50 Summer Date Ideas Fit for the Sexiest of Seasons

There are breweries everywhere! Find one close enough to drive or Uber to and spend the afternoon sampling a flight or learning how beer is made.

Want to get indoors, ASAP? Visit the nearest aquarium for something different (unless you already see sharks every day, in which case, hi, cool!)! Plus, what better way to soft launch your partner on Instagram than with an ~aesthetique~ shot of them in front of a giant blue tank?

Just make sure you're giving your money to a credible zoo that treats their animals with respect, mkay?

Whatever your summer drink of choice—Aperol spritz, limoncello martini, or classic summer sangria—sharpen your at-home mixologist skills and challenge each other to a summer cocktail competition. In need of a little inspo? Here are the summeriest, spritziest beverages we’ll be sipping all season long.

While you may think of fall and winter as prime-time for baking, summer actually has some of the best sweet treats, in our opinion. I mean, lemon bars? Key lime pie? Literally anything blueberry? Bonus points if you make a day of it by picking your own produce at a farm (or hitting up a nearby farmer’s market) and bringing it home to bake your dessert together.

I mean, what can we say? ’Tis the damn season, folks, and TikTok’s “sundress challenge” is a seasonal fave for a reason. Full permission to buy that cute lil sundress you’ve had your eye on for your next date—and keep it on for any, uh, post-date activities, if you catch my drift. (And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, feel free to educate yourself here. You’re welcome.)

There’s night sex and there’s morning sex, but allow me to introduce you to all-day sex. This is the hottest time of the year (literally and figuratively). Take advantage of it by setting aside a full day for the summer sex marathon of your horniest dreams—from the comfort of your air-conditioned home, of course.

Like, literally anything, on literally any boat. Harbor cruise, dinner and/or drinks on a docked ship—hell, even just catching the ferry somewhere instead of driving or hopping on the subway can be a fun way to spend a sunny day with your summer love/crush. Life (and love) is just better on the water, you know?

Hear us out: When they're not crowded or packed with screaming toddlers, malls are the perfect summer refuge because 1) they're cold, hello, and 2) there's tons you can do there. Have an event coming up, or always wanted to see your partner in a certain kinda 'fit? (They'd look amazing in plaid, they just don't know it yet!) Make it A Thing and pick out one outfit for each other. And don't forget to stop for a food court pretzel at the end.

Remember those viral TikToks about the Target challenge? No? Allow us to fill you in: You and your partner take a trip to Target (or whichever all-purpose store you have close-by!), separate, and buy each other the following: your/their favorite drink, snack, something that's their favorite color, something that reminds you of them, and an everyday thing (think: toothbrush, pillow case, new pair of shoes, etc). Feel free to mix up the categories, too! Maybe you go for an activity to do together, instead of one of the above, or a book you want them to read. Either way, you regroup at home and show 'em what you got!

Movie dates are classics for a reason. Make it a double feature and watch a movie they pick, plus one that you pick. Plus: free AC and comfy seats. Say less.

Your local parks department might host a free outdoor movie night! Do some digging and see what they offer. If they don't offer, well, anything (womp), find the nearest drive-in movie theater and make it a night! Pack a bunch of snacks for ultimate date vibes. Still struggling? Set up a projector in your backyard, or download a Netflix movie and take your laptop to your nearest park for an outdoor movie picnic.

What's more romantic than holding hands at the top of a ferris wheel? Look up "local carnival near me," thank us later.

Write love notes to each other, print out your fave pics together, save your last movie ticket stub—you know the drill. Compile sweet mementos of your time together so far, put them in a box, bury it (or like, stuff it in the back of your closet), and swear you won't open it for five (10?) years—or however long feels right!

Another one you can do indoors or out depending on your heat/sweat preferences—take a group workout class together! Try something you've never done before. Aqua spin, anyone?!

Looking for a cute throwback date that'll spark all the nostalgic feels? Find your nearest mini golf course. Make it extra competitive by promising a prize/sexy reward for the winner.

Find the nearest body of water (even if it's your very own pool) and get naked. Just make sure there are no children around, pls!

If skinny dipping is too risky (we get it!), skip it altogether and put together a sensual bath for you and your partner. Make sure to incorporate yummy-smelling bubbles, body washes, bath bombs—everything you need for the perfect DIY spa night.

Or trucks! Sometimes open-air venues will host multiple food trucks at once, so you can sample everything from the best street hot dog in town to a unique ice cream flavor you've never had before. Food trucks are truly best enjoyed in the summer, so take advantage!

Some public parks have full-on roller skating rinks. Do your research to see what's available in your town, make a funky disco playlist, and compete to see who falls down less.