Group of people horseback riding in the forest on a trail

Horseback Riding

Ever get the urge to be a cowboy for a day? Take a date and go horseback riding. See what it would be like if you lived in the olden days before the invention of the automobile when horses were the main mode of transportation.

Horseback riding is a good outdoor activity to do with a date. It is a chance to get away from city life and enjoy the surrounding landscape. It’s also an interesting experience and one that most people want to do again. Make sure to bring apples for the horses as long as they are allowed, and don’t forget treats for your date. Never forget those treats. For some great homemade treats that you can make visit my cooking blog, In the Kitchen with Matt.

What you need for this horseback riding date idea: 

Just find stables that offer horseback riding for the public. This date can be a bit more expensive than other types but is worth the money. Here in Arizona, there are several places near me that I can take a date horseback riding. The O.K. Corrals near the Superstition Mountains has some amazing horseback riding with scenic views. There are also several places to go up in Flagstaff. I imagine most states and countries have some sort of horseback riding available. Make the reservations and then go!

4 people horseback riding in the forest

My commentary on this date: 

When I was younger, I went camping with my friend and his parents. We stopped up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at a place called Lake Alpine, which happens to be one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever been to, and we entered a fishing derby.

The fishing was great that day, my friends, just great. We caught our share of trout, but this one fish, I tell you, must have been the size of a tuna. It tugged at my line, and I tugged back. This fish wasn’t going to get the better of me. Moby Dick was nothing compared to this creature. The line strained under the weight, but still, it held.

After what seemed like hours, actually 5 minutes, I brought the gigantic trout to the surface and pulled it next to the rocks. My buddy grabbed the gigantic fish, but it squirmed loose and the hook broke, freeing my exceptional foe.

Time to go riding

horses at a stable with mountains in the background

I would have won the tournament that day, but instead, I took third place and my buddy took fourth place. And guess what our prize was? Horseback riding!

We showed up at the designated meeting place the next day. Being the keen observer that I am, I noticed that many of the people there were couples. I knew I had to store away the idea for future dates. The ride, my first, was stunning as we wound our way through the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain range at an elevation above 8,000 feet. It was three hours of adventuring.

I still remember my horse’s name: Mary. Good times. Pretty much every state in the nation has great riding options available.  I know that several of my friends have gone on this kind of date and can’t wait to do it again.

If you want to do something different, impress your date by going on a scenic horseback riding adventure.

Do you have experience with this 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.

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Here are other creative date ideas you might like:

Horse and Carriage Ride

Indoor Climbing Gym

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Go Kart Racing