Send this to your Tinder match the next time they say “So, what do you want to do?”

23 summer date ideas that truly just hit different
23 summer date ideas that truly just hit different
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Check out some local garage sales

Or yard sales, whatever you call them. Either way, scope out your neighbourhood sales and go browsing with your person. After all, one person’s trash could be another person’s treasure trash again.

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Make candles together

Because everyone loves a good-smelling candle

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Visit a plant nursery and buy some lil plants together

I mean, you could invest in a love fern together a la How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or you could just stick with buying a pretty lil perennial for your garden. My personal recommendation? Buy a tomato plant that you can later use to cook a dinner together. Double whammie!

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Learn a TikTok dance together

I mean, if we’re really being honest here, who doesn’t want to go viral on TikTok? Whether by yourself or with your date, it sounds kind of fun, NGL.

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Go to the pool

Or better yet, set up an inflatable pool in your backyard—aka this summer’s hottest accessory, according to a Cosmo writer. Either way, you’ll have a hot and refreshing date, plus an excuse to show off a new bikini.

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Go axe throwing together

Apparently this is a Thing where you can go inside and pay to throw axes at a target. So hit up Google next time you want to alleviate some stress or pent-up anger you have about your date being 30 minutes late.

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Have yourself a cute lil picnic date

Time to put you on to my favorite type of date: The picnic date. It’s pretty low-stakes in that it can be super chill, but you could also really go for it and make it super romantic. (Hence why it’s my fave.) Whatever the mood you’re going for though, just make sure to pack the essentials: some snacks (obviously), a portable speaker, wine, a blanket, and sunscreen.

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Go on a walking date

Not only are they a good way to get your steps in, but you have lots of things to talk about. Plus, walking side-by-side and talking that way is way less intimidating than staring at the person across from you in the eyes. Trust me, it’s way more chill and relaxed—so much to the point that it might even be a better way to truly get to know someone.

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Get on your bike

There are definitely different levels to the bike date. You can be super competitive and make it a workout with your person (hi, yes, who doesn’t love to sweat it out with a romantic partner), or you can have a leisurely bike ride around when the sun sets. My suggestion: Bike somewhere you haven’t been before in your area and take in all the fresh air. Just remember you won’t be able to have full-blown conversations with your date, so probs best to do this with someone you know well.

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Drink a glass of wine, but on a Roof

If icy cold drinks taste better outside than inside, then they definitely taste better on a roof. A roof, like a waterfront, is somehow inherently romantic: Maybe it’s the sweeping vista of a city before you or the slight breeze coming off your wine, but it’s all beautiful and perfect. Head up to a rooftop at sunset for a romantic toast to your future.

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Hit Up a Museum

Too hot to be outside at all? No problem, indoors exists. Chill out inside a museum and pretend you are both high-society people who know everything about art. 

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Take a Road Trip to a New Place

Another way to beat any extreme heat is to sit in a car with air conditioning. Pick a nearby spot on the map that you’ve either never been to before or have only ever passed through, and go to it. Maybe the next town over has legendary antique stores or an ice cream shop that looks insanely good on Insta. Whatever the case, exploring a new scene will be a fun bonding activity.

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Book a Last-Minute Hotel Room

Apps like One Night let you book last-minute rooms in swanky hotels at a steep discount but with a catch: You have to check in that day. Which, TBH, makes this a great move for a spontaneous staycation with bae. Surprise your partner with a hotel reservation after work and definitely split breakfast in bed the next morning. Also, no shade if you steal the hotel robes.

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Explore a Farmers Market

Summer might be the only time that going on a date at 9 a.m. on a Saturday is a good idea. Research the time and location of a local farmers market and make sure you and your partner get there before all the good stuff is cleared out. If you’re seeing someone new, this is the perfect time to find out more about them—like if they can’t stand peppers or happen to love kale. Bonus points if you plan to cook a meal together later and buy all the ingredients at the market.

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Plan Your Own Paint-and-Sip in the Park

Gather some watercolour paints and a few bottles of your favourite wine and have your own paint-and-sip date in a park. Make sure you bring a picnic blanket or sheet to sit on and don’t forget things like paintbrushes and canvas. If you don’t want to deal with paint, substitute it with a drawing material like charcoal. To add a bit more structure to this art session, choose something both of you can focus on and set a timer for 20 to 45 minutes, depending on your preference. When the timer goes off, pour yourself more wine and compare your masterpieces.

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Have a Beach Day

If you live near an ocean or lake, plan out a day at the beach. Make sure you bring the essentials, like towels, a beach umbrella, sunscreen, water, and snacks. Spend the day relaxing by the water, swimming, and seeing who can build the coolest sandcastle.

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Go to an Outdoor Concert

Do some research on local concerts taking place in outdoor venues. Choose a genre you and your partner both like, or take a chance on something new. Once you’ve decided on the show, bring some lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy the music under the stars.

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See a Shakespeare in the Park Production

What originally started in Central Park in New York City has been adapted by many theater companies across the country. Many local theaters now stage their own Shakespeare productions in open-air theaters, often as community events that are free to attend. Do a bit of research to find out if your town or any neighboring cities are putting on a show, then start planning your sophisticated—yet inexpensive—theater date.

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Go Berry Picking

While apple-picking dates dominate the fall season, it’s not the only fruit that can lead to a fun day and a cute Instagram. Cherries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are all in season during various summer months, and many farms let you pick them off the vine for a reasonable price.

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Go to a bonfire

Bonfires are one of the best parts of summer nights. Attend a friend’s bonfire together or plan your own and invite some friends. You can also decide to have your own romantic night by the fire, just the two of you. Whether you’re planning your bonfire with friends or just your date, don’t forget to include s’mores on the menu.

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Have an Outdoor Adventure

Depending on the level of outdoorsy-ness between you and your date, plan some kind of hiking or canoeing date. Do your research on local nature spots or check out the National Park Service to find out if a national park is a short drive away. You might be interested in an easygoing hike to a nearby waterfall, or maybe you’ll take it a little further and rent a canoe or kayak for the day. Whichever you choose, make sure you stock up on water, sunscreen, and insect repellent so you can enjoy the day.

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Rate the Best Ice Creams in Town

Become a food critic for the afternoon and go on a hunt for the best ice cream in your neighborhood. Make a scorecard and share a cone at each new place—limit yourself to five if there’s a lot in the area—then crown a winner at the very end. If ice cream isn’t your thing, try this with another food, like pizza.

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