Summer Date Ideas
Summer is one of the busiest seasons for dating because the days are longer, beaches are open, outdoor drinking and cooking, ice cream, outdoor movies and festivals, summer break, and more.
Take advantage of the hot summer months–June, July, August, and September–or simply when the temperature is hot with these fun and cute summer date ideas!
Best Summer Date Ideas
Go to the Beach!
A beach date allows for a lot of activies to choose from (e.g., bocce, kites, frisbee, swimming, running, ect)
Go Blackberry, Blueberry, or Strawberry Picking
It’s the season for berry picking! Grab multiple baskets at the farm and have a competition on who can pick the most berries.
Go to an Amusement Park or Street Fair
Why these place are awesome: New Foods to Try, Roller Coasters Rides, and
Restaurant Patio Hop
Find restaurants and bars in your area with patios and rooftops, and have a drink and appetizer at each place.
Go to a Drive-In Theatre
Grab some snack and get comfy with your date. If it’s a busy theatre, park near the exit so you don’t have to wait as long.
Make a Garden Together
Get inspiration, stop by Home Depot or your local garden store, and start the garden you’ve always wanted. A collection of herbs in a pot and a few vegetable plants are great options for beginner gardeners.
Go to a Driving Range or Mini Putt
This cheap date will show both your competitive and playful-sides, as well as get you outdoors
Go Hiking
This is a classic date idea for people who love the outdoors. Don’t forget a map, sunscreen, and lunch for when you get to the top.
Picnic in the Park
Prepare food ahead of time or stop by a nearby supermarket. Or, bring some beer/wine and order pizza to your picnic area.
Essential Picnic Items: Cooler; Wine; 4-Pack of Seasonal Beer; Paper Towels; Blanket; Plates/Utensils; Cups; Bug Spray
Go to a Museum
Escape the midday, summer heat and spend a few hours in the Air Conditioning (AC) of a local museum
Active Summer Date Ideas
Summer is a great season for active date ideas that get your outdoors.
Rent a Sailboat, Kayaks, Canoes or Paddleboards
Go to a Water Park
Recreate childhood memories on a date at a water park on a hot summer day.
Go For a Boat Ride
Find a place to rent a sailboat or motorboat, pack a lunch, and have a fun time out on the water.
Go Whale Watching
Pick the next nice weekend, and spend a few hours away from shore looking for these majestic beasts. (Don’t forget binoculars!)
Go Scuba Diving or Snorkeling
If you are not certified, Snorkeling is the better and just as fun option
Go to a Nude Beach
You don’t exactly need a nude beach near you to do this. Find a private beach or go during off-peak hours and take it off.
Swim With Dolphins
This is one of the more expensive date ideas but it’s a unique opportunity to get in the water with a majestic animal.
Go Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, or Jetskiing
Take a boat out for an adrenaline rush you can laugh about later.
Cheap Summer Date Ideas
Summer tends to have more cheap date ideas since it allows you to hang outside, rather than being inside having dinner or doing indoor, expensive activities.
Get ice cream and walk through the park
This is a cheap date idea which is sure to please your date.
Host or Attend a BBQ
Find the best grilling recipes, grab some beer, and invite your friends over.
Play Mini Golf
Spend a few hours at a local mini golf place with your date. Extend your date with a trip to an ice cream shop nearby.
Go to a Flea Market
Grab a coffee and stop by the flea market for some treasure hunting.
Go to a Farmers Market
Find a recipe online, grab your reusable bag and drive or walk to your local farmers market. Some farmers markets offer more than produce (e.g., coffee, desserts, clothing, ect)
Summer Date Ideas for a Group
Get your group of friends (or another couple) together for a group date ideas to experience all the events and activities are when the weather is nice.
Head to a Local Winery
You don’t need to go to a Catalina Wine Mixer to experience a true winery. Most winery’s offer small bites and picnic tables to enjoy the views of the vineyard.
Attend an Outdoor Concert or Festival
Research your favorite bands coming soon or spontaneously buy tickets to a cheap summer music festival. Also, keep an eye out for free festivals in the Summer.
Road Trip to a Beach, Lake, or Waterfall
Find a lesser known lake or beach for a more intimate setting. Note that a lot of waterfalls require a short walk, which will make your date more active.
Have a Bonfire Outdoors
Buy a firepit for your backyard or head to the woods and build a fire
Go on a Brewery Tour
Signup for a quick brewery tour to appreciate the beer-making process. Grab a 4-pack to-go and hangout outdoors at your place afterwards.
Have an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Go to a Matinee at a Movie Theater
Escape the midday, summer heat and spend a few hours in the Air Conditioning (AC) watching a summer blockbuster movie
Summer Date Ideas at Home
Too hot out or just want to relax? Enjoy the comfort of your home with these at home date ideas.
Sit Outside and Play Cards
Best two person card games: Gin Rummy, Spit, War, Crazy Eights, Go Fish
Make S’mores in Your Backyard
Either buy/make a firepit or use one of those mini, tabletop firepits to make S’Mores on-demand
Make an Ice Cream Bar at Home
Get Craft and Make Some Tie-Dye
Have a Movie in Your Backyard
Buy a Hammock and Read a Book Together
Fly a Kite in Your Backyard
Other Summer Date Ideas
Go Skeet Shooting
Use your own shotgun, or find a friend with one, and head out to a field for a fun time
See Fireworks or Make Your Own Show
Visit a friend or family member with a lake, beach, or mountain house
You don’t need to buy a house to experience lakefront property. Visit a person you haven’t spoke to in awhile or use AirBnB to rent one for a weekend.
Buy Some Kites and Go Fly Them
Buy a kite on Amazon or head to your local toy store; this is a great idea to pair with a picnic or beach date.
Go Skydiving
Find a skydiving place with water, land, and mountains to see multiple landscapes when falling to earth.
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Get high (not literally) in a hot air balloon to get a better view of where you live.
Have an Impromptu 4th of July Celebration
Eat all your fruit on the car ride home, at a picnic, or make pies or pancakes together
Grab a blanket and lie under the stars while listening to music
Escape the city light population and zen out over your favorite mellow singer (e.g., Ray Lamontagne/Jack Johnson )
Take a Cooking Class
Get experimental in the kitchen with a cooking class at a local university.
Types of online and in-person cooking classes: French Cooking, Knife Skills, Baking and Pastry, International Cuisines, and more!
Play croquet or bocce ball
These activities can be done on the beach or any grassy area.
Volunteer at a Community Garden
If you don’t have space for your own garden, this is a great alternative
Roadtrip to IKEA or a State Park
Stop by your local Ikea to pickup the necessities, get design inspiration, or try their famous Swedish Meatballs.
