100 Creative Date Ideas In Austin
You’ve done dinner and a movie a hundred times..…but what about some other fun date ideas in Austin?
I've been living here for more than a decade, so I've had my fair share of date nights in Austin. There are so many amazing things to do in Austin, and with just a bit of planning you can get out of your normal date rut and try something that bonds you closer as a couple. I'm going to share 100 date ideas in Austin to hopefully help you find something fun to do!
About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheWacoThings.com!
100 Date Ideas In Austin
1. Go to An Austin FC Soccer Game
Austin FC was the first professional sports team in Austin, and their soccer stadium is all new and shiny and fun!
There are a bunch of great places to eat near Q2 stadium so you can get some dinner before the soccer match starts.
TICKETS HERE | 10414 Mc Kalla Pl, Austin, TX 78758
2. See A Drive-In Movie In Downtown Austin
Did you know there's a drive-in movie theater on the rooftop of a downtown Austin parking garage? Blue Starlite Drive-In shows both new releases and old blockbuster classics. It's really cute!
DRIVE-IN TICKETS | 300 San Antonio Street, Austin TX 78701
3. Check Out A New Austin Restaurant
Ok, I can't help myself...I have to recommend visiting a NEW AUSTIN RESTAURANT on this list of 100 Austin date ideas!
Visiting a new restaurant is always one of the funnest date ideas, in my book, because it's a new experience for both my and my husband. And there are so many great spots opening all the time! This guide to the best new restaurants in Austin is updated monthly.
4. Go To A Sexy Cocktail Bar
Again, not the most original idea...but it's a classic for a reason! Here's a guide to some of the best cocktail bars in Austin, and I'll also share 3 really good tried-and-trues that I frequent:
1. Here Nor There | a speakeasy, but not an annoying one. They have an app reservation system that gives you the code to this underground downtown bar, and the cocktail program is legitimately one of the best in the city. WEBSITE HERE.
2. Equipment Room | a hi-fi vinyl cocktail bar at the Music Lane development on South Congress, and some of the most impressive cocktails, anywhere.
3. Small Victory | still the best martinis in Austin at this small upstairs bar in downtown Austin.
5. Go Hiking In Austin
There are tons of great places to hike in Austin, but if you want a sporty sort of a date, go to River Place Trail, which is one of the more challenging hiking trails in Austin. It's a 5.5-mile out-and-back trail with some stairs and hill work. Finish the date with breakfast tacos!
6. Check Out An Austin Craft Brewery
With so many great breweries in Austin, it's easy to find one near you for a fun date night idea in ATX!
Here are all the Austin breweries that offer food so you can pair some dinner with your beer date night. Also, here are the top 10 breweries in Austin that I feel everyone needs to visit at least once.
7. Comedy Show at Cap City Comedy
Because honestly, when is the last time you went to a comedy show for date night in Austin? They're so much fun! You can get tickets here.
8. Go See The Austin Symphony
A night out at the symphony is about as classy a date night as you can get. (Tickets here.) Pair it with one of these romantic date night restaurants in Austin.
9. Play a round at Peter Pan Mini Golf
It’s been operating since 1948 and it’s an Austin classic. If you haven’t been lately, mini golf is a fun (and often hysterical) date idea. |WEBSITE|
10. Go To A Cute Wine Bar
A wine date makes a really fun date night in Austin! Check out House Wine (pictured) if you want something super casual, Neighborhood Vintner if you're a wino and want to buy a really nice bottle to split, and The Meteor on South Congress for a fun selection of natural wine and fish tins.
Or do your research on this guide to all the best wine bars in Austin.
11. Play A round of Top Golf
Sport and alcohol...what could go wrong? 😉 Seriously, Top Golf is a classic date ideas for a reason, and Austin has a really nice Top Golf location in north Austin by The Domain. WEBSITE HERE.
12. Spend A Day Shopping on SOCO
South Congress is opening up new restaurants and retail spots by the day. Sure, it's not what it was back in the day when Austin was a little college town, but you can't deny that there is a LOT of shopping available on SOCO now!
Here's a guide to the best restaurants on South Congress.
13. Lay In The Hammock at Pease Park
This is one of the coolest parks in Austin, so it might be crowded with kids in the mornings...but if you want to stop by in the evening, go check out the really cool hammock/sphere and then enjoy the miles of walking trails nearby.
It's a really peaceful spot to enjoy a walk and talk date.
1100 Kingsbury St, Austin, TX 78703
14. Take A Cheese Class At Antonelli's
Learn all about cheese, wine, and pairings at local Austin cheese shop Antonelli's. They offer various classes and formats throughout the month, so check out their calendar to see what's available!
500 Park BLVD, Austin, TX 78751
15. Swim At Deep Eddy Pool
The oldest swimming pool in Texas is right here in Austin, and it's so much fun on a hot summer day.
Deep Eddy Swimming Pool is spring-fed and remains about 68 degrees year round. Brrr!! But it honestly feels really good when those summer temps hit ATX.
401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin, TX 78703
16. Go To The Roller Rink!
Go retro with a date night at the roller rink! Austin Roller Rink has adults night with an 18+ crowd, drinks, and fun music. It's a really unique and fun date night idea in Austin!
17. Check Out An Austin Jazz Club
18. Go To A UT Basketball Game
UT Football gets all the attention, but the basketball games are so much fun!
Bonus: tickets are much cheaper than football tickets, and it's indoors in the snazzy new Moody Center, so you don't have to worry about bad weather on your date night.
TICKETS HERE | 2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
19. Go Biking At The Veloway
The Veloway is a peaceful bike trail in South Austin that has a parking lot and a bikes-only trail loop that's about 3 miles around. It's a short and easy bike ride for a fun date night! Afterward, you can easily get to District Kitchen and Cocktails on Slaughter Lane for a post-bike dinner and drink.
4900 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
20. Do An Espresso Flight At Proud Mary
If you're a coffee nerd, head to Proud Mary Cafe on South Lamar and order a bougie espresso flight.
This light-filled cafe has some of the best coffee in Austin, and they source hard-to-find beans for their specialty flights of espresso shots.
WEBSITE | 2043 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
21. Take A Yoga Class Together
Black Swan Yoga has been around in Austin forever and they have a couple locations. A peaceful evening yoga class is a really unique date night idea in Austin if you want something spiritual and grounding.
WEBSITE | multiple locations
22. DoA DIY Project AT Upstairs Circus
Y'all, this place is SO MUCH FUN! It's a bar + studio where you can enjoy a cocktail while you do a DIY project like leather stamping, jewelry, and more.
23. Austin Hotel Staycation
For one of the most indulgent Austin date ideas, book an overnight stay at a spectacular Austin hotel. These are my all-time favorite Austin hotels for a staycation in your own city.
WEBSITE | 2043 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
24. Go To A Salt Cave
The Austin Salt Cave has so many health benefits! And it's honestly just a relaxing spot to hang out, breath in the salty air, and be together.
WEBSITE | 801 E William Cannon Dr suite 110, Austin, TX 78745
25. go Shopping at Pavement Austin
It's always fun to go shopping together, but it's even more fun when it's something vintage you're shopping for.
Pavement is a cool spot on South Lamar that buys and sells used clothing. They have some absolutely incredible vintage stuff in there, and it makes for a pretty fun date afternoon. (Head to Eberly, next door, when you're done for drinks or dinner!)
WEBSITE | 611 S Lamar Blvd, Austin TX 78704
26. Glass Blowing Class
Bet you've never taken a glass blowing class for date night! Head to Ghost Pepper Glass, Austin's foremost glass blowing studio located in east Austin.
WEBSITE | 979 Springdale Rd #100, Austin, TX 78702
28. Painting With A Twist
Hear me out, because although you might associate Painting With A Twist with middle-age ladies groups, it's actually SO MUCH FUN and kind of hysterical for a date night.
(Especially funny if one/both of you are artistically challenged...)
PAINTING WITH A TWIST WEBSITE | multiple locations
29. Go To The Opera
The Austin Opera offers about 3-4 performances every year of full operas, accompanied by members of the Austin Symphony.
If you're not sure if you're an "opera person," just give it a try! It's a really enriching and exciting experience!
AUSTIN OPERA TICKETS | performances at The Long Center
27. See An Outdoor concert At Moody Amphitheater
I absolutely adore this outdoor concert venue in Austin! My husband and I have seen lots of shows here!
The seats are nice if you want to sit up close and relax, but the lawn is equally amazing for a fun concert experience. You can see the downtown Austin skyline in the background, and it's just overall a fun concert venue in Austin.
WEBSITE | 1401 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78701
30. Reserve 2 Day Beds At A Rooftop Pool
This is honestly one of my favorite things to do, whether for a date activity or just for a solo day! I love to book daybeds at a pretty Austin hotel pool and enjoy an afternoon of lounging and cocktails!
31. Go To The Domain For A Day Of Shopping
If you and your boo are big shopping people, you seriously can't beat the Domain for the BEST shopping destination in Austin! This is a massive outdoor mall with all of the biggest names in fashion, luxury, home goods, and more retail.
32. Get A Couples Massage
If you're looking for something more relaxing, book a couples massage! I love Milk & Honey and Viva Day Spa (all of their Austin locations are LOVELY) but if you want more options, here are all of the best spas in Austin.
33. Austin Wine Tasting
Wanderlust Wine Co. in Downtown Austin lets you pour your own wine from dozens of taps to create your own personalized tasting.
WEBSITE | 610 H Interstate Hwy 35
34. Go To An ACL Live Taping
ACL Live is the longest-running music television program in history, and it's aired live on PBS every week from the Moody Theater in Downtown Austin. It's a REALLY cool experience to be there live, and something every Austinite needs to do at least once! Check out their website for info about winning the lottery to attend a taping.
WEBSITE | 310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
35. Take A Pilates Class Together
TLSATX is a beloved pilates studio among local Austinites. If you want to do an EXPERIENCE instead of just sitting and eating a meal together, there's nothing like trying out a new activity together!
36. Shop For Furniture Together
My husband and I love wandering through Blu Dot when we have a few extra minutes in Downtown Austin. This modern furniture is so fun, and the showroom is gorgeous.
WEBSITE | 416 West Cesar Chavez St. Austin, Texas 78701
37. The "Beach" At Emma Long
Pick up your babe and head to the beach! No, there's not a real beach in Austin...but the sandy spot at Emma Long Park and the cold Lake Austin water feel great on a hot summer day!
Afterward go eat at Ski Shores Cafe.
WEBSITE | 1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730
38. Rent Jet Skis on Lake Travis
Lake Travis Boat Rentals is a great company!
39. Bring a board game
to a brewery, like St Elmo, Meanwhile Brewing, or Hop Squad.
40. Go out for milkshakes at The Yard
These milkshakes are NO JOKE so either plan on splitting one (aww, romantic!) or possibly going into a sugar coma.
WEBSITE | 440 E St Elmo Rd, Austin, TX 78745, United States
41. Go to a coffee shop
Go to coffee shop and read magazine.
42. Go to BookPeople
look for a new cookbook to use that week at home.
43. Volunteer at Austin pets Alive
WEBSITE | 1156 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703, United States
44. Visit the Blanton Museum of Art.
Psst: check out their website for info on free days!
45. See an IMAX
showing at the Bob Bullock museum. I mean, when was the last time you saw an IMAX? 6th grade?
46. Visit a farmers market
Mueller has an amazing one on Sunday mornings.
47. Take a day trip
Take a day trip to Wimberley, Round Top, or Gruene
48. Picnic at the top of Mount Bonnell
49. Go ice skating at Chaparral ice center
Rent some ice skates and channel your inner Tara Lipinski.
WEBSITE | 2525 W Anderson Ln. #400, Austin, TX 78757, United States
50. Go bowling at Punch Bowl Social
It's a fun spot in downtown Austin that has bowling, food and drinks, and a fun vibe!
51. Go to a trivia night
There are so many local bars and breweries that offer weekly trivia nights (typically on Tue/Wed/Thur nights.) A quick google search will help you find one near you!
52. Book a food tour
The Austin Eats Food Tours are amazing and show you the REAL Austin.
53. Take an aerial yoga class
Take an aerial yoga class at Lache Movement Co.
WEBSITE | 8868 Research Blvd #701, Austin, TX 78758, United States
54. Go on a trail run together
The Austin greenbelt is a beautiful trail with a trailhead right by Tacodeli on Spyglass.
55. Dip in Barton Springs pool
Brrr!! Just like with the other popular tourist activities in Austin, try to go on a weekday morning if possible. It will be quiet and mostly empty.
56. Take a ballroom dance class
Take a ballroom dance class at Fred Astaire dance studio.
57. See a play at the Zach Theatre
It’s the oldest continually active theatre in the state of Texas.
WEBSITE | 202 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
58. Do an escape room
The Austin Panic Room
59. Check out an Austin speakeasy
Here nor there is a really fun one in Austin.
WEBSITE | 412 Congress Ave. D, Austin, TX 78701, United States
60. Hike to Sculpture Falls
Hike to Sculpture Falls and then take a dip. The trail entrance is at 3900 Mopac Frontage Road (you'll see a bunch of cars parked there) and from there it's about a 1.5 mile hike to the falls.
61. Go rock climbing
The Austin Bouldering Project.
WEBSITE | 979 Springdale Rd #150Austin, TX 78702 & Westgate, 4477 S Lamar Blvd Suite 600Austin, TX 78745
62. Go on a beautiful walk
through the Zilker Botanical Gardens.
63. Rent a double kayak
Rent a double kayak and head out on Lady Bird lake.
64. Go to Uptown Cheapskate
Pick out the most ridiculous thrift outfit you can find for each other. You have to wear it for the rest of the date.
66. Take a trip to Ikea
Round Rock to buy some new furniture for your place. Spend the next 4 weeks trying to put together said furniture.
67. Go to a festival in Austin
There are TONs of them year-round! BBQ, music, film, beer, fermented foods, hot sauce, and more.
68. Shop for new local art
For your home at Austin Art Garage, which features 100% local Austin artists.
WEBSITE | 2200 S Lamar Blvd UNIT J, Austin, TX 78704, United States
69. Visit a CBD shop
Visit a CBD shop and buy something fun. RESTART is a fun one that's owned by local Austin sisters. The storefront in north Austin has knowledgeable staff who will help you find what you need.
70. Go skinny dipping
Go skinny dipping at Hippie Hollow. Every Austenite has to try it at least once.
WEBSITE | 7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732, United States
71. Celebrate Christmas in July
Celebrate Christmas in July at Lala’s Little Nugget, a year-round Christmas-themed bar in north Austin.
72. Pick out a fancy recipe to make
Pick out a fancy recipe to make, then go on a leisurely shopping trip to Whole Foods together for the ingredients. Sip some wine while you shop.
73. Go to Dirty Sixth street.
If you’ve lived in Austin for a long time, go to Dirty Sixth street.
74. See a drag show
See a drag show at Cheer Up Charlies.
WEBSITE | 900 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
75. Catch a standup comedy show
Catch a standup comedy show at Fallout Theater.
WEBSITE | 616 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701, United States
76. Do one of the most touristy things
Do one of the most touristy things you can find, like taking a tour with Austin Duck Adventures.
77. Go to a rooftop patio bar
78. If you haven’t toured the Texas State Capitol
If you haven’t toured the Texas State Capitol since grade school, try that out for a day date.
79. See a magic show
See a magic show at Magic’s Theater in southwest Austin.
WEBSITE | 13419 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736, United States
80. Go on a daredevil date
Go on a daredevil date and check out Lake Travis Zip Lines. They offer 3-hour zip line tours on the longest and fastest zip lines in Texas.
WEBSITE | 14529 Pocohontas Trail, Volente, TX 78641, United States
81. Visit The Range
Visit The Range and get a shooting package for your date.
WEBSITE | 8301 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78744, United States
82. Bring a hammock to the Greenbelt
Bring a hammock to the Greenbelt and take a nap together in the woods.
83. Drive out to the Hill Country and visit one of the many distilleries
Drive out to the Hill Country and visit one of the many distilleries. Desert Door Sotol is really cool!
WEBSITE | 211 Darden Hill Rd, Driftwood, TX 78619
84. renting a pair of stand up paddle boards
Get a workout in by renting a pair of stand up paddle boards for an hour.
85. Get a cooler of beer and go down to San Marcos to float the river
Texas State Tubes is a popular tube rental company for this.
WEBSITE | 2024 North Old Bastrop Hwy San Marcos, Texas 78666, USA
86. See a performance at The Vortex and eat at Patrizi’s
See a performance at The Vortex and eat at Patrizi’s (kinda like dinner and a movie, but way different.)
WEBSITE | 2307 Manor Rd. Austin, TX 78722
87. Play some classic arcade games
Play some classic arcade games at The Original Pinballz Arcade.
WEBSITE | 8940 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758, United States
88. Go hiking at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
Go hiking at the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the halfway point.
89. Play a round of golf at the Omni Barton Creek Resort
Play a round of golf at the Omni Barton Creek Resort (and then get a massage at their amazing spa!)
90. Go shopping for a pair of cowboy boots
Go shopping for a pair of cowboy boots, and then take them to the Broken Spoke for a night of two-stepping.
91. Cheer on the Longhorns
Cheer on the Longhorns at a UT college football game.
92. Ditto for any other sport at UT
Ditto for any other sport at UT… check out the men or women’s teams for basketball, soccer, swimming, etc. Those tickets are incredibly inexpensive.
93. See a show
See a show at the 100-year-old Paramount Theater in downtown Austin.
WEBSITE | 713 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
94. Experience Broadway in Austin
Experience Broadway in Austin at the Bass Performance Hall
95. See Austin from above with a helicopter ride
See Austin from above with a helicopter ride with ATX Heli Tours.
WEBSITE | 6012 Aviation Drive, Pflugerville, TX 78660, United States
96. See a ballet
See a ballet at Austin Ballet
97. throw some Axes
Let out your angst and throw some Axes at Austin Urban Axe.
WEBSITE | 812 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78702
98. Watch a race at Circuit of the Americas
99. Race each other
Race each other at K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing.
WEBSITE | 2500 Mc Hale Ct, Austin, TX 78758, United States
100. Wander through The Contemporary Art Museum
Wander through The Contemporary Art Museum in downtown Austin.
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