13 Unique Picnic Date Ideas For Couples Craving The Outdoors (2025)

One of the most tried and true date ideas for any couple is packing a delicious meal, laying out a blanket, and having a romantic picnic. If you are looking for a clever twist on the classic checkered blanket and wicker baskets, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of 13 unique picnic date ideas that will get you out of your usual Netflix and takeout night.

Combine any of these ideas with an incredible event venue rental through Peerspace and you’re sure to enjoy an amazing picnic date. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals and makes it easy to discover and book amazing venues in cities across the globe. We’ll share a few of these ahead alongside our favorite picnic date ideas. Let’s get to it!

1. Bring a book and take turns reading to one another

If you’re a new couple and are having trouble keeping the conversation flowing, bringing a book or collection of poetry to read is an effective way to avoid any awkward silences. If you’ve only been on a couple of dates maybe leave the real romantic Shakespeare sonnets at home and stick to reading a short story you enjoy. Sharing your favorite book or story is a great way to get to know someone on a deeper level, so choose something special to you.

One of our favorite venue suggestions to make picnic date ideas like this even more special is to host it at this remodeled open floor plan home with spectacular city and mountain views in Sherman Oaks, CA. It provides you with furnished gathering spaces indoors and out, with a large outdoor deck that looks designed for romantic picnics! It is a breathtaking venue that will elevate any gathering.

2. Stick your toes in the sand and picnic on the beach

Instead of going to the usual spot at the park, taking your picnic basket down to the sand is a great alternative. For a little privacy, check out some of the amazing private beaches available for rent through Peerspace.

There you can find some unique locations like this modern beach house on the sand in Aptos, CA, perfect for when you don’t want to share your picnic with other beachgoers. On the other coast? Then check out this open-plan beach beach house with amazing light in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Along with being beach adjacent, this home also boasts a pool table, a ping-pong table, and a large fenced yard, meaning you and your date can kick back and get as competitive as you like.

Privacy goes a long way when you’re deciding on the best picnic date ideas, and Peerspace makes it easy to find your own private beach house for as many hours as you like!

3. Make your own charcuterie board

A picnic (and Instagram) classic, a charcuterie board typically consists of different cheeses, meats, bread, and fruit. But you can make one with just about anything. Shop together and then take your tasty finds along on an outdoor picnic! There’s always a new trend in charcuterie going around social media, the latest being the butterboard. Whatever you decide on, you’ll have a picture-perfect and delicious meal for your next picnic.

Don’t let dodgy weather spoil the fun. Utilize our unique indoor picnic ideas instead!

4. Hire a private chef and take the work out of preparing food

For a special occasion, hiring a private chef can be the cherry on top of a romantic evening. Having a personally made, delicious meal at a picnic is an experience that many don’t get to experience, which would make it all the more memorable.

5. Head outdoors and bring your picnic poolside

If you don’t have access to the beach, having a picnic poolside is another way to enjoy having a meal by the water. Don’t have a private pool? Peerspace has you covered by providing you access to pool venue rentals across the globe. For instance, our friends in Texas can book this pool with a view in Austin that boasts a 1,800-square-foot furnished deck, multiple decks, and a gorgeous home interior. This charming oasis is an example of the kinds of hideaways Peerspace can give you the keys to.

6. Have a personal paint-and-sip picnic

Wine and painting are a match made in heaven! Grab some painting supplies and a bottle next time you head out on a picnic, then try your hand at painting a landscape – or each other. Some of the best picnic date ideas are ones like this where you come home with a memorable keepsake to commemorate the occasion.

Check out these helpful and creative sip-and-paint ideas for an unforgettable painting party with your date!

7. Partake in a virtual wine tasting

While we’re on the subject of wine, did you know that there are places online that provide you with virtual wine tastings? Take a look at this handy list that contains some of the best options for choosing the right tasting for you.

8. Bring some binoculars and go bird-watching

A fun way to learn more about your local wildlife is to go bird-watching. Binoculars can be packed along just about any picnic, and there are phone apps or websites that will help you point out specific species. Turn it into a fun competition and see who can find more different species, or try your hand at sketching the birds.

To make this idea extra special, be sure to book a scenic, comfortable Peerspace venue ideal for a bird-watching picnic outing. As an example, our friends in Driftwood, TX can book this Drift West 11-acre Hill Country retreat for their romantic picnic. The host explains that the “large, covered deck offers a peaceful sanctuary for birdwatching”. Stroll the nature trails, watch the sunset, and have the most amazing picnic date here!

9. Combine two picnic classics: stargaze and s’mores

For something to do when the sun goes down, pack all the ingredients you need to make s’mores and watch the stars! Make sure that you can build a fire safely when you make your gooey treat, or better yet use a fire pit.

If you don’t have one, Peerspace has plenty of properties that have their own that you can use. This stylish, remodeled ranch near Austin, TX is an ideal place to make a little fire, see the stars, and soak in the vibe. Peerspace opens up the door to so many new picnic date ideas, see what you can find in your area.

10. Bring the camera and have a photoshoot

Another way to bring the picnic home with you is to turn it into a photoshoot. Bring a Polaroid or a camera and get some high-quality photos that you and your date can look back on and remember the awesome day you had.

Speaking of, let our cute picnic photoshoot ideas spark some photo-worthy inspiration!

11. Bring some cards or a game and have some friendly competition

An easy way to break the ice on a date where you don’t know the other person well is to play a board or card game. There are lots of travel versions of larger board games, or you can just bring a deck of cards and play some head-to-head challenges.

If you’re looking for a private venue that provides picnic space and plenty of gaming opportunities, then Peerspace has you covered! For instance, check out this barn with games tables and entertaining space in Stafford, VA. It has both covered and open outdoor dining spaces as well as an indoor game room and a slew of board games that you can play indoors and out.

12. Level up your city picnic by taking it to the roof

Sometimes it seems like the only place in a big city to have a picnic is at the park. With Peerspace, you can find some scenic and private rooftops to have your next picnic. This gorgeous flat with spectacular views in San Francisco, CA gives a unique perspective of the city and is a lovely place to get some sunshine with your meal.

13. Set up a projector and watch a movie

Watching a movie outdoors with a projector and screen is a unique way to enjoy your favorite flick. All you need to turn your backyard into your own outdoor theater is a large white sheet and a projector.

Peerspace also makes it easy to book a private movie theater venue, with both indoor and outdoor options. One of our favorite options is this blue house with a green door outdoor fun zone in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to movie-watching equipment, it provides you with a grill, a pool, lawn games, and so much more. So grab some popcorn or your favorite movie theater candy and enjoy the show!

Picnic date ideas: conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed these picnic date ideas as much as we’ve enjoyed curating them! We think the first step to hosting any memorable and fun event is booking the perfect event venue. So be sure to head to Peerspace and see all the cool places available in your area! As you can see, you can easily find a space that’s super stylish and packed with the amenities you want.

Be sure to reach out to your venue’s host with any questions or requests and they’ll do their best to comply. It’s personalized service like this that’s hard to come by elsewhere!

Find unique picnic date venues on Peerspace