Looking for some romantic ways to spend Valentine’s Day or any date ideas in Austin, Texas? Look no further! Here are 15 Date Ideas in Austin that are a blast for everyone! Whether you want to check out the sunset or catch a drive in movie, we have all the best options!
SEE MORE: 15 Most Romantic Restaurants in Austin
Explore Downtown Austin on a Walk Together
Downtown Austin is a romantic destination all on its own. Start off with a romantic dinner somewhere downtown like Comedor, Emmer & Rye, or TenTen and then head straight to the boardwalk to enjoy the sunset and maybe catch the bats flying out from under Congress Bridge!
Afterwards, walk along Congress St and 2nd Street for some people watching and gorgeous night lights. End the night off walking over to Congress Bridge to catch a night time skyline view of Austin, also the perfect spot to steal a kiss!
SEE MORE: 15 Downtown Austin Restaurants for Lunching
Catch a Drive In Movie Together
Find Blue Starlight Drive-In just south of Austin for a romantic drive-in movie night! Something unique and special, plus you can bring your own popcorn in! LOVE this one for Date Night! This is especially perfect for date night if you’re trying to avoid being in major public settings.
You can check out their showings here!
Roast Marshmellows Together at Halcyon Downtown
If you’re keeping it low-key, then spend a couple of hours roasting marshmallows and drinking coffee at Halcyon in Downtown Austin! The perfect spot to sit and chat for a couple of hours without the pressure of anything crazy.
Also, they have some gorgeous fire pits at Lenoir that I would recommend going to enjoy, especially during their happy hour!
Go Rock Climb at Austin Bouldering Project
If you and your cutie love being active, then make sure you spend some time at the Austin Bouldering Project together! It’s a lot like rock climbing, but without the ropes. Guess you’ll just have to trust your partner to catch you!
***PSA do not try this if you need to be able to feel your arms the next day, learned that the hard way*
Go Play a Round of Golf Together
The ultimate cheesy date outing, and also one of the best! Denver and I are two people who get super competitive generally, so we do enjoy activities that let us get a little competitive! And usually ends up with one of us owing the other drinks. There are a couple fun mini golf and putt options available!
Peter Pan Putt Putt in Downtown Austin // A classic Downtown spot! It’s a pretty easy course if you guys are NOT competitive people, and you can even BYOB to make it a little spicy too! And when you’re done, go enjoy a little dinner together off Barton Springs too.
Butler Pitch and Putt in Downtown Austin // Just across from Peter Pan is another more experienced alternative! Butler Pitch and Putt is also BYOB and features a putting green for my actual golfers. Plus, same dinner options right after!
Top Golf at the Domain // Maybe want something, not Downtown or not putt putt, then hop over to Top Golf! Reserve a whole area for the two of you or your group date and order plenty of drinks and food easily.
Dreamland at Dripping Springs // Okay for my fellow COMPETITIVE people and my day date people, we LOVE Dreamland! It’s an 18 hole putt putt and beer garden out in the Hill Country. You can opt for the 3 different levels of their course and when I say the hard one is HARD I mean it. Like we truly took 8 swings for…20-30% of the holes? It’s a blast!
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Enjoy a Picnic Together at Auditorium Shores or Zilker Park
The Auditorium Shores park is without a doubt my favorite spot in Austin. Pack up a picnic and head over to the best view of downtown Austin for an afternoon. Afterward, walk along the water to Ladybird Lake Boardwalk to watch the sunset and catch the bats flying out from under the bridge. It’s truly one of the most romantic views of the city during the sunset too!
OR you can head over to Zilker Park for a picnic! Absolutely gorgeous skyline views and plenty of space to hang out! Bring your blankets or a hammock and sprawl out with someone you enjoy!
PSA: Do not stand directly under the bridge when the bats fly out. Just trust me.
Enjoy a Staycation Together
If you’re looking to splurge on a romantic evening in Austin, then opt for a staycation! Check out some of my favorite hotels for your special evening:
Hotel Ella // A smaller boutique and one of the most romantic hotels in Austin. Enjoy their cozy rooms and bed and breakfast feel for the day.
Lake Austin Spa Resort // The ultimate relaxing getaway. Splurge on a romantic couples spa day at one of the most beautiful getaways.
Hotel San Jose // Escape to South Austin with one of the most fun and unique Austin hotels. Make sure you check out their pool!
W Hotel Austin // Go all out with a Downtown view and luxury getaway. The W is as glitz and glam as Austin gets.
OR if you want to go on a fun getaway, check out these Easy Day Trips From Austin to go do something fun!
Catch the Sunset Views of Austin
Drive up to Mount Bonnell or 36o Bridge Overlook to catch the most beautiful sunset over Austin. It’s impossible not to feel the romance when you’re at these spots, plus the drive up is beautiful too!
Pro Tip : go up the side OPPOSITE the cars at 360 Bridge for the best view with the fewest people! Bring some wine with you like we did!
While you’re up there, head over to Oasis for a gorgeous dinner overlooking Lake Travis. You can’t make reservations, but if you happen to get there at the right time then it’s a dinner you will never forget.
SEE MORE // THE BEST SPOTS TO WATCH THE SUNSET IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
SHOP THESE AMAZON DATE NIGHT OUTFITS
Have a Brewery or Winery Exploration Day
If you’re a couple of wine lovers, then check out the Dripping Springs Wine Trail where you can have that Napa experience just outside of Austin! It stops by 8 beautiful wineries filled with red, white, and dessert wine joy.
If you’re beer lovers, Austin is filled with some amazing breweries you can spend the afternoon at! We recommend Jester King Brewery or Hops & Grain. Can’t go wrong with a craft beer!
Or check out this list of my 12 favorite breweries in Austin!
Go Take a Swing Dancing Class Together
Every Thursday, the Swing Dance Syndicate hosts a night of swing dancing at the Texas Women’s Federation building. For the first hours, they’ll teach you everything you need to know, and then it’s an open floor until Midnight!
Even those of us with two left feet love to show off our moves, and this is a fool-proof fun night. If you’ve got a dance partner, or even if you don’t, you have to give it a try!
Catch a Movie at Alamo Drafthouse
Classic Austin, y’all. Catch a movie at one of the many Alamo Drafthouse locations in Austin! Whether you’re up for a comedy or a horror (but like…why) you’ll be sure to enjoy the movie at the Drafthouse.
Especially perfect for those of you trying to keep the night within budget, or wanting to get to know someone better before you go all out on a date!
Go Kayaking on the Lake Together
If it’s a sunny day (and with Austin it usually is) then head on over to SupATX rentals for some time out on the lake! Whether you’re wanting to attempt kayaking or paddle boarding, they’ve got the best prices for your lake day.
Catch a Comedy Show for the Night
Everyone loves a good laugh! Austin is home to Esther’s Follies, one of my personal favorite comedy clubs. I laugh so hard my abs hurt every time I go, and I can’t recommend it enough!
You can also catch weekday shows over at The Buzzmill, both Austin locations Riverside and East Seventh have multiple comedy nights going on and always are a blast for a date night! Or just a hang out with friends honestly
Another great Austin comedy location is The New Movement. Although I have not tried it myself, I’ve heard great things!
Hope you enjoyed these Alternative Romantic Austin Date Ideas! Comment below some other great date night ideas you have, we love expanding and going on new adventures together for date night in Austin!
Comments (1)
Steve
October 4, 2021 at 2:06 pm
Esther’s Follies is always a great night out. I swear I nearly peed my pants last time. I do miss Cap City though. Really hope they can reopen soon.