The Best 101 Outdoor Date Ideas

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101 Outdoor Date Ideas: The best outside date ideas sorted by season and type to set you up for the ultimate outdoor date night!

It’s that time of year when the world heads outside. In Phoenix, we’re soaking up our warm days before it’s too hot to be outside. For everywhere else, winter is fading and it’s warm enough to break the winter cabin fever and head outside.

No matter what time of year you’re in, taking date night outside is almost always a great choice! It’s romantic, it helps you connect with nature, and there are just so many fun things to do for date night! Plus, it’s time to give Netflix and chill a break and get some bonus points for a little creativity and outdoor fun. So many active date ideas and cute date ideas take place outside.

We’re ready to help you find fun outdoor date ideas so you can plan your next date night.

Romantic Outdoor Date Ideas

• Walk on the Beach.

  Who doesn’t enjoy long walks on the beach? It’s a romantic cliche for a very good reason! Enjoy the ocean air and some conversation to connect.

• Rent Paddle Boats.

  Check out our romantic paddle boat date, it’s still one of very favorites!

• Have a Backyard Dinner Under the Stars.

  Come up with a menu you’ll both enjoy, and head to your deck, balcony, rooftop, or backyard for a starlit meal.

• Go Stargazing.

  Download Google Sky, get a blanket or an air mattress, and head out of town for the best views. Check out more details at our stargazing date night.

• Watch a Sunset with a Romantic Sunset Picnic Date.

  This is one of the best outdoor date ideas because it’s fun and doable on any budget. Find a scenic location and enjoy great food and company while the sun slowly sets.

• Have a Rooftop Dinner Together.

  This is such a romantic date, it often makes the Valentine’s Day date ideas lists. You can find a restaurant, or look into your own hookups to do a dinner on top of a roof.

• Visit a County Fair.

  There’s something about roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, cotton candy, and attempts to win giant stuffed animals that make for the perfect date night.

• View the City Lights from a Distance.

  Head to the outskirts of the city, and take in the views of skylines lit up at night.

• Cook a Meal Together on the Grill.

  If you don’t have a grill, your local park likely does! You can keep it simple with hot dogs and burgers, or try marinated meat and veggies for a delicious meal.

• Have a Candlelight Dinner Out on a Dock.

  I’m going to blame Dawson’s Creek for instilling this dream location in our hearts, but it truly is a romantic place perfect for a dinner date.

• Rent a Canoe and Go For a Nighttime Paddle Under the Stars.

  Okay, the daytime works too. But sometimes you gotta channel your inner little mermaid and create your own “Kiss the Girl” scene.

• Book a Horsebackriding Date Night.

  If you’re new to this, you’re in for a really amazing experience! Find a tour guide, and make a horseback riding date happen!

• Rent or Borrow a Convertable and Go on a Road Trip.

  There’s something extra special about the wind through your hair and a scenic view. Find a fun location to visit, and go there in style.

• Go Hottubbing Together.

  A dip in the hot tub is not only relaxing, it’s very romantic. It’s also a great place to unwind and facilitate some great conversation.

• Watch a Firework Show Together.

  It’s always a great 4th of July date idea, but you may find these after sporting events, city events, or festivals. They’re always a great date night spectator event.

• Book a Horsedrawn Carriage Ride Through the City.

  There are few things more romantic or memorable!

• Cuddle in a Hammock 
  

  Set up a hammock and spend the night cuddled up together.

Cute Outdoor Date Ideas

• Visit the Farmer’s Market

  A farmers market date is surprisingly fun and there’s always something new to try or experience! Support local farmers, bakers, makers, and artisans by exploring their booths and purchasing their items. We always find something tasty, unique, and special to eat or make together.

• Do an Adventure Challenge for Couples.

  These fun scratch-of-date books take you on adventures to try new things together. Check out the scratch-off instructions for individual dates and makes sure you’re choosing one with a date that will take place outside.

• Do a First Friday Outdoor Art Walk

  Check your local city listings, but many offer First Fridays with local events downtown, including an art walk.

• Have a Park Picnic

  Pack up a blanket, your picnic basket (or some takeout), and head to the park for some food and people-watching.

• Go Minature Golfing

  A miniature golfing date is fun at any age!

• Sit on a Restaurant Patio and People Watch

  You can get drinks or dinner, but make sure you sit on the patio of a crowded area for excellent people watching.

• Take Your Date Night Box Outside

  If you haven’t tried a date night subscription box it’s a great time to order at least one. We even have a 50% off promo code using FRIDAYWEREINLOVE to one of our favorites.
  The activities are super fun, and taking your date box to the backyard would be a fun twist!

• Outdoor Movie Night

  Get a projector and screen and create your own living room in your backyard. Check out how to create your outdoor movie theater for all the details!
  But also, you can take a Laptop to a scenic location for a Movie Night and enjoy an outdoor movie night for two.

• Go Geocaching

  This free outdoor treasure hunt is a great outdoor date!

• Do a U-pick Day at a Local Farm

  Reserve a time and go enjoy farms, a vineyard, or orchard while you harvest together.

• Go Fly Kites

  All you need is a kite and a windy day!

• Ride a Ski Lift In the Summer

  You can also go ski the slopes in the winter, but there’s something magic about a summer ski lift ride. The views are truly stunning and the date is very romantic!

Active Outdoor Date Ideas

• Play a Couple’s Tennis Match

  It’s a great game for two, or a perfect double date.

• Go for a Jog

  Why not get your workout in while you enjoy some happy endorphins together?

• Walk to Dinner and Back Home Again

  Find a close restaurant, and add an evening stroll to your dinner plans.

• Play Pickleball

  This has taken over the world for a great reason! It’s so fun, and pickleball courts are popping up everywhere!

• Try Outdoor Rock Climbing

  You can hire a guide and rent equipment to make this date happen.

• Play Croquet

  It’s not just for European royalty, croquet makes for a fun date!

• Try Bocce Ball

  Grab a bocce ball kit and head to the park.

• Have a Corn Hole Tournament

  You can play cornhole almost anywhere, making it such an easy and fun outdoor date idea!

• Plan a Sunset or Sunrise Hike

  We Have Lots of Tips In Our Hiking Date Ideas post)

• Go Do Laps at a Swimming Pool

  Or play Marco Polo, or any other pool game while you enjoy the water.

• Go for a Bike Ride

  A simple bike ride is one of the most underrated and best dates!

• Tandem Bike Date

  Rent a Tandem Bike for the Day

• Go Mountain Biking.

  Make sure you get your helmet and gear, but you can often rent mountain bikes for the day.

• Play Frisbee Golf

  This is a favorite park game of many people. Also, it’s a fantastic group date!

• Play Ultimate Frisbee Together

  Check out leagues and pick up games on city websites.

• Walk Around a Local Trail, Lake, or Park

  Enjoy some nature, and enjoy a fun free date outdoors.

• Run or Walk a Race!

  We Love a Good Color Run Race Date or Glow Run/ Neon Splash Dash for Date Night!
  

Outdoor Date Ideas Winter Time

• Go Sledding

  Use plastic sleds or grab a trash can lid for a sledding date.

• Have an Ice Skating Date
  

  It’s one of everyone’s favorite winter date ideas. Don’t forget the hot cocoa!

• Go Snowshoeing

  Rent these from local sporting good stores.

• Go Skiing

  Spend a day hitting the slopes.

• Snowboarding Date

  Take a snowboarding lesson for two

• Visit a Winter Ice Castles Attraction

  Check out amazing ice structures together.

• Christmas Lights Date

  Check Out Christmas Light Displays, or Do Our Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt 

• Choose a Christmas Tree Together

  Head to a Christmas tree farm and have fun finding the perfect tree.

• Have a snowball fight.

  Snowball fights are surprisingly fun, and they make a great first date or 1-millionth date. They bring out a fun playful side and you can get really creative with rules and boundaries for your battle.

Outdoor Adventure Date Ideas

• Go Skydiving

  It’s the ultimate adrenaline rush date!

• Do a Ropes Course/Adventure Course

  Learn some trust and enjoy nature views.

• Do Your Own Amazing Race Date Together

  You can often find local organizations that host these through Groupon.

• Try Bungee Jumping

  I mean why not take the plunge and test your limits for a date?

• Go Surfing

  Whether you surf an ocean or do some body surfing on a lake, it makes for a fun adventurous date!

• Try Cliff Jumping

  Visit a lake with mountain walls and try cliff jumping into the water. It’s quite a thrill!

• SUP Class

  Do a Stand-Up Paddle Board Class

• Kayak a River

  This is a fun and easy way to enjoy water activities. And it makes for a fun date!

• Go River Rafting

  This can range from adventurous to more like a calm river cruise. Find a guide in your area.

• Plan a Backpacking Outing

  Carry your camping gear or even just a picnic on your back, and head for a fun date off the grid.

• Go Cross Country Skiing

  This is excellent for beginners, and a fun way to see winter scenes.

• Go Fishing Together

Fun Outdoor Places to Visit

• Go have a Zoo Date

  This date makes you feel like a kid again!

• Visit an Amusement Park

  Ride roller coasters and other thrill rides for an adrenaline rush.

• Visit a Water Park
  Enjoy some water slides and the lazy river together.

• Observatory Date

  Lookup a Local Observatory Outdoor Viewing Event

• Do a Dinosaur Drive-Through/Jurassic Park Experience

  This is a unique experience sure to create some memories!

• Visit an Outdoor Drive Through Art Exhibit

  These are becoming more of a trend, and they’re a really fun way to see immersive art.

• Tourist Date

  Be a Tourist in Your City and Visit Popular Destinations

• Go Have a Drive-in Movie Date Night

  Go park at a drive-in movie theater and catch a double feature on the hood or truck bed of your vehicle.

• Go Boating

  Rent a boat and enjoy the lake for the day.

• Attend an Outdoor Festival

  These happen often when the weather is nice!

• Try Ice Blocking

  Ride an ice block down a hill. It’s a lot more fun than it sounds!

• Go Camping

• Have a S’mores Night Outdoors

  The perfect dessert also makes the pefect date!

• Find a Concert in the Park (Free Date Idea!)

  An outdoor concert is always a fun choice, and they usually happen during the spring and summer months.

• Enjoy live music at a local restaurant.

  Many local bars, grills, artisan restaurants, or even your local brewery likely offer live music while you dine on selected nights. Find one in your area and enjoy dinner with a fun upgrade on a patio.

• Visit a Food Truck Festival

  Enjoy a Variety of Dinner and Dessert Items from different food trucks.

• Go to the Pumpkin Patch

  Have fun choosing pumpkins together!

• Corn Maze Date

  Go Get Lost in a Corn Maze for Date Night

Fun Outdoor Sports Date Ideas

• • Watch a Soccer Match

    Channel your inner Ted Lasso and enjoy a game live! 

  • Book a Baseball Game Date

    We love a great baseball date night or spring training date. An outdoor sporting event makes for a fun and memorable date!

  • Watch a Ballet Under the Stars Show

    These are romantic and a unique art experience!

  • Watch a Live Football Game

    There’s nothing quite like Friday night lights live!

  • Enjoy a Rugby Tournament

    This is one of the most entertaining sports to watch! 

• Attend a Sand Volleyball Tournament

  Grab a visor and get ready for a fast-action sport! 

• Watch an Ironman/Triathalon Event

  Be Amazed at the Athletes and Cheer Them On!

• Attend a Rodeo Date Night In a Small Town.

  We Love Experiencing the Strawberry Days Rodeo

• Go Tailgating Before a Big Game

Creative Outdoor Date Ideas

• Scenic Photoshoot

  Do a Photoshoot in a Scenic Location
  Related: Cute couple photoshoot ideas

• Go Bird Watching

  Get binoculars and a guide book for a fun outing.

• Do a Scavenger Hunt.

  Grab our nature scavenger hunt free printable if you need a free date night.

• Hot Springs

  Find Natural Hot Springs in Your Area

• Chess in the Park

  Pack up a chess board and join the elderly population for a park game tournament

• Take game night outside.

  Back up your favorite board games, and some snacks, and meet up with some friends for an outdoor game night.

• Play Pokemon Go

  It’s surprisngly fun to go catch ’em all in your area.

• Sidewalk Chalk an Area

  Create a Mural or Leave Positive Messages for Others To Find

• Rent a Cabana at a Local Resort for the Day

  Enjoy a day of relaxation by the pool.

• Do Goat Yoga Together

  This is one of the funniest dates

• Do a Mural Tour of Your City.

  It makes for a fun adventure and some great pictures!

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