Date Night Ideas in Dallas Fort Worth

Hey, Dallas Forth Worth, if you haven’t heard, the classic dinner-and-a-movie date is so last year. Now it’s all about creative, experiential date nights that put you in touch with your artsy, competitive, or literary sides.

Whether you’re planning a first date, second date, or date night with your long-time partner, you’ll find plenty of fun date ideas around the DFW metroplex.

We’ve compiled some of our favorite unique date night ideas in Dallas and  Fort Worth to help your burgeoning romance blossom.

Artsy Dates

Ready, Aim, Smile

Whether you’re an aspiring shutterbug or you just snap the occasional sunset to share on social, any couple is sure to have a blast with photography lessons around DFW. It’s the perfect excuse to get outside, explore, and grab some stellar snaps to catalog your date on Instagram. Discover the finer points of digital — or film if you’re old school — photography and learn the finer points of lighting, composition, and more. Whether you’re an aspiring shutterbug or just share the occasional sunset on social, you and your date are sure to have lots of fun capturing the amazing sights and sounds across DFW.

Get Muddy Together

One of the most fun things to do in Dallas for couples is to get muddy. No, we’re not talking mud wrestling or Tough Mudder events (though, we don’t judge). Instead, it’s pottery mud we’re after — and creative couples who aren’t afraid of literally getting their hands dirty can create beautiful clay art together. Reenact everyone’s favorite scene from the Patrick Swayze-Demi Moore classic, Ghost, as the two of you take the pottery wheel for a spin and learn the finer points of throwing clay. Just save the clay time canoodling for a more private place.

Drawn Together

Hey, you’ve already been drawn together for your date. Why not draw together and punch up those Pictionary skills for future game nights? Pick up the pencil or brush and learn the finer points of line, shape, shading, and capturing what your eyes and imagination see. You can find in-person classes around town, or you can try your hand anywhere with online courses.

Paint & Sip

Paint and sip, drink and draw, wine, and art. Whatever you call it, there’s nothing wrong with this classic of the creative date genre. Along with your date, grab an apron, paints, and a glass of red, and follow along with the instructions (or don’t). Both of you are sure to create a unique piece of art to brighten up your homes (or stuff in the back of the closet). Plus, you’ll have plenty of time for conversation to gauge whether those sparks are real or just the wine and brush strokes talking!

Muse Together at the Museum

If you’re less artistically inclined and more artistically appreciative, plan your date at one of the many Dallas and Fort Worth art museums. Start in the downtown Dallas Arts District, where you and your beau can peruse more than 25,000 pieces that span 5,000 years of human artistic expression at the Dallas Museum of Art or explore hundreds of masterpieces from Calder, Giacometti, Hepworth, Matisse, Picasso, and more at the Nasher Sculpture Center. For a Fort Worth art outing, your date and you are sure to be fascinated by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in the heart of the city’s Cultural District. Explore the rich breadth and complexity of American creativity through Carter’s expansive collection and world-class exhibits.

Game Dates

Putter Around the Green

For those who love to inject a little competition into your date planning, here’s an idea that’s a hole-in-one. Challenge your potential partner to 18 holes — of mini golf. The mild Texas weather makes this a great year-round option for a fun date night idea. You’ll find plenty of options to hone your putting skills around downtown Fort Worth — from the 21+ cocktail hour vibin’ Puttery, with its four mini golf courses each serving up its exclusive custom cocktails, to Hidden Valley Miniature Golf and its course of classic challenging obstacles and hazards from windmills to water features. Who knows? Maybe showing off your short game will result in a long-term relationship.

Score Points with Your Date

For couples who love to play (and maybe a tad bit competitive), what better way to score points than, well, by scoring actual points? Just don’t spill a drink on your date. (That’s a guaranteed way to lose points.) With locations in Dallas and Fort Worth, Barcadia is a great option for couples to grab a drink and rap nostalgic with classic arcade and video games. Other options include Cidercade in Dallas and Fort Worth. Test your skills at classics like Ms. Pac-Man while you try one of their hard ciders, seltzers, or kombuchas — all brewed on site! If you prefer beer with your video games, try FreePlay Arcade. It boasts the largest beer list in the DFW metroplex and you’re sure to find something to play among its 95+ games. No matter where you go, it’s sure to be on like Donkey Kong!

Game Night for Two

Prefer a more analog gaming experience for date night? Plan an evening at a game café or restaurant such as Game Theory in Fort Worth. You’re sure to find a game (or several) to play together from their extensive library. While you make your moves (around the board), indulge in one of Game Theory’s myriad appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drinks. Who knows? Winning the game may be the key to winning your date’s heart.

Food and Drink Dates

Cooking Up Romance

The classic dinner date may be out, but sharing a meal never goes out of style — especially if you make it yourself. Enjoy the company and conversation as you and your date dish up a meal together. Street tacos? Sushi? Chicken and waffles? Whatever your stomach is aching for, find a cooking class that suits your palette in either Dallas or Fort Worth. If cooking classes aren’t your thing, consider a casual picnic lunch or dinner at one of the metroplex’s myriad parks and green spaces.

BONUS: Last-Minute Date Ideas for the Procrastinating Romantic

Procrastinators deserve love, too. That’s why we’ve compiled a bonus list of last-minute fun date ideas around DFW for those who need to text a destination, like, right now. 

Sundance Square

For a good time in the heart of Fort Worth, nothing beats Sundance Square. The sprawling development features enough entertainment, dining, and shopping to last several dates. Find a spot to grab a drink or bite from Sundance Square’s array of bars and restaurants spanning flavors from across the globe. Share some laughs at Hyena’s Comedy Club or catch a performance at the Jubilee Theatre. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg that is Sundance Square. There’s also live music every Friday and Saturday night and its events calendar is always packed.

Read Between the Lines

For a fun and easy last-minute date idea, hit up your favorite purveyor of literature and good reads. Share personal recommendations and lifelong favorites or peruse the shelves for new stories to share together. The best part is DFW is home to dozens of brilliant book sellers to get lost in together. We highly recommend Monkey and Dog Books in Fort Worth for a quaint and cozy spot with lots of great books (and coffee).

A Global Adventure

No passport is needed to take this worldly adventure. SeaQuest Fort Worth brings the earth’s most majestic wonders to Texas. Rainforests, deserts, and marine life all await you. The interactive aquarium’s exhibits include quests through an Icelandic Fishing Village, the Amazon River, and more. Impress your date by snorkeling with sharks, stingrays, and tropical fish, or coming face to face with crocodilians. For an adventurous, fun, last-minute date, don’t miss a trip to SeaQuest.

Date Night Ideas Dallas-Fort Worth

Still looking for fun things to do in Dallas for couples? Try some of these fun and flirty date ideas that include DIY, day, weekend, and late-night date options! Recently moved to DFW? Check out our storage tips to help you stay organized in your new home. Plus, we have your storage needs covered whether you land in Dallas or Fort Worth.