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35 Fun Summer Date Ideas to Make the Most of Sunny Days and Hot Nights

Prepare to turn up the heat. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

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Hear us out: Valentine’s Day may fall in the middle of winter, but summer is the true season of love. That’s because the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and there are plenty of things to do outside—all of which results in endless opportunities for fun summer dates.

If you’re still not convinced, we’ve compiled 35 of our favorite date ideas, including some that are perfect for sunny days (from grabbing a cute pool float and tubing down a local river to picking strawberries at a nearby farm) and some you can do on hot summer nights (think catching an outdoor movie, going stargazing, or playing mini golf). While many are great if you’re trying to plan a fantastic first date (our advice: you can't go wrong with a cooking class or a food truck crawl), others are ideal if you’re organizing a romantic rendezvous with your long-term significant other. Because, let’s face it, while cuddling in front of a Netflix movie or eating at your go-to restaurant is nice, switching it up helps keep the spark alive for couples. In fact, experts say excitement is one of the key elements to a successful relationship.

Best of all, though? A lot of our date ideas are inexpensive (if not completely free).

Now all you need is a cute summer date outfit and a pair of cool sunglasses—and you'll be feeling hot, hot, hot in no time!

1

Catch an Outdoor Movie

Crowd watching movie in the park
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Many local parks and community centers play outdoor movies during the summer months—or, you may even be lucky enough to have a drive-in theater close by. Bonus points if an action or scary movie is playing—these types of films elevate your heart rate, which can increase feelings of attraction and love, says Marisa T. Cohen, an associate professor of psychology and author of From First Kiss to Forever.

2

Take a Cooking Class

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Whether you're learning to make pasta by hand or churn ice cream, a cooking class is a fun way to bond with your partner. Achieving something releases dopamine and makes us feel good, says couples therapist Corrin Voeller. Doing that with your partner has the wonderful side effect of your brain associating your significant other with those good feelings, she explains. While local restaurants and culinary schools may offer in-person lessons, you can also take advantage of the wide variety of online classes: Places like Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table offer virtual options, as well as the League of Kitchens, a culinary experience where immigrants teach intimate cooking workshops from their own homes.

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3

Go for a Hike

austria, tyrol, tannheimer tal, young couple standing on mountain trail
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Take on the great outdoors with your significant other by finding a hiking trail near you. You'll have the opportunity to see some beautiful sites while encouraging each other along the way. "When one partner is feeling adventurous or afraid and they are stepping out of their comfort zone, this gives the other partner the chance to show their protective side," says Rori Sassoon, a relationship expert and cofounder of matchmaking service Platinum Poire.

4

Rent Bikes

couple cycling along pathway at beach
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Dates don't have to require spending a lot. Consider renting bicycles and riding around town, stopping at places you've never gone before. "This will help you confirm that the attraction you feel for your partner is not just something you experience when you're having an expensive meal," says Byron Tully, author of The Old Money Guide to Marriage.

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5

Try a New Cuisine

Sharing good food and wine with friend
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"In order to keep the same neurotransmitters flowing through your brain and body that were sparked when you first met, you have to do novel activities or things that are a little bit thrilling," says relationship consultant Sharon Cohen. Mix things up by sampling a cuisine you've never tried before and make sure to order something you're both apprehensive to eat. (Feeling really adventurous? You could also try making that new cuisine at home.)

6

Go Skydiving

People skydiving
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Try something way out of your comfort-zone—like skydiving. "The fact that you trust each other enough to take that (literal) leap will bring you closer," says dating expert Adrienne Selko. "And the achievement of overcoming a fear of an activity is another building block in a relationship."

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7

Take a Road Trip

Red Brick, Acorn Street, Boston, Massachusetts, America
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You don't have to travel far to feel like you're on vacation. Drive to a new-to-you nearby town and explore its museums, historical sites, and shops, suggests Cohen. If you can, rent a hotel room or Airbnb and make a weekend of it.

8

Visit an Amusement Park

Santa Monica Pier in California
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Life is full of serious stuff, and couples often end up spending their allotted date time discussing heavy topics such as parenting, finances, work issues, toxic family members, and household chores, says matchmaker and relationship coach Michelle Fraley. Visiting an amusement park can help couples remember that they are friends as well as partners—and pals have fun together.

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9

Try an Outdoor Exercise Class

Two women and a man practicing yoga at the poolside
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Shared physical activity is beneficial to romantic relationships—emotionally and physically, says Dana Dorfman, PhD, psychotherapist and cohost of the podcast 2 Moms on the Couch. "The combination of the endorphin rush and improved physical health helps individuals feel better about themselves and their partners, an asset to any relationship." While the weather is still warm, try poolside (or, if you're lucky, beach) yoga, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, or even a water aerobics class.

10

Run in a Race

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Sign up for a local 5K, 10K, or even half marathon. Though the race itself is the end goal, you'll enjoy many dates together while you train. Because a collective challenge has that "we're in this together" mentality, the experience can enhance feelings of intimacy and intensify a bond, says Dorfman.

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11

Go Stargazing

Rear View Of Couple With Flashlight Against Constellation
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"Sometimes the most beneficial thing a couple can do for their relationship is to allow each other to stop overthinking, overdoing, and just be," says Fraley. Something as simple as heading to a dark spot and looking up at the night sky can be an incredibly romantic experience. (For help spotting planets, stars, and constellations, we recommend downloading a stargazing app, like SkySafari, Star Tracker, or SkyView.)

12

Arrange a Couples Tennis Match

Fit happy poeple playing tennis together. Sport concept
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Nobody said you can't include others on your date. "Presenting yourself as a couple in social situations is a bonding experience," says Fraley. "You and your partner are entering the social scene as a team, and that creates a sense of unity." Invite another couple out for a day of friendly competition—loser buys drinks.

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13

Watch the Sunset

couple sitting in a meadow and watching the sunset
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We spend way too much time in our busy minds and thoughts, which can isolate us, says relationship expert Jacqui Olliver. Wake up early to catch the sunrise together, or watch the sunset while enjoying a glass of wine and some simple snacks. "Holding hands while consciously sharing the beauty of a sunrise or sunset resets your focus into being present with each other which strengthens your bond."

14

Go Rock Climbing

Mid adult couple on free climbing
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Rock climbing—at a gym like Brooklyn Boulder, Touchstone Climbing, Stone Summit, or Vertical Endeavors—requires teamwork and trust, which are vital to successful relationships, says licensed psychologist Michele Leno, PhD. Plus, you'll release those feel-good endorphins as you work up a sweat.

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15

Go to a Baseball Game

Stadium Seats Bleachers Sporting Entertainment Venue
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Have a shared love for a particular sports team? Head to the ballpark for the evening. Strong relationships are the ones that have a sense of "us," "we," or "team," says Jorge. This unity helps build a sense of connectedness and is very beneficial for couples, she explains.

16

Have a Picnic

beautiful served picnic at seaside on sunset
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Don't underestimate the value of a quiet event, like a picnic in your local park. "These kinds of dates allow for intimate conversations that lead to deep emotional connections and a foundation of friendship," says Devon Jorge, a registered social worker and psychotherapist.

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17

Go for an Early Morning Walk

Back view of young gay couple with backpacks walking hand in hand on a road
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You may be groggy, but there's something to be said for the peace and quiet you experience in the early morning hours. "It's a great time to share your dreams and fantasies as you walk hand in hand," says Olliver. "By combining your enjoyment of right now and feeling into the happiness of your future selves, you are training your brains to stay on the reward pathway. This naturally increases your dopamine and oxytocin levels, thus fortifying your relationship." Plus, when you're finished, you can try and grab a table at that super popular brunch spot—without waiting for hours.

18

Play Mini Golf

caucasian couple playing miniature golf
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The more fun you have in your relationship, the more positive you feel about your partner, says Jorge. Plan dates centered around fun activities—like an afternoon or evening playing mini golf—to create memories through laughter and being silly.

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19

Visit an Escape Room

old key
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A challenge encourages partners to trust, support, and rely on one another, says Dorfman. There are tons of escape rooms popping up all over the country, both in-person and virtually. A couple online options that are just as fun as the real deal include: Puzzle Break's The Grimm Escape, which takes places in an enchanted forest accessible via Zoom, and Bank Heist, in which you're part of a crime syndicate on a mission to unlock a safe (just make sure to have a calculator handy). Not to mention it's a great double—or even triple—date, too.

20

Get a Couple's Massage

relaxed woman enjoying in back massage at the spa
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There is plenty of research that supports the importance of physical touch on our emotional, mental, and physical health, says Jorge. "It doesn’t have to be deeply intimate, even a simple touch provides a level of physical closeness that benefits all relationship stages." Visit your local spa, schedule an in-home massage using an app like Zeel, or for a fun (and cheap) alternative, you and your partner could take turns giving each other massages (just make sure to have a massage oil handy).

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Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

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