Go for a drive cartoon couple in blue car with scenic desert landscape

Go for a Drive

Sometimes it’s nice to get in your car and go for a drive around the countryside, city, or along the coast; whatever scenery fits your style. Having a convertible makes it even better— put the top down and enjoy the wind in your hair if you have hair . . . I personally don’t, but I do remember the feeling fondly.

Grab a date, and venture forth to some cool destination. Oh and if you are feeling crazy adventurous get out an actual map and travel by that. Yeah a map, remember those folded up pieces of paper with all the ink marks on it tucked away in some dark corner of your glove compartment? Resist the urge to use your smartphone, and maybe even stop and ask for directions—a novel idea, I know. Get a blend of fresh air and pleasant scenery. Blast some music and sing along to it.

Alpine scenic road with lots of trees and blue sky

The natural landscape that the world has to offer is an incredible setting for a date. Most people really do enjoy the cliché things like seascapes, purple mountains, and amber waves of grain. Sunsets, sunrises, crystal blue lakes, white-tipped peaks, and all the critters that can be seen in their natural habitats. This sort of date would be perfect for the city folk who don’t get out to nature very often.

National or State parks are perfect destinations

It is really easy to find a national or state park in your area; just go online and search for one. Within a few minutes you’ll have several places to drive to, and don’t forget a map—remember, no cell phones! Oh okay, you can bring one if you like.

Fancy castles? Go online and look for neighborhoods near you that have them, then drive over and take pictures. One place to look is here, a site that lists Castles in different states—and yeah, even places like Arizona have them. Being a bit of a giddy nerd when it comes to castles, it’s one site I might search through to find an interesting destination.

In California, the Pacific Coast Highway is an excellent drive, whether you go 10 miles or 300. The Hearst Castle is located right off of it in a town called San Simeon. The tours there are pretty awesome and would add some culture to your coastal drive. I’m guessing the majority of you don’t live near the coast, but no biggie— a drive through the mountains is really nice, too.

What you need for this cheap date idea: 

This is an inexpensive date that requires only transportation and an idea of where you want to go. If you plan to take a tour to one of the well-known castles, you might want to look at the website or get a number to see if you’ll need to reserve tickets, and I think I mentioned something about bringing a map. 

Of course, the expense can add up depending on how far you go. The destination doesn’t have to be super extravagant, it could be that you go for a drive to some cool flower garden across town. Or just pick some new part of town you have never been to before and go explore. There are so many possibilities.

Silhouette of a couple sitting on a rock with a car that went for a drive at sunset.

My commentary on this, go for a drive, date idea:

I’ve driven through a variety of amazing locales, and through some of the most breathtaking national parks with my family and friends and of course on dates, making happy, exciting memories. It was a perfect time for deep and light conversation, a time for car games like I Spy with my little eye, a time for jokes, and a time to just relax.

Can’t think of something to do for your next date? Well, my friends, here’s an idea—go for a drive.

Watch the video I made for this go for a drive date idea

Do you have experience with this creative date idea? Let me know in the comments how it went and if your date, spouse, significant other liked it. You can buy a copy of the book 101 Creative Dates: ideas, tips, and personal experiences from the life of a hopeless romantic here or visit the shop.

Here are other creative date and gift ideas you might like:

Fortune Cookie Surprise

Look at Christmas Lights

Movie in a Fort

Rooftop Dinner