The warm weather is finally here, and there’s never been a better time to get outdoors and enjoy the summer evenings with your significant other. Take advantage of this time to get creative with your date night ideas and make memories that you’ll cherish forever. Whether you’re an active couple, you’re foodies or you both just want to reignite the romance, there are plenty of ways you can spice up date night this summer under the stars.
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- Sunset Hiking
Nothing gets endorphins pumping like some good old-fashioned exercise, so grab your partner and your hiking boots for a beautiful date night surrounded by nature. Set off early enough that you can do most of the hike in daylight, but plan to end at an epic viewpoint where you’ll take in an unforgettable sunset together. Don’t forget to bring headlamps for the trek back!
- Picnic Under the Stars
Scan your closet for your best flowing boho dresses so you can look dreamy for a romantic evening of stargazing and storytelling. Fill a picnic basket with fresh-baked baguettes, exquisite cheeses, juicy green grapes, and maybe even a bottle of wine. After a delicious charcuterie-style meal together, lie back on your picnic blanket and point out as many constellations as you can spot.
- Outdoor Movie Night
Outdoor movie theaters are available in some cities around the world, but if yours doesn’t have one, the next best option is a DIY drive-in cinema where you sit on lawn chairs next to your car and enjoy the warm summer air while you snuggle with your crush and watch the movie. You can also set up your own private outdoor movie theater by investing in a projector and hooking up your laptop to it right in the comfort of your backyard.
- Bonfire and Marshmallows
You’ll get some serious camping vibes without having to rough it when you turn date night into s’mores night. If you don’t have a fire pit in your backyard, check out the parks in your area. Often, you can book a spot at a public fire pit for the evening where you enjoy the ambiance of the flickering flames and share stories to get to know each other better. Don’t forget your roasting sticks, a bag of marshmallows, dark chocolate squares, and a box of graham crackers. It can be a fun, flirty competition to see who makes the better s’more; the loser has to feed theirs to the winner.
- Drinks on a Rooftop Patio
Take advantage of outdoor dining and find yourself a romantic rooftop restaurant patio to enjoy dinner and drinks with your love. Not only does a rooftop bar or patio automatically create a cozy atmosphere, but the views of the city at night from your table are breathtaking.
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- Grilling on the Beach
End a fun day in the sun with a cozy date night on the sand. Bring a cooler with you to the beach, so your dinner ingredients stay fresh all afternoon. Once the sun starts to set, pull out your portable grill and prepare a delicious meal together to the sound of crashing waves. You’ll enjoy your barbecue-style meal under the orange glow of the fading sun, creating a romantic moment neither of you will ever forget.
- Listen to Music at the Park
Grab your favorite boho clothing and channel Woodstock this summer when you and your crush hit up the local park for a chill evening of basking on a blanket and taking in some exceptional live tunes. Bring snacks and swap stories about past concerts or quiz each other on your taste in music while you listen. After all, you can learn a lot about somebody based on what songs they listen to.
- Relax in the Hot Tub or Pool
Keep it low-key with a fun date night in the backyard. Spend some time in the hot tub relaxing or blast some music and float around on an inflatable pizza slice in your pool. Spice things up with a little healthy competition by challenging your partner to do a polar plunge. After soaking in the hot tub, jump into the chilly pool water for a few seconds. Then climb back out and towel off or return to the hot tub.
- Rent Bikes
Is there anything cuter than a cycling date? Even if you don’t own bikes, you can rent them locally and head out to explore the city by night or travel a path to the waterfront where you’ll stargaze together. Don’t forget your helmets!
- Food Truck Crawl
Forget pub crawls; food truck crawling is way more exciting and can help you figure out quickly what foods your partner likes and dislikes. Mark your calendar for the local food truck festival and take your crush or significant other with you for a fun dinner date where you’ll try small amounts of different kinds of cuisine from a long lineup of unique trucks. Pick one food that you know your partner would never try on their own and have them taste it. Maybe you’ll both discover a new favorite dish?
- Backyard Karaoke and Pizza
Enjoy a fun, casual outdoor date night using an outdoor pizza oven and busting out the karaoke machine. Make your pizzas with your favorite toppings and sing the night away to show tunes, top 40 hits, and rock ‘n’ roll classics.
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- Summer Wine Tasting
Wine tastings make for the perfect date night. When you have the chance to sip wine with your partner as the sun goes down while overlooking a vineyard, you should jump on it. If you can, book a tour that includes tasting cheeses, so your wine tasting turns into a charcuterie date night.
Get Outdoors and Fall in Love
The longer you’re in a relationship, the more challenging it can be to find fresh ways to celebrate your love and have exciting experiences together. Switch up your date nights this summer with fun, outdoor ideas that you haven’t been able to take advantage of through the winter, to get both of you in a positive headspace that’s sure to let the sparks fly.