When in a relationship, one of the best parts of being with your significant other is when you can go on dates with one another. This is a somewhat special day/night out where the two of you can spend time together one on one doing something other than watching Netflix in your bedroom. The problem is that it’s not always easy to decide on what you guys are going to do, so I’ve compiled a list of some great date night ideas that I thought would be super awesome to do!

1. My number one date night would have to be going to a Pirates game. I am such a huge baseball fan, and the environment is seriously so amazing, not to mention the view of the beautiful city of Pittsburgh! But if you and your significant other aren’t near any major cities, or happen to dislike baseball (there may be something wrong there…), then just attend any local sporting event! The food is great, the atmosphere is fun, and it will be a memory that you can bring up in the future. Sometimes the Pirates have $1 tickets, and other times the cheapest seats are somewhere between $12 and $16, which is still extremely doable!
2. Star gazing in any open area is one of the most romantic dates a person could take someone on. Not only are you under a beautiful scenery, but you’re alone in a space where you can get to know one another on such a more intimate level. Personally, I could look up at the stars by myself on any given clear night and spend hours thinking about the universe and how special each and every individual is. Imagine what conversations that could lead to if I was looking at something that great with my significant other right next to me. Maybe the best part about this date is that it is completely FREE. Just find a big open space and allow your minds to take the reins.
3. Something that I have always wanted to do was go to a drive-in movie! I love going to see movies in theaters anyways, so I can imagine going to see one at a drive-in would be that much better. You are free to talk during the movie because you’re in the privacy of your car, or at the very least a decent distance away from the other watchers. You have a much broader menu of snacks that you can eat or drink while watching your movie, as well as the typical, but ever so delicious, popcorn and soda. What’s best is that most of the time you get to see two movies for the price of one because most drive-ins show double features! If you’re tired of the typical movie theater setting, but love to watch movies, this is the date night option for you!
4. When I was in first grade, I was asked for the first time what I wanted to be when I grew up. My answer for the next three or four years was, “I want to be a famous figure skater!” Now, as a 20-year-old college student, I would still love to be a famous figure skater, but I happen to be terrible on the ice. This is why going ice-skating would be a fantastic date for you and your significant other. Chances are that neither one of you could go to the Olympics for your skating abilities, so you will either be holding onto each other very closely, or laughing at each other as you fall down or stumble every now and then. Every winter in Pittsburgh, the city puts up an enormous Christmas tree at PPG Place and it is one of the most popular places for couples to go on dates during that time. It’s a one of a kind ice rink, but if your area doesn’t have one of these beautiful places available, or it isn’t that time of the year, then there’s always the local indoor skating rink that is open to the public during certain days and times of the week! An alternative to this would be roller skating, which is just as fun, just not as cold! Both of these date night ideas are very affordable and don’t require much planning at all!
5. Take a hike! But no, seriously. Being one with nature can completely change your outlook on life, and if you’re doing this with your significant other, it can completely change your outlook on your relationship. Put down the cell phones and put on the boots. Spending time together in the wilderness while also getting in some exercise is never a bad thing. It has been proven that exercise can boost one’s emotions, so why not go on a hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery with your significant other? Not everyone has huge mountains or lakes around, but you can definitely find an area that would suffice. This is also completely and totally FREE.
6. You both could decide on what’s for dinner that night, go grocery shopping together, and then spend the night preparing dinner for one another. As long as you don’t choose anything outrageous like steak or lobster, this would be a pretty cheap date. You would be spending time with one another while making food, which makes everyone happy in the long run! You could even add a little champagne or wine, music, and candlelight to make your night a little more romantic.
7. Going to a cute coffee shop is always a very neat experience. Usually, you can find some days during the week when there are local bands who will play a set or two. The coffee is usually delicious, and if coffee isn't really your thing, then go for a smoothie or other fun local drink that's offered. The local shop near us has the best soups, so always check out the food menu!
8. Spend the night together compiling a list of things that neither one of you has done, but has always wanted to do. This could range from really simple things like riding a skateboard, to really extravagant things like traveling to Europe. Sure, you two might have an idea of what the other wants to do when they eventually come into money, but this is a fun idea to get one another talking about things they might secretly be passionate about.
9. I am definitely the type of person who loves to take pictures while I'm with the people I love, but every now and then I feel like my phone storage and my Instagram both need a little break. A super cute idea that I've read about once was going out and buying some cheap disposable cameras and spending the day with someone you love just exploring interesting, fun places. Take funny, cute, and cheesy pictures that you can later get developed. This could even lead to a memorable scrapbook down the line!
10. Maybe one of my all-time favorite date ideas would be going to a museum. There is nothing cooler to me than going back in time and revisiting eras of the past. I'm lucky enough to be from a pretty big city where there are a plethora of museums at my disposable, but if you happen to live somewhere more rural, then just Google a historical landmark near your location and I'm sure there's plenty of places that will pop up around you, and if not - road trip!

If all else fails, you could always stay in and watch Netflix together, as long as you and your person are happy and together, that’s all that really matters!