If you need inspiration for unique date night ideas Houston has many options at the ready. Saunter through a garden, stroll through a gallery, or see a movie on a rooftop: you can do it all in Space City. Consult this list of Houston date ideas of fun, cheap, zany, and or romantic things to do in Houston.
1. Experience an Enchanting Candlelight Concert
Calm your mind and experience classical music in a new light with these sensational concerts in some of Houston’s most magical locations. This concert series known simply as “Candlelight” invites everyone to relive the greatest works of classical music, from Vivaldi to Marvin Gaye, in an intimate atmosphere.
2. Catch a Concert Under the Stars
Concert Under The Stars is an exciting opportunity to experience live music on the best rooftop venue in Houston. Furthermore, Frank Sinatra Under The Stars allows visitors the chance to enjoy breathtaking renditions from the legendary musician’s catalogue accompanied by stunning views from the rooftop of Marriott Marquis in Houston.
3.Dine in the Dark
Have you ever contemplated the sensation of dining in complete darkness? Prominent psychologists have long championed the concept of dining in the dark as the ultimate taste adventure. Research indicates that a staggering 80 percent of individuals rely heavily on their visual perception while eating.
By removing this visual aspect, the hypothesis is that the other senses—namely, taste and smell—take center stage, transforming your dining experience into an entirely new realm. At Dining in the Dark, once you’ve donned your blindfold in the dimly lit, candlelit room, you’ll swiftly discover that honing in on taste and aroma alone can be a truly enlightening journey—assuming, of course, you’re not daunted by the absence of light!
4. Stargaze at The Twilight Epiphany Skyscape In Houston
Experience the wonder, awe, and romance at James Turrell Twilight Epiphany at Rice Campus. Here, sunrises and sunsets are synchronized through a sequence of colors and sounds that elevate the sunset into an ethereal experience. Plus, entrance is completely free.
5. Explore Meow Wolf: Radio Tave
Newly opened in Houston, Meow Wolf is a surreal wonderland filled with all sorts of oddities, secret passageways, and nooks & crannies. The experimental, large-scale venue in Fifth Ward offers an immersive experience unlike any other in Houston, that involves a journey in storytelling, puzzle-solving, and detective work. The venue also houses the psychedelic honky tonk, Cowboi Hevven.
6. Go on a Coffee Date
Whether you’re taking it slow on a first date, are comfortably in the honeymoon phase, or are long-time lovers, you can never go wrong with a coffee date.
7. Slip into a Speakeasy
Get in on the secret at one of Houston’s speakeasies. Behind bookshelves, “employees only” curtains, backdoors of bakeries, and more you can find some amazing speakeasies in Houston home to tantalizing cocktails, unreal ambiance, and maybe some origami.
8. Explore Old Town Spring
Located Northwest Houston, Old Town Spring is a darling shopping district populated with adorable, cottage-like mom-and-pop shops, one-of-a-kind retailers, and incredible local restaurants. Some of the more notable tenants include the Michelin-Starred Corkscrew BBQ restaurant. Whether you’re shopping, dining, catching a live concert – or doing it all – a date an Old Town Spring has something for everyone to enjoy!
9. Visit a Museum
Houston is a city of art, and we want the people to know it. That’s why many of Houston’s museums are either free to the public during select times throughout the week, or are just free altogether. If you’re trying to ignite the romance with a creative date idea, Houston Museum of Fine Art features an incredible collection of priceless arts. Furthermore, lovers can find this glorious garden on its grounds.
10. Watch the Sunset
Texas Hill Country might get all the love when it comes to sunset-gazing. But here in Houston, sunsets are stellar. When the time is just right, there are plenty of places in Space City that provide a perfect vantage point to catch the show. Our choice vantage points include the aforementioned James Turrell Twilight Epiphany, Eleanor Tinsley Park, and the Waugh Bridge.
11. Go for a Walk
Houston is notorious for being a car-driven city. Despite this being the truth for 99% of Houston, the remaining 1% provide ample opportunity to explore the city’s shops, campus grounds, and bar scene by foot.
12. Nurture Your Artistic Talent
Neon Brush in Houston is a great way to explore your artistic side with your date. Even if you’ve never taken a painting class before, these boozy art workshops are open to everyone. Let the creativity flow with vibrant and glow-in-the-dark paints!
13. Explore Lower Westheimer
While we were tempted to list numerous concepts on Lower Westheimer individually, we thought we’d combine them all for one epic day/night date.
Located in walking distance, couples can start off with a coffee (or more adult beverage if so inclined) at Agora, grab an ice cream at Jeni’s, go antiquing and thrifting at multiple stores on the block, grab a cocktail at Poison Girl, Pistolero’s, Anvil, or the newly minted Melrose cocktail lounge, and/or do dinner at Rosie Cannonball, Hugo’s, or Brasil.
14. Behold the Texas Bluebonnets
Looking for a spring date idea? Be sure to get a glimpse of the immaculate Texas Bluebonnets blooming from March to mid April. While there are a number of destinations in Houston to see splashes of blue, the ultimate beauty lies in the state’s more rural destinations where a bounty of bluebonnets await. Road trip?
15. Go for a Spin at Velocity
If you’re looking to go for a road trip but want to stay within the city limits? Go for a ride of the world’s most famous racing tracks at the newly minted Velocity Simulator Lounge in Sawyer Yards. Equipped with 16 top-quality simulators, Velocity provides the most realistic simulator racing experience in the state!
16. Dine in Decadence
If you’re looking for somewhere sultry to dine out or have a drink this season, these local romantic restaurants in Houston set the table as well as the mood.
17. Take a Hike
Spring is in the air; the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the allergens are waging war on our sinuses. Be sure to take full advantage of the cool, inviting weather before it gets too hot by exploring the best hiking in Houston.
18. Enjoy the innovative ‘We Call It Ballet’
Ballet and innovation intertwine at ‘We Call It Ballet’, a mesmerizing reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty. Set against the enchanting backdrop of Resurrection MCC, this spellbinding performance transforms the classic fairy tale. As the ballerinas dance, their LED-illuminated costumes elegantly shift colors, mirroring the tale’s emotional currents, while a captivating narrator guides you through the story’s magic.
19. Step Up to the Plate at Home Run Dugout
If baseball weren’t big enough in Houston, the city has its very own baseball-themed entertainment center. Call your shot at Austin-based Home Run Dugout in Katy with batting bays, biergarden, dog park, full restaurant, and more.
20. Visit Houston’s Stunning Rooftops
Get yourself acquainted with the city skyline at the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Houston. Here you can enjoy a scenic nightcap, panoramic cups of coffee, or maybe even a rooftop yoga session.
21. Catch a Movie Al Fresco
Using a 60-foot wide screen strewn across a stack of shipping containers, Moonstruck offers that classic drive-in vibe, while allowing local cinephiles to combine two of their favorite things: the city and the movies. Here, patrons are invited to park their automobiles, tune into FM transmission, and watch a variety of blockbusters, classic, and family friendly flicks.
- The Rooftop Cinema Club is a social cinema experience located on top of the Whole Foods in BLVD Place.
22-25. Cruise Through Houston’s Markets
Since opening just a few years ago, Post Houston, has made a name of itself as one of the hottest hubs in Houston. Home to an incredible array of eateries, a neighboring concert hall, 5-acre rooftop park, POST continues to bring the noise with exciting eats, events, pop-ups, and more.
- The Sunny Flea Market is somewhat unassuming. Located at 8705 Airline Drive in between I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road, the market doesn’t resemble much in the way of flourish. The parking lot costs $2 and isn’t paved. The entrance is a touch glum. Once inside, however, the festive excitement starts to settle in.
- Go straight to the source for produce while enjoy a variety of vendors, performances, and more at the best farmer’s markets in Houston
26-28. Go Big at Mini Golf
The Puttery is a 21-and-over mini-golf restaurant and bar in Houston’s Sawyer Yards neighborhood that provides a fusion of fine dining and competitive socializing.
- Popstroke is an experiential golf and casual dining concept of golfing legend, Tiger Woods. The technologically-advanced putt putt facility, restaurant, and beer garden is now open at 23110 Grand Circle Boulevard in Katy.
- Go back to the ’90s at the new Holey Moley mini-golf course and karaoke bar. The nostalgic new facility features three separate courses with 27 holes, as well as a wraparound Caddyshack Bar, restaurant, and more!
29. Visit Newman’s Castle
A short drive from Houston, situated on the rolling hills of Bellville is Newman’s Castle. The hand-built, larger-than-life replica castle features everything from a 3,000-pound draw bridge to corner turrets, a King Arthur’s table, and more. Visits of the castle are available 6 days a week, reservation required.
30. Discover the Sensual Argentine Tango
This partner ballroom dance originated in Argentina and Uruguay in the 19th century and by the early 1930s had already conquered swanky salons all over the world. This passionate art form is an unspoken language, telling the story of love and longing. So if you want to dazzle your date with a unique dance show, We Call It Tango in Houston is a three-act performance packed with electrifying energy.
31. Play Pickleball
Pickleball is sweeping the country, and Houston is here for it. Players can find a number of venues located throughout the city, including the Chicken N’ Pickle ‘eatertainment’ venue in Webster that features 6 indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, yard games, beer garden, and more.
For something a little closer to the heart of Houston, you can check out the new PKL Social in The Heights, a complex that features 4 pickleball courts, sports bar, and yard games like ping-pong and cornhole.
32. Try your Hand at the Claw
Revel in the nostalgia of claw machines at Claw Mania Kingdom. As Houston’s first claw machine arcade, the venue features over 40 machines filled with figurines, prizes, and plushies.
33. Handpick Your Favorite Fruits
Pick your heart out this spring at these forever fields in and around Houston! Whether it’s strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries, these fields in and around Houston have what you’re looking for.
34. Go Shrimping Indoors
As Bubba Gump once said, “shrimp is the fruit of the sea”. While some might believe that process of catching shrimp involves bulky crew-manned ships, wide-cast nets, and… the ocean, you might be surprised to learn shrimping can take place indoors. In Houston, the place is Ebi Ebi Shrimp Fishing.
35-40. Game On at Houston’s Barcades
Player 2 has entered the game. Engage in a little virtual competition at Houston’s great barcades.
- Escape into the carefree virtual world of gaming at Cidercade in East Downtown packed with a ton of games, ciders on tap, and 18,000 square feet of fun to be had.
- Whether your idea of gaming is Pacman, shooting hoops, ping-pong, or drinking cocktails over a game of cards, Houston’s new speakeasy, FAO HTX, has got you covered.
- Get a taste of UK pub culture, but with a modern twist. British-based gaming pub, Flight Club, is throwing itself into the Houston bar scene with its 21st century digitized dart boards, sharing boards, and bespoke cocktails.
- ARG Adventure Park is an adrenaline-fueled hot spot in Houston with locations in the northern Heights and Katy. Here, visitors can participate in axe throwing, paintball, laser tag, and follow up the action with a round of drinks at the bar and restaurant.
- Enjoy go-karting, pickleball, arcades, and more at the 100,000-square-foot Tex Fun & Social entertainment venue in Texas City
41. Tuft a Rug
A good rug really ties a room together. For another one the DIY Houston date ideas, string together a good time at Habibi Bazaar’s one-of-a-kind rug tufting workshops.
Hosted Wednesday through Sunday, the workshop allows patrons to design and make their own rugs through tufting machines, cloth, and all the yarn under the sun. Their Date Night workshop is a beginner class that allows couple to collab on a single rug. Workshops run between 2 and 4 hours. The Habibi Bazaar is located at Spring Street Studios.
42. Staycation In Texas
It’s with a tinge of guilt that we find ourselves traveling nationally and/or internationally knowing that the state of Texas has so much to offer. Whether it’s to save money on airfare, get closer to local nature, or simply getaway without all the fuss, here are 10 Texas Airbnbs that make for a sublime staycation!
43-46. Visit Houston’s Amazing Parks
One of the upsides of living in a city where winter is a rarity is being able to enjoy its plentiful park system throughout the entire year.
- Experience a vibrant blend of nature and art at Smithers Park, a creative urban space filled with technicolored mosaic installations, a meditation garden, a whimsical set of swings, and more!
- Wander out to Eleanor Tinsley Park. With its pristine lawn, undulating hills, and breathtaking location in front of the downtown skyline, it makes for an ideal spot to toss the frisbee, plop down for a picnic, or catch the sunset of clearer evenings.
- In between the Rothko Chapel and the Menil Collection in Montrose is Menil Park, a shaded little patch of greenery with plenty of natural nooks and crannies for one to curl up with a book, catch up with friends, or simply be present.
- Explore 26 acres of recently added natural spaces, gardens, a community gathering space, and more at Hermann Park’s dazzling new green space: The Commons.
47. Bake a Cake
Make your cake and eat it too at The CreATEery do-it-yourself cake-making pop-up in Houston. As one of the sweeter date ideas Houston has to offer, The CreATEery is a BYOB event with pop-ups at different venues throughout the city. Check out organization’s website for its upcoming events!
48. Journey through the Stars at George Conservatory
Explore the heavens at the George Observatory. Equipped with dome and deck telescopes, the George Observatory puts you amongst the stars, planets, and stellar phenomenon of the cosmos. The venue also features constellation laser tours as well as a Milky Way exhibit area. The conservatory is only open from 7 pm to 10 pm on Saturday nights. Tickets must be purchased online!
49. Explore the Underground
Connect with your date on a deeper level in the Houston underground. Throughout the week, you can explore the network of tunnels underneath downtown, Houston, or anytime, grab a drink and a bite at Houston Underground Food Hall. Or, see what’s going on at Cistern, Houston’s underground venue that regularly hosts music performances, art shows, and tours.
50-56. Hop around Houston’s Hottest Neighborhoods
No matter where you look in the Houston Metropolitan Area, you’ll find amazing restaurants, bars, culture, and exciting things to do. That said, Houston’s hottest neighborhoods are popular for a reason. Whether you’re looking for a good time in your own neighborhood, or want to go exploring, here are the best things to do in Houston’s most happening ‘hoods.
57. Catch a Comedy Show
Live, laugh, love via comedy. While a comedy show is probably a bad idea for some couples, those with a shared sense of humor ought to take advantage of the incredible comedy scene here in Houston.
From The Riot in Rudyard’s attic in Montrose to The Secret Group in East Downtown, The Houston Improv in Katy, and more: there’s always a hot mic in Houston somewhere.
58. Go to a Concert
From music festivals, speakeasy jazz shows, stadium concerts, and pop sing-a-longs, Houston’s got a lot of fantastic live music lined up for this year. Take a look at our article here to get a look at the best concerts in Houston this year.
59. Treat yourselves to the Spa
For something sensual to do with your date, consider a couple’s massage at a Houston spa. From Moroccan baths to karoake-having Korean spas, Five Star Award winners, and more: check out our list of the best spas in Houston.
60-62. Visit your Local Library
Cozy up in the nooks of your local library. Whatever part of town you’re in, chances are there’s a library near you. Most recently, Montrose-Freed Library reopened its new facilities. There’s also the historical and gorgeous Julia Ideson Library in Downtown, Houston, and the Oxford-inspired Lanier Theological Library on the Northwest side that is worthy of a drive.