You And Your Partner Will Love These 13 Unique Date Ideas In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Updated on September 29, 2022(Originally published September 24, 2022)
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
You might not know this, but Texas is a very romantic state. There’s no shortage of date ideas in Texas, and we’re going to prove that today! Are you looking to switch it up from the usual, run-of-the-mill dinner and a movie, but find yourself drawing a blank on any fresh ideas? We’ve got you covered. Here are 13 unique date ideas in Texas that will impress your partner like nothing else.
1. Take a cooking class
urbanCHEF, 3651 Weslayan St, Houston, TX 77027, USA
Nothing says love like making magic in the kitchen together. At urbanCHEF in Houston, couples can take cooking classes led by trained chefs! Live out your "Top Chef" fantasies with your significant other while enjoying quality time and delicious food, too.
2. Defy gravity - because your love knows no bounds
iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Austin, 13265 US-183 Hwy Suite A, Austin, TX 78750, USA
Do you love your partner "to the moon and back?" Prove it at iFly Austin, an indoor skydiving facility that offers an epic date akin to something you'd see on "The Bachelor" -- but better, because you won't be competing with dozens of others for your bae's attention.
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3. BYOB...to a mini golf course?
Peter Pan Mini-Golf, 1207 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
That's right - alcohol is allowed at Peter Pan Mini Golf in Austin, and locals take full advantage of the opportunity. Instead of getting frustrated with your honey for spending half an hour on one hole because they're just THAT bad, take a few sips and laugh about it instead. Seriously though, it looks like whoever designed these holes might not have been all-there at the time themselves.
Ah, nostalgia at its finest. I'm sure you have plenty of memories of nights spent at drive-in theatres, so why not relive them this weekend? There are plenty of drive-in movie theaters in Texas, from the Mission Drive-In in San Antonio to The Showboat Drive-in in Hockley to Galaxy Drive-in Theatre in Ennis. Our favorite, though is Stars & Stripes New Braunfels. A towering, neon blue and red sign is the first thing you'll see upon approaching Stars & Stripes. And just in case that isn't enough of a nostalgia hit, they also have a diner with class walls, black leather booths, globe lights, and checkered floors where you can enjoy a meal before or after your movie. The original location is in Lubbock, so if you're closer to that neck of the woods, I'd highly recommend checking it out.
5. Play vintage arcade games
Joystix Games - Pinball Machines for Sale | Arcade & Classic Game Rental in Houston, 1820 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
There's no bonding activity quite like challenging each other to a game of ski ball or Pac-Man. Pictured above is Joystix in Houston, which is currently the largest vintage arcade in Texas. There are also several in Austin and even one in the small town of Richardson. Our favorite, though, is Maniac's Mansion. The ultimate place to be a kid again, Maniac's Mansion is an alcohol-free arcade bar nestled in the heart of historic downtown Wichita Falls. Upon entrance, you'll feel as if you've stepped through a portal back to simpler times, with wall-to-wall nostalgia in the form of old-school gaming consoles everyone born in the '90s or earlier will recognize. From pinball to Pac-Man and everything in between, the selection of games is huge!
In case you didn't notice, we're really in to old-school date night ideas here at Only In Texas! Nothing like a night of roller skating to bring you back to those junior high days. Skate hand-in-hand, and if you're as bad as I am, laugh as you steady each other to keep from falling. Austin Roller Rink is one of our favorites. Put on some oldies and let the good times roll. The Austin Roller Rink will take you back to a happier time when the clothes were shiny and the music was poppin'. Reminisce in the good 'ole days with your partner!
If mini golf is for kids and regular golf is for old fogies, Top Golf is right in the middle. Not easy by any means, but the holes are visible even from high up on the hitting platform, (how cool is that concept?!) so even if you're the worst golfer the world has ever seen (me), you still have a chance. Top Golf Austin is one of many romantic date ideas in Texas.
8. Take a vineyard tour
Texas Wine Tours, 37 Royal Oaks Loop, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA
They don't call it the Texas Wine Country for nothin'. We're home to some of the most beautiful vineyards in the nation, and I can think of very few things more romantic than strolling hand-in-hand through the lush greenery at sunset (and wine-in-hand - with Texas Wine Tours, tasting is included!)
Sure, other states have ice cream factories. But we have Blue Bell, so that automatically makes us superior. A sweet treat with your sweetheart - what could be better than that? Just be sure to order one milkshake with two straws, and you're set!
The hiking in Texas is second to none, and there are all sorts of places that offer stunning sunset views, too!
11. Watch the sunrise (or sunset). Wherever you are in Texas, you're guaranteed beautiful views at dawn and dusk - made even more breathtaking with the person you love by your side.
As you can see, I have a love for nostalgia. There's no better way to add fire to a relationship than letting the wild teenager in you come out and play - and no better place to make that happen than an old-fashioned bowling alley like Bowlounge. Bowling is a favorite American pastime, made even better when the atmosphere encourages cherished memories to resurface. That's exactly what you'll find at Bowlounge: a massive warehouse in Dallas that brings you straight back to childhood. While the building itself isn't terribly dated, all of its lanes were taken straight from a 1940s alley. How fun!
13. Walk through the Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218, USA
There's perhaps no place more romantic in Texas than the Dallas Arboretum. Located on the shores of White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is considered by many to be one of the country’s most beautiful and colorful gardens. While known primarily for its beautiful spring blooms, this Texas treasure is open -- and ravishing -- all year-round, offering visitors 66 acres of natural beauty to explore in each and every season. It features over a dozen different exhibits, each with its own distinct landscape. Some of these areas include a children's adventure garden, a pecan grove, and a tree tunnel whose striking beauty has earned it a spot on every photographer's bucket list.
Have you ever been on a date to any of these or similar places? What other unique date ideas can you think of in Texas? Share with us in the comments!
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