Have you and your partner hit the point where you need to hang out with other people on occasion, but still want to spend a lot of time dating? Double dating is a great way to help keep your relationship strong and interesting while branching out to include other people in your new life. But after you’ve found a fun couple that have similar interests to both of yours, where do you go? Here are some awesome double date ideas to try:
20 AWESOME DOUBLE DATE IDEAS
RENT TANDEM BICYCLES.
Take a tour of the town, stopping for snacks or a light meal at an awesome restaurant. This double date idea is especially fun if your area has bike trails or greenways that are bicycle-friendly. Some places even have quad-cycles if you want to get everyone together and share the pedal power even further.
GO BOWLING.
Sure, it’s campy and involves funky shoes and polyester shirts, but it’s also a whole lot of fun. Claim a lane together and team up to see who’s striking out and who’s just in the gutter. You might impress him with your moves. Add some greasy bowling alley cuisine and drinks to round out the evening. Even better, find when they’re doing moonlight tournaments for fun black light effects.
PLAY SOME GAMES AT YOUR LOCAL ARCADE.
Find your local arcade and see if they’ve got games you need to play as a team, such as foosball or air hockey. You can also play two-player games with one per couple playing and the other partner cheering them on.
CATCH A GAME.
Whatever your team is, get tickets and make an evening out of it. Grab a great dinner either solo or doubled up, or go old-school with hot dogs and drinks at the game. If your city doesn’t have a major league team or the cost is too high, minor league games are just as entertaining as a double date idea, especially if you met there to begin with.
HIT THE FLEA MARKET.
Whether it’s more like an antique mall or a yard sale, you can always find interesting things for great conversation starters at places like this. If you’ve got different interests, share them and then keep your eyes out for what the others would like, then compare notes at regular intervals for this double date idea.
RIDE THE RAILS AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK.
Whether it’s seeing who’s the speed demon at the mini car track or which amazing new thrill ride is the scariest, you’ll have a great time. Make a day of this double date idea, but don’t forget to plan for some time on quiet, dark rides that are perfect for holding hands or something more!
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LOCAL CULTURE.
For this double date idea, check out a play, new museum or arts festival and have a great time together absorbing the local culture. Is a restaurant in the area hosting a visiting musical act you’d like to hear? It doesn’t matter if you want to dress it up or dress it down, but have a wonderful time on the town.
DAY TRIP.
Is there a state or national park in your area? Awesome country culture a couple hours away? Daytrip it and enjoy some time with each other and your friends somewhere new. If the area’s a bit far to day trip, make overnight bed & breakfast reservations so you can get some awesome private time with your partner during the trip.
GO WINE AND CHEESE TASTING.
This double date idea gives you a chance to discover what each of you really like, what tastes you have in common and which tastes are really different. It’s also a great chance to pick up hints for that perfect wine/food pairing for a fine-dining evening at home or to find that perfect wine for sipping together. It makes for a good couple’s day, too!
HIT THE RINK.
Whether you prefer ice or roller skating, this double date idea gives you a great opportunity to have fun together without things getting terribly serious. Everyone is a little awkward at skating when they start, so it’s a great opportunity to loosen up and laugh at yourself a little. Bonus: Holding hands with your partner to be certain you’ve got your balance.
GIVE GEOCACHING A TRY.
Geocaching involves using GPS coordinates to find a hidden item. With GPS available on most smart phones, you don’t need any expensive equipment. A popular hobby by people all over the world, it can be even more fun as a double date idea – you can split up and make it a competition to see who’s team finds the most items in a set amount of time. Remember to pay it forward and re-hide the containers in a different location with new items.
GO MINI GOLFING TOGETHER!
If you’re like most people, you probably haven’t done this in several years. Find a fun outfit to wear and have a fabulous time laughing at all your bad shots. Mini golf takes the seriousness out of a great game and lets you have a fabulous time with it. Don’t forget to get a few pictures to remember the evening out.
TAKE A CLASS TOGETHER IN SOMETHING NEW.
Whether it’s a class on gourmet cooking, painting pottery, playing sports or a new cultural offering, find something you all have an interest in learning about and book or register for a class. As an added bonus, you’ll end up with some great memories and pictures or mementos for keepsakes.
DINNER AND A MOVIE.
Sometimes the old standby works best as a double date idea and keeps you from having to reach too far out there when you start double dating. Have you all had a movie you’ve been wanting to see or an awesome new restaurant that’s had rave reviews that you haven’t been able to check out yet? You’ll have an even better time discovering it together.
KARAOKE NIGHT.
Like all karaoke, this double date idea means you can either participate or just sit back and make fun of everyone else. Double dating means you’ve got some different options for funny duets or if your partner isn’t brave enough to put it out there.
DRESS UP FOR A FANCY BRUNCH.
Especially on weekends, many fancier restaurants and cultural sites offer brunch, allowing you to sample their awesome cuisine while looking fabulous and spending a less money than a full night out. Share your favorites around so that everyone gets a sample. You can plan your outfits ahead of time, too!
ENJOY THE OUTDOORS.
Go hiking, camping, rafting or canoeing with friends and enjoy some time disconnected from your devices. Get to really know the other couple – their interests, ambitions and dreams. You’ll probably get to know a lot more about your partner as well.
PLAY THE TOURIST.
Are there historical sites, unique natural features or interesting cultural offerings that are marketed to tourists in your area? Make plans to go check them out. If the opportunity presents itself, take a picnic lunch with to enjoy and get some pictures to remember the fabulous fun you’ll have.
HIT A CONCERT.
Do you and another friends like the same music? Why not plan on attending a concert with your respective partners? Enjoy a great evening’s entertainment with some great company and the one you love. Concerts are good for anniversaries, too.
GROUPON (OR LIVING SOCIAL) IT.
Social coupon sites help local businesses get off the ground and find new customers, and that can be an awesome thing to take advantage of! Purchase some coupons ahead and then enjoy experiencing a new restaurant, club or other entertainment for the evening.
At the same time, though, don’t get so caught up in spending time with your friends that you forget to get some quality time with your partner! Make sure you are able to set up some solo dates at the same time as well as some quiet time together to help keep your relationship developing. Double dates should add to your relationship, not act as a crutch to keep it going when something isn’t working.