26 Outdoor Date Ideas That Are More Fun Than Netflix-and-Chilling

Movie marathons, ordering your favorite takeout, and game night are all easy date-night solutions, but they can make you feel a bit cooped up. You can Netflix and chill or order in any day of the week, but getting outside and enjoying the beautiful sunny weather or fall foliage? Those days are extra special. So save your movie night for another date and start planning your next outdoor adventure with your special someone.

During the warmer months, you can look forward to kayaking, bike rides, outdoor sports, and concerts. As the leaves begin to change, lean into autumnal outdoor activities, such as apple picking or visiting a pumpkin patch. Winter might seem like the ideal time to plan a cozy date night inside, but it's actually the perfect time to marvel at Mother Nature; plus, there are so many outdoor activities — sledding, snowball fights, and Christmas light shows — that you definitely don't want to miss out on.

There are also outdoor date ideas like hiking, strolls through the park, and watching the sunrise and sunset that you can enjoy year-round — for free! We aren't ones to turn down cheap date ideas, and if they take place outdoors, you can definitely count us in. These outdoor date ideas will help you get out of any date rut you might be in and get excited to step out of the house and embrace the great outdoors.

01
Stroll Through the Park
Getty / GCShutter

Stroll Through the Park

Do you have first (or second) date jitters? Grab a coffee to go and stroll through the park. It's less intimidating than meeting up for dinner, and you'll have plenty to chat about with so much going on around you. You can also pull out this handy list of fun first-date questions to keep the conversation rolling.

02
Go Boating
Getty / gilaxia

Go Boating

Soak up some vitamin C with a day on the water. Make it an all-day affair by packing food, water, and a bottle of wine to enjoy during sunset. Don't forget the sunblock.

03
Go Kayaking
Getty | g-stockstudio

Go Kayaking

If you and your partner enjoy adventure-packed outings, add kayaking to your outdoor-date bucket list. Not only will you get a workout in, but it's also a cool way to explore a nearby lake, river, or harbor.

04
Go on a Picnic
Getty / Westend61

Go on a Picnic

Picnics offer a front row seat to the outdoors. They also go in tandem with other outdoor activities, such as hikes or bike rides.

05
Host a Backyard Game Night
Getty/ vladans

Host a Backyard Game Night

Take game night outside with a lineup of backyard games like egg toss, volleyball, corn hole, beer pong, croquet, and potato-sack race. Throw some hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, and invite your other couple friends for an epic outdoor game night.

06
Watch the Sunset
Getty / NickyLloyd

Watch the Sunset

Nothing says romance like cuddling up with your partner as the sky transforms into an orange, pink, and purple painting. End the night on a sweet note with a walk to a nearby ice-cream shop.

07
Go on a Hot-Air-Balloon Ride
Getty | Sara Monika

Go on a Hot-Air-Balloon Ride

What better way to explore a new city than from a thousand feet up in the sky? It might just be the most romantic date you've ever been on. Plus, just think of all the cool photo ops!

08
Visit a Rooftop Bar
Getty/ staticnak1983i

Visit a Rooftop Bar

Spring and summer are prime rooftop-bar seasons. Enjoy good brews, gorgeous views, and great company. It's not unusual for rooftop bars to require reservations, so be sure to plan ahead.

09
Go Apple Picking
Getty / zoranm

Go Apple Picking

Feast your eyes (and tastebuds) on apple doughnuts, apple turnovers, and hot apple cider at your local apple orchard. Apple picking is so much fun during the fall, and you'll get to see the leaves changing color. If you and your significant other have a sweet tooth, be sure to take home some apples to bake into a pie.

10
Go For a Bike Ride
Getty / Tassii

Go For a Bike Ride

Enjoy the weather and each other's company with a bike ride around the neighborhood. If you're itching for a mini getaway, consider driving a hour or so outside of town and taking your bikes for a cruise.

11
Attend a Sports Event
Getty / jacoblund

Attend a Sports Event

Are you and your partner rivals when it comes to sports? There's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition, and you can even raise the stakes: next round of drinks is on the losing team, or the winning team gets to plan your next date.

12
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Getty / SrdjanPav

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Kick off spooky season with a trip to the pumpkin patch, where you can bob for apples, go on a hayride, and take silly photos with scarecrows. And if you aren't ready to say goodbye to your significant other afterwards, invite them over for pumpkin carving.

13
Visit a Street Fair
Getty | kali9

Visit a Street Fair

Between the rides, game booths, and fair food (funnel cakes, yum!), there's so much fun and nostalgia to be had at a street fair. You and your date will feel like you're kids again with schoolyard crushes.

14
Watch the Sunrise
Getty / andresr

Watch the Sunrise

If you and your significant other are early risers, start your day with a sunrise date. There's something magical about being up before everyone else and watching a new day begin. Top the date off with a trip to your favorite doughnut shop.

15
Go For a Hike
Getty | eclipse_images

Go For a Hike

Planning an outdoor date can be tricky, but you can go hiking any day of the year — as long as you plan and dress accordingly, of course. Bookmark coastal trails for summer and paths lined with greenery and flowers for spring. Research the best hiking destinations for fall foliage and the best scenic overviews for snowcapped mountains during the winter.

16
Visit a Christmas-Light Show
Getty/ valentinrussanov

Visit a Christmas-Light Show

If hiking during the winter isn't quite your speed, opt for a leisurely Christmas lights stroll instead. Social media is a good way to find neighborhoods, botanical gardens, downtown malls, and other places that offer Christmas-light shows.

17
Go Ice Skating
Getty/ FatCamera

Go Ice Skating

As winter rolls around, check out your city's wintertime-activities calendar to see when the outdoor skating rink will officially open for the season. Afterwards, you can hunt down a hot-cocoa stand to help you warm up.

18
Go Fishing
Getty / Image Source

Go Fishing

Venture out of your comfort zone with a trip to the river; if you're an avid fisher, you can teach your S.O. a new hobby. Who knows — maybe you'll catch dinner!

19
Visit an Amusement Park
Getty | Thomas Barwick

Visit an Amusement Park

Spend the day at an amusement park and take turns sharing your favorite (or most embarrassing) park memories — like that time you cried when you finally met Cinderella or ate too much before going on a rollercoaster. You can always go on an indoor ride if you need a break from the heat or cold weather.

20
Go Sledding
Getty/ LWA

Go Sledding

It's true that outdoor winter date ideas are harder to come by, but sledding never fails to be a good time. Plus, you'll get to cuddle up nice and close.

21
Run a 5K
Getty/ Kevin Kozicki

Run a 5K

Are you and your partner runners? Sign up for your town's 5K, or better yet, register for a 5K in a nearby city so you can explore the area after the big race. You'll make new memories and potentially kickstart a new tradition.

22
Go Camping
Getty / Westend61

Go Camping

It doesn't get more outdoorsy than camping. You'll have the chance to deepen your bond without distractions in a different environment. Here are a few things you can add to your camping itinerary: stargazing, skinny-dipping, fishing, hiking, and watching the sunrise.

23
Go Skydiving
Getty/ Mauricio Graiki

Go Skydiving

Thrill seekers will be excited to add this idea to the top of their outdoor-date bucket list. Skydiving is certainly a way to your conquer your fear of heights, and it's definitely a date you won't forget.

24
Build a Snowman
Getty/ gchutka

Build a Snowman

Building a snowman is a budget-friendly winter date idea that will have you enjoying the outdoors. You can even get a little sneaky by catching your partner off guard and starting a snowball fight.

25
Attend an Outdoor Concert
Getty/ Klaus Vedfelt

Attend an Outdoor Concert

Browse your local outdoor-concert-venue listings to see what artists will be performing. Enjoy some live music, tasty food and drinks, and a bit of dancing with your significant other.

26
Visit the Zoo
Getty/ PeopleImages

Visit the Zoo

Feel like a kid again while wandering around your local zoo. Learn more about the animals, and take a trip to the gift shop to pick up a souvenir before you leave.