Austin has something for everyone to love with exciting opportunities at any hour for those wanting to see the best of this bustling capital city. Offering up an exciting mix of traditional Texas culture along with the city’s own unique vibe, Austin has endless activities from outdoor recreation to incredible restaurants, museums and as the Live Music Capital of the World, tons of local bands and artists playing all night in downtown bars and venues.
With so much to explore, it can be tough finding the best activities at any given moment. This guide will help you discover the most romantic spots in Austin along with some unique date night ideas to transform your next vacation. From outdoor excursions with incredible sunset views to bar crawls and more, here are the 9 best date night ideas in Austin to try during your Texas adventure.
1. Sunset Kayak Tour with Views of Austin's Famous Bat Colony
• Address/Location: Downtown Austin
• Type of venue: Outdoor, recreational
Try one of Austin’s mo unique date night experiences and book a sunset kayak tour with magnificent views of the city’s largest bat colony flying over the brightly lit skyline.
You’ll depart during golden hour for incredible skyline views and as the sun nearly sets, enjoy viewing over a million bats flying overhead creating an unforgettable scene. As the night begins to set in, your glow-in-the-dark kayak will create a scenic and atmospheric effect.
Reservations are highly recommended and the total duration is roughly 2.5 hours.
2. Haunted Austin Walking History Tour
• Address/Location: Downtown Austin
• Type of venue: Outdoor, historical, entertaining
Enjoy an outdoor haunted tour of Austin with a renowned professional guide for a creative and memorable date night experience.
In this 90-minute tour, you’ll be taken to iconic local spots that feature twisted tales, potential hauntings and other bizarre phenomena from the city’s wild history. One notable location is the infamous Driskell Hotel, which is both architecturally gorgeous and full of bizarre stories from its most famous guests.
For those who love cultural tours that are off the beaten path, a haunted city tour is a great date night idea in Austin during your next trip.
3. 6th Street Pub Crawl
• Address/Location: Sixth Street, Austin, Texas
• Type of venue: Outdoor, nightlife, city life
Known both as the Dirty Sixth and the main party street in the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin’s downtown 6th Street is home to a number of incredible bars, comedy clubs and small concert venues with acts for all tastes and occasions. It also features some of the top Austin date spots due to its endless variety and late-night offerings.
It’s important to know that the area is closed to cars on weekend evenings, making it an exciting and beautiful place to take a stroll. Even if you don’t want to visit the districts countless bars, the area is brimming with stunning historical architecture, bright and colorful lighting and a number of surprises and special events throughout the year that make it worth exploring.
4. Enjoy a Rooftop Bar Date Night
• Address/Location: Downtown Austin
• Type of venue: Outdoor, incredible views, food and drink, entertainment
Some of the top date locations in Austin are the city's incredible rooftop bars and each one has its own unique vibe and offerings to help you transform your evening.
Some of the best rooftop bars in Austin include:
• Upstairs at Caroline, which is full of colorful lighting, televisions, plus a number of table games to add to the fun and casual atmosphere.
• Edge Rooftop, which is a more sophisticated rooftop bar with a sleek and romantic aesthetic.
• Azul Rooftop, at the top of the Westin Hotel, features a full swimming pool, fire pits, plus a modern and chic aesthetic along with handmade cocktails and more.
5. Stroll and Enjoy Bars on Rainey Street
• Address/Location: Downtown Austin
• Type of venue: Outdoor, historical, food and drink
Austin’s historical Rainey Street district has a number of classical homes that have been converted into bars offering a variety of entertainment throughout the night.
Many of these homes have large outdoor patios along with gorgeous interior architecture and you can stroll along the street to take in the lights and beauty and stop by any place that catches your eye for some great food and drink opportunities.
6. Enjoy a Sunset Cruise
• Type of venue: Outdoor, scenic, romantic
Austin has a number of lakes and rivers, creating great sunset cruise opportunities for an unforgettable date night during your stay.
Some tours have food and drink onsite, while others allow you to bring your own drinks and snacks. Plus, you can choose from short tours to longer adventures, along with private or group boats and other great personalized options for any occasion.
7. A Sunset View on Mt. Bonnell
• Address/Location: Mt. Bonnell, Austin, Texas
• Type of venue: Outdoor, active, sightseeing
Mt. Bonnel is Austin’s tallest viewing point and it provides spectacular views of the Colorado River, Lake Austin, plus the city skyline among other gorgeous sights.
The hike to the top is a simple half-mile loop from the parking lot without much of an incline. Parking is free as well and you can also park further away from the peak if you want a longer or more scenic hike.
The sunset views here are incredible, making it one of the Austin top date night ideas for couples who love outdoor adventures.
8. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
• Address/Location: 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, Texas
• Type of venue: Outdoor, sightseeing, cultural
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is one of Austin’s most renowned outdoor gardens as it features a beautifully manicured estate with over 800 colorful plants spread throughout the sprawling area.
While the gardens close at 5pm, this can be a great date night spot for couples to explore before heading out to dinner and enjoying the energetic Austin nightlife.
9. Sunset Picnic in Zilker Metropolitan Park
• Type of venue: Outdoor, romantic, scenic beauty
Zilker Metropolitan Park is a vast 351-acre park full of blooming trees, winding pathways and gorgeous ponds in the center of Austin.
In the daytime, you can endlessly stroll or ride a bike along the scenic paths. At night, bring a blanket plus some food and drinks to enjoy a romantic sunset picnic with unforgettable views.
The park also hosts a number of events here throughout the year, so depending on the season, you may see festive lights, unique attractions and art exhibits throughout the park.
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