Spice up your love life with seven date ideas

Date nights are a great way to strengthen your relationship and add spark to your romance. It’s difficult, though, to think beyond “dinner and a movie,” the trusty standby. What do you do when you want something a little different? Here are seven ideas to get you thinking outside the date night box.

1. Take a cooking class.

One surefire way to each other’s hearts is through the kitchen, so it makes sense to have a date there. Many community centers, wineries, cooking schools, and natural foods markets offer cooking classes on everything from grilling the perfect steak to preparing a perfect Pad Thai. Peruse bulletin boards and websites for offerings in your area, and don’t be afraid to learn to make something you’ve never tried before—it’ll only add to the excitement.

2. Look up at the stars.

Stargazing is a fun and romantic way to spend an evening with your special someone. If you live in an urban area, it’ll mean getting out of the city to escape light pollution, and a trip into the countryside will itself be a fun part of the evening. If you’re lucky enough to have an expanse of sky in your backyard, a variety of apps for phones and tablets can help you to locate stars and constellations. You can also visit local observatories that have evenings open to the public, and maybe catch a glimpse of a rare celestial event.

A surefire way to the heart is through the kitchen, so it makes sense to have a date there.

3. Get a couple’s massage.

It’s one of the hottest new things in spa treatments: the couple’s massage. Many salons and spas offer the service, which typically involves both of you getting a simultaneous massage. Just think how relaxed you’ll be when you get back home for the rest of your evening together.

4. Karaoke to your heart’s content.

OK, so it’s a little corny, but if one of you has a performance streak nothing beats getting up on stage and belting out your favorite tune. Look around your region for the best karaoke places, some of which may offer theme nights, or nights specifically for couples.

5. Try a new workout.

It’s sexy to sweat together, and many gyms offer courses in trendy new workouts—everything from unusual cross-training crazes to things like tire-pushing. Sometimes non-members can buy one class just to try it out, so do check. And you never know: It might become part of your regular exercise routine.

6. Hit the road.

A drive is fun and exciting, particularly if the destination is new to both of you. Pull out a map of your area and choose a spot randomly—or pick a destination like a just-opened bar or restaurant, a historical site, or a park. The fun is in the drive, having a chance to talk and feel the cool evening breeze in your hair.

7. Plant a garden.

Even if neither of you has space for a garden, that doesn’t mean you can’t plant. Choose a few decorative pots, get some potting soil and seeds or plants, and you’re set. There’s nothing like getting a little dirt under your fingernails to make you feel closer to the one you love.
Dates are all about having fun and getting to see sides of your partner that you might not normally see. When thinking about what to do, consider doing things you’ve always wanted to try but never have. What are you waiting for?