Need some inspiration for a special date night with your love? We’ve broken down all of our favorite, local date night ideas into helpful categories. Love a fancy dinner over candlelight? We’ve got you covered. Or is a tennis match and a beer at a local brewery more your style? Read on and find whatever option fits you and your partner best.
There’s a reason that the dinner date is a classic. Great food brings you together and allows you to have an engaging conversation with your love. Here are some of our favorite restaurants around town that are sure to fill your bellies and bring you foodie joy.
- Rooftop Spots to Eat, Drink, & Enjoy the View of Albuquerque
- A Local Guide to Gluten-Free Restaurants
- A few other contributor recommendations: Campo, Slate Street Cafe, Lescombes Winery & Bistro, Indigo Crow, Ten3, Level 5, Farm and Table, Happy Accidents, Juniper Steakhouse, Gather, Vernon’s Speakeasy, M’tuccis, Dorothea, Cocina Azul, Debajo, The Prairie Star, Fogo De Chao, Fat Frank’s, Jinja, Mulas.
There’s nothing sexier than someone with brains and a quick wit, right? Check out these date night ideas to appeal to your and your partner’s intellectual side.
- Test your trivia skills and compete against others at various bars around town on their Geeks Who Drink nights.
- Check out Empire Board Game Library where you can play different board games (they have over 500) for only $3/hour per adult.
- Get lost together in good books and browse a bookstore together. One of our favorites in town is Bookworks.
- Do you love solving riddles and clues? Try out an escape room for a thrilling date night. There are many in town, such as New Mexico Escape Room.
As parents, we take our kids to do a lot of fun things around town. However, it’s not always fun for us, especially if you have a cranky, sleepy kid in tow. Ditch the kids and get playful with your spouse with these suggestions.
- Have a non-dinner date at Explora Adult Nights or the ABQ BioPark.
- Get in touch with your inner kid at Hinkle Family Fun Center where they have laser tag, arcade games, mini golf, and so much more!
- If you want to combine skeeball with some dinner, check out Dave & Busters or Main Event.
- Jump for joy at one of Albuquerque’s trampoline parks. We love Cool Springz.
One of our favorite things about living in Albuquerque is that we are surrounded by the most beautiful landscape. Enjoy the natural beauty with your partner and plan a date outdoors to truly enjoy the enchantment.
- Grab food to go or have a picnic at one of the many beautiful parks in Albuquerque. Check out our full Guide to Parks.
- Take advantage of easy hikes in or near Albuquerque. Check out our Guide to Hikes and Trails in Albuquerque.
- Check off an item that’s on every Burqueños bucket list and go for a hot air balloon ride with Rainbow Ryders.
- Kayak down the Rio Grande with Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures.
Whether you are headed out for a quick drink or extending your date night, enjoying a libation is a great, low-stress way to spend some quality time together. Albuquerque has tons of fantastic, local places to imbibe.
- Albuquerque has exploded with new craft breweries. Visit a couple and order flights to try a lot of different beers and then rank them. If you check out Tin Can Alley or Marble Brewery, you can also catch some live music!
- Did you know New Mexico has a rich history of winemaking? Check out all the local tasting rooms in our Guide to New Mexico Wineries.
- If you are wanting to venture out from beer and wine, try some of the local distilleries. Left Turn Distilling hosts fun events throughout the week and. Or check out one of ABQ’s newest distilleries, Safe House Distilling Co.
Sometimes you just want to relax with your special someone. Treat yourself and your relationship to some R & R with some pampering.
- Reserve a private tub at Betty’s Bath and Day Spa. If you are feeling really extravagant, opt for a couple’s massage and a Suite Retreat, which includes a private steam room and snacks.
- If you’re able to spend a whole night away, we recommend a staycation at Hotel Parq Central or Hyatt Tamaya.
- Another great overnight option is staying at a local bed and breakfast.
- Sometimes you can’t get away or don’t have the budget. Why not try some DIY options and do some pampering at home?
Time to be entertained! Watching a great movie, play, or concert together can spark conversation for days and weeks to come and create some great memories.
- You can find great live music almost any day of the week. It can be an outdoor concert, a local musician, or a national headliner. Check out the options at concert venues like the Sandia Amphitheater and Isleta Amphitheater.
- Albuquerque has some great live theatre as well. Catch a show at Blackout Theatre, Albuquerque Little Theatre.
- It may be cliche, but movie dates can be fun. If you are wanting a spin on the classic movie date, try Regal Winrock IMAX, Flix Brewhouse, and Guild Cinema.
- Grab some dinner, and check out a Broadway show at Popejoy Hall.
A little competition is healthy for a couple. Bring some spice into your relationship by getting physical with one another in a sporty way.
- Challenge your partner to a friendly game of tennis at one of the many local, free courts.
- Practice makes perfect. Work on your skills at a batting cage or the driving range. Topgolf is a fun option.
- Watch a game together! Albuquerque Isotopes, New Mexico United, Albuquerque Sol FC, & UNM Athletics
- Visit our friends at Ten Pins & More for bowling (we won’t judge if you use bumpers).
