Dating in summer is all about spending time in the great outdoors, soaking up the sunshine and indulging in activities limited to the warmer months of the year. Social psychology insists that doing fun activities with your SO is guaranteed to increase the attraction. It’s all about association—participate in thrilling activities with someone, and that excitement will become associated with them.
Whether you’re looking to impress a new date or want to inject some excitement into a long-term relationship, these 50 summer date ideas are guaranteed to get the romance going.
- Load up on snacks and snuggle up with your beloved under a blankie at Movies in Parks.
- Stargaze in one of these mind-blowing spots.
- Pack a picnic and hit up mother nature for a stunning walk/hike, or even a waterfall or caving adventure.
- Spend a day in the sun at one of these beautiful beaches.
- Hit up one of Auckland’s farmers’ markets for an early morning weekend adventure. Load up on the groceries while strolling the rows, handfeeding each other samples and meeting the stallholders.
- Rent a two-person kayak or go sailing through the Waitemata Harbour in an authentic America’s Cup yacht.
- Head to Eden Park, load up on beer and enjoy the lively atmosphere of a sporting match, yelling occasional profanities at the opposition.
- Hop in the car and head for Catalina Bay, where a leisurely walk along the coast and ice-cold beersies at Little Creatures await.
- Head to Waiheke and spend a day hopping through some of Auckland’s best wineries. Enjoy the views, sample the goods and load up on your faves.
- Hire some rollerblades and skate the Mission Bay coastline.
- Visit Rainbow's End for some teen-style date action. Make out on the roller coaster, stuff your faces with cotton candy and try your hand at a shooting game to win a cutesy teddy for your other half.
- Go biking together. Hit up the pink cycle path, try mountain biking or—if teamwork is more your forte—opt for tandem.
- Spend a day splashing in the water at one of these swimming pools (if you're feeling adventurous, opt for one with a diving pool or hydro-slide).
- Head to JK’s World Of Golf for a late night session at the driving range, smashing out your frustrations at any and all times of day or night.
- Feed your face with these droolworthy food trucks.
- Romance 101: start the day with a cup of coffee and an epic sunrise at one of these stunning locations. Alternatively, end the day with a picnic and glass of vino at one of these beautiful spots to watch the sun set.
- Take your date for a fishing adventure—off the rocks or off the boat, either way you’re in for a tranquil experience and a little bit of competition.
- Summer means strawberries and there’s nothing quite like picking them fresh. Stuff yourself full and take a bunch away at these strawberry picking farms.
- Take a romantic stroll through some of the most gorgeous gardens in and around our city.
- Enjoy live music in an Auckland park near you. Curl up on a blanket or boogie by the stage at one of these free gigs hosted by the council this summer.
- Invest in a kite or two and fly them at your favourite park, beach or mountain top. Try not to get tangled.
- Channel your inner child and have a good ol’ fashioned water balloon fight in the back yard.
- Put your best paddle forward and kayak the picturesque Puhoi River (don't forget pints at the local pub afterward).
- Visit Auckland Zoo and admire all the varied life forms our beautiful planet has to offer.
- Check out the local flea markets together. Look through the offerings and welcome the accompanying nostalgia reminiscing about the simplicity of days gone by.
- Go camping for a super chill, romantic getaway. Check out some of these camping sites near Auckland or venture a bit further. If camping is a little extreme, perhaps go for the glamping option, instead.
- Catch a ferry to the country's oldest riverside tavern, The Riverhead, where you'll be treated to views, brews, and a bloody good feed.
- Soak up the sun while sipping on a refreshing cocktail at one of Auckland’s glorious rooftop bars.
- Load up on grains and stroll through Western Springs, feeding the local residents of ducks, geese and swans.
- Cool off with a treat from one of the city's best ice cream and gelato shops.
- Dive into the deep blue sea and observe all of its weird and wonderful creatures at these snorkelling spots.
- If you’re both into the occasional adrenaline rush, take a walk up the Harbour Bridge and go bungee jumping together.
- Take in all the views from up high on a hot air balloon ride.
- Or, do the same from the comfort of a helicopter cabin.
- Fulfil your need for speed with a trip to a go-karting track.
- If you’re both dog crazy and have a four-legged member in the family, hit up one of these cafes for brunch.
- Get on the green and putt your stuff at one of these mini golf courses.
- Hit up Auckland Night Markets and enjoy the lively atmosphere, street food and cheap buys.
- Learn to surf together and laugh at each other’s bails.
- Take a day trip to Wild On Waiheke where you'll be able to enjoy a brew and a range of outdoor activities such as archery, clay-bird shooting and giant chess.
- Play a game of lawn balls together. It really isn't just for the oldies and boy, does it get competitive.
- Grab a board—and your balance—and take to the seas with a spot of stand up paddle boarding.
- Cool down from the heat with the help of beer. Take a beer tour and jump through a range of breweries sampling the best of the best.
- Scale the treetops at a high-wire, tree adventure park. Check out Tree Adventures or Rocket Ropes.
- Check out the amazing mammals living right in your own backyard with Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari.
- Visit the Vector Wero Whitewater Park for a whitewater rafting or kayaking adventure.
- True adrenaline junkies, bond over the terror of jumping out of a plane with Skydive Auckland.
- Don those cowboy boots and hit up a horse trek with your date, riding beachside through Muriwai.
- Speaking of Muriwai, check out the love birds of the Muriwai gannet colony (there are more than 1000 pairs of them nesting over the summer).
- Finally, take a midnight swim and go skinny dipping. There's nothing like a little mischievous fun to get those endorphins flowin’.
Kick things up a notch with a low-key romantic getaway.
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