Celebrations

31 Cool Summer Date Ideas for 2025

by: Caylie Herrmann

Last Updated on Jul 11th 2025

Racking your brain for a summer date idea that makes the most of the weather? Fret not, we have you covered. Summer dates are an art form that, when done right, can make for some of the best afternoons (and evenings) of your life.

According to research published by Science Direct, the physiological benefits of time in the sun are profound and widespread. Of course, moderation is necessary, but sunlight plays an important role in many bodily functions, including the production of Vitamin D and serotonin. It's reasonable, then, to see your next summer date as an investment in your health, in more ways than one.

With the blooms of spring transitioning gracefully into summer, you'll no doubt find yourself wondering how to make the most of this joyous time with your amour. We’re here to help. We’ve compiled some of the best summer date ideas for you to try this year. Read on to learn more!

Cool Summer Date Ideas

1. Try Your Hand at Paint and Sip

couple in paint and sip class as summer date idea — *Show your creative side (via Classpop!)*

Wine and art go perfectly together. Find a paint and sip near you for a fun summer date. You can learn fundamental painting techniques as you work toward your masterpieces together. You’ll each leave with an artwork you'll cherish as a token of your burgeoning romance.

2. Check Out a Flea Market

Looking for some new odds and ends? Head to a local flea market. This cheap date idea for summer can eat up an entire day because there’s so much to look at! Challenge each other to find at least one thing you want to bring home.

3. Visit a Local Art Museum

Visiting a museum is obviously one of the best summer date ideas in NYC, but even if you’re in a small city or town, a local art museum is a lot of fun. It doesn’t have to be The Met to be a good time. Take your date on an art adventure.

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4. Make Something Cool in Woodworking Classes

couple building something in woodshop — *Build furniture together (via Canva)*

Have you ever wanted to learn how to build a birdhouse? Have you always wanted to make your own tables and chairs? Well, you might not be doing that right away, but if you take some woodworking classes with your date, you’ll be well on your way. After enough classes, your summer date ideas in the future may involve making your own furniture!

Unique Summer Date Ideas

5. Learn to Cook Together

Couple in cooking class as summer date idea — *Expand your repertoire (via Classpop!)*

Cooking together is a great bonding experience. Learn to cook delicious summer dishes and gain the skills you need to take your cooking to the next level from a professional local chef. These culinary classes are not just educational, they're lots of fun. There'll be plenty of time to chat and enjoy a few glasses of wine with your date.

Plus, at the end, you'll sit down for a delicious date night meal that you can feel proud of. To bring the romance home, consider an online cooking class.

6. Get Messy With Outdoor Painting

This is one of our favorite cheap date ideas for summer. It’s a lot of fun and a bit messy. It’s time to finger paint like you did when you were kids! Set up painting supplies outdoors so you don’t have to worry about messing up your carpet. Enjoy the sun and make something wacky and wonderful.

7. Take a Trip to an Amusement Park

Take your date out for a day of rides, fried food, games and fun at an amusement park or state fair. Of course, try to win them a stuffed animal before you leave. If you don’t live near an amusement park, this may have to be a weekend date idea, but maybe that's better anyway!

Fun Summer Date Ideas

8. Have a Sidewalk Chalk Session

colorful sidewalk chalk aligned on the pavement — *Unleash your inner child (via Canva)*

Sidewalk chalk is underrated as an art supply. Find a free sidewalk or park basketball court and get drawing! This is a fun teenage date idea for summer but it’s really great for people of all ages who are willing to unleash their inner children and have some fun.

9. Sit for a Caricature Artist

What can you do with your girlfriend in the summer? Well, if she has a sense of humor, take her to a caricature artist. These artists draw couples with wacky and exaggerated features.

The drawings don’t take too long, so this is a great stop on a longer date. Plus, it makes a great souvenir! Add it to your list of unique summer bucket list ideas.

10. Have a Fancy Wine Tasting

What’s more elegant than a wine tasting? Virtual wine tastings make awesome summer date ideas because you can sit on your own porch or patio and enjoy the wine with your favorite snacks. Add a nice cheese board and you may even have the ultimate date.

You'll learn to appreciate your favorite bottles in a whole new way. Just in time to explore the best wineries in Napa.

11. Throw Some Clay in Pottery Classes

pottery classes as summer date idea — *Come home with a vase you made together (via Canva)*

Making pottery is a great summer date idea that will get you and your date working with your hands. Classes are available for all skill levels, ranging from pottery for beginners all the way up to the most advanced techniques. Which is great because it will give you plenty of options when this becomes your new shared hobby.

Find a local pottery class and get down and dirty together.

12. Go to a Baseball Game

Take your partner out to the ball game with this cool summer date idea. Even if you’re not into sports, spending a day in the sun with a soda and a hot dog while a game plays in the distance is a lot of fun. Being around all of that energy is exciting!

Cute Summer Date Ideas

13. Get Moving in Dance Classes

couple in online dance class — *Dance the night away (via Canva)*

Do you have two left feet? Challenge yourself with this fun date idea. It’s time to try some dance classes! Picture you and your date dancing those long summer nights away together. Choose whatever genre you fancy, whether it's salsa, tango or even belly dancing. You'll be taught by an expert dancer who will have your feet sorted in no time.

Dance classes are available almost everywhere. If you’re not ready to show off your fancy footwork, try online dance classes instead.

14. Visit the Farmer's Market

Summer farmer’s markets are the best summer date ideas. Not only can you enjoy the nice weather, but you also get to support local farmers and vendors while you try new foods. This is also one of our favorite first date ideas because it’s low stress and low commitment, but still a lot of fun.

15. Take an Outdoor Yoga Class

If you’re looking for a great morning summer date idea, why not start your day with an outdoor yoga class together? Summer mornings are perfect for yoga.

The sun isn’t quite as strong yet and you can get your body moving without overheating. This also sets the tone for a great rest of the day if you want to keep the date going.

Summer Date Ideas for Young Couples

16. Head to the Roller Rink

roller rink as summer date idea — *Find your balance (via Canva)*

Roller skating is hot right now, and it’s the perfect activity for a cute summer date idea. Whether you have a cool outdoor roller rink or you’re headed inside to a retro indoor rink, you’re sure to have a blast. Remember, if you’re new, there’s no shame in holding onto the railing!

17. Do a Photo Booth “Tour”

If you’re looking for summer date ideas in Chicago or other large cities, try this one on for size. Vintage photo booths aren’t as common as they used to be, but in many cities, you can still find them.

Go on a photo booth “tour” and find as many photo booths as you can in a single day. This will also get you acquainted with parts of your city you may not otherwise spend much time in.

18. Have an Ice Cream Date

This cute summer date idea for teens and adults alike is classic. Beat the heat by going on an ice cream date. To make the date even better, go on a walk with your sweet treats.

Summer Date Ideas at Home

19. Be Your Own Bartender with Mixology Classes

mixology summer date idea — *Make your own concoctions (via Canva)*

Who doesn’t love a cocktail every now and then? Learn how to make the best cocktails in town from the comfort of your own home with online mixology classes. This fun at-home summer date night idea will have you and your date feeling tipsy and creative at the same time. Stock plenty of snacks and find a good movie for you to watch with your drinks!

20. Try Flower Arranging Classes

Buying a bouquet is so last year. Make your own with your date in flower arranging classes! Virtual flower arranging classes make for a perfect summer date idea on those odd rainy days. Make something beautiful from the comfort of your own home.

21. Do a DIY Photoshoot

A DIY photoshoot is a cute summer date idea that you can do with just your phone camera and props you already have around the house. You can also craft some fun props if you need something extra.

Get outside and do your best model impressions. The photos may be silly (and potentially not Instagram-worthy), but you’ll have a lot of fun. Keep them for your scrapbook!

Summer Date Night Ideas

22. Eat With a Rooftop View

rooftop bar summer date idea — *Make the most of being able to eat outdoors (via Canva)*

Summer is the perfect time to find a nice rooftop bar or restaurant. Don’t miss out on this simple summer date idea. Make sure to arrive before sunset so you can get an amazing view with your meal.

23. Have a Fun Game Night

This is one of our favorite date ideas for married couples who are just looking for a fun at-home date. You can even turn this into a great double date idea. Try a virtual game night!

During virtual game nights, you can play online trivia games, virtual escape rooms and virtual scavenger hunts all from the comfort of your couch. Prepare some snacks and a bottle of wine and make a night of it.

24. Go on a Local Food Tour

Going out to dinner is okay, but when it comes to summer date ideas, a food tour takes it to the next level. Find a local food tour and have an expert take you to the best eateries in town.

You’ll end up trying places that you never would have thought to go to before. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a new favorite spot for future dates.

Free & Cheap Summer Date Ideas

25. Have a Sunset Picnic

sunset beach picnic as summer date idea — *Treat your loved one to a full spread (via Canva)*

Is there a better summer date idea than a sunset picnic? Prep a meal, grab a bottle of wine and bring a blanket to sit on. Go to a local park with a good view of the sunset and you’ve got a cheap and easy date. This is also one of the best last-minute date ideas that requires next to no planning.

26. Take a Scenic Bike Ride

Who doesn’t love a bike ride? Either rent a bike or bring your own and take a ride around town. To make it an even better date idea, have a destination in mind where you can stop and grab a delicious dinner or drink before you ride back.

27. Go on a Scavenger Hunt

This summer date idea takes some prep work, but it’s worth it. Make a list of things that you may see on a walk somewhere in your town. Then go on that walk and see how many you can spot together.

They can be “normal,” like car colors or numbers on mailboxes, or funny, like unusual pets and lawn ornaments. This is also a great way to get to know the neighborhoods in your town a little better.

28. Go on a Hike

couple hiking as summer date idea — *Get out into the outdoors (via Canva)*

Hiking is one of the best free summer date ideas that you can do without anything at all aside from you, your partner and a water bottle. Find a local hiking trail and make a day of it. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

29. Have Fun at a Local Park

Why not enjoy a date at the park while the weather is nice? While this is a good and wholesome teenage date idea for summer, it’s really good for couples of all ages. Spend time walking around, have fun on the swings and enjoy the sun.

If the parks in your area are too busy during the day, turn this into a summer date night idea. You can have the playground equipment all to yourself if you wait for nightfall.

30. Go to the Beach

So, you’re thinking, “Where can I go on a lazy date?” Well, we can’t talk about summer date ideas without talking about the beach.

Don your favorite bathing suit, grab a few snacks and bring a bodyboard and a big beach blanket. You can relax in the sun when you’re feeling lazy and splash around in the water when you’re getting a little too toasty.

31. Volunteer Together

volunteer summer date idea — *Give back together (via Canva)*

If you’re looking for cheap date ideas for summer, you can’t get much cheaper than volunteering together. Volunteering together is a great way to spend some quality time while also doing something wonderful for your community.

Choose a cause you’re both passionate about and start helping out! Clean up trash on local trails, walk dogs for the local animal shelter, or help out at a local food bank. It’s an unconventional date idea, but it’s a worthwhile one.

Now that you’ve read through our faves, do you know what activities to do on a date this summer? Try one (or all) of these fun summer date ideas and have plenty of fun in the sun.

For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!