Behold: 100 (!!) Cute Date Ideas That'll Woo Your Partner and Strengthen Your 'Ship
First comes love, then comes marriage, and then comes hitting a wall when it comes to thinking of fresh date night ideas. Jk! Coming up with unique dates is a universal challenge—whether you’ve just matched on a dating app, are stuck in that tricky talking stage (ugh), have finally defined the relationship, or have been ~2gether 5ever.
Sure, ordering takeout and marathoning Netflix is fun, but that can get real old, real fast. There’s more to love than Pad Thai and true crime documentaries, y’all (no shade). In fact, cute dates aren't even just about spicing things up; they're a chance to bond, spend quality time together, and maybe fall even deeper in love.
The issue? Dates can drain the wallet, and cash flow isn’t always abundant. It’s such a problem that, according to a recent survey by dating app Flirtini, 1 in 12 American adults have given up on dating completely to save money, and of those polled, 60 percent said they had to cancel dates because of $$$. But it doesn’t have to be like that!!!
You see, there are tonsss of date ideas out there ranging from completely free to so-fab-it’ll-cost-your-whole-savings. Which means even if splurging on holiday gifts for everyone drained your bank account, fear not! Money won’t keep you from getting your Casanova on.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary, going all out for Valentine’s Day, or just wanna spice up the relationship, there’s a *chef’s kiss* date idea for you that’s totally bangin’ + within budget (...and might even involve a private chef, if you’re bougie like that). Here's what we suggest!
Date Ideas When You’re On a Tight Budget
Go on a walk. Explore the neighborhood (and each other's company) without spending a dime.
…Or a run? Amp up those endorphins together. Besides, after you get all sweaty together, shower sex is basically a given.
Or a hike! It’s like walking, but in nature, and with better photo ops for all you outdoor girlies.
How about a bike ride? Make sure to pack some snacks and a Bluetooth speaker in your bike basket for singing the oldies.
Explore a nearby park. There are benches! And trees! And elderly people playing chess! And secret spots to make out! Riddle me a more perfect date!
Or a nearby cemetery. Embrace some spooky vibes and really hone in on the “life is short—till death do us part” thing.
Have yourself a cute lil picnic. Pack some sammies + a blanket, and have a charming meal under the open sky. (Psst: Bring some hot chocolate and extra layers if it’s chilly!)
Go to the nearest body of water with a bottle of wine. It doesn’t even have to be a nice body of water or nice wine! Th`ere’s just something inherently romantic about looking at water and sipping bevs.
Do some seasonal picking. Pumpkin, apples, blueberries—whatever. Pick whatever’s growing, then go home and make something tasty together.
Host a game night with friends. Bring on the friendly rivalry and shameless flirting while playing Taboo.
Or play strip poker. It’s all fun and games until someone’s down to their socks…
Go to the library and get your reading on. Lose yourselves in different worlds—quiet, cozy, and completely free. And if you happen to sneak off for a little smooching, we won’t tell.
Go to a dive bar. Play some pool and drink warm beer, just like they do in the movies!
Have a movie night. Speaking of, why not screen your favorite flicks? Share popcorn, blankets, and candy while quoting the cheesiest romantic comedies.
Or go to a drive-in movie. Nostalgic? Check. Private? Check. The option to get frisky in the backseat if the film gets boring? Check, check, check.
Cook dinner together. Stir up some romance and possibly create a new favorite dish. Bon appétit, bb.
Cook dinner together, but one of you is blindfolded. It’s a recipe for hilarious mishaps and surprisingly tasty results.
Play hide and seek. Rediscover your ~inner child~ and those first crush feels.
Sketch portraits of each other. Yes, posing like French girls and quoting Titanic is highly encouraged.
Or do a DIY Painting with a Twist class. Grab a drink, cue up the Bob Ross, and go to town painting happy little trees.
Volunteer together. Make a difference and bond over giving back to the community—it's heartwarming and costs nothing.
Go to the dog park. Whether you have pups or not, watching dogs exist is basically the best time ever. Bring a tennis ball and become the most popular person there.
Play at a playground. Relive childhood fun with swings, slides, and maybe a few scraped knees. Good thing you’ve got someone cute to kiss your boo-boos, right?
Play pickleball! Engage in the fun, low-cost sport literally ev-er-y-one plays now.
Make a fort. Grab some couch cushions and build your cozy fortress. Bonus points for fairy lights and pillow fights.
Have some show ‘n’ tell time. Share childhood stories, favorite things, or just goofy moments. Wanna get hot with it? A round of “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours” can be worked in as well…
Hit up a happy hour. Lots of places have specials on drinks and bites during the week, so hit up a hot spot during HH to save on cash but not compromise on taste.
Go window shopping. Pick out dream items while strolling hand-in-hand. Who knows? Maybe someday they’ll surprise you with everything you picked out. Maybe!
Or thrift shopping. Hunt for hidden treasures, unique finds, and vintage gems together. Or come across a haunted doll that possesses your entire family. Either way!
Bake cookies. Not only do you get dessert, but you get to be adorable and flick flour all over each other. That’s just how it goes. I don’t make the rules.
Do a puzzle. Piece together some quality time, one puzzle piece at a time—aww!
Go camping. Escape into nature, roast marshmallows, and find constellations. Don’t forget the bug spray or the camping sex essentials!
Stargaze. It’s like Romance 101. Point out your fav constellations and make a few wishes under those shooting stars.
Make a fast-food charcuterie board. Get some fries from one stop, some nugs from another. Put it all together, and it’s basically gourmet!
Give each other massages. Not sure which pressure points to hit? Pull up some YouTube vids and get those knots out. Happy endings are fair game here as well (with consent, ofc).
Wander around IKEA. Recreate that scene from 500 Days of Summer (you know the one), then munch on some meatballs.
Have a karaoke night. Whether you embarrass yourself at a bar or do it in the privacy of your home, belt out your favorite tunes, bad notes and all.
Date Ideas When You’re On a Flexible Budget
Rent a boat. A kayak. A canoe. A yacht (kidding, maybe). Whatever you’re feeling for a little on-the-water allure.
Or just go on a little boat ride. Book a boat ride via a site like Getmyboat.com to take in the sunset or the sunshine without having to lift a finger.
Go horseback riding. Gallop into an adventure together, no cowboy hats required.
Throw some pottery. Get your hands—and the rest of your bod—dirty à la Ghost. Oh, and you'll make a nice bowl or something, too!
Go to a rage room. Smash away the stress together. Seriously, you’d be surprised how good throwing a bunch of glass at a wall can feel.
Or an escape room. Watching your honey get all detective-like is honestly supes hot in a nerdy kind of way. This also gives you an excuse to wear a trench coat!
Try ax-throwing. I’m sorry—flannel, danger, and straining biceps. What’s not to like?
Get competitive at the arcade. And then insist on them using their tickets to get you the biggest stuffed animal there is!
Go on an appetizer crawl. Sample the best apps in town—just like a buffet, but in bite-sized portions.
Host a dinner party. Wine, dine, and show off your culinary skills to friends. (Or make it a potluck if the idea of cooking for the whole crew feels overwhelming.)
Make a film. Reenact your favorite romantic movie scenes or come up with your own. P.S. Getting it on with your co-star *might* help you get into character. You know, for art.
…Or just get tix for a film festival. If you’re not feeling the Spielberg vibe, just snag some seats and immerse yourselves in someone else’s cinematic masterpiece.
Get all artsy at a museum. Stroll through exhibits and ponder the meaning of life and random brush strokes.
Go to the fair. Say "hello" to cotton candy, carnival games, and getting handsy at the top of the Ferris wheel.
See a burlesque show. It’s hot! It’s sultry! It’s basically foreplay with more feathers!
Play paintball. It’s like the opposite of a burlesque show, but it’ll get your blood pumping and give you a reason to wash each other off afterward.
Or play laser tag. Engage in a futuristic battle without the bruises—pew pew!
Play tourist in your own city. Start at the visitor center, then make your way to all the must-see spots. Don’t forget: Paper maps and belt bags are part of the dress code.
Or take a day trip someplace completely random. Spin a globe, pick a spot, and embark on an impromptu adventure. (Metaphorically, of course, since the whole globe is probs not an option. But Google Maps should work!)
Have a bowling date. Beers and bumpers aren’t essential, per se, but they’ll make the experience a whole lot better.
Do some damage at Target. Pro tip: If your SO isn’t a shopping fan, grab them some popcorn before hitting the aisles.
Take a dance class. Salsa, tango, tap—whatever. Learn new moves and laugh at your two-left-feet moments together.
Go to a sports game. Two words: Kiss cam.
Get couples massages. Getting naked and rubbed down (non-sexually) feels almost better than sex, especially when it’s with that special someone.
Go skating! Ice or roller, it's your choice.
Get a day pass at a resort. Lots of luxe hotels offer passes to use their amenities so you can soak up some luxury without the hefty overnight fees. Daycation vibes, anyone?
Take a cooking class. You can learn to cook pretty much any cuisine, and the classes usually include wine and leftovers, which obviously makes any date even better.
Go on a mall date. You know, like the place you’d go to in middle school. Do a little shopping, and don’t forget to grab some samples at the food court.
Do a brewery tour. Not only do you get to learn how beer is made, but you get to drink lots of it while you do. See? Learning *is* fun!
Get some goodies at a sex shop. Explore together and maybe find a new buzzing sex toy to spice up the romance. (Don’t forget to grab some water-based lube and hot lingerie while you’re there!)
Go to a comedy club. Whether it’s a headliner or a newbie, there’s nothing better than laughing your ass off with the one you love.
Take a glass-blowing class. It’s a ~hot~ way to blow something new for a change. Sorry!!!!!!
Get outdoorsy-ish with some glamping. Not about the leaky tent/moldy sleeping bag life? Get a little more comfy with a setup that makes sleeping outside somewhat tolerable.
Date Ideas When You Wanna Splurge
Feast like royalty at a Michelin Star restaurant. Savor exquisite dishes and feel fancy AF for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. I'll have what she's having, pls.
Or eat like a medieval king at a Brazilian steak house. Indulge in a carnivorous feast—cue the sizzling skewers and meat sweats.
Go on a sunset cruise. There are tons of options out there, many of which feature multi-course meals and specialty cocktails at sea.
Or even a weekend cruise. If taking off for a long vaca is outta the question, book a weekend cruise to catch some tranquility together without taking the PTO.
Visit wine country. If Cali isn’t close by, plenty of other regions have great vineyards (like Austin!). Hire a DD and toast to the finer things in life. Don’t forget to buy a bottle of your favorite new vino to enjoy together later.
Go skiing. Hit the slopes and embrace a winter wonderland or strip down and carve on the water. Cute selfies in your gear are a must!
Take a helicopter tour. Soar high above the skyline to feel like you’re the star of a GD movie. Christian Grey, who?
Get great seats at a special concert. Splurge on VIP tix so you can sing along to your favorite songs and then mingle with the band like a true groupie.
Or get a box to see a musical. Is this just an excuse to belt Hairspray and wear a vintage dress? Yes, yes it is.
Put on your best ball gown and do the whole opera thing. If I've learned anything from Gossip Girl, get ready for a night of elegance, drama, and high notes. Did I mention that you get to wear a ball gown?
Visit an amusement park. Ride the rollercoasters until you get dizzy, make out on the flume ride to recover, then repeat!
Go! To! A! Ball! They exist! Like, for real! Do a little Googling to find the next one, then grab your elbow-length gloves and waltz the night away like the princess you were born to be.
Snag some seats at a charity gala. It’s like a ball but with even more purpose.
Rent a limo and go do literally anything. Ride in it to the previously mentioned ball or just, like, hit up Taco Bell and eat Crunch Wraps together in the back. Either way, travel in style—because why not?
Go to a symphony. Find a company that plays famous film scores or holiday classics for a breathtaking musical experience. The arts, guys! They’re magical!!
Go to a restaurant and order a bottle of wine that isn’t the cheapest one on the menu. Don’t do the whole “pretending to scan the menu for a wine name when you’re really looking for the one that costs the least” thing for the first time maybe ever. You can even ASK the waiter for a wine suggestion if you’re feeling daring.
Book a photographer and get some cute pics together. Capture moments of pure joy that aren’t for a proposal or holiday card.
Have a full-on spa day. Massages, facials, nails, and a sauna—do it all together at a day spa, then walk out feeling completely refreshed.
Go to a sex club. Whether you swap partners, uncover your kinks, or put on a show, there’s plenty to see (and be seen doing) in such an erotic space.
Do the whole Disney thing. Live out fairy tales and create magical memories, all while wearing some mouse ears. Happily Ever After, guaranteed!
Hire a professional chef for the night. Indulge in a culinary masterpiece sans the cooking stress or crowds.
Go to couple’s counseling. It might not seem the most romantic, but investing in your relationship now can help you navigate life’s ups and downs as you grow together.
Get some cocktails at a fancy-schmancy hotel. Sip on classy drinks and feel like sophisticated jet-setters, even if you only get as far as the lobby.
…Then check in overnight. If things *do* start getting hot, you can always extend the elegance and spend the night in style (and between those million thread-count sheets).
Plan a progressive dinner. Hop from place to place, starting with apps and going all the way to dessert. You get to try a bunch of different places while mixing up the vibe between courses. Win-win.
Bet it all at the casino. Roll the dice, play the odds, and see if you get lucky.
Go skydiving. Falling in love is basically like jumping out of a plane and hoping everything will be fine. Might as well put it to the test! The adrenaline rush doesn’t hurt either.
Or admire the vista from a hot air balloon. This way, you can get the views without the jumpsuit or goggles. Pretty sure cute dresses, Champagne, and sky-high kisses are required.
Get cozy in a quaint bed and breakfast. Chat with the other patrons, play backgammon in front of the fire, and then wake up to a homemade breakfast that neither of you had to cook. It’s called BLISS. Look it up.
Book some first-class tickets and fly to Paris. I mean, if you’re gonna go all out, go all out. Oh! And don’t forget to secure an extra seat for moi. You know what they say—two’s a couple, but three’s a party…especially in Pa-ree.
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