Whether you’re going on your first date or attached to your partner for a while, we’ve got some of the best winter date ideas sure to make any couple fall in love all over again.
Happy Tuesday!
Winter is one of those seasons where you either love it or hate it. That usually depends on how you feel about the cold. And personally, I hate the cold. In fact, I despise it. I’d rather stay indoors, wrapped up like the little burrito I am, and sipping on some hot cocoa or tea than go outside for any reason whatsoever.
Wipe the snow off the car? Forget it, I’m not doing it.
Shovel snow? Are you kidding me? That is my boyfriend’s job.
Me and outside during the winter don’t really mix.
But this isn’t really about my aversion to the winter cold. Nope, I wanted to compile a fun list of the best winter date ideas that I think anyone could get behind.
Depending on what you’re looking forward to doing with your partner, whether it’s a first date or you’re both well acquainted with each other, this list definitely has enough for everyone.
A lot of this list won’t be incredibly winter-specific, but rather things that you can do indoors (obviously) if you are cold-averse like me. It’ll give you enough things to do without withering your list to solely outdoorsy stuff.
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Table of Adventures
Winter Outdoor Date Ideas
I will start with the outdoors list first because… well, these are always quintessential, after all. This is the list for people who don’t mind getting borderline frostbite. Y’all are crazy.
- Snowshoeing
- Skiing/Snowboarding
- Sledding
- Ice Skating
- Ice Fishing (if you’re into a calming, super cold date. Or from Minnesota.)
- Snow hiking
- Stargazing in the park or clearing in the woods. Bring thick blankets and wear wool socks to fend off the cold. If you can make a fire, you can keep both of you cozy for a while. 😀 And don’t forget some warm drinks, like cocoa!
- Snowmobiling
- Take a roll in the snow after a steamy sauna session.
- Attend a Christmas parade. Remember those ear muffs!
- Take a stroll through a park.
- With fresh snow, build a snow fort and have a snowball fight of epic proportions!
- See the neighborhood lights as you stroll through your town together. Grab a thermos of hot tea or cocoa to keep you warm, then do a little Googling of light shows around you. Driving is okay for this, but taking a romantic walk is even better and, if you are feeling social, you can chat up a neighbor or two with compliments about their home. You may even meet some new friends!
- See if your local botanical gardens are decorating for the season and take your date on a romantic evening walk. If the gardens allow champagne on the premises, that can be a wonderful addition to the night.
- If you’re both patient, with absolutely nowhere to go, build an igloo together! Experience something new, and if you make it right, it’ll be warm enough to stay the night in. Just try not to steam it up too much or your igloo will melt!
- It’s perfectly acceptable to let your childlike nature out to play, so, make snow angels and snowmen together. You can make them as fancy as you want them to be.
- Go on a winter carriage ride. Make sure to bring an oversized throw that can be spread across both of your laps.
Fun Indoor Winter Activities for Couples
Of course, if you’re anything like me, being outside for too long is like a death sentence. That’s a no for me, dawg. Therefore, I put together a lengthy list of things you can do with your new (or old) beau inside that is sure to bring a smile to you both.
There’s something here for everyone.
- Rent a room in an indoor waterpark (e.g., Great Wolf Lodge) and experience the thrills of the summer indoors, even if it’s bitterly cold outside.
- Make your way over to a farmer’s market, either locally or a ways-away, and go Christmas food shopping. When you’re ready, head home and cook a dish together and enjoy it in each other’s company.
- Spend the night indoors with freshly popped popcorn in your pajamas and a rotation of winter-themed movies.
- Turn your living room into a beach paradise. Bring in the pool floats, the umbrella, and make some cocktails and lounge on the “beach” (a.k.a, your couch or floor) and soak in some summer movies or tunes.
- Go blind dining (eating in the dark). If this is the first date, it’ll help ease the awkwardness and help to jumpstart the “get to know you” phase without feeling super nervous. Plus, it’s a really cool first date idea.
- Take a trip to your local university and watch a sports game.
- Indoor mini-golf.
- Create a scavenger hunt inside for your S.O. – give them a treasure map with the allotted time attached and when they’ve found everything, hand them a prize that’ll set their hearts ablaze.
- Try The Adventure Challenge. It’s a scratch-off adventure book perfect for any couple wanting to add more excitement to their lives. It’s great for going outside of your comfort zone as you never know what you’ll scratch off!
- Learn how to make a brand new dish that neither of you has ever tried before.
- Go wine or beer tasting. Remember to take an Uber home. 😉
- Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without me shamelessly adding in: indoor rock climbing. Please. Just do it. Also, if your date happens to be with someone who identifies as a man, tell him to use his legs, not his arms. As a former climbing instructor, I have seen men on dates fizzle out quickly because they’re clawing their way to the top instead of letting their legs do most of the work as they should be.
- Go bowling. Obviously, you want to see which one of you is the ultimate winner. Whoever is the sore loser has to buy the other one ice cream!
- Splurge for a brunch at a popular spot and get the fanciest hot chocolate they offer along with your meal. (Have you caught on to my hot cocoa addiction yet?)
- Put together a game night. It’s a lot easier than you think to find games meant for two people.
- Visit a museum. This is great for a surprise date. If you’re in a place like New York City, you’ve got the pick of the litter, but even if you’re in a smaller city, look for a museum out of the way that will intrigue your partner. A lot of museums also run programs throughout the year, and especially during the winter season.
- Go to a bar and learn how to play pool. You’ll get to know the locals, too!
- See a Christmas play – The Nutcracker and Swan Lake are usually easy ones to find.
- If you’re in NYC for the holidays, because hello, you need to see the Rockettes at Rockefeller Center. It’s a long-standing tradition for a reason.
- When was the last time you saw a play in an actual theater? Do that.
- Set up a romantic indoor picnic. Turn the TV on to a loop playing of a crackling fire or falling snow, and you’re all set.
- Pick out a saucy book to read together and read the chapters out loud to each other.
- Move the furniture out of the way, turn on some dance music, and have a dance party in your living room!
- Be inspired by their favorite movie scene (with food) such as Ratatouille, Julie and Julia, heck, Deadpool, and prepare a dish from that movie for your love. This can be as romantic or as cheesy as you want it to be.
- Check out a jazz club together.
- Go to the library and find your favorite children’s books and read them to each other. It’s a great way to get to know each other better.
- Take a pottery class together. Ghost anyone? 😛
- A lowkey, keep to yourself sort of date, you can be productive together at a quiet out-of-the-way cafe that specializes in delicious coffee and baked treats. Work on your respective passion projects while enjoying each other’s company.
- Learn a hobby together.
- Buy a puzzle and put it together. Then keep it as a memento by using mod podge, foam, and a frame.
- Run an Iron Chef date at home. Grab 1-3 ingredients from the grocery store and each of you has to come up with a dish based on those ingredients.
- Sign up for a boozy paint night at your local art store.
- Use AirBnb’s Experience tab and find nearby adventures that you otherwise wouldn’t have thought of doing.
- You can also check out The Culture Trip and Atlas Obscura for experiences and off-the-beaten-path places to see and do.
The Culture Trip // Atlas Obscura
- Check out your local amusement park and attend their Christmas themed decorations, if any.
- See a magic show or a comedy show and enjoy warm belly laughs together.
- Take a holiday themed cooking or baking class. You can do these in person or online. Maybe start with a gingerbread house.
Conclusion for Cute Date Ideas During Winter
As you can probably tell, there are a plethora of things you can do for a fun winter date. My boyfriend and I have done a fair number of these and we’re still going. So, whether it’s with someone you’re getting to know or someone you’ve been with for a while, the ideas are truly endless.
Happy dating!