With so many romantic things to do in Austin Texas, there is no reason to continue planning boring dates! Whether you’re looking to kindle the romance or make it an adventure, there truly is something this list for every couple. Even if you’re single, this is really just a comprehensive guide for anyone looking for fun things to do at the best places in Austin!
For last-minute, late night date ideas, check out our list of the best things to do in Austin at night!
P.S. Don’t forget to check Groupon for the best deals on things to do in Austin!
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Best Date Ideas: Romantic Things to Do in Austin
Love is in the air with these romantic date ideas in Austin.
Grab a Margarita with a View
The Oasis is considered touristy, but sometimes it takes looking at things from a tourist’s eyes to truly enjoy the beauty, not to mention the incredibly blue waters below! If you like to unwind with a classy cocktail, this is a great date idea.
Stroll Through Zilker Botanical Gardens
There’s just something so romantic about walking hand-in-hand through vibrant blooms and other greenery at the Zilker Botanical Garden! It really is the perfect place to just soak up nature and have a good time!
Book a Sunset River Cruise
With Lake Travis and the way that the Austin sky lights up with colors, a sunset cruise is an easy and fun date idea in Austin for your next date night. Some places like Lonestar Riverboat Tours even host bat tours! Shared Sunset Sails will take you out on their sailboats.
Enjoy a Spa Day
There’s nothing like a day at the spa! Spa Reveil offers an extravagant list of different packages, including an Egyptian spa ritual and a chocolate spa experience. It has rooms where you can relax in between services, as well as romantic experiences like milky baths that are so much fun!
Hiatus Spa has unique packages, as well as a Turkish Hammam bath ritual. As part of your spa experience at the Omni Barton Creek, you can enjoy the relaxation lounges, steam rooms, dry saunas, and whirlpools. Basically, there’s no shortage of great spa experiences in Austin!
Learn to Give a Good Massage
Or if you want to take those skills home, head to MYO, which helps teach you and your partner how to give each other a massage for countless romantic date ideas.
Visit the Symphony
Get dressed up for a night of music at the Austin Symphony Orchestra. You might even be surprised at some of the shows they have, with music from West Side Story, Tango Symphonies, or Cosmos and Classics.
Catch a Dance Show
There are so many different dance forms and troupes, but each experience makes for a unique and exciting date night idea in Austin! Spend time checking out the Austin Ballet, Tapestry Dance Co, Blue Lapis Light, Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre, and Forklift Danceworks.
Visit NYC
Well, not quite. However, you can experience Broadway in Austin for a little NYC date night! There’s something about a live show that can spice up the romance and give you something to talk about in the weeks to come.
Go Sailing
Book a charter with Texas Sailing which includes sunset cruises, dinner cruises, and other romantic evening events! You’re sure to have a fun time out on the water.
See Austin from the Sky
A helicopter tour is one of the most romantic things you can do with your partner! There is so much to see from up above, whether it’s getting to take in the wildflowers, seeing the splendor of Austin, or taking a trip out to Salt Lick BBQ for lunch! A great option for a helicopter ride is Alamo Helicopter Tours.
Go Back in Time
There is something so romantic about the way you can snuggle up in the comfort of your own car or the back of a pickup truck while catching a movie on the big screen at a drive-in movie. Two drive-in theaters for a date night in Austin include Blue Starlite and Doc’s Drive-in.
Listen to Live Jazz
The soft candlelight and moody lighting set the mood for a romantic date night in Austin at the Parker Jazz Club where you’ll hear some of the best jazz around. Be sure to dance with your partner if you want to impress them and make your night even more fun!
Visit the Opera
The Austin Opera is a great place for a classy and elegant date night in Austin that you have to try at least once but will probably draw you in show after show! Plus, it’s a great excuse to get dressed up for each other.
Check Out The Austin Aquarium
Discover marine life and experience personal animal encounters like feeding stingrays and interacting with sloths, kinkajous, lemurs, otters, and more! Click here to purchase your admission tickets.
Try a Chef’s Tasting
Wink has a 7-course meal for a fancy date night in Austin where you can savor the delicious food and try dishes with ingredients from local farms. It takes wining and dining to the next level, and is truly a treat that will impress your partner for sure.
Or Go For a 20-course Omakase
Otoko on South Congress only seats 24 people a day for this special 20-course meal. Be sure to book well in advance to snag a seat, but it’ll definitely be worth the wait. You’ll get carefully crafted Tokyo-style sushi and Kyoto-style kaiseki prepared by the head chef. Its a unique date night that you’ll be talking about for years!
Cruise in a Cool Car
If you want a day of luxury and scenic drives around Austin, check out the incredible cars available on Turo and you’re sure to have the best time! From Tesla’s to Porsche’s, you can choose your ride for an unforgettable and fun date.
Relax in a Cave
The Austin Salt Cave is a great spot for couples to relax and unwind while taking in the many benefits of pink Himalayan salt. It’s not like your typical cave, there are loungers around the central pool where you can lie covered in a blanket and there are even meditation classes to elevate the experience.
Go for a Picnic
Of course, you can set up your own picnic or let the people at XOXOPicnics set it up for you! With tables, pillows and more, this is a picnic fit for royalty!
Go on a Wellness Retreat
For a full day of relaxation, book a trip to Miraval Spa where you can enjoy their world class spa treatments, sauna, steam room, and two infinity pools. It’s the perfect way to enjoy some quality time and unwind. On top of that, the day passes include access to their zip lining, mindfulness centers, walking trails, and other daily activities. You can stay overnight for added relaxation and an extended date night in Austin together. Getting out into nature is one of the best things you can do with your loved one.
Go for a Brunch or Dinner Cruise
For a great meal and views of the lake, check out Lake Austin Riverboats. A cruise is one of those timeless dates that never fails to spark the romance.
Take a Friday Moonlight Cruise
At night, the lake takes on a whole new look. You can see the Texas sky with Lonestar Riverboat Cruise, a BYOB date night in Austin.
Enjoy a Romantic Meal
The classic, romantic dinner date night is still a great idea, especially at the right restaurant where you can both enjoy some fine dining. Some of the most romantic spots and best restaurants that will set the mood with incredible dishes, the right atmosphere, and great service include Olamaie, and Eberly.
Book More Spa Time
You really can’t get enough romantic spa dates, especially with all the great places there are in Austin. Lake Austin Resort is an all-inclusive spa resort that features Eastern Asian spa treatments, in addition to other great options. This special place is sure to make lasting memories and set the mood for a romantic night in.
Plan a Staycation
Feel like you’ve been transported somewhere new by booking a hotel in Austin. It’s a couple’s trip without the worry of actually having to travel far, and Austin has so many fun hotels to check out, including the Thompson, East Austin Hotel, Canopy Austin Downtown Hotel, the Otis Hotel, the Driskill, and the Hotel Van Zandt.
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Go on a Wine Tour
With the Texas wine country in Austin’s backyard, Austin Wine Tours will take you to see all that Texas has to offer when it comes to wine! Enjoy the wine tastings with your partner and savour the opportunity to taste more expensive wines without having to pay for a full bottle!
Visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum
Permanently home to works by Charles Umlauf, enjoy the outdoors and admire the sculptures scattered throughout the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. Take advantage of the benches and have a quiet moment with your partner while you’re at it. Extend the date and wander to nearby Zilker Park.
Plan a Day Trip/Weekend Getaway
Turn that Austin date night into an entire date-filled weekend or plan a day trip to some of the amazing towns nearby! You don’t need a special event to have an excuse to go away, and you really can’t go wrong when you experience the romantic city of Dripping Springs, the fairy tale town of Wimberley, the cutest downtown in Georgetown, or the adventures in Burnet.
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Escape the Box
For a thrilling and immersive experience, visit Escape the Box in Austin, where you can test your wits and teamwork in uniquely themed escape rooms. Ideal for date nights, it’s a perfect blend of fun and challenge!
Other Best Date Ideas & Romantic Things to Do in Austin TX
Best Date Ideas: Things to Do in Austin on the Water
Austin is lucky to have the turquoise blue waters of Lake Travis, scenic spots like Barton Creek, and other great swimming holes! With that comes a surplus of fun date ideas in Austin on the water! Click the link to discover the best water date activities in the city.
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Best Date Ideas: Active Things to Do in Austin
One thing I love about Austin is its focus on getting out and staying active! So of course, we had to find all the best date night ideas in Austin for couples to bond, maybe break a sweat, and get those endorphins flowing! If you and your partner enjoy getting active, be sure to check out our list of the best date ideas: active things to do in Austin. Whether you like rock climbing or want to relive your childhood dreams of joining the circus, this guide has it all.
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Best Date Ideas: Fun Things to Do in Austin
Prepare for lots of laughs, great memories, and a wide variety of activities with all of these fun Austin date night ideas! For an extra dose of fun, dive into our guide on fun romantic things to do in Austin. There are a whole bunch of classic date ideas like going to an escape room or a comedy, dancing and even racing around a track!
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Best Date Ideas: Romantic Things to Do in Austin for Art & History Lovers
Austin has a huge art scene, plus so many great museums and historical sites so you can bond with your partner. If you two lovebirds are history buffs and art lovers at heart, then you’ll want to be sure you check out the list of romantic things to do in Austin for art and history lovers. Here you can find all the best theatres and museums in Austin, as well as music and galleries, so you can slowly work your way through the list!
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Best Date Ideas: Things to Do for Foodies in Austin
Everybody loves to bond over good food and in Austin there are so many cool restaurants to be explored. Austin is a foodie city with new places to explore around every corner. And, if you’re looking for more than a sit-down dining experience, this comprehensive guide of best date ideas: things to do for foodies in Austin has everything from making cheese and sushi to dining in the dark.
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Best Date Ideas: Unique Things to Do in Austin
Looking for something unique to do with your date? We’ve got you covered with this list of the best date ideas: unique things to do in Austin. From playing bingo with chickens to going vintage hunting, you’re sure to find something weird.
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Best Date Ideas: Free Things to Do in Austin
Going on a date doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, and if you live in Austin you’re spoiled for choice with the amount of amazing free things you can do. You can even score free drinks on Sixth Street, see free concerts and enjoy a buffet at Sahara Lounge totally free of charge. Check out our complete list of the free best date ideas you can do as a couple in Austin.
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Best Date Ideas in Austin: FAQs
Where should I go on a date in Austin?
Be sure to check out our comprehensive list for the top-notch date ideas that’ll make your heart flutter and your smile sparkle. Here are some romantic date ideas you can share with your loved one.
- Indulge in spa treatments for a day of relaxation.
- Savor intimate dining experiences at Austin’s finest restaurants.
- Cozy up together at a drive-in movie theater.
- Embark on a scenic hike along one of Austin’s urban trails.
- Taste a variety of local beers, wines, and spirits.
- Challenge each other to a fun round of golf.
- Escape to a luxurious resort for a romantic getaway.
- Enjoy delicious treats and explore South Congress Avenue together.
Is Austin Texas good for dating?
Austin’s vibrant cultural scene, abundance of outdoor activities, and diverse culinary options make it an ideal place for dating. With its lively music scene, beautiful parks, and delicious food, there’s always something exciting to do together. Plus, being ranked as the 5th best city for dating in 2022 by Apartment List underscores its appeal as a dating destination.
Best Date Ideas in Austin: Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it! With so many amazing date ideas in Austin, there really is no reason to be bored. No matter the budget or interests you share with your partner, there’s a tremendous amount of unique date ideas!
If you find yourself in a pinch and are in need of a last-minute, nighttime date idea, check out our list of the best things to do in Austin at night!
Did we miss something you think should be included? Share in the comments and we might add it to the list. Or if you encounter a night where you’d rather stay in, check out our list of stay-at-home date ideas!
Last Updated 5 months ago by Jessica Serna | Published: July 14, 2023
