A great date is always in vogue, but there’s something about summer that makes meeting planning even more fun. It’s a season of embracing tasteful things, of dressing up little makeupDress for pure comfort and spend as much time as possible out side. Your date should reflect that. So to help ease your planning worries, we’ve come up with some cute summer date ideas to get you and your partner (or any other type of relationship you seen during this season) through the warm months to come.
Whether you’re looking for a light date night, an experience you’ll never forget, or something a little more creative, we’ve got you covered. Let the summer dating adventure begin.
Featured image of Kristen Kilpatrick.
The idea of a cold day
Plan a movie night outside. Summer is the season for drive-ins and movies in the park. Pick a movie you’ll both be in, indulge in snacks at your favorite theater, and enjoy the great outdoor big screen.
Your own organization movie marathon at home. Turn off showing each other the classics that make up your personal DNA. Your partner has the right to veto exactly one of your choices (fair is fair).
Buy a tree together. It’s not really about keeping a dog together, but both of you will reap the health benefits and have something green to show for it.
DIY Whether you live together or live separately, choose a task from your (possibly lengthy) to-do list that you want to tackle and get it done! Or, simply do a quick internet search for creative projects and enjoy the fun of getting to work.
To go antique or save. You never know what you’ll find when you go vintage shopping, but that’s the fun of it. Take your lover with you and maybe find a one-of-a-kind item you’ll always treasure.
Try to mix each other’s favorite cocktails. Then play for real or dare – you are bound to learn something.
Try taking a pottery or candle making class. Go the experimental route and show your partner that you’re good with your hands.
Only one pizza chef. Win or lose, you will get two pies from it.
Or try your hand at a sweet cake made from scratch. Threatened by pie crust? Although you can always overcome challenges together, a puff pastry version is delicious in a pinch. Oh, and this no-bake option It’s also easy…
Visit a winery or brewery. Think of this as the educational version of meeting at the bar.
Ask The New York Times’ Iconic 36 questions lead to love. I have known (and heard of) many people who were literally married to a partner who did this, so use caution when it comes to this powerful questionnaire.
Practice presence, as a couple. On the topic of going deep and building a connection between the two of you, these 24 reminders designed for exactly that. Turn off your devices and tune in to each other. A better sense of intimacy lies ahead.
Adventure day ideas
Take a salsa dance class together. Salsa dance communities are almost always rock solid. You may just end up with a lifelong hobby.
Take each other’s favorite workout classes together. Even if it’s Crossfit – that’s the rule.
Be a tourist in your town for a day. Now is your chance to finally check it out fun restaurants or the cafe your friend says is too touristy to be cool.
Let’s rise together. Not so (but no judgment!). Rent a hot air balloon, try bungee jumping or skydiving. It’s a bit of an intense date move but you’ll never forget it.
Order off the menu for your partner. There can be no more adventurous experience than letting someone else choose your meals.
Read tarot together. Whether you believe the future really lies in the cards or not, a good tarot reader knows how to create an enjoyable, vulnerable, and memorable experience.
Long walk. Or ride a bike. Or go rollerblading. Just put that endorphin away.
Camp under the stars. Seductive Classic rickshaw resortyurt community (like Local chapter), and luxury camping destinations are finally getting the brilliance they deserve. Better yet: Probably just a short drive from where you live.
Welcome dawn. As far as cute summer date ideas go, one can put you in a camping situation, but planning to watch the sunrise together can be done from anywhere.
Plan your next adventure. There’s a lot of fun to planning and preparing for your next vacation or trip. Dream lofty or go home.
Spend some time on the water. Whatever sport or activity you choose — whether it’s kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, or windsurfing — rent some boards or pull a pair of your own. Cool down and heat things up, all in one fun afternoon.
Romantic date ideas
Book an apartment. Even the hottest hotels tend to run summer specials. Choose a place with a luxurious swimming pool and spa so you’ll never be left out.
Or create your own at home. Just make sure you have two great gowns.
Take a cocktail class together. Own the art of Aperol spritzes (or this one hot drink for summer) for poolside dates, or learn how to complete an order by your partner’s favorite bar.
Plan a picnic. Prepare your favorite local meal, then set the scene with blankets, a drink of your choice and a playlist in a cute park. Looking to make your own? This picnic recipes won’t let you down.
Let’s take a bath together. Choose a number luxury bath saltLight your favorite candle, and bask in a deep sleep.
Squeeze some oysters. Aphrodisiacs (probably not scientifically proven, but we still like the idea) comes with its own practice. Depending on where you live, you might even find an expert to guide you.
Read excerpts from romantic or erotic novels — or write your own. This is a date of the group above Bachelor for a reason. It has the potential to be equally silly and totally hot.
Find your favorite rooftop. Choose a local bar or restaurant with the best views of your city. While dinner and drinks might not be the most original idea, is there anything more romantic than watching the sunset from some of the stories above?
Attend a film festival. Building on the outdoor movie idea above, this can be as informal or as large as you like. If you’re a movie buff (and yearning for a trip to NYC), Tribeca Film Festival is a summer favorite. For the casual viewers out there – myself included – most cities host their own small, local (re: less expensive) festivals. Roll out a blanket and pour the roses. A romantic evening awaits.
Impromptu summer date ideas
Choose vinyl records for each other at the record store. There is no greater victory than correctly identifying a song (or album) that your partner loves.
Open house hunting. Enjoy your wildest real estate fantasies and – if you don’t currently live together – learn a little something about your partner’s future home goals.
Take care of your toenails together. Couple massages are fun, but it’s almost impossible to talk to each other. A pedicure can be the luxurious treatment of a spa day, perfect for a great conversation.
Stroll the city’s botanical gardens. Forever blooming, the allure of a botanical garden is irresistible.
Go ancient or save. You never know what you’ll find when you go vintage shopping, but that’s the fun of it. Take your lover with you and maybe find a one-of-a-kind item you’ll always treasure.
Team up for the pub night puzzle. One of you is a pop culture geek. The other is a history buff. Together, you are unstoppable.
Start one or two people book club. Read independently, then set a date to share your thoughts. Both of you will be able to enjoy the best reading at your next friends gathering.
Parse the bucket list (accessible). Sure, writing down all the things you want to do together before you start rushing into proverbs can be inspirational, but why not make things a little more immediate and write them down? all the things you can do now. When your lists are ready, share them, reflect on them, and choose a list that you want to have in the near future. Now is now folks.
What’s that cute summer date idea you’re planning with your partner? Share it with us below.
This post was originally published on June 19, 2021, and has since been updated.
