14 Unique First Date Ideas In Austin To Woo Your Potential Boo

Looking for something to do for a first date in Austin? Well, you’re definitely in the right place! Whether that’s checking out a strange museum or enjoying a free outdoor concert, there’s no shortage of potential first date ideas in Austin! We at Peerspace are all about special events; that’s why our website collects hundreds of special event venues in Austin for dates, birthdays, parties, and other occasions. So even if you don’t book one of our private spaces for a first date, you’re sure to come back for future romantic occasions!

1. Get tickets to The Candlelight Concert 

Concerts are a classic first date experience where you can enjoy each other’s company in a cultured venue. Austin is one of several major cities hosting Candlelight Concerts where performers play jazz, classical, and musical tributes surrounded by hundreds of softly glowing candles. Many performances feature classics for the holidays while others play tributes to Adele, Taylor Swift, and other big names.

2. Take a private art class

One of the more unique first date ideas in Austin is to enjoy an art class together! If you have a shared interest in painting, dance, writing, or photography, upgrade your skills and join a class. Private art lessons are the best way to screen out the distractions of a large class and enjoy the full attention of your instructor. You can easily book a private space with Peerspace, the nation’s leading online marketplace for venue rentals. Private art spaces like this East Austin photo studio provide ample natural light, props, and backdrops for a creative date experience!

3. Check out an arcade bar

Video game arcades have been popular for decades but arcade bars offer something fresh: a place where you can eat, drink, and play games under a single roof! Cidercade is one of our favorite arcade bars in Austin! They have over 150 modern and retro games; you’ll find classics like Galaga alongside Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. While the venue has room for up to 300 people Cidercade also has private spots for a more relaxed gaming date experience!

4. Visit the Zilker Botanical Garden

Are you looking for quiet outdoor first date ideas in Austin? The 28-acre Zilker Botanical Gardens has been a local first date spot for generations. Located close to downtown within Zilker Metropolitan Park, the Botanical Garden has an impressive collection of displays, including the Taniguchi Zen Gardens with a koi pond and the Butterfly Trail. Soaring native and ornamental trees provide shade to keep the heat at bay and you can escape the crowds along the quiet Escarpment Trail. 

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5. Break out of an escape room together

Escape rooms are taking the city by storm as a unique first date idea in Austin that’s truly memorable. You have anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to hunt for clues, solve puzzles, and find your way out of the space before time is up. Work together to find your way out of Paniq, an immersive adventure escape room in Austin where you can choose between room themes ranging from spooky to science fiction! 

6. See a drive-in movie at Blue Starlite

Drive-in movies have been a classic first date idea for a long time! You can still enjoy this retro experience at Austin’s Blue Starlite. The downtown location even enjoys a 360° wraparound of skyscrapers for a beautifully romantic atmosphere during your movie. Each location has movie snacks like popcorn and soda for purchase. But you can upgrade your Blue Starlite experience a step by ordering delivery for any of the local restaurants in the area!

7. Have lunch or dinner at a unique food truck

Food trucks are for more than breakfast tacos or a quick snack. Austin’s motto is “Keep Things Weird,” and you know the food truck scene here does it justice! Favorite food trucks are a top first date topic of discussion – so why not introduce your new boo to one of them from the start? From Tex-Mex to vegan, there’s a food truck here for everyone. For a unique experience, check out T-Loc’s Sonora for bacon-wrapped hot dogs and other Tucson, AZ specialties! 

8. Enjoy a meal at a fine dining restaurant

Austin’s food scene is as good as its music scene. Visitors delight in Texas brisket and street tacos but first date goers know all about these! Try something special at Odd Duck, a farm-to-table restaurant featuring fresh, locally grown products on their menu. You’ll find blackened redfish, Cast iron cheddar cornbread, and more American classics to enjoy! 

9. Make it a museum date day 

As you might expect, the Texas capital is home to some of the state’s best museums. The Austin Museum of Popular Culture explores trends, music, fashion, and TV from across the decades while the Umlauf Sculpture Garden celebrates the work of 20th-century sculptor Charles Umlauf. For a classic art museum experience, check out The Contemporary Austin at The Jones Center. If you want something a bit unusual, as is the Austin custom, we recommend the Museum of Natural & Artificial Ephemerata. It is a museum collection focused on the very idea of collecting itself!

10. Take a wine or beer-tasting class

The Texas Hill Country has dozens of wineries a short drive away. Close to downtown is Austin Winery on E. St. Elmo Rd., the only full production facility in the city limits. The tasting room is open every day except Sunday with walk-in tasting allowed. Order some charcuterie and classic pairings to go alongside your Texas wines while you get to know your date partner! Or you can take a relaxing drive out to one of the Hill Country wineries like Fall Creek Vineyards in nearby Driftwood, TX. Each tasting includes 5 hand-picked wines for the season made from 100% Texas grapes!

Check out the most popular rental venues in Austin to discover your favorite new spot in ATX!

11. Explore a beautiful hiking trail or swimming hole

Austin is a city known for its incredible outdoor amenities! One great first date idea in Austin for lovers of the outdoors is to go on a hike along one of the city’s beautiful trails. The craggy Hill Country limestone, live oak groves, and winding creeks provide nice escapes from the heat. Explore swimming holes like Barton Springs Municipal Pool or take an extended hike along the Slaughter Creek Trail. If you’re up for a short drive, Pedernales Falls has 5,200 acres to explore; bring a picnic lunch and make it an all-day first date hike!

12. Check out a free outdoor concert

ATX is world-famous for its music scene so it’s no surprise concerts make our list of unique first date ideas in Austin to consider. Once summer arrives the city booms with free outdoor concerts! Plan the right Wednesday for a Blues on the Green performance at Zilker Park. Or you can bring lawn chairs for Sound & Cinema performances on the lawn of The Long Center. You’ll get a concert plus a movie for the evening, compliments of the Alamo Drafthouse and Do512!

13. Play golf at Peter Pan Mini Golf

If you’re looking for a bit of outdoor fun on a first date, check out Peter Pan Mini Golf. Open since 1948, Peter Pan Mini Golf has long been a fixture of downtown Austin, complete with weird sculptures overlooking the Lamar and Barton Springs! Two 18-hole outdoor golf courses offer hours of potential fun and you’re a short walk or drive to many of the best restaurants and bars in the city. Peter Pan Mini Golf is also BYOB as well so long as you avoid glass containers!

14. Go paddle boarding on the Colorado River

You can see paddle boarders through the city’s waterways almost any time of the year. Stand up and paddleboard along the Colorado River at one of the many rental facilities along the shore. You can class up your Austin date night even further by joining a paddleboat tour where experienced guides give you unbeatable views of the bat flights from Congress Avenue Bridge or skyline tours detailing the city’s history and growth. Most paddleboard companies also offer canoes if you’d prefer a sitting date experience! 

First date ideas in Austin: conclusion

As you can see, Austin is the place to be for a creative first date! You’ll find experiences, tastes, and educational wonders on par with any other city. And in case you didn’t find what you were looking for, check out our collection of Austin party venues for inspiration! Think about how easily any one of these spaces could become a quiet dinner or art class venue for an unforgettable first date.

Find unique event venues in Austin on Peerspace