Keeping date night fresh and fun when you’ve been with your partner for a while can get tough—especially on anniversaries, when you want to pull out all of the stops to make it extra memorable. If you’re feeling like your anniversary date night ideas are getting stale, we’re here with all the romantic inspiration you need to build exciting new memories and celebrate your love.
What's more, thinking outside of the box when it comes to date night could even improve you and your partner's bond. One 2019 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found a positive relationship between the exploration of new activities and satisfaction within a relationship. S0 go ahead, relight that fire and show your significant other how much you care with these creative anniversary date ideas.
1. Spend a Night at a Bed and Breakfast
Nothing says romance quite like a charming weekend spent at a cozy bed and breakfast. Spend the night enjoying plush linens and a quaint four-poster bed in each other's company. Then, wake up to a delicious homemade breakfast. Check out some nearby B&Bs or take a road trip and end up somewhere exciting. Either way, this is a great way to make sure you and your partner enjoy each others' undivided attention.
2. Chill out at a spa
Relax and unwind by booking a couple's massage or simply pampering yourselves with a bit of extra R&R at a nearby day spa or weekend spa retreat. You can also re-create the spa vibes at home by indulging in some DIY treatments, candles, and terry cloth robes, or by just dedicating an entire day to pure relaxation.
3. Have a game night
Believe it or not, there are tons of games that are designed specifically for couples. From seeing how well you know each other with a game of marriage trivia like Spouse-ology or cracking open a box of relationship conversation starters like these, plan a night dedicated to flirty fun with a healthy dose of friendly competition.
4. Go bowling
Sometimes, old school activities like bowling are the best. See if you can find an adults-only alley near you that serves high-end food and drinks to elevate this exciting date night.
5. Do a photoshoot
You can never have too many pics of your and your boo, and what better way to remember a special anniversary than a fun photoshoot? Book a session with a traditional photographer in your favorite place, or try a service like flytographer, which allows you to book a professional photo guru in any destination—even if you're on vacation!
6. Enjoy a boat ride
Everything seems more romantic on the water, and a great way to disconnect from your phones and the hustle and bustle of daily life is to enjoy a boat ride. Charter a boat service for a day or take advantage of local sight-seeing cruises for a new perspective on your surroundings—and your relationship.
7. Book some dance lessons
If you've got rhythm (or even if you don't) taking part in a dance class for couples will be a great way to bond with your partner, while also learning a new skill. From foxtrot and swing to rumba and salsa, you'll connect on an all-new level by putting your dance skills to the test. Check out coursehorse.com for classes in your neighborhood.
8. Take a weekend road trip
Whether you're willing to drive one hour or ten, there are endless things to see and do when the two of you jump in the car and just drive. Sites like roadtrippers.com help you plan your best route and explore the best places along the way. Queue up a playlist of songs you both love and enjoy an extra special anniversary.
9. See a comedy show
Whether it's your favorite big-shot comedian or a local jokester, laugh alongside your loved one at a late-night comedy show and get the giggles going.
10. Hit the water
Kayaking and paddleboarding are fun ways for active couples to try something new. Most local marinas will let you rent equipment for a day or a few hours. You can also sign up for a guided group excursion to get the full experience.
11. Go to a vineyard
Swirl, smell, and sip alongside your loved one at a local vineyard that lets you taste their homemade wine. Many wine tasting packages let you take home the wine glasses—the perfect way to commemorate a special anniversary date. Download the Winery Passport app to find the best vineyards near you and keep track of the wines that tickled your palate, then stamp your virtual "passport" at each new wine destination you visit.
12. Do a brewery tour
Couples that consider themselves beer aficionados can get a backstage look at how their favorite beverage is made from grain and hops to delicious drink! Apps like Hop Plot and Brewery Map are great places to start finding the best breweries near you.
13. Go to an amusement park
If you and your partner are thrill-seekers, there's nothing better than spending a day at an amusement park. You'll bond by twisting and twirling on rollercoasters and other rides, solidifying your bond and making new memories.
14. Take a cooking class
Culinary couples can learn their way around a chef's kitchen by taking a cooking class that's tailored to creating delicious new recipes you can make together. Sur La Table has several locations nationwide, and you can select which class you'd like to take based on the skill you want to learn or the type of food you want to make. Delish!
15. Explore a local landmark
Check out your local landmarks commission online to find out which places in your neighborhood are considered landmarks, and then go for an adventure to explore them! You may be just minutes away from a historic landmark and not know it.
16. Have a picnic
Grab a blanket, load up a cooler with your favorite foods, and set up a sweetly romantic picnic that's just for the two of you. If your anniversary is in the winter months, you can still set up a cozy picnic in the living room with your favorite movie playing in the background.
17. Go play with some puppies
Organizations like theshelterproject.org are always looking for volunteers to play with the adorable cats and dogs they have up for adoption. Or, if you're really feeling dedicated, you and your partner can take on a dog or cat for a few weeks as a foster and then help it find a permanent home.
18. Take a cake decorating class
Show off your creativity (and take home your sugary creation) by taking part in a cake decorating class. From the perfect way to spread the icing to the fun ways you can create decorations using fondant, these classes are a delightful way to share in the creation of something special. Try a site like takelessons.com to find one near you.
19. Host a dinner party
Celebrating your anniversary surrounded by your closest family friends can be a great way to ring in another year of companionship. Invite over the people who have contributed to your relationship or supported you through the tough times as a way of thanking them. Ask each guest to come with a story about the couple as a fun way to get the conversation going.
20. Go stargazing
Stargazing is a free and oh-so-romantic way to spend an anniversary. Set up a blanket outside or drive to a lookout point for the best views of the night sky. Add a special surprise by buying your loved one a star in their name.
21. Volunteer together
Spend the day giving back to a community or cause you both care about by volunteering together. Sites like volunteermatch.org are always looking for extra sets of hands—whether it's people to set up for a local charity run or to help clean up the nearby park, you can choose a cause and activity that's important to you and make a difference.
22. Recreate your first date
Cue the nostalgia with a sentimental anniversary date idea that will take you back to the first time you met. Go back to the first restaurant you ever ate at and order the same dish, then recreate all the little details that made you first fall in love. It may sound cheesy, but it's the perfect way to get back to where it all started.
23. Recreate your proposal and say yes all over again
Married couples can indulge in that life-changing proposal moment by recreating it on an anniversary occasion years later. Be specific about telling your partner how much they mean to you, even if that reasoning has changed over the years. This one is all about the sentiment.
24. Have breakfast in bed
Start any anniversary with a romantic breakfast in bed alongside your partner as a symbol of appreciation and bliss.
25. Play trivia about each other
Here's a playful way to strengthen your bond: see how much you and your partner know about one another by creating your own trivia questions and see who answers the most correctly. Relationships are about constantly learning from your partner, so perhaps you'll find something out you never knew!
26. Take a hot air balloon ride
Soar above the clouds in hot air balloon tour. The views will be unforgettable, and so will your anniversary.
27. Go see a show
Bust out of the normal dinner and movie routine by doing dinner and a show instead. See what's currently on at your local theater and enjoy a play or a musical together.
28. Create a scrapbook
Going through old photos will bring up memories you've created throughout your relationship. Create a sweet anniversary keepsake by taking the time to compile all your favorite photos and sayings into a scrapbook you can look back on for years to come. Services like Shutterfly make this date idea a breeze.
29. Do a wine and painting class
Wine and painting classes seem to be all the rage lately, and for good reason. You and your partner can channel your inner artists by replicating a painting in a class and sipping on some yummy wine while you're at it!
30. Go to a concert
Got a favorite band or artist that you and your partner just love? Bond by rocking out at a concert or music festival.
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