100 date night ideas

From silly to sweet to scorching, here are some togetherness tips for your every mood.  
(adapted from Amy Keyishian, 2012, redbookmag.com)

Dinner and a Movie

1. Go out for pizza — ask them to cut the pizza into the shape of a heart.

2. Try live entertainment, such as a band at a local bar, instead of a movie.

3. Pick a TV show, get a season's worth on DVD and make a running date to watch it together every night.  

4. Head out to a midnight cult movie, like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Showgirls or Donnie Darko.  

5. How about dinner and some stargazing at the planetarium's evening show?

6. Try brunch and a matinee; fancy restaurants are way more affordable in the a.m.

7. Pick up some fried chicken and head for the drive-in.  

Seductive Secrets

8. Put on your sexiest stilettos (for the ladies); sip fancy cocktails at a hotel bar.

9. Bubble bath for two. Candles. Champagne. Need we say more?

10. Oysters are said to be an aphrodisiac, so head to a seafood place and slurp them right out of the shell.  

11. Take a dinner cruise: The motion of the ocean sets off sensuous signals inside us (think water beds).  

12. Gooey, sexy, delicious: Get a fondue pot and have a feast. Add an Italian movie and kiss all night.

13. The sultriest music? Jazz. Try a trip to a jazz club or a night at home with a CD by Cassandra Wilson.  

14. Make a finger foods only dinner and feed each other.

 15. Cleavage is nice: Bump it up a notch with a push-up bra, a scoop neck top and a sparkly necklace.  

At Home Dates

16. Take turns singing cheesy ballads at home with your favourite CDs.  

17. Have your own version of trick or treat: Put on a sexy outfit and knock on the study door. Don't forget the treats!  

18. Enjoy a rousing game of Twister.  

19. Dress up your backyard picnic table with a white tablecloth. Add candles, fancy cheese, chocolate and voilà: five-star fun!

20. Too cold or wet for an outdoor picnic? Spread a blanket on the floor and have a carpet picnic.  

21. Make a mixed tape or CD.  

22. Create a beer garden: Scour local stores for unusual beers.

23. Invest in an ice cream maker or a bread maker; then invent your own homemade treats.

24. Curl up with the Sunday crossword puzzle.

25. Order lobsters, plop them in a pot and have yourselves a shore thing.  

26. Bring home your favourite fast food, but serve it on your best china.  

Cheap Dates

27. Museums sometimes have one free night a week, so hit one then.  

28. Find a happy hour with cheap eats and drinks.

29. Take a sketchpad to a scenic bluff and draw your own version of the vista.  

30. Grab a basketball and hit the courts at the park.

31. Sample international food at a street fair.  

32. Hit the local video arcade.  

33. Go to the library and page through the coffee table art books.  

34. Spend a late afternoon at the pool.  

35. Head to the highest point in town. Spend an early evening watching the twinkling lights turn on.

36. Find a bridge and walk across it; the view can't be beat.

37. Visit the hothouse at your local botanical garden.

38. Drive out to a country field, lie down and snuggle under the stars.  

39. Make yourselves the biggest, craziest ice cream sundae ever.  

Creative Dates

40. Take a tour of the house you'd (someday) love to own.

41. Paint coffee mugs at a paint your own pottery place.  

42. Get your palms read.

43. Fly a kite.  

44. Sign up for a one night class at your local college.  

45. Hit a farmers' market and scavenge for your dinner.  

46. Get an easy to operate remote control plane, go to a park and take turns trying to avoid the trees.  

47. Take a hayride.  

48. Hit a flea market and find a beautiful blanket to snuggle in together.  

49. Take a tour of garage sales in the ritziest neighbourhoods.  

50. Don't you just drive each other up the wall sometimes? Prove it — at an indoor climbing gym.  

51. Head to an ice skating rink and strap on skates for some icy fun.  

52. Poke around an antique shop.  

53. Ride the Ferris wheel at a local carnival.

54. Give each other haircuts.  

5. Pick out the perfect frame for your favourite photo of the two of you.  

Mini-Dates

56. Find a fountain and throw in coins, taking turns making wishes.  

57. Write a poem together.

58. Stop at a fancy bakery and pick out a treat each — for each other.

59. Feed the ducks.  

60. Hold a kiss for one elevator ride.  

61. One word: Frisbee.  

62. Ride a tandem bike.  

63. Get up early or stay up all night (wink, wink) to watch the sunrise.

64. Try this kissing challenge: 100 kisses in three hours.  

65. Climb a tree together.

Man Friendly Outings

66. Read about you guy’s favourite code of football. Then join him at the next game.  

67. Take a test drive of a fun sports car, maybe a convertible.  

68. Head to a batting cage and swing at some balls.

69. Trim your fingernails, wear thick socks and hit the bowling alley.  

70. Get in the saddle for a horseback riding lesson.  

71. Hit a sports bar and cheer on the team.

72. Map out a long bike ride through a local park.  

73. Fire up the BBQ for burgers and sticky marshmallows.  

4. Play paintball.  7

5. Check out the action at the nearest racetrack.  

76. A bar, beers and darts. Anyone up for some healthy competition?  

77. Hit the golf ball driving range.

78. Work out your aggressions with some kickboxing.  

79. Sniff out a cigar bar and loll around, acting like Tony Soprano.  

80. Unleash your inner pool shark and hit a pool hall.

Mini Getaways

81. Book a double massage at a fancy-schmancy spa.  

82. Take a balloon or helicopter ride over your town.

83. Rent a fancy car. Tool around as if you actually own it.  

84. Find a bed and breakfast. Spend the night someplace where someone else makes the bed and cooks breakfast.  

Outdoor Adventures

85. Grab a pair of binoculars and spend an afternoon bird watching.

86. Find out how to become a pair of butterfly spies.  

87. Hit a hiking trail near you.

88. Take a whale-watching cruise. (or hit the aquarium!)  

89. First snow? Call your partner, ask them to come home and build a snowman.  

90. Take a walk on the beach.  

Culture Vulture

91. Check out the talent at a small local art gallery.  

92. Get up and move: Try swing dancing, tangoing or square dancing.  

93. See if your local college has a pottery studio and sign up for an evening class.  

94. Amateur theatre is fun to see — and even more fun to try out for.  

95. Find out if a nearby wine store has wine tastings. Or try wineries, which open their cellar doors to curious customers.

96. Same goes for cheese shops. Call and ask if they have regular tasting parties.  

97. Get all dressed up and catch an orchestra or opera performance.  

Nostalgia Trips

98. Dig out that concert T-shirt: You're never too old to catch your favourite band on its reunion tour.  

99. Take a local walking history tour.

100. Make a time capsule about your dating days to open 10 years from now!