We all want our special someone to know exactly how special he or she is to us. Whether it’s making that first date particularly memorable or spicing things up with your steady, it’s always good to have some sweet date night ideas on hand.
Anyway, whether you’re finding dates online, pulling it off the old-fashioned way, or just looking for some new ideas to keep things meaningful and interesting in a committed relationship, I’ve got the best date night ideas for you.
What Makes the Best Date Night Ideas?
The difference between a good date and a bad date is making the connection. I’ve had great dates in exciting settings and boring settings, as long as I was able to get a spark with the person I was there with. Naturally, you might have different preferences than I do, but I’m a big fan of staying flexible.
With a first date, it’s good to keep your options open and be willing to try something new. Don’t schedule the whole thing out in advance with a point-by-point itinerary. That kind of thing frequently comes off as controlling and will keep you from actually enjoying what you’re doing. Even in the best case, you might seem fake for using a “paint by numbers” style.
Now, the rules change a bit when you’re not talking about first dates. If you’re in a committed relationship, the “paint by numbers” style can work great if you know each other well and have things you both like to do. Essentially, the key to a great date is to have room for each person to enjoy the occasion and for both of you to genuinely connect.
Date Ideas for Everyone
In this section, I’m talking broader, more general ideas that you can tailor to your and your significant other’s interests and preferences. No matter who you are, these date ideas are fun and perfect for deepening a relationship.
Cultural Events
This kind of date includes going to a jazz bar to chat over a cocktail and enjoy a live music performance. I’ve also gone to open mic nights and poetry readings for a similar vibe. Feel free to add comedy clubs to the mix, as it’s the same kind of thing. These events are all great for a date because they give you space for a conversation without the pressure of being the source of conversation topics.
Over the course of the night, the performance will give you something to comment on and reduce the strain of having to come up with new topics. I recommend this kind of date for people who are comfortable in social settings and have some appreciation for music or the arts.
For a variety of casual dating options, browse through these date ideas:
- 60 Date Night Ideas to Elevate Your Next Date Night
- 107 Date Night Ideas That Don’t Suck from a Dating Coach
- 100 Date Night Ideas
Out in Nature
For me, dates in nature have always been my favorite. I love dates that involve hiking or kayaking, as they’re active but let me set the pace for how much conversation I’m feeling. They’re a bit more involved than the casual cultural events, as she and I are the only ones around to carry the conversation. Yet there’s usually something that we see or come across that catches our attention and makes the verbal flow easier.
To make this kind of date work, though, either you or your date will need to be good conversationalists. It’s also important to be able to tolerate silence, which can be pretty hard at times! You also may need to be prepared to do a little work and maybe get a little dirty. Keep your physical abilities (and clothing choices) in mind before setting off on one of these nature dates.
For more nature date ideas, consider these options:
- 10 Nature-Inspired Date Ideas
- 6 Cheap Date Ideas for Nature Lovers
- 25 Fun Outdoor Date Ideas to Get You Out of the House
Out to Eat
I know, I know, it’s such a stereotypical date, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be meaningful! Sharing a meal with someone you are just meeting or trying some new foods with your boyfriend or girlfriend can be a wonderful experience.
The catch is you have to be able to be comfortable. I think these kinds of dates are great when you’re either already familiar with the person or are really comfortable and confident in yourself. Even in these cases, you may want to opt for more casual restaurants either before or after another activity. That said, for occasions like Valentine’s Day, I think it’s worthwhile to spend a little extra for a formal affair.
For some variety, consider these date ideas:
- 31 First Dates That Aren’t Dinner and a Movie
- Very Definitely Not Dinner & A Movie: 50 Alternative First Date Ideas!
- 101 Date Night Ideas to Try in 2024 (That Aren’t Dinner & A Movie)
Specific Date Ideas
Don’t necessarily limit yourself to the list above! Here are some other ideas that I find to make a lot of sense:
- 25 Lesbian Date Ideas – Including skydiving, cooking at home, and making it a “spa and massage” night.
- 11 Unique Date Ideas – Billed for gay male couples, but I’ve stolen a few of these ideas as well, such as visiting an escape room, taking a walking city tour, or going on a virtual vacation.
- 100 Fun Date Ideas – Pitched for straight couples, but you’ll see many of the same ideas crop up here. A few unique ones that I’ve stolen include going grocery shopping and cooking together, taking a class for a new skill such as dancing, and doing couples’ yoga.
Think of Special Date Night Ideas for Your Special Someone
Now, there are a lot of ways that people date. Great date ideas are good to have in your back pocket regardless of gender or orientation. Ultimately, what makes a date truly special is the connection between you and the person you’re dating.
That connection is also why the best date night ideas are personalized and make sense for the two of you uniquely. So, how do you figure out what’s the best thing to do? Listen to the person you are taking out. I used to make up a great date in my head and then plug whoever I wanted to date into that idea, and that just didn’t work. It took a lot of trial and error, but I realized that I really need to take into consideration who I’m dating to really have a great time with it.
So you’ve got to find out what your special someone is into. Take the time to talk and listen so that you can plan an idea that suits both of you.
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