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Whether you’ve been dating for a few months or a few years, no relationship can progress or flourish without romance. No matter what stage you’re in, romantic feelings are what keep the passion alive, your bond strong, and your partnership growing.
As time goes on, however, it’s common for feelings of romance to stagnate or even dwindle. The two of you may find yourselves falling into a rhythm, whether it’s heading to your favorite restaurant on Friday nights or starting every Sunday with breakfast in bed before taking a stroll around the neighborhood. While carving out time to spend together is essential for any union to flourish, when it becomes routine, the predictability can take the spontaneity and excitement out of your relationship. Or perhaps your romantic feelings toward your partner are steady or fading because you aren’t prioritizing quality time or shared experiences at all, whether it’s due to conflicting schedules or poor planning.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to turn up the romance in your relationship. To nurture your connection and strengthen your bond, we’ve rounded up the most romantic things to do with your partner. You’ll find that many of these activities involve minimal planning, easy execution, and little to no cost, such as writing out your bucket list or creating a playlist. Others on the list are more elaborate and splurge-worthy, requiring more consideration and preparation, like booking a weekend getaway. No matter how much time you have, where you are, or what your budget is, all of these ideas will keep the love burning.
Wondering how to rekindle the romance? Read on for 50 romantic things to do with your partner.
Recreate Your First Date
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To take a stroll down memory lane and revisit a time when sparks were flying, recreate your first date. Eating at the same restaurant or visiting the same movie theater where you first explored your connection will remind you why you started dating and how far your relationship has come. If your first date wasn't that memorable, pick one of your earlier dates to replicate.
Leave Love Notes
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While planned activities will give you something to look forward to, surprising your partner with a thoughtful gesture will make them feel especially appreciated. Let your significant other know you're thinking about them by leaving love notes around the house, whether it's pasted on the bathroom mirror or next to the coffee maker.
Make a Scrapbook
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If you and your partner have a free afternoon or evening, make a scrapbook with mementos from your relationship, such as old ticket stubs, photos of your favorite memories, and handwritten letters. Not only will you spend precious time together, but you'll also get to relive all of the wonderful experiences you've shared.
Visit a Farmers Market
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Heading to your local farmers market is a wonderful opportunity to revive the romance in your relationship. To turn this outing into an intimate experience, hold hands while you peruse the produce. Then, prepare a home-cooked meal with the ingredients you bought and dine on the cuisine by candlelight.
Take an Unplanned Road Trip
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In a rut in your relationship? Going on an adventure will restore the thrill that you once felt when you first started dating your partner. To add some excitement to your union, take a spontaneous road trip to a new destination that's within driving distance. Along the journey, listen to music, take in the sights, and ask deep questions.
Book a Cooking Class
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Whether cooking is a beloved pastime or a skill you want to refine, a romantic thing to do with your partner is take a cooking class, either a private session or with a group. Maybe you've always wanted to make homemade pasta or you're hoping to learn some new skills to implement in your own kitchen. Whatever your intention is, the shared experience is guaranteed to bring the two of you closer.
See a Concert
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Music aficionados, this one's for you. If your favorite band is playing at a nearby venue or there's a music festival in town, buy tickets with your partner. Dancing and signing along to the live performances will definitely make for a romantic evening.
Write a Shared Bucket List
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Have you and your partner always wanted to visit the Amalfi Coast or go skydiving? If the two of you have a list of shared goals and wishes, set aside a few hours to jot them down on your shared bucket list. Envisioning your future together will bring an element of excitement to your union.
Hike a Local Trail
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For a dose of fresh air and sunshine, hike a local trail. In the peaceful setting, without any distractions, you’ll be able to appreciate your partner and engage in stimulating conversation. Not to mention, you’ll get the endorphins flowing.
Design a Coffee Table Book
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Another romantic thing to do with your partner is personalizing a photo album of couple shots to place on your coffee table. Choosing the pictures that best represent your relationship is an opportunity to bond. Plus, whenever you flip through the pages in the future, you’ll be reminded of those blissful times.
Taste Wine at a Vineyard
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Spending an afternoon tasting various wines while overlooking grapevines is enough to make sparks fly. If you have a vineyard near you, schedule a day to visit with your partner. Otherwise, you can plan a weekend getaway.
Pack a Picnic Lunch
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When the forecast is warm enough to eat outside, one romantic thing to do with your significant other is pack a picnic. Fill a basket with sandwiches, fruit salad, cheese and crackers, and other staples. Then, perch on a blanket in your backyard, at a local park, or on the beach and dive in.
Plan Your Dream Vacation
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Have you been dreaming about a summer escape to Greece or a winter ski trip to Aspen? Use your night in to make those plans with your significant other. Organizing the details of your dream trip and imagining the awe-inspiring experience will bring the two of you closer.
Explore a Museum
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Spending an afternoon roaming around the exhibits of a museum with your partner will provide plenty of opportunities for stimulating conversation and connection. Find a museum that caters to both of your interests, whether it's admiring historic pieces of art, learning fascinating facts about the solar system, or immersing yourself in another culture.
Be a Tourist in Your Own City
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One romantic thing to do with your partner is visiting all of the places you walk by on a daily basis but never take the time to explore. Try a new restaurant or listen to live music at a rooftop bar. Whatever you do, exploring your old stomping grounds will bolster your bond.
Take a Dance Class
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Getting out of your comfort zone is a surefire way to prevent stagnation and ignite the passion in your relationship. And the impact will be even stronger when the activity is a romantic one like a dance class. Pick a style of dance that appeals to you and enjoy sharing laughs and making memories.
Experience a Drive-In Movie
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While you can always queue up a movie in your own home, heading to a drive-in theater is arguably more romantic. Convert the trunk of your car into a comfortable spot for lounging with blankets and pillows. And don't forget to bring plenty of snacks.
Organize a Weekend Getaway
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Dreaming about cozying up next to your partner in the mountains or relaxing on an idyllic beach? Turn these fantasies into a reality by visiting the destination with your partner. Spending a weekend away, outside of your normal routine and place of residence, will allow the two of you to focus your undivided attention on one another.
Enjoy a Couples Massage
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There's nothing more romantic than getting a couples massage with your partner. Enjoy the indulgent, relaxing treatment with your loved one by your side at a nearby spa. Be sure to arrive ahead of your appointment to enjoy the steam room, sauna, or hot tub first.
Watch the Sunrise
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Start the day off on a romantic note by watching the sunrise with your significant other. Scope out a scenic location for viewing, such as on the beach or the edge of a cliff. Gazing at the magnificent site while wrapping your arms around one another will make you fall more in love.
Put on a Movie
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A romantic thing to do on your next date night is put on a movie you've been wanting to watch but haven't had time for. Whether it's an endearing rom-com or a suspenseful thriller, cuddling on the couch will make you feel physically connected.
Eat Breakfast in Bed
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Tend to your relationship by having a slow morning in bed with your partner, complete with breakfast. You can either prepare the meal together or assign each other certain days to cook—like you take Saturday and your partner takes Sunday. Either way, the activity will allow you to bask in the simple pleasures of your union.
Spend the Day at the Aquarium
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Paying a visit to a nearby aquarium, filled with exotic sea creatures, is an excellent way to spend time with your partner. While looking at marine life, the two of you will learn something new and create lasting memories. The laid-back environment also makes it easy to engage in dialogue with one another.
Gaze at the Stars
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For a rom-com-worthy experience with your partner, go stargazing. Looking up at the luminous sky, while your significant other is beside you, will help your bond become closer and deeper. Head outdoors on a clear night and pick out constellations. As a bonus, light a bonfire and toast marshmallows, too.
Cook a Romantic Dinner
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Looking for a romantic thing to do that's budget-friendly and low-maintenance but still extremely enjoyable? Cook a romantic dinner at home. Begin the evening by choosing the recipe and buying the necessary ingredients at the grocery store. Then, spend the remainder of your date whipping up the meal in the kitchen and savoring the results.
Dine by Candlelight
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To really up the ante with your at-home dinner date, create the right ambiance with candlelight. Convert your kitchen into a romantic restaurant by dimming the lights and lining the table with illuminated votives. Whether you grab takeout or prepare a multistep recipe, the dreamy environment will make the experience more special.
Volunteer Together
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Whether it’s volunteering at a local soup kitchen or picking up trash at a nearby park, giving back to the community will nurture your relationship and sense of purpose—especially if the two of you are contributing to a cause that you’re both passionate about. Watching your partner help those in need will present an opportunity for you to praise all of their wonderful qualities.
Ride a Ferris Wheel
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If there's a local fair or carnival in town or you're visiting an amusement park, hop on the ferris wheel with your partner. You'll feel on top of the world as the land stretches below you and your loved one is by your side. No ride is complete without a kiss at the top.
Head to the Theater
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Watching actors perform at a local theater is a romantic thing to do together, no matter where or when. Check the schedule of upcoming shows and select one that stands out to you. Make the evening even more magical by putting on your best attire and grabbing a bite to eat beforehand.
Browse a Flea Market
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Bringing your partner to a flea market is a romantic way to spend a weekend afternoon. There’s something whimsical about shopping for secondhand goods with a past. You may even find an item for your home.
Rent Bicycles
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On a balmy day, one romantic thing to do is rent bikes with your partner, whether you opt for a two-person bike or ride around separately. Not only will you feel connected partaking in this activity, but you'll also get in a workout and explore a natural setting.
Schedule a Game Night
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Staying in one night? Bring out the board games and challenge your partner to a competitive battle. Whether it's Monopoly, Scrabble, Jenga, or a medley of games, vying for the winning title will switch up your date-night routine.
Try Ice Skating
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Want to up the romance in a festive way? During the holiday season, rent a pair of skates and glide across a local rink, hand in hand with your significant other. You’ll both feel closer and get in a bit of exercise.
Create a Collaborative Playlist
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Whether you're heading on a road trip or you simply like listening to music at home, a good playlist is a must. Blend your music tastes to create a soundtrack that you both love. Make sure to add songs that represent defining moments of your relationship.
Once it's finished, download your playlist, so you can enjoy it when traveling or on your daily commute without needing WiFi.
Get Drinks at a Bar
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Going to a neighborhood bar and ordering a drink provides the perfect opportunity for uninterrupted alone time and deep conversation. To keep the date going, head to a diner for a late-night bite afterwards.
Make Cocktails
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If a date night at home is in order, whipping up your own cocktails is a comparable (and arguably more peaceful) alternative to ordering them out. You’ll be able to create and sip your concoctions in a less noisy environment, so you can better focus on and listen to one another. Plus, it’ll be an opportunity to learn a new skill that you can both practice during future date nights.
Attend a Sports Game
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Whether it’s baseball, basketball, or hockey, attending a sports game with your significant other is a fun way to connect, especially if you’re rooting for the same team. Filled with the energy and enthusiasm of fellow fans, the stadium alone will reinvigorate you.
Slow Dance To Romantic Music
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Slow dancing in the comfort of your own home or during a night on the town is a romantic thing to do that doesn't require much planning. If you two have a song, ask the DJ to play it or put it on in your living room for the ideal background music.
Read Poetry
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Poetry is one of the most romantic forms of literature. If you have a favorite poet, read one of their works out loud at some point when you're together. If you aren't familiar with this written art, buy a book of poems from the bookstore or rent one at the library. To go the extra mile, you can even write an original love poem for your partner.
Start a Book Club for Two
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If poetry isn’t your thing, you can bond over books by starting a book club for two. Pick out a novel that you both agree on. Then, once you’re finished reading it, you can discuss the written work over food and wine. If your schedule allows for it, you and your partner can even read two separate copies of the book while sitting next to each other for more one-on-one time.
Sit by the Fire
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On a cold winter night, there's nothing better than snuggling with your significant other by the fire. Light a log in your living room fireplace and prepare two mugs of hot chocolate to create the coziest, most romantic vibes.
Take a Bubble Bath
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For an intimate experience, consider taking a bath together. Light candles, fill the tub with bubbles and bath salts, and grab two glasses of Champagne. You'll convert your home bathroom into a lush spa.
Give Each Other Massages
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Another romantic thing to do with your partner that rivals one at a highly rated spa is giving each other massages—it's both sensual and relaxing. To elevate the experience, set the tone with candles, rose petals, and essential oils.
Pick Wildflowers
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Looking for romantic things to do in the spring or summer? Pick wildflowers from a field. You'll spend time with one another in the sunshine, and you'll have beautiful plants to put on display in your home. To keep the day date going, follow up the activity with a hike.
Consider a Comedy Show
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For an activity that’s filled with romance and plenty of laughs, head to a comedy show. As you listen to the comedian tell their jokes, you'll bond over your shared sense of humor, building your relationship.
Charter a Boat
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If you live by the ocean or a lake, consider chartering a boat one day in the summer. Spending the day on the water with your significant other, with a drink in hand, is a romantic activity that will keep the spark alive.
Find Your Zen
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Whether you load an online session or visit a studio, taking a yoga class with your partner will lower your stress levels and boost your endorphins. By leaving the class feeling lighter and more at ease, you'll be able to better concentrate on your partner and how much your appreciate them.
Go Bowling
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A romantic thing to do with your partner that's indoors and always entertaining is hitting up a bowling alley. Introducing a little friendly competition into your relationship will certainly reignite the fire.
Hit the Golf Course
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Whether it's an 18-hole course or the driving range, golf is an enjoyable way to break a sweat and spend time outside with your partner. If only one party knows how to play, showing your loved one the ropes will increase the romance tenfold. If neither of you is familiar with the sport, book a lesson or try putt-putt instead.
Orchestrate a Double Date
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If you're hoping to switch up your routine, planning a double date with another couple will reignite the passion in your relationship and help your love deepen and grow. Plus, it's an excuse to hang out with your partner and your friend.