Date nights will transform your marriage! Well, now that I have your attention, date nights are important — even if you’ve been married for twenty or more years. I’ll be honest; having a regular date night with my wife Ally is not always easy to do. But when we make the effort, we are always glad we did. A good friend told me early on in my marriage: never stop dating your wife. This has proved to be great advice.
One of the many things I appreciate about Ally is her adventurous spirit. Our wedding gift to one another was scuba diving lessons in the murky waters of the Chesapeake Bay, near Virginia Beach, Virginia. During our open water certification dive, our visibility was only a few inches in front of our faces. She took it in stride and did a great job. I was so proud of her. Now, we aren’t able to go scuba diving very often, but we both enjoy a good adventure now and then. Maybe you are also the adventurous type, or maybe you want to be. If you and your spouse march to the beat of a different drummer, here are some fun, adventurous date ideas for you!
Underground Tours
Believe it or not, even here in the Midwest, cities have a lot going on below the surface. Those hidden places under city streets have become popular destinations for curious explorers. As a result, catacomb tours are all the rage and they’re a fun and spooky option for a date night. I just searched catacomb tours on Google, and I found tours available around the world. Check it out!
Scavenger Hunts
When you were a kid, did you enjoy the adrenaline rush of chasing down clues and beating the opposing team? When you’re an adult with a vehicle, scavenger hunts can range a lot further. Online templates are easy to find, and there are even scavenger hunt apps for your phone. You can make it a fun date night just for the two of you, or plan a group date with other couples!
Water Adventures
No matter where you live, you can find a place to rent kayaks or canoes. Pack up a picnic and beverages for afterward, or even pack them in your canoe and take a lunch break partway through your trip. You can enjoy the romantic scenery and get a bit of a workout, too. Take bug spray, just in case. ☺
Ropes Course
This is one of my favorites. If you’re a couple that enjoys physical activity, a ropes course is a great way to do something active together and build trust. Ropes courses have instructors and safety precautions in place, but they’ll still work your body and your brain. Most courses have varying difficulty options, so don’t let the fact that you’ve never tried one before hold you back. They’re a great adrenaline rush and a lot of fun!
Gaming Restaurants/Arcades
Maybe you already enjoy playing console games together at home. Actually, I am amazed to hear how many adults actually do this. Well, why not kick it up a notch? While many gaming restaurants and arcades are family-friendly, an increasing number of them are definitely more geared toward adults, especially at night. You aren’t limited to greasy fast food options, either. Some of these businesses offer excellent food and cocktails! There are traditional offerings like arcade games and skee ball, but there are more off-the-beaten-path options, too, like laser tag, simulator games, and duckpin bowling. No matter which site you try, you’ll have a variety of choices, so if you try one and don’t enjoy it, you can switch things up.
Escape Rooms
This is another activity that works well with other couples, and it has grown in popularity, especially here in Indianapolis. If you like a good mystery and a challenge, an escape room is a blast. There are a variety of storylines to choose from, and you typically have about an hour to solve the clues and puzzles that will spring you from your predicament. It’s like a murder mystery dinner party, only you don’t have to clean your house or cook. Love that!
Remember, the point of a good date is to have some fun and enjoy your time together. Beyond that, the sky’s the limit. It is important to add some variety every once in a while, doing things that both of you enjoy. Hopefully, these ideas will help you shake things up a bit. Feel free to share other adventurous or active date night ideas in the comments!
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God Bless,
Doug Hedrick