Date night doesn’t have to be boring. It doesn’t have to be typical either. If you’re like me, you like to try new things or get out and experience new adventures with your significant other. Whether this is your first date or your 100th, here are 14 unique date ideas to switch it up on date night:

For the Competitive Types

1. Go-Karting

Feeling like go-karting circles into your date’s heart in Austin? COTA has different race packages depending on your preference of kart speed and whether or not you want to ride in a single or double kart. K1 Speed has an indoor track and displays race times so you can keep a physical record of who won. Austin’s Park n’ Pizza is a bit older, but you can also relive your childhood by playing arcade games and indulging in greasy arcade pizza. 

2. Golf

Want to be competitive, but keep it slightly milder? Go golfing! Rent out your own bay at TopGolf or bring your own booze to Peter Pan Mini Golf. 

3. Throw Some Axes

Unlock your inner warrior and compete with your date at Urban Axes to see who can throw the axe straight at a bullseye.  

4. Feel Nostalgic at an Arcade

Pinballz Austin has a plethora of old school and new school arcade games. You can even drink at all 3 of their locations! (P.S. it’s BYOB at their original location off Burnet)

For the Experiential Types

5. Take a Cooking Class

Learn how to make homemade pasta with Sur La Table. What about a Sushi 101 class with Uroko? Always ordering takeout Thai food? Take a cooking class with Thai Fresh! Whatever your date’s favorite flavor is, chances are, there’s a cooking class for it. 

6. Learn How To Blow Glass

East Austin is home to Ghost Pepper Glass where you can create your own unique glass-blown gifts! No experience necessary. Choose from a “crash course” style or a private lesson.

7. Take a Salsa Lesson

NOTHING IS SEXIER THAN LEARNING HOW TO SALSA. There, I said it. Dance With Me Austin offers private and group dance lessons to spice up date night.

For the Athletic Types

8. Try Bouldering

If you or your date are afraid of heights, this might not be for you. However, I can vouch for Austin Bouldering Project (ABP) as a fun and unique date idea. Not that many people have tried bouldering before and for the beginners, ABP is a great place to learn, have fun, and you can always end with a beer at Austin Eastciders Tap Room afterwards.

9. Go Hiking

If it’s a beautiful day out, why not go for a hike? The Greenbelt is always a solid choice, but if you’re looking to explore outside of Austin, try the hike at Enchanted Rock and end your day exploring Fredericksburg or pack a picnic and spend the whole day at Pedernales State Park.

10. Watch a Sports Game

Unfortunately, Austin isn’t home to any professional sports teams. While we wait for the Austin FC to play their first professional soccer game, grab some seats at a University of Texas Longhorn game or make the drive up north for some baseball to catch a Round Rock Express game.

For the Adventurous Types

11. Escape Rooms

If you want to combine adrenaline rushes while testing your ability to work together, escape rooms are a solid date choice. Book with the Escape Game or the Texas Panic Room.

12. Indoor Skydiving

iFly is a fun date idea for those curious about skydiving, but aren’t ready to jump out of a plane just yet. It’s also really funny to see your date flop around in an air tunnel if that’s more your style.

13. BS Bingo

At The Highball off of South Lamar, stop in every Tuesday night for themed game nights that turn into adult-only content after 10 PM. Lower your inhibitions with a few drinks at the bar and you’ll be in for a fun time, trust me.

14. Take a Ghost Tour

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a ghost tour is a great excuse to spice up date night. This is great for dates that are interested in stories. Try the Ghost Walk or the Ghost and Bat Segway Tour.