Date ideas for going out
Going out doesn’t have to mean the usual dinner and a film. These ideas get you out of the house and into your city: markets, walks with a twist, small venues and things to try together. Plenty of them work in any town, and many cost less than a round of cocktails.
24 ideas to try
Bike Rental Mystery Loop
Rent bikes and set one planned stop and one random stop. At the random stop, you must do a quick photo challenge before continuing.
Photo by Everton Vila on Unsplash
Window Shopping Style Off
Walk a shopping street without buying anything. Each chooses three outfits you would style on the other and narrates like a fashion host.
Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash
Guided Walking Tour
Join a walking tour so you do not have to plan anything. After, each chooses one story you will retell later and why it stuck.
Photo by Candice Picard on Unsplash
Premium Game Bar Night
Go to a high end game bar and pick five games as your bracket. Finish with a final showdown and a champion photo.
Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash
Botanical Slow Walk
Find a public garden or greenhouse that is free to enter. Walk slowly, pick one plant for each other, and explain what it reminds you of.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Waterfront Sit and Sip
Find a bench by water and sit side by side. Take ten breaths, then let the conversation start naturally.
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
Racing Simulator Showdown
Book a racing simulator experience and run three rounds, warm up, serious, revenge. Winner gets to name the other person’s driver nickname.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
Bike Share Mystery Loop
Rent bikes for a short loop and pick one planned stop and one random stop. At the random stop, do a quick photo challenge.
Photo by Everton Vila on Unsplash
Bridge to Bridge Challenge
Pick two bridges or landmarks and walk from one to the other without repeating streets. On the way, each chooses one detour and the other must say yes.
Photo by Jocelyn Allen on Unsplash
Window Shopping Runway
Walk a shopping street without buying anything. Each styles three outfits for the other and narrates like a fashion host.
Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash
Improv Show and Replay
Watch an improv show, then on the walk after you recreate your favorite scene in your own terrible version. Swap roles and make it even worse.
Photo by mohammad aref zohrabi on Unsplash
Yes Detour Rule
Each gets two detours they can call and the other must say yes. Chase anything interesting you spot and end at a surprise place.
Photo by Vows on the Move on Unsplash
Waterfront Sit and Sip
Find a bench by water and sit side by side with phones away. Take ten breaths, then let the conversation start naturally.
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
Climb Then Treat
Do a route with stairs, hills, or a tower climb. At the top, share one bold goal for the year, then reward yourselves with a small treat.
Photo by lucas Favre on Unsplash
Museum Date, One Piece Each
Go to a museum and each picks one piece that represents your next chapter. Stand with it for one minute, then explain your choice like a love letter.
Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash
Cloud Watching Break
Find an open spot in a park and lie back or lean on a hill. Name cloud shapes like kids, then share one thing you want your next week to feel like.
Photo by Cody McLain on Unsplash
VIP Museum Night Event
Go to a museum night event and treat it like a party. Pick three pieces, funniest, most dramatic, most you, then compare your picks.
Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash
Indoor Climb and Conquer
Go to a climbing gym and pick one route each that feels slightly scary. Cheer each other on, then take a victory photo at the top hold.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Karaoke Booth Couple Set
Rent a karaoke room and build a themed setlist like throwback and power anthem. End with a duet that you both perform with full commitment.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
Private Art Gallery Tour
Book a guided gallery visit and let someone else tell the stories. After, sit at a cafe and each pick one piece that matched your mood.
Photo by Dev Asangbam on Unsplash
Promise Walk Loop
Choose a calm walking loop and keep phones away. Halfway through, each shares one promise for how you will show up this week, then finish the loop holding hands.
Photo by Everton Vila on Unsplash
Art House Cinema and Slow Stroll
Watch a film at a small cinema, then walk without rushing right after. Each share one scene that stayed with you and why it hit.
Photo by Dev Asangbam on Unsplash
Can’t pick one? Swipe them together
In the Date Matcher you and your partner each swipe through date ideas on your own phone, and Choosly shows you the ones you both said yes to. It’s free, and your partner doesn’t need an account.