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Whether you’re single and dating around or in a committed relationship, you’ll be wise to check out these underrated date ideas that you may or may not have tried yet.
Come up with a synchronized routine at The Rollercade
223 Recoleta Road, (210) 826-6361, therollercade.com
Or you can just do your best. For a lot of people, even dancing while rolling is a little advanced. That part is cute and all, and coming up with a matching routine is super dorky but also kind of badass if you can pull it off. The real magic, though, is clinging to each other for the first half hour while you remember how to skate. After getting those pheromones circulating and holding onto each other in a not-romantic-at-all sweaty embrace, what you make of the night is up to you, which might include taking your dance to the sheets…ahem, streets.
Photo via Instagram / patrick_eTake a class together at the Southwest School of Art
300 Augusta St, (210) 200-8200, swschool.org
If you have any interest in art, you should take a class at Southwest School of Art. They even have a few more obscure mediums and techniques, such as assemblage of ceramics and mixed media, intro to lost wax casting, pop-up and movable books, and intro to welding. Learning with your lovely can be an intense and enjoyable bonding experience, and especially if you’ve been going steady for a while, it can be a fun skill to make your relationship even closer. You can register for classes right before the start of each semester and costs vary depending on what discipline you’re interested in.
Photo via Instagram / southwestschoolofartSearch for your favorite albums at Friends of Sound
700 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 971-8044, facebook.com
There are few things more nostalgic than flipping through a crate of vinyls, finding the album art for the record you’ve been looking for, taking it home and playing it for the first time in ages. And there’s nothing more romantic than letting the music take you back with your S.O. in your arms. Listening to each others’ music is a great bonding experience for you and bae, whether your tastes are similar or different. Everything sounds better on vinyl anyway, so if you didn’t like it before, you might enjoy it this time around.
Photo via Instagram / queenoftacostxTreat yourself to a staycation at Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St, (210) 448-8300, thehotelemma.com
Staycation? Count us in! There’s less planning involved in a staycation, but it isn’t any less special than finding a sitter for the kids or pets and leaving all other responsibilities behind for a few days. A staycation is almost better because there’s an excuse to try the place you’ve always wanted to try, and if there’s a spot that you miss or don’t get to, you don’t have to worry because there will always be other opportunities to visit it. Another option is to stay in and enjoy the beautiful rooms and amenities that Hotel Emma has to offer on its historic grounds.
Photo via Instagram / thehotelemmaGet out of this world with Scobee Planetarium
1819 N Main Ave, (210) 486-0100, alamo.edu
For an out-of-this world date, take your cutie to the Scobee Planetarium located on SAC’s campus. Open every Friday night for public programming, the planetarium gives you access to various programs throughout the night with jaw-dropping visuals. Whether you and your partner are into nerdy stuff like this or not, y’all will definitely feel as if you’re in your own little world.
Photo via Instagram / sanantoniocollegeTake an adoptable dog from Animal Care Services on a date
4710 TX-151, (210) 207-4738, sanantonio.gov
Through Animal Care Services’ Shelter Paws Program, you can take an adoptable dog home for an afternoon (or morning, if you prefer). The idea is to get the animal away from the stress of the shelter and help it become more comfortable, and thus more adoptable. Grab your sweetheart and grab a dog from ACS and go for a nice walk, watch a movie at home, or even to get a puppuccino. Basically, you’re making that dog’s day and maybe even finding the new love of your life.
Photo via Instagram / sanantonioacsAppreciate some art at the McNay Art Museum Second Thursday events
6000 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org
Art makes us feel something, so get some intellectual or emotional stimulation with bae by checking out the McNay. They have different exhibits all the time, so this is a date idea you can use again and again. Even if you’ve got a busy calendar, the same exhibit might run for a month or so or more, so there’s plenty of time to catch it if you see one you’re interested in. On the second Thursday of the month, you can get in for free, but if Thursdays don’t work for your schedule, regular admission is $20 per person.
Photo via Instagram / estherr.robbinsDenman Estate
7735 Mockingbird Ln, sanantonio.gov
Denman Estate Park, like most parks, is a green, vibrant and a tranquil getaway within city limits. However, this particular park distinguishes itself in the most artistic and remarkable way as it displays a stunning Korean monument, hand-crafted by artisans from our sister city Gwanja, Korea. With this red and black beauty contrasting the green and brown natural background, you can’t help but become fixated on such a sight. Surrounding the monument is a still pond and lawn to kick back and take in the view.
Photo via Instagram / craftysmokeTest your trivia knowledge at El Luchador
622 Roosevelt Ave, (210) 988-3385, luchadorbarsa.com
El Luchador can be found on Roosevelt Avenue just south of Roosevelt Park. They have events of all kinds almost every night, from themed drink and food nights, industry nights, First Friday specials, music, comedy open mics, karaoke, loteria nights and drag shows. Basically, if there’s a type of event that bae has been wanting to go to, you’ll be able to find it at El Luchador. Maybe you can even try a double date to form a trivia team with your couple friends and use your carnal knowledge.
Photo via Instagram / talofa_photographyTry your luck (and people-watch) at Bandera Late Night Bingo
5810 Bandera Road, (210) 682-6000, goldenbingofamily.com
Get lucky with bae! Hopefully, in more ways than just winning a few rounds — or at least one — of bingo. *wink* Bingo can be a fun dating activity and, since there’s no real skill involved, there’s very little chance that the competition will get too serious. You can even win a bit of prize money, if you’re lucky.
Photo via Instagram / ashleysymphony87Play boardgames at Candlelight Coffeehouse
Grab a coffee, beer or glass of wine and challenge your friends to an evening of board games. It’s a cheap way to pass the time and you’ll get to show off your mad Scrabble skills.
Photo via Instagram, babydeniroReach new heights at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, (830) 685-3636, tpwd.texas.gov
You’ll have to register early, but going to Enchanted Rock is absolutely worth the pain of having to plan ahead. C’mon — “enchanted” is literally in the name. It’ll take a little bit of work to get to the top and some good shoes, but once there, you get to look out on the beautiful Texas Hill Country and steal a kiss from your climbing partner. After you’ve climbed to the top, you can get away from the big city for a while longer and wander around this gorgeous oasis.
Photo via Instagram / intents_lifeBest Karaoke Bar
Dads Karaoke, 2615 Mossrock, (210) 267-5703, facebook.com
Photo via Instagram / ennaid_22Get up close and personal with the wildlife at the Quadrangle at Fort Sam Houston
1405 E Grayson St, Fort Sam Houston, (210) 221-1886, jbsa.mil
Okay, so “up close and personal” may be a bit of an exaggeration in most scenarios, but you can and should definitely check out the Quadrangle at Fort Sam Houston, which is also known as “The Quad” to those in-the-know. You can watch cute deer grazing, exotic peacocks spreading their tails, ducks waddling about, peculiar turkeys pecking at the ground, and, worst of all, geese. You know what would definitely NOT be romantic? Letting bae get attacked by geese.
Photo via Instagram / eturner22Score some deals at Bussey’s Flea Market
18738 N Interstate 35 Frontage Road, (210) 651-6830, busseysfm.com
You literally never know what you’re going to find at Bussey’s Flea Market. It’s located near IH-35 and FM 3009, and admission is about $2. What you pay for beyond that is on you, but there’s no doubt you’ll find something special, strange, or fun to surprise your date with. Better yet, take them with you and have a ball bartering with the stall owners, exploring hidden treasures and scoring a deal.
Photo via Instagram / silkfeExplore the local ghostly spirits
Multiple locations
San Antonio as a whole really loves scary stuff, especially if it falls under the paranormal category. With no shortage of ghost stories and urban legends, you and bae will have plenty of ways to explore the sites tied to ghostly happenings. Whether you choose to go on a tour or have specific ghosts you’d like to meet, y’all will have a blast getting spooked and holding each other close.
Photo via Instagram / sistersgrimmtxKayak down the Mission Reach
From Roosevelt Park to Camino Coahuilteca, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
There are three main reasons to go kayaking instead of partaking in traditional date activities. 1) Renting a kayak is less expensive than taking your sweetheart to a crowded, expensive restaurant where you have to wait for a table. 2) You’ll avoid the aforementioned crowded restaurant. 3) Your sweetheart will appreciate the thought that went into planning a kayak date when the planning isn’t even the hardest part. The hardest part is not flipping yourself or your S.O. trying to get in.
Photo via Instagram / think_lizMiss your exit – especially if it’s when you switch highways
Miss your exit in some parts of town and you’ll have to go another few miles JUST to turn around. Word to the wise: pay attention while you’re driving so you won’t be wasting gas over dumb stuff like this.
Photo via Shutterstock Credit: ShutterstockPamper yourself with a spa day at Neva Face and Body
601 E Dewey Pl, (210) 734-6382, nevafaceandbody.com
Because you deserve it.
Photo via Instagram, neva_dayspasTreat yourself to some free flicks.
While the weather is nice out, enjoy it while you can. Slab Cinema shows free movies all around town, and they’re usually pretty good ones. Just bring your lawn chairs, or even just a blanket, snacks and drinks, and you’ll be down for a good time relaxing by yourself or with friends and watching a movie you don’t even have to decide on.
Photo via Instagram / slabcinemaVolunteer at the Animal Defense League of Texas
Multiple locations, (210) 655-1481, adltexas.org
There’s nothing sexier than being a hero and making a difference, so a great date is volunteering with your crush. You might get to see the light in their eyes when they fall in love with their next pet. You might get to see how they handle conflict. Not only are you helping your community, but you’re working with your crush towards a common goal. Maybe you’ll get that special feeling where you just have to take someone special home. Maybe it’s your date. Maybe it’s a dog or cat you just met.
Photo via Instagram / animaldefenseleagueGet a little tipsy at a wine tasting at The Stray Grape
16630 San Pedro Ave, (210) 344-9463, straygrape.com
The urban winery concept means that they bring in tastes from all over the world to the city, as well as the experience of winemaking. At four tastings for $10, it doesn’t get much more affordable. If you prefer to make your own (and design your own label!), from picking and mixing the grapes, then waiting the 6-10 weeks it’ll take them to ferment, it’ll run you about $400. With 30 bottles from every batch, it’s roughly $14 a bottle for custom wine. Combine that experience with the cozy interior and wine tasting, and you might just accidentally stay chatting with your lovely for hours.
Photo via Instagram / straygrapeurbanwineryHit the skating rink
17530 Henderson Pass, (210) 490-9550, northwoodsice.net
It may hardly ever be cold enough for us to get snow, but you can pretend that the rain has turned to snow. Well, not really, but you can spend a day on the ice. As the practice facility used by the SA Rampage, you will have loads of fun making your way around the rink whether you’re a first-timer or a somewhat-seasoned skater.
Photo via Instagram / chilidog_torres