You’re probably overdue for a date night with your significant other. If you’ve got kids, you may have forgotten about or not even know about all of the things you can do without kids in Indy. We’ve got you covered with 50 Summer Date Night Ideas Under $50. Find a babysitter and plan a romantic and creative date night soon!
Written by Jessica Deubner and Lisa Viaches
50 Summer Date Night Ideas Under $50
The arrival of summer and the warmer temperatures opens up the possibility of so many outdoor activities and fun date nights. Check out this list of fun summer date night ideas in Indy, book your babysitter, and make some reservations for some much-needed couple time!
Daniel’s Vineyard & Winery
Take in the view of acres of vines while sipping on wine at Daniel’s Vineyard & Winery. Located in McCordsville, Daniel’s Vineyard offers wine tasting, delicious food offerings, outdoor concerts, and many other events throughout the summer. And, while you can take your kids to Daniel’s, we love going to Daniel’s for a date night!
Symphony on the Prairie
Pack a picnic and a blanket and enjoy a concert under the stars with Symphony on the Prairie. From classical favorites to a Queen tribute, the lawn at Conner Prairie is the best seat to take in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on weekend nights this summer.
Punch Bowl Social
For an action-packed night out downtown, head to Punch Bowl Social for dinner, drinks, and a variety of games and activities. There are multiple lanes of bowling, karaoke rooms, ping pong, pool, foosball, giant Jenga, arcade games, and more.
Bottleworks
The Bottleworks District combines food, drinks, shopping, entertainment, art, a theater, and a hotel in the historic North Mass Ave corridor. The Garage Food Hall has several dining options offering authentic tastes of Indy. Pins Mechanical has duckpin bowling. You could even stay overnight at the luxury hotel for a romantic getaway.
Go-Karting
Fastimes Indoor Karting has a bi-level race track for a fun experience racing go-karts. It’s all indoors, so when the weather limits outdoor activities, this is one place to have a fun yet thrilling night inside.
3UP Rooftop Bar
Carmel’s fanciest rooftop bar, 3UP, sits atop Anthony’s Chophouse overlooking the bustling Monon Trail. Grab a cocktail from the bar and find some comfortable seating outside. The ambiance is perfect for a romantic date night.
Gondola on the Canal
The Old World Gondoliers are back on the canal downtown, and new this year are the swan pedal boats. Make a reservation for a romantic gondola ride or a swan boat with your special date. A gondolier will paddle you up and down the canal while you enjoy the ride and take in the sights. Or, use teamwork to pedal your swan boat down the canal.
Cake Bake Shop
Women love Cake Bake! It’s all decked out in pink and crystals with delicious food, teas, cocktails, and dessert! Treat your lovely lady to dessert or fancy drinks here as part of your date night. Advanced reservations are suggested for all locations, but you can always try to grab a seat at the bar.
Newfields Beer Garden
The grounds of Newfields are beautiful in the spring and summer. Take a tour of the museum then head outside to the beer garden for a refreshing drink among the lush museum gardens. They feature local brews to internationally brewed pours as well as kombucha and snacks.
Pontoon Rental
Rent a pontoon at Eagle Creek, Morse Reservoir, or Geist Reservoir. You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks onboard so pack a picnic or end your evening at the restaurants near the boat docks.
Topgolf
Book a bay for a fun night of golf for just the two of you, or up to 6 couples across two bays. Topgolf is fun for everyone, even those who have never played golf before. Advance reservations are always appreciated to ensure your spot, but if you don’t reserve a bay, you can always put your name on the waitlist and head to the bar to hang out while you wait.
Indians Game & Friday Night Fireworks
Nothing feels more like summer than an evening baseball game. Victory Field is a beautiful venue and the games are so fun. On select Friday evenings, you can see a fireworks show after the game. If you buy lawn tickets, you can bring a blanket, food, and drinks.
Axe Throwing
Axe Throwing is all the rage right now, and everybody I know who’s done it has loved it! There are several different shops in central Indiana if you want to try for the bullseye.
Horseback Riding
Enjoy a romantic ride on horseback. A fun place to try is Natural Valley Ranch in Brownsburg. They offer 30 and 60-minute guided rides along the banks of White Lick Creek. It’s a great way to connect to nature and your partner.
Bed and Breakfast
If you really want to get away from it all, plan to stay at one of Indianapolis’ quaint bed and breakfasts. This is a great chance to reconnect with your significant other and enjoy some quality time together. Make a point to explore the neighborhood you are staying in to try some local establishments.
Tastings Wine Bar
Tastings boasts one of the world’s largest selections of wines by the taste. The selection of over 200 wines is available by the 2-ounce taste, glass, and by the bottle. Tastings is a self-serve experience. Buy a card (like a debit card), get a glass, stick the card into a pouring machine, and get a 2-ounce sample or glass. Try as many wines as you’d like, and try super expensive wines because you only have to pay by the ounce!
Go Ape Treetops Ropes Course
An adventure date always puts everybody in a great mood. Embark on a treetop adventure zip lining from tree to tree. With Go Ape, you’ll maneuver up and down ladders and across various catwalks and swing into nets. It’s an exhilarating excursion and a perfect date activity.
Archery
Head to Koteewi Archery Range to enjoy time together while hitting fun targets with a bow and arrow. (Don’t worry if you don’t have equipment of your own. The range has all of the resources you might need available for rent, making for a great and low-stress visit.) Reservations are required, so make sure to book at least 24 hours in advance.
Penn & Beech Candle-making
Make an appointment for a candle-making date at Penn & Beech! You’ll get to choose your scents, vessel, and mix it all up yourself! A selection of beers and wines are available to purchase, as well. Take a stroll around bustling Midtown Plaza Carmel before or after your candle-making date.
The Historic Artcraft Theater
A night at the Artcraft is always a winner. This movie theater was constructed in 1922 and still features the classic Art Deco style. Classic movies are shown with some fun pre-show activities before Friday and Saturday night shows. Concessions are affordable and the root beer is amazing.
Urban Apples Cidery
Urban Apples Cidery and Restaurant, brought to you by the winemakers at Urban Vines Winery & Brewery, is the newest gathering spot in Westfield. Located on 25 acres of a working orchard in Westfield, Urban Apples is a place to enjoy a cold drink on the sunny patio outside. You’ll love exploring the sprawling grounds, fishing ponds, apple orchard, musical amphitheater, play mountain, and listening to live music by local artists.
Train Ride
Enjoy a magical date night experience on the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad. There are special, themed rides and several different seat types and cars to choose from. A cash bar is available on board for this date night experience!
UPaint Pottery
To access your creative side on your next date night, head to UPaint Pottery for a stress-free evening of painting and creating. This is a great activity for those rainy nights when you still want to go out. You and your date can pick completely separate projects or work on something collaboratively. There are tons of paint options available as well as other design elements that you can add on to your work.
Rent Bikes
There are miles of trails in Indianapolis and its surrounding cities that are all connected. The Monon Trail connects Indianapolis from downtown all the way up past Westfield and goes through several amazing neighborhoods and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Rent bikes to explore the city and the beautiful trails. Rent an electronic bike to go even further!
SoChatti
Take a lesson in chocolate making at SoChatti. During the immersive experience, you will enjoy a flight of SoChatti chocolate, make your own drop candies, and tour the on-site production facility to see where the chocolate is made. You can also try the chocolate and wine pairing class or walk in for a chocolate and wine flight. Don’t forget to come back to SoChatti with kids someday!
Comedy Show
A comedy show always makes for a great date night. Enjoy some laughs together with famous comedians or discover new up-and-coming talent. Helium Comedy Club downtown has two floors of theater space for an intimate show on either level.
Rock Climbing
Seasoned climbers or first-timers can all enjoy an evening of rock climbing. There are walls with differing levels of difficulty to meet anyone’s needs. You can climb with or without a harness depending on the wall type. At Hoosier Heights, first timers will get an instructional lesson and safety briefing.
Kayaking
Rent a tandem person kayak for one-on-one time together on the water. Kayak around the calm lake at Eagle Creek or rent from Rusted Moon Outfitters in Broad Ripple for a one-way adventure down the White River.
Board and Brush
At Board and Brush, anyone can make beautiful art that is also functional and personal. From clocks to serving trays to porch signs and clothing hooks, everybody can find something they need. Instructors show you how and where to sand, stain, stencil, and hammer so everything always turns out looking amazing. Working together and creating art would make for a wonderful date.
Back 9
Back 9 brings the indoor/outdoor golf range experience to the downtown area. Make reservations online for a bay that accommodates up to 8 players or a suite that hosts 8-16 players. The venue also offers food and a full bar making this a great choice for a group date night.
See a Free Concert
Having a picnic at a local park is a fun way to switch up the typical dinner date. Throughout the summer, you can pair this with some of the amazing concerts offered all across the Indianapolis area. Check out our Free Summer concert guide to help you plan.
Antiquing in Franklin
Franklin is the perfect location for a day date. Head down on a Saturday morning and enjoy the farmers market and then peruse the downtown antique shops to find treasures to take back home. Try out one of the eateries in the area to round out a fun day.
Day trip to Nashville, IN
Downtown Nashville is wonderful if you are looking for a way to get out of the city for a day. There are tons of shops to explore, delicious ice cream and candy shops, cute restaurants, and an amazing state park, complete with hiking trails and horseback riding.
Brewery Crawl
Indiana boasts a large number of breweries with many of them condensed in a small area. Head down to Greenwood and visit Planetary Brewing, Hoosier Brewing Company, and Smocktown Brewery all within walking distance. A short drive away, you can visit Oaken Barrel which also has delicious food.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
We usually think of going to the track in May but the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has many more opportunities to visit throughout the year. Head out in July and you can see the Gallagher Grand Prix–an Indycar road race that features 14 turns. That same weekend, you can also catch a NASCAR race. And don’t forget the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is open all year, every day except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Duckpin Bowling
Duckpin Bowling has become a popular activity in the Indianapolis area. There are a few options around the city, including Pins Mechanical at the Bottleworks District. Duckpin bowling uses a much smaller bowling ball so it is essentially mini bowling.
First Friday Art Galleries
Head downtown on the first Friday of each month to check out some of the local art that is on display. Downtown has many art galleries and each one will have some special exhibits out and food and drinks specials as well.
Cultural Trail/Monon Trail
Grab your bikes and get ready to ride in an urban setting. The Cultural Trail and the Monon both have plenty of opportunities to lock up your bike and check out local businesses that are near the trails. This also is a great and quick way to get around downtown without having to pay for parking or walk a long distance.
Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park
Newfields has some beautiful gardens to explore and we love to walk around the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, which is located just down the road from the art museum. The park is open from dawn to dusk and features native plants and a 35-acre lake. It is made complete with contemporary art installations along the paths. The Art & Nature Park is free to visit and has its own parking lot.
Outdoor Movies
Grab a couple of chairs and a blanket to share and check out one of the outdoor movie nights that are taking place all around the city throughout the summer. Bring your own popcorn and movie snacks to complete the date. Check out our outdoor movie guide!
Mini Golf
Miniature golf is a summer classic. Create a date night complete with retro classics. Pair a round of mini golf with dinner out at a local drive-in restaurant and have milkshakes for dessert.
Farmers Markets
If you can’t get out in the evening for a date, plan to shop at one of the local farmers markets. Typically on Saturday mornings, visiting a farmers market is a great way to jump-start your morning. Grab coffee and a pastry from a local vendor and plan to buy some fresh produce to use in your dinner that evening. We have a complete guide to help you find markets close to where you live.
Mass Ave Date Night
Mass Ave has become a bustling downtown location to visit. There are plenty of places to have dinner, interesting cocktails, and amazing desserts. You can easily find street parking or find a parking lot close by. We also love to go to shows at Old National Center followed by drinks at Ball and Biscuit.
Brunch Date
Brunch is a perfect date meal. Laid-back breakfast food, mimosas, and piping hot coffee make for a great start to any morning. Milktooth is a delicious brunch restaurant that opened in 2014 and has been wowing its customers ever since. It has received many accolades naming it one of the best brunch spots in America. The menu changes frequently which makes ordering new and exciting.
Couples Massage
Sometimes you just need to relax and a couples massage is an amazing way to connect on a deeper level. Use this opportunity to forget about the world around you and feel present in the moment. Follow things up with a light dinner or picnic to keep things mellow.
Adults Night Out at Local Waterparks
Getting the chance to enjoy a pool or waterpark without kids can really feel like a vacation! Many of the area’s waterparks offer a few evenings throughout the summer where you can swim kid-free, enjoy some tropical drinks, and float on the lazy river for as long as you want!
Vino Villa
Vino Villa is absolutely perfect for a warm summer night out on a patio. Located in Greenwood, you can find delicious food, plenty of wine, and some incredible desserts. The patio is adorable with string lights to add some ambiance and live music to keep you entertained.
Drive-In Movie
Drive-in movies are so much fun! You get to see two movies for a reasonable price along with the quintessential movie concession stand foods. It is also fun to bring in your own food and blankets to get nice and cozy for the movies.
Fowling
Fowling is a fun new idea for your next date night. If you haven’t heard of fowling, it is essentially a mashup of football and bowling. You will use a football to knock down pins. It is a really fun way to introduce some competition into your next date night. The Fowling Warehouse is also close to SoChatti which makes for a complete date night experience.
Speaking of summer date night ideas, check out these great date night ideas specifically for Carmel, Fishers, and Westfield. Don’t have a babysitter yet? Find a babysitter with these local services.
Looking for boozy dessert drinks for your date night? Check out this list of places to find spiked milkshakes and adult wine slushies around Indianapolis. If you love desserts of all kinds, check out our round-up of the best ice cream and frozen treats around Indianapolis here!
Do you have other favorite summer date night ideas? Please share your summer date night ideas photos and comments below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
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