35 Fun and Affordable Summer Date Ideas
Ahhh, Summer. I don’t know about anyone else but Summer will forever be my favorite time of year. There is just something about those long summer days and warm summer nights that brings a smile to my face. Summertime is the best time of the year to take advantage of the outdoors and to incorporate them into your dates!
Going on dates is a very vital thing in a healthy relationship. My husband and I’s original plan when we got married was to do a date night once every weekend. But with summer rolling around and endless amounts of hours being spent working, we found that to be a little difficult. We still manage to find time for those much needed nights together.
Maybe you have kids or you work a lot of hours and don’t have much time to get away. It can be hard to do but I think it’s important to set a plan and stick to it. It could be a date night every Friday or it could be a date night on the last Friday of every month!
Date’s don’t have to be anything extravagant, just remember that it’s the little things that matter most. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars every week because there are endless amounts of things that you can do for under $20 or even free!
Here is a list I put together of 35 Summer date ideas that will get you outside to enjoy the weather, because who doesn’t love summer?! Before you know it there is going to be snow on the ground and we will all be wishing for nice weather again, or at least I will be!
Get creative! You can even combine a couple of these ideas if you are feeling adventurous 😉
1. Have an ice cream date
You can’t go wrong with ice cream! My husband and I live in walking distance from a dairy queen, and you can find us there way too often in the summer.
2. Romantic picnic in the park
There’s something about eating food outside that makes it taste that much better. Throw down a blanket on the grass and enjoy some lunch. I just recently purchased the cutest picnic basket set that was on clearance at HomeGoods and I can’t wait to use it!
Picnics aren’t about the fancy foods and it is something that anyone could throw together. Whether you choose sandwiches and chips, or some crackers and cheese with some fresh fruit. It is the experience as a whole that makes it so special.
3. Go for a hike
Find a cool nearby trail and take a nice hike together. It’s a workout and date all in one!
4. Go swimming in the lake
Cool off in the lake together. Lakeside or on a boat, both are always a good time!
5. Attend an outdoor concert or music festival
The mix of music and the outdoors is the perfect combination and vibe for any summer date!
6. Go camping in a tent
Camping is a great way to spend a weekend away together, or even in your backyard! If tents really aren’t your thing you could look into renting a camper for a weekend getaway!
7. Have a bonfire & cook s’mores
It’s not summer without a fire and some s’mores! A huge bonfire is a great way to spend the night with a group of friends. Sitting around a regular fire relaxing with your significant other is just as enjoyable! Whatever you do, don’t forget the music and the s’mores!
8. Grab a coffee and people watch outside
This is always the perfect go-to first date! Drinking coffee on an outside patio is a great place to people watch and get to know someone.
9. Take a spontaneous road trip
I would recommend doing this at least once with your significant other! You don’t have to go far but it can be fun to plan a spontaneous weekend away. Even traveling to a nearby city to spend the day is a great way to switch things up a little and add some excitement to your dates.
10. Enjoy happy hour drinks & appetizers somewhere with outdoor seating
Eating outside seems to be a common theme here with me.. what can I say haha. Food, drinks and the outdoors makes for a good day!
11. Spend a morning at a local farmer’s market
Most towns or cities have a farmer’s market and they can be so much fun to go to. You can even pick out your fresh foods and go back home to cook up lunch or dinner with them! This is a fun way to get creative with what you make!
12. Visit a local winery or brewery and do some tasting
This is something that I feel we don’t do enough of! We are surrounded by so many good ones in New England and should probably take advantage of it, right?! But wineries and breweries are everywhere and you can easily make a day out of it.
13. Plant a garden
This idea is awfully ambitious but can be fun for all levels of gardeners. Who knows, maybe you can learn something new together or teach the other something!
14. Go for a bike ride
Biking is always a great way to stay active and have some fun together! Finding a cool trail or somewhere with fun stops along the way is an added bonus!
15. Get cozy at a Drive-in Movie
Who doesn’t want to cuddle up at a drive-in and watch a movie together? Pop yourself some popcorn before you go and cozy up the bed of your truck with some blankets and pillows!
16. Spend an afternoon paddle boarding
This is a great way to beat the heat and go on a fun adventure with your partner!
17. Get a snow cone/shaved ice
Where I’m from there is a snow cone shack on every main street. All I have to say is, get it together New England. I need my shaved ice!!! There is a flavor for everyone and it’s a classic first date spot!
18. Listen to live music on a patio
Is it just me or does live music and patios make everything better. It just instantly lifts the mood and is a great place to enjoy with your date.
19. Go for a walk
Looking for something to do? It can be as simple as going for a nice stroll somewhere with some good views!
20. Attend a baseball game
Whether it be a major league game or a minor league game, you and your S.O. should go to at least one game together! You don’t have to be a die hard fan either because it is just such a fun thing to experience! Plus, a hot dog and a beer are always waiting for you!
21. Have a beach day
I am a HUGE beach gal. Going to the beach is a relaxing way to spend a date, plus all of the restaurants and activities that surround it are just a bonus! Don’t have a beach nearby? Make it a beach weekend!
22. Go to an amusement park
This is a great date for all ages! Fun rides, good food, and great company.
23. Go to a water park
Floating in the lazy river next to your partner doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me!
24. Go Mini golfing
I LOVE a good game of Miniature golf. My husband is the golf master, but I whoop his butt in mini golf every time! Mini-golf is a fun activity both at night or during the day!
25. Go to a driving range
A little practice never hurts before you hit the links! This is a fun date idea to help warm you up before you commit to a whole round of golf!
26. Take a sunset boat ride
Boats, sunsets, drinks & your significant other. Enough said!
27. Go Star-gazing
Star-gazing is an awesome way to spend a night. Pack up your truck bed with lots of pillows and blankets and drive somewhere dark on a clear summer night OR you can even do it in your own backyard on an air mattress! While they may not be as visible, you will still see them. Idaho mountains were always the perfect place to do this.
28. Float the river
If you live near a river you know how much fun this can be. Grab a tube with cup holders, some beverages and your lover and float your day away!
29. Go Fishing
Cast out a line and see who can catch the most fish! This sport may not be for everyone but is very relaxing. Bring along some drinks and lunch to make a day out of it!
30. Have a barbeque and play outdoor games with friends
BBQing is my all time favorite way to cook food because it seems that the food ALWAYS comes out perfectly. God bless the barbeque and god bless corn on the cob. Match made in heaven.
One of my all time favorite summer happenings is when we have our friends over on a nice summer day and spend it barbequeing and playing corn hole and Kan-jam.
31. Watch fireworks
A lot of places have fireworks for holidays and special events and the best part about it is that they are free! You might as well take advantage of it!
32. Go to the fair
This one brings me back to high school. The state fair is a classic summer date spot and you can’t go wrong with fatty foods and rides, am i right?! Although the two may not always mix well together haha.
33. Go Ziplining
If you haven’t gone zip-lining before you are missing out! Couples zip-lining is so much fun and is a great way to push your limits with each other. You won’t regret it!
34. Food truck festival
These festivals can be so fun and the food won’t disappoint. It may be ridiculously unhealthy but they don’t come around often so enjoy it while you can!
35. Watch the sunset
Sunset or sunrise, the choice is yours! Grab mimosas or your beverage of choice for that time of day and enjoy the colors in the sky together!
I hope you were able to get plenty of date ideas from this list to enjoy while summer is still upon us! What was your favorite date idea? Make sure to comment below and feel free to add something that I may have missed!
Pin it for later so that you have it handy when you need a quick date idea!
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