Prepare for lots of laughs, great memories, and a wide variety of activities with all of these fun date ideas! This list of fun romantic things to do in Austin has the best places for your next date night so you’re sure to have a great time. Whether you’re looking for a first date spot or it’s your hundredth date with your partner, you can’t go wrong with the fun Austin date ideas below.
As you’re about to see, you don’t always have to stick with the traditional date idea of delicious food and a bottle of wine to have fun. Impress your date by doing something different to your local coffee shop with these great ideas!
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Fun Date Ideas in Austin
Escape the Room
Challenge each other’s problem-solving skills and how well you work together under pressure with one of the several escape rooms in Austin! The only problem is choosing the right one since each offer something unique and special! The Escape Game has really great themed rooms. If you’re looking for a scare, try out Mindspark Escape Games. This is a very fun group date activity for a little bit of friendly competition.
Play Some Classics
At the Original Pinballz Arcade you can enjoy all of the classics, as well as a BYOB for hours of fun and laughter! Sip on a glass of wine while playing games for one of the most romantic date ideas.
Visit the Zoo
Spend a day at the Austin Zoo, 14 miles southwest of downtown Austin, with your partner checking out all of the animals. Make your Austin date a special occasion with a capybara or Galapagos tortoise encounter.
Laugh Together
Hopefully you’re already doing that, but for extra laughs, check out some of the cool comedy spots in Austin for your next night out. Cap City Comedy brings in some of the best talent from all over as well as open mic nights.
Sing Off Tune Together
Unless you’re really good at singing and plan on dazzling the crowd! The Highball has private themed karaoke rooms if you want to get a group and sing together. For a fun environment, check out the H Mart, which hosts karaoke inside a food hall. At The Common Interest, you can choose between private rooms and the main stage.
Watch a Race
At the Circuit of the Americas, you can catch different races and special events. Feel the exhiliration of speed with your partner as you banter about the different cars and drivers.
Be the Racer
COTA also has karts that go up to 55 mph so you can enjoy the track as well and race each other! This date idea will take you back to your teenage years, and is guaranteed to bring a lot of laughs.
Go to a Water Park
Race down slides, float in the lazy river, ride the waves, and more all at Typhoon Texas. It’s the perfect summer date for those sweltering days in the heat.
Take Super Cool Pictures
There are so many cool Instagram style museums popping up around Austin! Wonderbar is similar with a very photo-worthy and fun cocktail bar where you can sip your favorite drinks while sitting on a banana. Or wander through a maze of lights at Wonderspace. Its a unique date night that you’ll remember for years to come!
Try Cryotherapy
If you are a couple who enjoys the cold, then this might be for you! Restore Hyper Wellness in Austin has couple’s packages, including the traditional cryotherapy, and other treatments.
Experience ACL All Year
Even if you miss ACL, you can still enjoy some of the experience at ACL Live for top music acts from around the world! It’s a 2750-person theater where music headliners come to perform all year round.
Have Fun While Learning
You might think the Thinkery is for kids, but us adults want to learn in fun ways too! In fact, it’s the perfect place for a date in Austin!
Watch Modern Day Vaudeville
Esther’s Follies has been known as the Saturday Night Live of Austin and is one of the most popular troupes in Texas. They have Vaudeville, comedy, magic, and all kinds of great shows.
Dance Around the World
The Sahara Lounge is a place to dance to Caribbean, African, Middle Eastern, and Latin music right here in East Austin! There’s a new experience every night and always something incredible to experience with your partner!
Shoot Some Targets
The Range Austin has shooting packages, classes, and even ways for you two to compete. Say hello to some friendly competition as you forget about all of your worries for a while.
Race Indoors
Perfect for a rainy date idea in Austin, K1 Speed is one of the fastest indoor golf carts around where you can challenge each other to a high thrill race! Its a great spot to let your hair down and forget about all your worries.
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Browse Through Books
More than just books, Resistencia Bookstore is a community organization that lifts up the voices of Native American/Chicana/o/x/Latina/o/x writers. You’ll find a great community here along with books for a great couple’s book club and deep conversations.
Go Two-Steppin’
Enjoy some dancing, great live music, and some Texas swing at Austin Honky Tonkers. If you’re from out of town, this date is an absolute must for experiencing true Texas culture and dancing the night away!
Enjoy a Piano Concert
The Dueling Pianos has all kinds of interactive shows for a fun night of singing along, cheering, and great music. It’s one of the best ways to unwind!
Listen to Classic Guitar
With Austin being the live music capital of the world, Austin Classical Guitar Society has live performances, classes, workshops, and other events centered around classic guitar! It’s a classy date that is sure to impress music lovers no matter their preferred genre.
Watch Wrestling
Get wild cheering on your favorite contender at America’s Academy of Pro Wrestling, which brings back the intensity and excitement around the sport. Make the date even more fun by creating signs together before the show.
Explore Six Square
In the heart of Austin, Texas, lies a treasure trove of history, culture, and community spirit – Six Square, the city’s vibrant Black cultural district. At this great place, you can take part in historic tours, music exploration events, and other events.
Try Augmented Reality
Watch as Austin turns into a whole new world with AR Adventure Austin with bar hops, scavenger hunts, spy adventures, and what is essentially the largest escape room: the entire city of Austin! Its one of the most amazing things you can do together!
Watch Soccer
Futbol is quickly growing in popularity, and you can cheer on the Austin Bold FC and maybe even have a new sports team to enjoy together. It’s incredibly bonding to watch sports together as you feel the excitement of the game with every goal.
Explore Mexican American culture
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center has a wide variety of events for people to connect with their culture or learn about each other. You can volunteer in the healing garden and learn about the different herbs, enjoy Latin concerts, listen to guest speakers, see comedy shows and other cultural performances, and so much more. Just check their calendar to see what’s going on, as it is temporarily closed at the moment due to expansion and renovation.
Meet a Kangaroo
And other animals with the Austin Petting Zoo. At this casual spot, you’ll encounter all types of incredible animals that they will bring out to meet you. It’ll make for a great Austin date!
Attend a Concert or Festival
With SXSW and ACL, Austin is one of the top destinations in the world for great concerts and festivals. However, you don’t have to wait for the headliners for a great Austin date. Check local listings, Facebook events, and the Visit Austin page for a list of all the great, and sometimes weird, Austin concerts and festivals.
Listen to Poetry Slam
The Spider House Ballroom hosts some of the best poetry slams around every Tuesday or check out the Austin Poetry Slam website for other dates and times. It’s a fun date idea and if you’re feeling brave you could even challenge each other to take part.
Go Gaming
If board games are your thing, check out the Vigilante Gaming Bar, which has custom game boxes, hidden rooms, and other exciting treasures. Mothership Books and Games is another option! It’s one of the most unique date ideas that is sure to have you laughing all night.
Hang Out at the Pool
You don’t have to stay at a hotel to enjoy the snazzy hotel pools. Check out Resort Pass, which will give you access to the pools, spa, and other swim spots typically only available for hotel guests, like at the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt. It’s a great idea for a day date, especially if you and your partner love the water!
Catch a Sports Game
There are so many sports teams to pick from when it comes to an Austin sports date, from supporting the UT college teams, to the Austin Spurs (basketball), Austin Ice Bats (hockey), and Austin Huns (rugby). However, also look into some of the lesser followed spots like the Austin Weird paintball team and the Texas Roller Derby.
Get Spooked with Haunted ATX
If you want to see the spooky side of Austin, check out Haunted ATX‘s ghost tours and be escorted around the city as you hear about Austin’s haunted buildings. They offer both public and private tours, including tours via hearse for a unique romantic outing!
Get a Foot Massage
If you don’t want to splurge on a full massage, you can still get a great experience with foot massages. Beijing Foot Massage and Relax Day Spa both come with great recommendations and is the perfect spot for a quick romantic getaway.
Spoil Each Other with Pedis
Milk + Honey has been top-rated for a luxurious pedi and one that will last through whatever week you have ahead. Contrary to popular belief, men can enjoy getting pedi’s too, and as you lie back on your chair, you’ll soon realise why.
Watch an Indie Movie
Rather than a regular movie date, check out some of the smaller independent films together at Violet Crown Cinema. This date is perfect for movie lovers as it offers something different but still relaxing and enjoyable.
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Other Romantic Things to Do in Austin For Couples
Wondering how to impress your loved one? Dive into our comprehensive guide of the best date ideas and romantic things to do in Austin TX. From a sunset cruise or helicopter ride to a wine tour, we have the best ideas that will keep your date smiling from ear to ear. So, grab your partner and get ready to have a really good time!
Fun Date Ideas in Austin: FAQs
Is Austin fun for couples?
One of our top recommendations for couples in Austin is to witness the breathtaking spectacle of millions of Mexican Free-tailed bats emerging from beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset. For an unforgettable experience, we suggest getting the best view from a kayak on the river below.
Is Austin a good city 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.
Fun Romantic Things to Do in Austin: Final Thoughts
What better way to spend Saturday nights than out on a date with your loved one? But even if you don’t have the excuse of special occasions or Valentine’s day, you don’t need a reason to spend quality time together. The good news is that all of the great ideas on this list are the best dates that are sure to bring a smile to your face.
These romantic date spots cater to all types of people, so if you want you can start working your way through the guide one by one instead of spending the weekends bored in your living room.
Last Updated 1 week ago by Jessica Serna | Published: May 8, 2024
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