Date nights ideas that make your marriage a priority
Regular date nights are one way to prioritize your marriage. Find a dependable babysitter, and take advantage of balmy summer nights to spend one-on-one time with your spouse. Date night ideas range from flirty to nostalgic, so pick your favorites and then book your babysitter for every Saturday this summer.
Music in the park
Peruse city park websites for summer concert series and spend an evening listening to live music. Even if you’re listening to an unknown band, there’s something about a blanket, a baguette with cheese and a bottle of wine to make a summer night feel a little sultry. Fill this adorable Rattan Picnic Basket for Two with your favorite goodies, and you might even discover a new favorite band (Pottery Barn, $99). 
Ballgames and beer
Even if your husband tends to watch baseball with his buddies, a night at the ballpark can be a fun way to spend a summer date night. If dinner at your favorite sushi place is becoming a little stale, oversized beers and cheering on your favorite team can be the perfect way to bring a little fun into your dates. Showing your team spirit doesn’t have to mean borrowing a too-large jersey. Try one of the polishes in OPI’s Fashion Plate Collection (Amazon, $12). 
Dinner and drinks on the patio
Dinner and drinks might be a tried-and-true date night idea, but it’s a classic for a reason. Lingering over dinner and cocktails isn’t always possible with the kids in tow, so date nights mean you can talk about anything you want, for as long as you want, without worrying about whether your conversation is kid-appropriate. To take advantage of the summer weather, ask for a table on the patio — even better if your favorite restaurant has views of the sunset or waves. One of the best parts about this simple date is the potential to wear your favorite summer dresses — we love the bright pink Amanda Uprichard Summer Dress (Piperlime, $211).
Take out, then drive in
For a major dose of nostalgia, hit a drive-in movie theater this summer. Find the closest drive-in to your home, and don’t worry too much about what’s showing — this date is all about the throw-back nature of the experience. If movie food makes you cringe, stop at your favorite take-out place on the way. We won’t tell if you smuggle in a Cocktail RX Lemon Drop Cocktail Kit (Amazon, $7). 
After-hours at the zoo
Places you might normally take the kids during the day, like zoos and museums, often have nighttime events that are decidedly date-friendly. Check out the cultural centers in your area — the Detroit Zoo offers a Sunset at the Zoo event that raises money for new exhibits while providing strolling dinner, champagne toasts and dancing at twilight.
The bottom line
Dating your spouse will heat up your summer evenings! No matter if you try something new or stick with your go-to dinner dates, take the time to spend some one-on-one time with your husband this summer.
Comments
These are all great ideas! I never thought about the zoo as a date night spot.
These are such fun ideas! My husband and I will definitely try them out!
Great ideas! Might have to try all these out