Cuddling up on the couch with your sweetheart and watching a good movie or favorite TV show is always a great go-to date. However, as romantic as it is, this type of date night does tend to get a little stale after a while, and you may need to come up with something new to get the sparks going again. If you’re ready to change things up a bit, there are many options to freshen up your love life, and all it requires is a little imagination.
One of the best ways of challenging the dating status quo is to go on an outdoor dating adventure. There are plenty of choices for romantic outdoor dates, including a simple lunch at a new food truck, mountain biking, an outdoor movie, or a drive along the coast, to name a few. If you are a little short in the imagination department, here are a baker’s dozen of some way-fun outdoor dates that will provide you and your better half with a nice day or evening out:
1) Farmer’s Market Luncheon
Most farmer’s markets are set up in or near a city park or town green. Aside from farm-fresh produce and craft items, these open-air markets often offer a host of vendors selling prepared entrees, snacks, and drinks. Take a walk through the market to peruse the selection and then find a spot on a bench or the grass to have your lunch.
2) Mountain Biking
Biking to a remote lake or a stunning viewpoint with a hammock, bottle of wine, and dehydrated food is a great way to spend the afternoon. Places like this are easy to find online, and many municipalities have mountain bike parks with these types of features. As you will be venturing into bug territory, remember to pack some effective mosquito repellent.
3) Day at the Beach
A trip to the beach is one of the best ways to relax and cool off during the hot summer months, and all you need for this date is your swimsuit, sandals, and some sunscreen. If there is no beach nearby, take a trip to your municipal swimming pool. Remember that bugs are omnipresent outdoors, so you should always carry a travel size bug spray to protect yourself.
4) Take a Hike
Most cities and towns in the U.S. have areas close by with hiking trails where you can take a stroll through the woods to a secluded spot and enjoy the beauty of nature and a picnic lunch with your sweetheart. Don’t forget the binoculars for wildlife viewing and some mosquito deterrent, so you don’t end up being on the bugs menu.
5) Amusement Park
You don’t have to be little to enjoy a night out at an amusement park, but strolling hand in hand around the park with some cotton candy or a caramel apple will make you feel like a kid again. Taking a ride on a Ferris wheel after dark, when all the attractions are lit up, will give you a bird’s-eye view of the park. Don’t forget some odorless bug spray so the smell won’t get in the way of a little impromptu make-out secession when the operator stops the ride with you at the top. You could even tip him a few bucks to make sure it happens.
6) A Nighttime Sporting Event
If you are looking for an exciting outdoor date full of action and fun, then a nighttime baseball or football game may be just the ticket. Even people who aren’t big sports buffs usually enjoy the action under the lights, and if the evening is cool, it will give you a reason to snuggle.
7) Food Truck Dinner
Food trucks have become an American icon and come in a variety of cuisines, from Greek to Texas barbecue. Look online to see what trucks are available in your area and what their schedules are as trucks tend to move around.
8) Outdoor Concert
Almost everyone loves live music, and many municipalities around the country hold free outdoor concert series at parks, town greens, and fishing piers throughout the summer and around the year in warmer climates. There are also live outdoor concerts for big-name stars at outdoor venues such as fairs and amphitheaters. Don’t forget a blanket to sit on and a good mosquito repellent.
9) Drive-In Movie
While most drive-in theaters have gone the way of the dinosaurs, there are some holdouts around the country and some of the older drive-ins are being rehabbed and reopened. If you are not lucky enough to have a drive-in theater in your area, you can hang a bed sheet on the garage door and use an inexpensive projector to show a movie. Owning a pickup truck is a bonus as you can make up the bed with an air mattress, pillows, and some comfy blankets.
10) Day Trip
Taking to the open road is a great way to get out of town for the day and be with your lover. The possibilities for road trips are almost endless, with driving up the coast, a scenic drive through the country, or a fall leaf-peeping drive being some old favorites.
11) Backyard Activities
If you are strapped for time or don’t have many opportunities near you, you can spend a night outdoors without even leaving your home. Build a campfire ring in the backyard, or you can buy a self-contained outdoor fire pit if you have a balcony or deck. Cuddle up by the fire and roast some hot dogs, toast some marshmallows, and drink a little vino, and you will forget you haven’t left home. Don’t forget to use a good mosquito deterrent after dark.
12) Fruit Picking
Spending the day in the great outdoors picking berries or apples is a beautiful way to get in some quality time together and load up on some fresh fruit for free or at reduced costs. Many varieties of berries grow wild all across the United States and at U-pick farms. Apple orchards abound in northern regions of the U.S. You can use the fruit to make your own preserves.
13) The Zoo
If you didn’t have much luck spotting wildlife on your hike through the woods, or even if you did, a visit to a nearby zoo is a can’t miss option for seeing animals that will entertain you both for hours. Some zoos even have adopt an animal programs that don’t require you to take the animals home, but put your donations directly towards “your” animal’s care and feeding. You can look forward to another date to visit your beneficiary. Just know that bugs are attracted to animals, so use a good mosquito repellent.
As you can see, there is no shortage of super-fun things to do on an outdoor date with your honey, and this is just a cursory list to get you started. You can plan a relaxing outdoor date now that you have some ideas. Remember that you risk being bitten by insects whenever you are outside in warmer weather. Because some bugs, like mosquitoes and ticks, carry blood-borne bacterial diseases and viruses, it is essential to always wear an effective mosquito repellent when outdoors. Proven Insect Repellent’s line of highly effective bug sprays and lotions contain 20% Picaridin, an active ingredient recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control as an effective insect repellent for the whole family. Proven is sold online and in stores at Target, ACE Hardware, Meijer and Tractor Supply. Check out the handy travel size bug sprays and lotions so you can have bug protection with you on-the-go.
Recent Comments