Best Date Ideas in Boston this Summer that Aren’t Just Dinner & Drinks

Ready for a summer fling? You’re in the right place. With sunny days and balmy nights, the season’s just right for grabbing a drink (or two) with someone we like. That’s why we’ve rounded up the very best summer date ideas for all kinds of couples, from foodies to dog parents and everything in between.

By Kenneal Patterson

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For the cinephiles… 

Movie dates are classic, but outdoor movies are an even better twist. Boston’s got some of the best places to catch your favorite flick outside, and make sure to try that classic arm-over-the-shoulder move. Catch a movie on the Greenway with Coolidge Corner Theater, enjoy DJs and free snacks before the show with Boston Landing’s outdoor series, enjoy an extra special setting during a movie at the Loring Greenough House, relax on Revere Beach before a screening with Revere Theatre Thursdays, and so much more. 

For the audiophiles… 

What’s more romantic than a balmy night outside, listening to the soothing sounds of live music? At Summer in the City on the Harborwalk, you can watch the sunset over the Atlantic, dine al fresco with some of Boston’s best restaurants, and soak in the sounds of summer. Plus, any of the Berklee Summer in the City outdoor concerts are sure to impress your SO, even if you’ve been dating for decades. Grab a bottle of wine and a slice of pizza in the North End before picnicking and enjoying NEMPAC’s Jazz in the Park series, wander around the famous ICA before checking out Harborwalk Sounds, and so much more.

For the dog lovers…

I don’t know about you, but I can’t date anyone that doesn’t like my dog. Boston’s a pup-friendly city, so why not bring them along for the ride? It’s the perfect way to vet a new date, and it's even better if you’re already co-parenting a pooch. Start with Yappier Hour at The Liberty Hotel, and enjoy a delicious drink on a beautiful outdoor patio. Next, check out the Park-9 Indoor Dog Bar, and sip a cocktail while you watch the pups play. Even Aeronaut Allston and certain Trillium locations are welcoming dogs back for the summer season, plus so many more dog-friendly spots. 

For the fitness fanatics…

If your health is important to you, you might be looking for an active partner, too. Yoga on a date might not be typical, but it’s a great way to get your blood flowing and get that rush of endorphins. And if you’re looking to unwind with a longer-term partner, there’s no better way than stretching it out in a calming location. Check out sunset yoga at Piers Park, free morning yoga at Boynton Yards, outdoor yoga by the Charles River, rooftop yoga at The Bower, and even paddleboard yoga in Boston Harbor. 

For the sightseers…

Save some money instead of booking that anniversary trip to Paris. Staycations can be romantic too, and did you know there’s no better way to explore the city than by boat? Play tourists and start with a lovely summer paddle around the Public Garden on the famous swan boats; rent a two-person kayak or canoe in Kendall Square for an unforgettable trip down the Charles River, explore the Harbor with a lover’s sail with Classic Harbor Line (complete with mimosas for you and your SO to celebrate something special); and so much more. 

Pro tip: You can even take a free water shuttle service between Tall Ship, Pier 6 Charlestown, Reelhouse East Boston, and Reelhouse Oyster Bar in the Seaport for an iconic boat bar-hopping date night. 

For the crafty pair…

Make a memento together that you’ll remember forever. If you and your SO are artistic, or even if you just want a fun activity for a first date, why not try something hands-on? Brookline offers amazing pottery painting classes at Clayroom, Tutuland lets you and your SO make your own rug and spruce up your place, Joy Street Studios inspires you both to light the mood with a candle-making workshop, and High Street Place encourages you to try your hand at sculpting your own creations with Pottery on the Patio.

Para los enamorados…

If your relationship’s heating up, why not try something extra caliente? Salsa dancing is a great way to shake it out with your SO, and it’s an especially passionate dance to learn. Enjoy a salsa and bachata class with The Dante Alighieri Cultural Center, show your moves with salsa dancing on Assembly Row, spin to the music with salsa dancing in Roslindale’s Birch St. Plaza, get a cardio workout with salsa dancing in Peters Park, and make sure to gear up for the annual Festival Betances, which will be celebrating 50 years in Boston this July!

For the wine lovers…

Let’s toast to summer. Wine has been shared between lovers for centuries, and this year is no different. Boston’s got the best spots for you to taste a glass of red or white with your SO, so make sure to check out Seaport’s new Little Sicily; Bonde’s Wine Garden pop-up during Harvard Square's weekly Open Market; The Station Wine Garden in Fenway; the ICA’s wine bar right on the waterfront; free tastings every Thursday with Needham’s Vinodivino; and our picks for the best natural wine bars in the city. 

For the museum-goers…

Museum exhibitions give way to great banter, philosophical discussions, and the opportunity to learn something new together. But it can also be tricky to avoid tourists if you don’t know the pro tips. For the best date museums, start with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and whenever possible, make sure to go to the museum’s themed First Thursdays for a romantic evening of live music and performances. Or, head to the free Harvard Art Museums, which also hosts monthly evenings of food and fun. The ICA Watershed is open and free during the summer (with a must-go block party in August), and the MassArt Museum is always free year-round with fun craft events like Art on the Plaza. Finally, the MIT Museum After Dark offers after-hours viewing for adults only. When all else fails, laugh it out at the Museum of Bad Art. 

For the adventurers…

Even though Boston’s got everything lovers could ever need, it’s fun to plan a romantic getaway sometimes. Check out the neighboring town of Concord and take a walk in Thoreau’s footsteps, suntan on the beach while your SO dives into the ocean, grab a drink at Cider Hill Farm, enjoy a couple’s wine tasting at Westport Vineyards, and make summer memories to last a lifetime. Plus, did you know that you can get a commuter rail pass for only $10 during summer weekends? 

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Boston’s got something for all kinds of couples, from young lovers to the old married pair. Get outside, explore the city (and beyond), and celebrate with your special someone!

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