The Ultimate List: 101 Date Night Ideas for Your Marriage
Date night is just as important in your marriage today as it was before you got married. And while there’s all sorts of clichés around date night as a married couple, there is truth to it. Dating was a critical part of how and why you fell in love with your spouse, and it needs to continue to play a critical role in how the two of you continue to stay in love within your marriage.
Sure, date night may look different for each of us. And…depending on a TON of factors, you may have to plan quite differently than the next couple, and that’s ok! Planning around children, babysitters, work schedules, travel, school and church conflicts, all of these things CAN successfully be navigated to create epic times for you and your spouse to connect.
Take advantage of opportunities within your normal schedules, be spontaneous or schedule it well in advance. The key is MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Without further ado, we’ve compiled a killer list of date night ideas just for you and your partner. To make it easy on you, we’ve organized these ideas into categories. And…yes, for you homebodies out there, we’ve even got the romantic stay-in date night options.
So whether you want to sweat-it-out with your significant other, get all decked out and go out on the town, stay in and have some indoor fun, crunched for time or finding some extra for a getaway – whatever your date interest is – we’ve got you covered!
This is… Date Night Ideas – THE Ultimate List for your Marriage
🎉 Adventure & Active Dates
1. Hike a new trail together – find parks and trails with a simple Google Maps search, or check out AllTrails for recommendations and advanced searches.
2. Rent bikes and explore your city – and, motorized scooters can be a blast too!
3. Go paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing
4. Take a dance class (salsa, swing, or ballroom)
5. Try indoor rock climbing (or indoor sky diving!)
6. Do a fitness challenge together (5K, bootcamp, yoga) – or, extend this into a full workout program (check out BODi)
7. Go horseback riding
8. Visit a trampoline park
9. Go on a zipline, ropes or obstacle course
10. Explore a botanical garden or conservatory
11. Go roller skating or ice skating
12. Do a local scavenger hunt (or better yet - create your own)
13. Take a sailing or boat tour
14. Try archery or axe throwing
15. Play mini golf (or Top Golf)
16. Do a sunset beach (or lake) walk with a picnic
17. Try a new water sport (jet skiing, surfing lesson)
18. Ride a tandem bike
19. Go geocaching (real-world treasure hunting)
20. Take an exercise class together (CrossFit, Pelaton, Pure Barre, Yoga, etc.)
🌆 Out on the Town
21. Dress up and go to a fancy dinner
22. Try a new ethnic restaurant you’ve never eaten at
23. Visit a speakeasy or hidden bar
24. Attend a live comedy show or improv night
25. See a local theater play or off-Broadway production
26. Go to a live concert—big or small venue
27. Visit an art exhibit or rotating museum
28. Attend a game of your favorite local sports team
29. Go tasting at a local winery or brewery
30. Try a paint-and-sip studio
31. Take a cooking class together
32. Attend a seasonal festival or street fair
33. Visit the local aquarium or zoo
34. Play arcade games or pinball at a retro bar
35. Check out a new food truck park
36. Do a murder mystery dinner
37. Visit a bookstore, buy each other a book and enjoy a beverage during
38. Explore a new part of town on foot
39. Go to a theme park
40. Do a ghost tour or historical walking tour
🏡 Stay-In Dates
41. Do a themed movie night (80s, rom-coms, superhero, etc.) complete with snacks, candy and drinks
42. Cook a three-course meal together
43. Do a wine or whiskey tasting at home
44. Build a blanket fort and eat dinner inside
45. Have a karaoke night
46. Create a DIY couples spa night
47. Do a YouTube dance class or workout
48. Watch your wedding video, look at old photos or a vacation album – one of our personal favorites!
49. Play a board game or cards – suggestion vintage board games from your childhood or some classic card games
50. Put together a puzzle while listening to jazz
51. Try a new baking recipe together (or turn it into a baking competition)
52. Plan your dream vacation—even if you don’t book it
53. Watch a documentary and share thoughts after
54. Write each other love letters and read them aloud
55. Create a photo book or scrapbook
56. Paint or draw each other
57. Build something together (furniture, Legos, etc.)
58. Do a “no tech” night with candles and conversation
59. Make fondue or DIY nacho (or dessert) bar
60. Learn a new skill online (sign language, art, etc.)
61. Find an old Nintendo and play some video games from your childhood
🕒 Quick/Mini-Dates
*Using time when the kids are at school is great tip here
62. Go out for breakfast before work
63. Do a quick coffee shop hop
64. Pick up dessert and go stargazing
65. Take a 30-minute stroll around the block
66. Visit a bookstore and browse for fun
67. Go out for a weekday lunch date
68. Try a spontaneous fast food or drive-thru date
69. Go to an open house and tour a home
70. Run errands together but make it flirty
71. Sit on a bench and people-watch (this works anywhere!)
72. Do a fast “Target Challenge” (buy each other 3 gifts)
73. Share your favorite songs with each other
74. Go to a food court and pick random meals
75. Play “20 Questions” or “Would You Rather?”
76. Walk the dog together at a park
77. Wash the car or yardwork together—then get ice cream
🌍 Getaways & Special Experiences
78. Plan a weekend staycation
79. Rent a cabin or Airbnb in the woods
80. Book a couple’s massage at a spa
81. Go on a surprise road trip
82. Camp in the backyard or a national park
83. Take a cruise (or plan for one next anniversary)
84. Visit a nearby city you’ve never explored
85. Attend a marriage retreat or couples’ workshop
86. Rent a local luxury hotel room just to relax, order room service
87. Go on an all-inclusive resort vacation
88. Snag a condo on the beach for a long weekend
💡 Creative Ideas
89. Write a short story together
90. Do a blindfolded taste test
91. Re-create your first date – Men, bonus points if you surprise your wife on this one
92. Film a “Day in Our Life” vlog for yourselves
93. Make a time capsule
94. Plan a “Yes Day” for each other
95. Do an online quiz or personality test
96. Build your dream house on paper or app
97. Volunteer at a charity or animal shelter together
98. Play dress-up and do a photoshoot (make this as weird, fun - or sexy, as you’d like)
99. Host a dinner party or game night for couples
100. Take turns planning surprise mini-dates
101. Read a marriage book (or self-improvement) together and discuss each chapter
Now…go get started!
Seriously though - make this your own. Most of these ideas we’ve done ourselves over the years. Many we have not. Maybe you and your spouse could sit down and review the list and find what sounds most interesting to each of you.
We believe this list will put you well on your way to putting date nights back in their rightful spot in your marriage.
Use this list…or not. Just make the time to date.
Good luck! 🚀