30 Summer Date Ideas To Kick Off Your Hottest Summer Ever
With the nice weather rolling in, the days are getting hotter and the nights are getting longer. Hot vaxx summer is upon us and that means the dating game is finally about to switch from online video chats to seeing people IRL.
Everyone is amped up to start socializing and flirting in person so it's likely that all your usual date spots are going to be swarmed by bored couples. That's why we compiled this foolproof list of awesome date ideas to ensure that you and your date always have something to do together. Ranging from absolutely free to a little more luxurious, these adorable date ideas could totally start your summer off with a bang.
Go To The Drive-In For A Movie Night
The drive-in is easy to forget about because they usually operate outside of city limits and were more popular in the '70s and '80s. But believe it or not, the drive-in industry is still going strong, people!
They actually charge less than movie theaters, allow you to bring your own snacks and drinks, and usually show three movies instead of one. Plus, if you have a truck or foldable seats in the back of your car you can create a little cuddle nest with blankets and pillows. Ultimate date hack.
Hit Up An Orchard Or Berry Patch
Summer berries? Yes, please!
Fresh berries from a local berry patch might actually taste even better if you picked them yourself while on an Instagrammable date with a hottie. You never know until you try.
Set Up A DIY Home Bar
The one thing that makes a great mixed cocktail even better is when it's free because you made it yourself. Of course, it requires a little bit of prep work, but it's 100% worth it. Plus, you can show off your bartending skills.
It's surprisingly pretty easy to play bartender at home and you can find tons of helpful recipes and how-to mixology videos online. Don't go too crazy; stick to something a bit easier like a classic mojito or margarita. No fire necessary.
Visit A Greenhouse And Plant What You Buy
Visiting a greenhouse makes me feel like a butterfly in a lush conservatory. I could spend hours wandering around in the bright heat looking at the exotic and local plants growing side by side. So why not turn it into a date?
Shop around for some local plants and buy a few affordable ones. The date continues when you make it home and can plant the new greenery in pots or the garden. Nothing wrong with getting a little dirty.
Go For A Hike Or Bike Ride On A Local Trail
There are free local hiking and bike trails in almost every town or city. If you and your date are both into spending time outdoors, going on a long hike or bike ride is a great way to get to know one another while getting some activity in as well.
Lifehack: Combine dating with getting your steps in.
Have A Bonfire
Summertime is the season for bonfires and booty calls. Just kidding. Kind of.
Bonfires are the perfect laid-back date idea because there's no pressure to dress up or get ready. You can invite a bunch of friends or hang out just the two of you. Make some hotdogs or s'mores and have a few drinks before telling your scariest stories.
Classic Park Picnic
Depending on whether or not it's a first date, you could find a private or more public spot to hang out. Pack a large blanket, a cooler bag with some snacks, a few drinks (if you're into that), and a candle or two if you're feeling bold. And don't forget a garbage bag!
This date is a classic for a reason. It's an easy setting to get to know someone and shows you put a little bit of effort into planning it.
Create A Summer Bucket List, Then Knock A Few Things Off
This is a perfect date for couples who are heading into the summer looking for fun ideas to keep their relationship exciting and entertaining.
Start by brainstorming a list of things that you want to do over the course of the summer. It could be as simple as movies you want to watch, friends you want to visit, or restaurants you want to try. One by one you can cross things off your list as you accomplish them!
Go Wander Around A Farmers' Market
Wandering around a farmers' market ranks as one of the cutest couple-themed dates you can try. There are always flowers for sale, sweets like ice creams or fudges to try, various food vendors, and scattered benches or picnic tables to make socializing a little more comfortable.
There are no timelines or rules to follow which makes this laid-back date perfect for a summer romance.
Plan A Beach Day
If you really want to impress your date with your planning skills, the beach is your time to shine. If you can manage to bring all the essentials (blanket, umbrella, water, snacks, cooler, sunscreen, garbage bag), your date will be both impressed and thankful.
Get yourself to the beach with the right supplies and you're set to spend a long, sweaty, sandy day with your crush.
Attend An Outdoor Food Festival
Summertime is peak food festival season and there are usually at least a few of them to look forward to. Do some research and find a local food festival in your area to check out.
Even if you're not a major fan of the main food (e.g., RibFest, GarlicFest), you can still browse the different vendor booths and wander around. These food festivals are designed to have something for everybody—you'd be surprised what you may find from local artisans!
Find A Rooftop To Chill On And Bring Snacks
If you don't have access to a safe rooftop at home or through your friends and family, a parking garage with roof access will also work well.
Bring some snacks up with you and hang out high above the horizon, watch the sunset, and listen to music. If you're really feeling bold, bring a few candles to set a vibe for after it gets dark.
Plan To Go Camping—But There Are A Few Things To Consider First
Both people have to like camping, otherwise, someone will end up having a miserable time because sleeping in a tent is definitely not for everyone.
If you do try this date, there's a lot of planning involved as well—like what food to bring, where the campsite is, if it's paid or free, and if you have to hike to get there. Going camping together is a good test of any relationship. You'll either come out stronger or single.
Sign Up For A Pre-Planned Date Night
There are tons of great local companies that offer instructor-led programs that make perfect date nights. Usually sold in a couples package, the businesses offer things like cooking lessons, paint nights, pottery classes, ornament making, and more.
These "planned" date nights usually follow a timeline and have a flat rate fee that covers any supplies needed. Basically, all you have to do is show up with your date ready to have a good time.
Visit A Local Brewery
Okay, so this one might require a DD or some Uber action, but it's totally worth it. Craft breweries have taken over the beer industry in the last five years and are popping up all over the place.
Find out which local breweries are in your area and plan a trip there. They usually offer flights of beer so you can try all their brews, as well as full food menus and tours of the facility. It's a great way to support a local business while also getting to know someone on a fun date.
Go Ax Throwing
There's a reason the Vikings loved their axes. I'm starting to think it's because throwing them is fun as hell.
Ax throwing has become a weird trendy activity that everyone from corporate office teams to couples on first dates is taking part in. The little adrenaline rush you get from hurling a hefty metal weapon toward plywood is somehow addicting and exhilarating. Also, it's a great way to flex your accuracy skills on your date.
Go Swimming In A Pool Somewhere
The best friend to have is a friend with a pool. Okay, that's not true, but it really does make it easier to love them.
If you know anybody with a pool or know of a low-key outdoor public pool, plan a day to go swimming and just float around in the water with your date. Maybe start a game of pool volleyball or get some suntanning done before cooling off in the water.
Create An Outdoor Movie Theater In The Backyard
Turns out that at-home projectors are pretty affordable on Amazon. You can plug the mini projectors into your laptop or cell phone and watch your stream projected through the device onto a wall or sheet.
If you can get your hands on a projector, you can create your own outdoor movie theater for the coziest date spot. Throw down an air mattress or cushions, some blankets, and pillows in front of your DIY movie screen and you're in business.
Go Antiquing/Garage Saling
It sounds crazy but driving around looking for different yard sales or antique shops can actually be a lot of fun as a date activity. You don't necessarily have to buy anything, but it's entertaining to get a glimpse inside someone else's life as they sell it off to strangers.
The only downside is that this is a bit of an early-morning activity. But hey, maybe that works better for some people! Always remember, one person's trash could become your future trash.
Get Pedicures Together
Long gone are the days when the nail salon was only for chatty ladies getting French tips. Hopefully by now, everyone can agree that having clean, well-manicured feet is an important hygiene standard regardless of your gender.
A little pampering at the nail salon goes a long way, especially if your date has never gotten a pedicure before. They're in for a pretty funny experience that will leave them feeling a little more luxurious and open-minded.
Go On A Wine Tasting Tour
Local wineries and vineyards customarily offer guided tours for wine lovers, wine connoisseurs, and curious newbies.
Wine tasting events have exploded in popularity for parties like birthdays or bachelorettes, but also for couples on a date. While it is certainly a fun date option, it's another one you might have to plan a designated driver for.
Road Trip To A New Town And Stay The Night
Pick a random little town you've never been to before and plan a small overnight getaway there. One night at a B&B or a motel shouldn't break the bank too badly, and you can explore the different activities the town has to offer.
Check out local restaurants, shops, parks, lakes, or monuments. The fun of exploring somewhere new is that you may learn something or make a random connection.
Visit A Museum
There are tons of different museums that display everything from art history to natural history, sciences, and basically everything in between.
Choose a museum that has some common interests for you and your date and go do some light reading as you wander the quiet hallways and chat softly.
Get Tickets For A Concert
Outdoor concerts in the summer are the best. If you can score tickets to a summer concert or music festival you've got the perfect date waiting to happen.
There's not a ton of pressure to talk over the music and you can really just enjoy an evening with your date by bonding over a mutual appreciation for the music. It's a great first date without the pressure of awkward silences.
Go See A Sports Game
If you want to see a pro sports game it's going to cost you a little bit more. But there's nothing quite like a stadium experience and you can definitely watch for last-minute sales or deals on tickets.
The energetic atmosphere of a sports game is hard to beat. Plus, there's always the fun chance you end up having to smooch for the world to see on the kiss cam. What a risk to run!
Learn A TikTok Dance Together
Hear me out, because there are so many hilarious, silly, couple-themed TikTok dances out there that are actually a little bit trickier to nail than you might think.
Learning the steps with your date is an easy way to break the ice, laugh about your mistakes, and figure out how well you work together. You don't even have to record or post the final dance—it's learning the steps together that makes the date fun.
Rent A Cottage Or Secluded Airbnb
This is probably the most expensive date option on our list, but it's also one of the most rewarding.
If you can afford to book an escape to a secluded cottage or Airbnb cabin for a couple of nights, you'll have the cutest cottagecore vibes to soak up with your date in an intimate, private setting.
Cook An International Cuisine At Home
Planning an "around the world" food night is a great idea to get to know your date and their favorite foods. Pick some of your favorite international cuisines and then choose one at random to make for dinner one night.
You can meet up beforehand to shop for the necessary ingredients and then get to work cooking your themed meal to enjoy together.
Stay Overnight In A Hotel
The hotel doesn't have to be far away or even in another town. Sometimes booking a hotel for a single night is a great date idea because you can take advantage of all the amenities.
Go for dinner at the hotel restaurant, grab a drink at the lobby bar, swim in the pool, and soak in the jacuzzi. Of course, you can't afford to do this all the time, but once in a while, it's a fun treat.
