Life

11 Date Ideas For Long Term Couples That Go Beyond Dinner & A Movie

by Olivia Youngs

When you've been with the same person for a while, date nights can become repetitive pretty quickly. You discover a favorite restaurant and go there week after week. You call your babysitter and hit up the movie theater again and again. Although neither of these are bad options, your go-to date can get old. And besides, it never hurts to spice things up. Coming up with unique date ideas for long term couples can be tricky, so often we settle for the same old thing time and time again.

For my husband and I, our go-to date night is the stereotypical dinner and a movie, and after two years of doing basically the same thing every date night, we were more than ready to change things up. So, I've done the dirty work for you, in the spirit of spicing up date nights for couples everywhere. And the good news is unique date nights don't have to break the bank to be fun. Most date ideas are relatively light on the wallet, but are sure to provide you and your significant other with plenty of fodder for many date nights to come.

So clear you calendar and call your partner. These 11 ideas are all different and are sure to provide that missing boost that your tried and true date night has been missing.

1

Stay At Home

OK this may not sound super exciting, but hear me out. You don't have to leave the comfort of your home to have a fun date night. Cook a meal together, watch a movie you've never seen, school each other in a board game. Grab a bottle of wine and you're all set.

Monopoly Board Game, $10.39, Amazon

2

Be A Tourist

Try something new in your hometown or take a short road trip somewhere you've never been before. Seeing your city with new eyes can be fun for both of you.

1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die, $9.99, Amazon

3

Get Outside

Go on a hike together, stargaze, or pack a picnic and explore somewhere close-by.

Blue Insulated Picnic Basket, $29.99, Amazon

4

Become A Connoisseur

Tour a brewery, go to a cupping at your local coffee shop, or try a wine and cheese tasting night. They're usually relatively affordable and would be a great experience to share.

The Complete Beer Course: Boot Camp for Beer Geeks, $12.79, Amazon

Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine, $14.88, Amazon

5

Go To A Drive-In

If you're lucky enough to live near a drive-in theater, it makes the perfect no-fuss date night. Blankets + a movie + the privacy of your car = the perfect date.

Pinzon Velvet Blush Blanket, $29.99, Amazon

6

Get Physical

And no, not in the bedroom. Try a yoga class or go on a run outside for a date that's fun and keeps you fit.

7

Take A Class

Be it a dance class, craft night, writing workshop, getting out of your comfort zone and learning something new together is always a good time.

8

See A Play

It doesn't have to be Broadway to be fun. Check out your local playhouse and book yourself some tickets.

9

Laser Tag

If you're up for an adventure, and for reminiscing on your 13 year old self, try a game of laser tag. Or if you're feeling extra crazy, opt for paint ball.

10

Go Antique-ing

This is one of my favorite dates. We love browsing our local thrift store, antique shops or even old record stores looking for new (and usually cheap) treasures to bring home.

11

Recreate Your First Date

There something special about reminiscing about how you fell in love in the first place. Why not recreate that first night, and watch the magic happen all over again? Unless you had a horror story first date — then recreate the second one instead.

Images: ChristinaChirtes/Flickr; Giphy (11)