pairs that have trays that fold out when your food arrives. You grab a drink and order your meal before entering the theater. Shortly after, servers bring your food and anything else you might need.
10. Private Chef
Sometimes you don’t need to leave the house for a romantic date night.
Hiring a private chef isn’t much more expensive than going to a fine dining restaurant, and you get a personalized experience. The best chefs will come prepared with a multi-course menu and wine pairing for each course.
11. Spa Treatment
Once you’re introduced to the world of spa treatments, it’s something you’ll always look forward to.
Nothing relaxes the body and soul like a couples massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure. I personally have never had a manicure, but I LOVE pedicures.
My wife convinced me to get one a few years back, and although I was hesitant, I’m so glad I tried it. The foot scrub and massage were delightful. You feel a new person when you pair that with a full-body couple’s massage.
12. Experiment in the Bedroom
When you’re married, sometimes life gets busy, and all you have time for in the bedroom are the same few positions.
It can begin to feel like you’re squeezing sex into the schedule whenever possible, making it difficult to cut loose.
Sometimes you need to take a night to devour each other. And, of course, it’s always fun to try something new. One incredible night in the sheets can set the tone for the next week or two.
Don’t be shy. Ask your partner if they want to try role play, BDSM, sexy food, or new toys in the bedroom. When you plan an intimate night together, it gives you something to look forward to all week.
13. Hot Springs
You have to visit a hot spring if you have one nearby.
Hot springs are a great place to relax. They are cleansing and detoxifying. Some hot springs have sulfur in the water and have even been called the elixir of life. Your skin will feel brand new, and you’ll sleep like a baby afterward.
If you like the idea of skinny dipping, some hot springs, like Strawberry Hot Springs in Colorado, are fully nude after dark.
14. Try a New Sport
There are infinite possibilities, and not all of them will be your favorite, but that’s how you figure out what you really like.
You can try golf, pickleball, tennis, mini golf, and many others. See if there’s a sport you can enjoy playing together long-term. It can bring so much joy into a relationship.
15. Find a New TV show
Plan ahead. Put it on the calendar. On this night, we watch TV shows all night long.
Pro Tip: Agree to watch the first episodes of three different shows commitment-free! Then you can decide which one you like best.
16. Find a Chef’s Tasting Menu
Suppose you’ve never dined at a restaurant with a chef’s tasting menu. In that case, I recommend making it a priority for your next date.
No meal can compare to a 5-10 course tasting menu meticulously planned by a talented chef. It will blow you away. Do the wine pairing too.
17. Go to the Zoo
Going to the zoo is one of those things that makes you feel like a kid again.
When was the last time you saw a lion or a gorilla? The zoo in my city serves beer and wine. Grab dinner and drinks before and ride in with a slight buzz. Then buy a couple drinks for walking around.
18. Plan a Wellness Night
Reset and relax with a date night focused on wellness.
If you’re looking for cheap date ideas, this one is perfect. Plan a night for the sauna, the steam room, or some good meditation.
When we wanted to feel refreshed but needed to save money, we would go to our local gym to hit the steam shower. Then we’d come home, light some candles, and meditate for a while, just the two of us.
It’s simple, affordable, and always makes you feel rejuvenated.
19. Get Seated Tickets at a Concert
We reached a certain age when standing in GA with the 20-somethings was longer fun.
My back would hurt. We’d have to fight through the crowd to get drinks. It simply becomes more work than fun.
Then we started forking up the extra cash for the premium sections at concerts, making shows much more enjoyable.
You can sit and stand at your leisure. The drink lines are shorter. The people aren’t so sloppy and bumping into you.
It’s an all-around better experience and allows date night to feel like a date, not a giant chore.
20. Camp for One Night
If you can find a decent campsite within an hour’s drive, grab your gear and go for just one night.
The best part about camping is the stars. My wife came camping with me for the first time. We laid in the truck’s bed for about an hour, staring at the stars. We saw at least 4 shooting stars and multiple satellites. It’s so humbling seeing the Milky Way and the universe out there.
21. Wine Tasting
Join a wine club and go to a tasting together.
Many of the big box retailers have weekly or bi-weekly wine clubs. You get to drink delicious wine and learn in the process. Some of them include bottles of wine you can take home as well.
22. Play Adult Games
Are you stuck in the same bedroom routine?
Adult games are a fantastic way to break through. Think game night, but kinky. They encourage you to ask questions and push the limits of your sexual relationship.
They also include tasks like touching, teasing, and even foreplay.
If you have a night alone together, don’t be afraid to break one of these games out and spice things up.
23. Go to the Local Casino
Casinos have an undeniably fun energy. Even if you’re playing the minimum bet, being around the hustle and bustle is fun.
I only recommend going if you have some money to lose, and please, always gamble responsibly.
Pro Tip: Read some reviews before going to a casino. Some casinos are luxurious, clean, and lively. Others are dirty and have a seedy crowd. I recommend only going to casinos with table games. Avoid slot-machine-only casinos.
24. Cooking Class
If you’re considering doing a cooking class, see if they have a schedule posted for the type of cuisine you’d like to learn about.
25. Picnic
Who doesn’t love a romantic picnic?
If you want some great ideas for picnic dates, read my post about the best picnic date ideas.
26. Brewery Tour
Not every date has to be romantic.
Sometimes you need to kick back and enjoy something different. Brewery tours are always a great option.
It’s fun to see the different ways each facility approaches brewing beer. Sometimes you get to meet the brewers who always have a passionate energy you can appreciate.
27. Comedy Show
Married or not, going to a comedy show is always a good idea.
Hard to imagine a more potent drug than laughter, and wouldn’t you know it? There are places you can go that offer just that. Laughter.
The best part is debriefing with your partner after the show. Who was your favorite comedian? What was your favorite joke?
It all happens so fast, and by the time you leave, your gut is sore from the hysterical laughter.
28. Go to a Sporting Event
It doesn’t matter which sport or which league. Sporting events are always fun.
It could be a high school football game or a wrestling meet. It could be an NHL hockey game or a major league baseball game. Either way, it’s always a great atmosphere and fun rooting for the home team.
29. See a Local Band Play
A quick Google search will usually turn up a large list of upcoming performances by local bands.
Get out and discover some new music at a new venue. Or, follow your favorite cover bands to hear your favorite songs.
You might find yourself at a fun bar you didn’t know existed, becoming new fans of an up-and-coming band.
30. Visit a Museum
It’s fun to nerd out and the space and science museum, and there’s always an amusing exhibit that you don’t expect.
31. Make Craft Cocktails
This is one of my favorite at-home date night ideas.
Look up some cocktail recipes online. Search based on the spirit (whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila, rum) and flavor profile (fruity, refreshing, spirited, smoky, bitter).
Some cocktails require only spirits and cordials. Some require fruits, infusions, and simple syrups.
Pick something more challenging if you want to make a whole date night out of it.
Here are a couple of my favorites:
- The Last Word
- Black Manhattan
- Jalapeno and Pineapple Mezcal Margarita
- Daiquiri (I’m talking a proper daiquiri. Not the sweet frozen kind)
Read my post about essential bar tools if you’ve never made cocktails at home.
32. Go Sight Seeing
Most people never take the time to visit the sights in their local towns. Every town has something a little different.
It could be a botanical garden, statue, memorial, historic building, lookout point, light tower, or a giant ball of yarn.
Do a quick Google search and find the most unique sights near you.
33. Do a Home a Project
Turning a home project into a date night is a fun way to upgrade your living space.
There’s something very rewarding about researching your project, planning it out, buying materials, completing the project, and then enjoying the results as a couple.
Pro Tip: Grab a 12-pack of beer or a bottle of wine and enjoy a few drinks while you work.
34. Plan a Vacation
Grab your computer and start planning your next vacation. If you can’t afford a vacation, plan one anyway.
Scrolling through cities, hotels, and fun adventures is a great way to relax and get excited about something.
35. Test Drive Your Dream Cars
Dress up and test drive the craziest cars you can think of.
You may need to do a bit of acting so that the car salesmen take you seriously. Besides them saying no to the test drive, there are no consequences if you don’t let them pull your credit.
Pro Tip: Be prepared for questions like what you’re driving now, how much money you plan to put down, and your credit score. Even if it’s just for show.
36. Go to the Mall
I was never much of a shopper until I learned how to make it fun.
Shopping used to stress me out. I’d never give myself enough time and go in with high expectations.
Try this.
Go to the mall with your spouse, but first, stop somewhere for a drink and an appetizer. The drink will loosen you up, and the snack ensures you don’t get hangry an hour into shopping.
Go without expecting to buy anything.
- Stop in stores and try on stuff you can’t afford
- Sit in the massage chair
- Work your way through the jewelry store
- Get another round of cocktails between stores to keep the energy laid back
We like to get drinks at Nordstroms café. They pour the strongest drinks around.
They probably want you a little buzzed before you return to shopping, but we’re into that.
37. Try a New Board or Card Game
Who doesn’t love to play board games? Learning new games is a bit of trial and error, so pick out a handful for this date and don’t feel the need to commit to one.
Not every new game will be a hit, but playing an entertaining game for the first time is always enjoyable.
38. Drive Through Your Dream Neighborhood
Free date night ideas can be the most enjoyable ones.
Cruise through your dream neighborhood, or even better, park the car and take the dogs for a walk.
39. Indoor Skydiving
Afraid of heights? Don’t worry. You can still get that feeling of flying without jumping into a plane.
Indoor skydiving can even become a hobby. You can learn to style out in the tube and try new tricks.
40. Adult Arcade
Arcades never stop being fun, do they?
Most people think of Dave and Busters, but many local options exist.
1up in Colorado is an adult-only arcade with drinks and a DJ. They keep a vintage arcade vibe while serving malt liquor and 40 oz beers.
41. Broadway Play
When people attend a play, it’s usually a special night.
There are a few things that I love about going to a play:
- It’s a fun excuse to dress up
- Watching people act in person is an incredible experience
- The environment and liveliness in the building are always fun and exciting
- The actors are so talented; there’s something extraordinary about watching them perform live
42. Painting Class
I’m not a painter, but it’s fun having an instructor walk you through things while you have a glass of wine.
The best part is comparing your masterpieces at the end. Once the night is over, you’ll have a new skill.
43. Go to Home Depot
Walking through Home Depot is a blast, even if you don’t intend to buy anything.
Browse your dream fixtures and appliances. Stroll through the nursery section and smell the fresh soil and fertilizer.
Pick the brains of the department staff and learn a thing or two. It’s fun to talk about what you’d love to have in your home someday.
44. Watch a Movie Series
Movie night, but on steroids! Don’t watch one movie; watch the entire trilogy!
This is the perfect way to break up a string of busy weekends and still enjoy quality time together.
So often, it seems like every weekend is go, go, go. When do we finally get a breather? Nothing beats binging your favorite movies and going to bed by 9 pm.
45. Amusement Park
You’d think going to amusement parks would get old at some point, but it never really does.
Pro Tip: Pay a little extra for the fast passes. Waiting in long lines can be a buzz kill (literally). It’s worth the extra $50 to spend more time on the rides and less time standing.
46. Indoor Rock Climbing
This is something that can quickly turn into a hobby.
All you need are climbing shoes and a chalk bag to get started. Beginners might try bouldering first (climbing without a harness and rope). If the hobby suits you, you can get into top roping.
After you climb, hit the nearest pub for a beer and dinner. It’s a great blend of recreation and relaxation. Perfect for date night.
47. Go to Open Houses
Do a quick search for open houses in your city and try to find one that could be considered a dream home.
It’s so good for the soul to see, smell, and touch the things you desire. It can bring a spark of motivation and inspiration into your relationship.
Pair that with a stop at happy hour before the open house, and you’ve got yourself a pleasant evening.
48. Go Thrift Shopping
Thrift shopping can be like searching for buried treasure. Whether you go to Goodwill or an antique store, there are plenty of options in every town.
You might not find anything you like, but it’s so exciting when you discover that one unique piece that will fit right in.
49. Try a New Cuisine
What type of food would be entirely new for both of you? Find the nearest restaurant that has the best reviews and go.
Don’t even think twice about it.
Maybe you hate it. Perhaps you will love it. Go into it without expectations and enjoy the new experience together.
50. Go to a Skating Rink
Indoor roller skating or ice skating.
I love going to the old-school roller rinks. There’s something nostalgic about the smell of an old building serving cheap food and beers. The sound of the arcade games and the 80’s music. You can’t beat it.
50. Go to a Skating Rink
Indoor roller skating or ice skating.
I love going to the old-school roller rinks. There’s something nostalgic about the smell of an old building serving cheap food and beers. The sound of the arcade games and the 80’s music. You can’t beat it.
51. Go Skinny Dipping
Swimming naked makes you feel so free.
Make sure you pick a place where you won’t get into trouble. I recommend your pool, hot tub, or the local lake at night.
When my wife and I were in Hawaii, we discovered a nude beach on Oahu. We had never been to a nude beach, but we decided to try it.
When we got there, we stripped down and went swimming, letting everything hang free.
It was so much fun!
We both loved it. Not to mention, it totally gets the sexual energy flowing for later.
52. Watching Kid’s Movies
Turn on Disney plus and let the nostalgia wash over you.
We binged almost the entire catalog when we first got our Disney plus subscription. Am I saying that’s healthy? No.
Was it enjoyable watching all my favorite childhood movies? Absolutely yes!
53. Go to the Adult Store
Go pick out a new bedroom toy together. Get outside your comfort zone and find a way to spice things up.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to go full-on 50 Shades of Grey if this is your first time experimenting. Start with a blindfold or some handcuffs and see how that feels. Then you can work your way up to the advanced stuff.
54. Dance Lessons
Some of you will skim right past this one but allow me to share some words of encouragement.
Learning to dance will pay off on so many occasions. All you have to do is overcome that first bout of fear and awkwardness.
Take a couple of shots and get out there. Some places even do dance lessons for free on certain nights.
The atmosphere is laid back because everyone else is learning too!
55. See Multiple Movies at the Movie Theater
Buy tickets to back-to-back movies and make a night out of it.
You’ll want to come with full bellies, so grab dinner or lunch first.
56. Go to a Race
If you’ve never been, drag races are loud, energetic, and never disappoint.
Just the people watching alone can make for a good date night, but then there’s the part where you drink beer while watching high-speed cars.
57. Read the Kama Sutra
There’s a ton of helpful information in that book.
Learning about the anatomy of the opposite sex helps improve intimacy. Plus, there are about a million different positions to try, with instructions for each.
58. Make a Bucket List
We attract what we focus on. Making a bucket list is a great way to stop IMAGINING fun things and start DOING them.
It’s even better when it’s a shared bucket list.
59. Watch the First Episode of 3 New Shows
Committing to a new TV show is always tricky.
We always get stuck browsing. What if you didn’t feel the need to commit? Go into the night without the pressure of finding the perfect show. Watch the first episode of three new shows, no strings attached.
60. Make Your Own Wine
You can find homemade wine kits and geek out. It’s quite the project, but it can make for an enjoyable activity, especially if you both like wine.
