Summer is one of the toughest times to be in a relationship, in my opinion. Hear me out. Fall and winter have dates built into them: holiday parties, apple picking, ice skating, decorating a Christmas Tree, socially acceptable hibernation, and so on. Summer is all hyped up as a time to have the most fun – and sometimes that can put a lot of pressure to spice things up and keep things interesting. Hibernating and Netflix is not appropriate for the summer (at least not all the time!)
Here are 15 outdoor dates to try with your bae this summer to avoid falling into the Netflix and chill and pool trap.
1. Geocaching
I have to give full credit to my boyfriend for this one. I had heard of Geocaching before, but I have to be honest, I didn’t know much about it. Essentially it’s a real life outdoor treasure hunt – and literally nothing sounds more fun to me. It’s simple too – just follow the link, make an account, and find a Geocach near you!
2. Hikes
There’s nothing that brings you together more than sweating and chatting your way up a tough hike. Bring some snacks to have at the top (or some booze depending on the level of hike!). It’s a great way to get to know each other a little more, and to stay active together.
3. Skinny Dipping
Or even just regular pool hopping. This is definitely more of an adventurous date, but night swimming is definitely on my summer bucket list.
4. Vineyards / Breweries
Breweries are literally everywhere now, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. A little less known though, most states have an assortment of vineyards or distilleries. They likely won’t be huge (or have good booze) but it is a great way to pass an afternoon.
5. Paddleboarding / Kayaking
Also local specific, but even if you aren’t near a large body of water, a lot of places have man made options for water activities. Trying something new with bae is a great way to keep the spice alive this summer!
6. Free Concerts
Check out your local paper or blog for some information on local music. Charlotte has free music several days a week, all at outdoor venues. Grab your boo and a blanket and dance the night away (for free!)
7. Races
There are races for even the least active people! In fact, I’m going on a 1.6 mile trail run this week. Races pop up all over during the summer. It’s a fun thing to train for, as well as another fun way to stay fit with bae. Pro tip – most summer runs have beers at the end. It’s pretty much why I started running.
8. Amusement Parks / Water Parks
Depending on where you live, there may not be an amusement park near by. Though if there is one maybe a few hours away you can get a road trip in there too! There’s nothing like being scared to death flailing through the air with your boyfriend to really bring you together.
9. Drive in Theaters
A rarity, but these still exist, and they are so romantic.
10. Movies in the Park
Less common in smaller cities, but keep a look out for these in your area. Even when I lived in Toledo, OH there was a man who just had a projector and some big speakers and played movies every Thursday night. It’s a little something extra to a regular night at the movies.
11. Minor League Sports
Cheap tickets, cheap beer, and hot dogs. Dreams really do come true.
12. Local Festivals
Again, keep an eye out in your neighborhood. Charlotte has different neighborhood festivals weekly and they are a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Walk around with bae, buy funny hats, enjoy free samples.
13. Walking / Bus Tours
These may be a bit of a splurge but they usually aren’t too bad, and they will show you a new side to a city whether you’ve lived there for 5 days or 5 years. Most places will have ghost tours or comedy tours mixed in as well – you can’t go wrong.
14. Bike Rides
Most cities have rental bikes if you don’t have one yourself! A bike ride is a wonderful summer activity. Recently a friend and I did “Tour de Franzia” – we set up a route to hit 10 breweries throughout the day, all by bike. Everyone should do this. Pro tip – a lot of cities even have bike nights – like a run club for runners. Most end in a brewery.
15. Yoga in the Park (or in a bar)
Most cities seem to be getting more health conscious, and these little boot camps or yoga classes are popping up everywhere. Reach out to see where they are in your community – a lot of the time they will be at parks or outdoors at breweries. Great way to introduce yourself to a new activity, bond with bae, and get a free work out.