Are you looking for some ideas for a romantic night in Austin? Look no further! Date night in Austin can be super overwhelming to plan, because there are so many options!
So whether you are looking to something a little more generic, or are ready to try something local, this list is for you! Look through some of the best options for date night in Austin!
And don’t worry! Whether you are planning this advance or trying to do something a little more romantic and spontaneous, we promise there are options for everyone. Keep reading, love-birds!
15 Romantic Ideas for Date Night in Austin
1. Go on a Ghost Tour
Is there a more romantic thing than ghosts? We think not! If you are in the mood for a date night in Austin that also gets your spook on, look no further than the Murder By Gaslight Ghost Tour.
This guided tour dives into Austin’s haunted history of murder and vice. Stemming back from the Victorian era, walking this tour will help you learn about all the gritty history of the city’s most famous ghosts.
This is truly one of the best things to do in Austin at night!
This tour is for adults only and runs for about 1.5 hours. Your tour guide is live, and you will visit some of Austin’s scariest spots, like Dumont’s Down Low, Guy Town, Omni Hotel, and more. Talk about a date night in Austin to remember!
Book: Murder by Gaslight Ghost Tour
2. Visit the Museum of Ice Cream
Looking for a sweeter date night in Austin? We suggest checking out the dessert wonderland of the Museum of Ice cream! Through this tour, you get to stir your imagination with at least 12 magical installations.
Austin date nights will never be more fun or unique as you dive into an infamous sprinkle pool, or wander through the Banana Forest? Still not interested? Discover the Rainbow Tunnel!
Take advantage of one of the best date spots in Austin today! And make sure to enjoy the treats you get to enjoy throughout the many galleries at this museum. And as an aside, if you’re looking for a date night in Austin that is a little more niche, check out their Night at the Museum options for after-hours fun!
Book: Museum of Ice Cream Admission Ticket
3. Enjoy a Food Tour
A date night in Austin does not have to start with the conversation of “where do you want to eat?” Make your decisions easy with an Austin Secret Food Tour! Through doing this, your Austin date nights will be unforgettable as you discover the range of yummy food Austin offers!
This private tour lets you taste unique treats as you learn about the history and current influences on Austin cuisine. This tour takes about 3 hours, so make sure to plan accordingly. You will be guided by a live tour guide, too!
So enjoy the historic city center and all the secret food it has to offer! From dishes that date back to the Aztec days, to more contemporary dishes, this is sure to be a flavorful date night in Austin that no one will forget.
Book: Secret Food Tour
4. Do a Scavenger Hunt
There are so many romantic things to do in Austin, but romance doesn’t have to outweigh the fun! Check out a local scavenger hunt for your next date night in Austin! When participating in the Scavenger Hunt by Smartphone, you will use your phone to discover Austin from a fresh perspective.
Work together or individually as you solve clues and complete challenges to see the iconic Austin sights in a new way! And while you’re doing this, you will be learning about the history on both sides of Lady Bird Lake!
This tour is 3 hours in duration, although couples and stop and go as they please. This means you can take as much or as little time as you need! This is one of the fun date ideas in Austin, as you combine a sense of “The Amazing Race” with a traditional sightseeing tour. So sign up and see places like the Shoal Beach for a new perspective during your date night in Austin.
Book: Scavenger Hunt by Smartphone
5. Take a Kayaking Tour
Looking for a date night in Austin that doesn’t necessarily have to take place during the night? Look no further than the Lady Bird Lake Kayaking tour! Paddle along two miles of aquatic plant life, wildlife and more.
Enjoy the backdrop of Austin and enjoy the natural history of Barton Springs. These springs are known for its famous year-round 68-degree water! During this two-hour tour, friendly tour guides will meet you at Rowing Dock. You’ll get set up with a safety meeting and get fitted for a life jacket before you even get in the water!
Once on the water, you’ll start your journey to the springs, with lots of opportunities to stop and take great photos. The Austin City skyline is an iconic view! But once you get to the springs, feel free to take a dip. Just come prepared and remember date night ideas in Austin don’t always have to take place at night!
Book: Lady Bird Lake Kayaking Tour
6. iFly Austin First Time Flyer Experience
If you are looking for a date night in Austin that will be unforgettable, why not defy gravity? iFly Austin First Time Flyer Experience takes guests into a wind tunnel in Austin that is state-of-the-art. This tunnel simulates a skydive! Talk about fun date night ideas in Austin!
For 1.5 hours you and your partner will get the chance to skydive with skill, style, and courage, all without ever stepping foot in a plane. From one-on-one instruction from professional flight instructors to the complimentary gear rental and the flight experience, you’ll have a longer “free fall” time than if you actually went skydiving.
This adventure is safe for kids and challenging and exciting for others. You’ll leave the tunnel wind-swept but smiling, which means this may be one of the best date spots in Austin! And who wouldn’t love going skydiving for a first date: consider iFly for first date ideas in Austin!
Book: iFly Austin First Time Flyer Experience
7. Indulge in the Lost Legends of Texas Cocktail Tour
We’ve already talked about the secret foods tour, but what about a cocktail tour? Talk about a romantic date night in Austin! This Lost Legends of Texas Cocktail Tour is unique and fun. For just over 2 hours, you will participate in a walking tour with a live guide.
While with the guide, you will visit some quirky bars and have a few drinks as you learn about the first settlers and characters who made their mark in Austin. When considering Austin date nights, bar hopping is always an option, so start at the Roosevelt Room with this crawl, and taste some iconic cocktails, like the Cigar Box cove.
This tour is full of history, fun, and top-notch drinks. Match your strong love for history with your strong love for tasty cocktails! Book a tour today and enjoy at least 4 different cocktails at 4 different bars. They will be accompanied by countless amazing stories!
Book: Austin: Lost Legends of Texas Cocktail Tour
8. Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle
Date night in Austin would not be complete without some yummy food! There are some fantastic best date night restaurants in Austin, but what would you say about escaping the city and going to visit the famous Salt Lick BBQ? If this interests you, book the From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle tour!
Enjoy the countryside and this iconic yet unique eatery! With this type of tour, you can take advantage of the fun yet affordable way to visit Salt Lake, get the chance to eat lots of yummy BBQ, and even explore two hill country wineries. After spending 45 minutes at each spot, you’ll be so full and your taste buds will be happy by the end of the night.
Austin date ideas have never been better! So taste the flavors of this famous BBQ joint, enjoy the winding country views outside of the city, drink some wine, and more. The shuttle and guide are a win-win for this date night in Austin!
Book: From Austin: Hill Country BBQ & Wine Shuttle
9. City and Hill Country Tour
If you are new to Austin, or even if you have lived there for a while, it is always beneficial to witness the city and explore the places you thought you were familiar with. For a date night in Austin, consider exploring your city with some locals! Cover 30 miles of interesting sites while in a Mercedes-Benz sprinter through this City and Hill Country 90-Minute Tour.
Witness Austin’s attractions and landmarks, visit the most popular hangout places and even learn about the live music scene. Austin loves to “Keep Austin Weird” so we encourage you to visit all the places that make it weird!
See the city through the eyes of a local and take in those sites for 1.5 hours. Explore Austin, East Austin, and even a little of Hill Country! This tour will have you navigate a city you thought you knew or one that you are trying to learn! It will be a relaxed and memorable date night in Austin!
Book: Austin: City and Hill Country 90-Minute Tour
10. Visit LBJ Ranch
If you’re one of those people who like to spend not just date nights together, but date days, look no further than the Texas Hill Country and LBJ Ranch Tour! This tour takes you on a full-day date– a full 8 hours!
With a live tour guide, and pick-up included, you and your partner can go on a romantic trip to discover the wineries and rolling hills of Texas Hill Country. Visiting the famous LBJ Ranch– which is also known as the Texas White House– will have you strolling through many exhibitions.
And after you get to spend time in the quaint town of Fredericksburg, tasting Texas wine. And if you’re spending time in Fredericksburg, check out our article on the 14 best things to do there! Many couples love this day trip, as it turns into a date day when they step back in time and experience the magic and music of Luckenbach in between the ranch, travel time, and cities. Enjoy the lavender fields and pecan orchards too!
Book: Texas Hill Country and LBJ Ranch Tour with Hotel Pickup
11. Take an Electric Bike Tour
Looking for a date night in Austin that involves a little bit of adventure? Want to see the city in a fun way? Look no further than Austin: Electric Bike City Sightseeing Tour!
Whether you are a local or a tourist, this tour is perfect for Austin date ideas. For over 3 hours you and your partner can check out Austin’s favorite murals, landmarks, and learn about the history all while propelled by a pedal-assist E-bike.
Between stopping for fun photo opportunities, visiting the State Capital Building, and just seeing the city’s top sights in a new way, your date night in Austin will be a blast! This tour takes you on a rote to the boardwalk, where you can marvel at the skyline and check out Downtown before heading to the University of Texas campus. Make sure to stop by Texas’ oldest swimming pool and more– these are stops you don’t want to miss!
Book: Austin: Electric Bike City Sightseeing Tour
12. Eat out at Red Ash Italia
Who doesn’t love dinner as a date night? Better yet, who doesn’t love Italian dinners for date night! When looking for Austin date ideas, consider eating at one of the best options for fine dining in the city: Red Ash Italia. This is truly one of the best romantic getaways in Texas!
What makes this restaurant so unique is that every item on its menu is made with a traditional wood-burning grill, as well as a wood-burning oven. The unique flavor is to die for!
Foods here include items inspired by traditional Northern and Southern Italian dishes. The pasta is handmade, of course, and meats and seafood are locally sourced. So make sure to try something yummy, like the Tagiolini with Fresh Blue Crab! And don’t forget those world-class wine and specialty cocktails. It is a dinner date, after all.
13. Drive out to Twin Falls Waterfall!
If you’re looking for Austin date ideas that are fun and exciting and non-traditional, consider going to Barton Creek Greenbelt. This creek is only 15 minutes from Austin and features an easy hike out and back (only 3.2 miles!).
The trail here is friendly! Take this hike as far as you can and find Twin Falls! The top of Twin Falls is a stream that is perfect for dipping your feet in and cooling off. You can even swim here too!
Most people don’t think of waterfalls existing in Austin, and they can often forget that creeks are nearby. But if you want to have a date night in Austin that is full of more outdoor adventures, drive the 15 minutes to take a hike, cool off in some water, and have a little one on one time with your partner in nature!
14. Snack at Arturo’s Underground Cafe
Who needs dinner for a date night in Austin? Consider brunch or breakfast!! One of the most iconic weekend brunch spots is Arturo’s Underground Cafe. They have, arguably, the best brunch in the city!
Served from 10 am-2:30 pm, this cafe loves to stress its homestyle cooking. Here you will find five different categories of eggs Benedict, weekend scrambles, grilled sandwiches, and more.
A fan favorite is a Caribbean toast, which is actually french toast that features grilled bananas, pecans, and dark caramel syrup! Can you blame anyone for wanting to go here for a date? It sounds delicious! And for more places on brunch and breakfast in Austin, check out our recommendations!
15. Take some time at the Cathedral of Junk
If you are looking for a date night in Austin that is one-of-a-kind, look no further than the Cathedral of Junk. This backyard/clubhouse is one of the coolest things to do in Austin and would make for a date night in Austin that is unique and forgettable, especially if you are looking for cheap date ideas in Austin or first date ideas in Austin.
This Cathedral of Junk was started in 1988 by Vince Hannemann in his backyard. Since then it has grown: walk through and see the zen garden of TVs or even the throne room. This unique structure will have you entertained and enthralled.
Built from car bumpers, bicycle wheels, cables, and other random items (aka the “junk” in the “junkyard”), Vince takes the random items that are brought to him and continues to build. It is truly a wonder, and one of the cool things you can do!
And there you have it, folks! 15 romantic date night in Austin ideas for you to take advantage of! But if you are still unsure of where you want to go or what you want to do, check out our 20 best things to do in Austin to continue to grow those wonderful options. Enjoy date night, y’all! If you are planning on visiting, discover some of the Best Places To Stay In Austin for your trip!
12 Best Historical Sites In Texas You Must See