Let’s face it, we can all get in a rut when it comes to planning a fun date night. Or maybe you want your significant other to do the planning for a night out? Just send this article and you’re good to go. Here are my favorite types of dates to go on with my husband plus a few options for each. Take the guesswork out of planning your next night to reconnect, look in each other’s eyes, and take a break from the kids. Book a babysitter now and go have a date night!
Active Date Night Ideas in Dallas
If you’ve got energy to burn or want a break from the normal dinner date, here are a few active ways to spend time with your significant other. The endorphins are also good for helping you connect after date night and burn even more calories…yep.
- Bowlounge or Bowl and Barrel has great food to go along with a night of bowling.
- Run or bike at White Rock Lake and then grab dinner and drinks at either White Rock Ale House or Lake House Bar & Grill. If you’re closer to Uptown, hit the Katy Trail and then Katy Trail Ice House afterwards.
- Top Golf is a no-fail option, too! Plan your date on half-price Tuesday for a more budget-friendly outing.
- You don’t need a heart rate monitor or sneakers, but you’ll be actively making cuisine at any Central Market Cooking class. Our favorites are knife skills, sushi rolling, and the grilling courses. Eataly is another option—read Joanna’s review of her recent Eataly cooking class experience!
Cultural Date Night Ideas in Dallas
One of the best things about Dallas is our art and entertainment scene. There are always new shows and exhibits to enjoy on your next date night.
- In case you missed it, the Dallas Museum of Art has free admission! A great day date option is to grab lunch from a food truck in Klyde Warren Park and then make your way over to the museum. It’s always cool in the summer—a perfect escape from the heat!
- The Meadows Museum at SMU is one of our city’s hidden gems. It’s also free on Thursdays after 5pm. Hop over to Mockingbird Station or take a quick walk to Snider Plaza for dinner afterwards.
- Cool Thursdays at the Dallas Arboretum has been one of my favorite ways to enjoy live music since I moved to Dallas, and I still love it. Tickets can be hard to come by as many concerts sell out, but I often see people posting them on Facebook. Pack your cooler with your favorite beverage and some charcuterie. Don’t forget a blanket or lawn chairs! Safari Nights concerts at the Dallas Zoo are back this year, too. I’m planning to make a family event out of it, but I could also see this as a great option for a date night.
- Hit up The Wild Detectives bar/bookstore for one of their special event nights, which could be anything from concerts to poetry readings. From their website: “We strive to make culture approachable for everyone by promoting it as a cool, sexy, and appealing space to dive in.”
Sports Fan Date Night Ideas in Dallas
- You can’t go wrong with a trip to ballpark to see the Texas Rangers or the Frisco RoughRiders. Now that Globe Life Field has a roof, I can talk my husband into going in the summer months. And the RoughRiders stadium is just the cutest.
- No tickets? No worries. Just being in the Star District in Frisco will get you excited for football season. With so many restaurants and activities to enjoy, there’s something for everyone, and a game will probably be on a screen somewhere. We love City Works—get the crab fondue and peanut butter snickers pie.
- Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie has lots of special events this summer. Put on a cute dress and some boots, channel your inner Beth Dutton, and enjoy.
Progressive Dinner Date Night Ideas in Dallas
Pick a location with several options when you feel like exploring a variety of cuisine. Start with appetizers and a fun cocktail. Then, switch locations for your main course. Finish somewhere new for a dessert and/or after-dinner drink. This makes it almost feel like 3 dates in one!
My best suggestion for this kind of date is The Hill! (Central & Walnut Hill)
- Wok Star Chinese for Crab & Cheese Rangoons and a specialty cocktail.
- Bellagreen for my favorite shrimp salad
- Pop Factory for a cold treat
- Finish up with a night cap at Civil Pour
You could also explore restaurants of Trinity Groves, Bishop Arts District, Snider Plaza, or even the Dallas Galleria or NorthPark Center if you’d rather be inside.
Single? Or just want to hang with your girls for a night out? I’ve got you covered with even more great ideas for girls’ night in Dallas.
What’s your favorite date night in Dallas? Let me know in the comments.
