Ah, marriage. For richer and poorer, in sickness and health, through good dates and bad, you’ll love and cherish one another. But just because you’ve vowed to be together forever doesn’t mean you have to be boring. Here are the best things to do in Phoenix for couples who think they’ve done it all.
Discover the newest Phoenix restaurants
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- If you’ve never experienced Cloth & Flame—the incredible outdoor dining experience that sets up in new locations for each event—now is the time.
- Located in the trendy arts district in downtown Phoenix, El Charro Hipster Bar & Café just opened in August, and its drinks are almost as hip as its name.
- Hula’s Modern Tiki moved to 7th Street in September, and its new location is all about the bar. If you need romantic date ideas in Phoenix, its patio with fire pits has you covered there, too.
- What do you get when you put 10 new restaurants inside 20 shipping containers? You get The Churchill, which opened downtown in August.
- Conveyor belts are an on-point sushi trend, and O2 Sushi is the latest spot to have one.
- At High Dive, located in the Arcadia neighborhood, the cocktails aren’t listed on a menu—they come in a book, because there’s just that many of them.
- Looking for anniversary ideas in Phoenix? Kai is the state’s only five-diamond/five-star restaurant. Done.
Start a new hobby
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- Craft beer is taking off around the country, and the Phoenix area is no exception. Head to Helton Brewing for their take on a classic West Coast IPA, and pop into State 48 Brewery’s brand-new downtown location. Then take a free tour of Four Peaks, one of the coolest things to do in Tempe, which is just 10 miles east of downtown Phoenix.
- Prefer caffeine to alcohol? In Phoenix, we wouldn’t blame you. The tastings and classes at Press Coffee Roasters are enough to turn anyone into a caffeine convert. And you can’t call yourself a Phoenician till you try the Sunrise (that’s orange juice topped with espresso) at Jobot Coffee.
- Get your dance on in one of Phoenix’s studios. The variety here may surprise you: Take ballroom, salsa, or even swing lessons at Fatcat, tap your heels at Flamenco por la Vida, or get funky with a dance/martial arts combo at Capoeira Brasil AZ Studio.
- Getting into the arts scene is a great cheap date night idea in Phoenix. First Fridays on Roosevelt Row is a totally free art walk (although you’ll want to bring a few bucks for the food trucks). The Heard Museum has free admission each first Friday of the month, and the Phoenix Art Museum offers various free days and times, so check their website.
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Get weird with it
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- Is the Mystery Castle one of the great inexpensive date ideas in Phoenix or just a strange, creepy house made of rocks? It’ll only cost you $10 to find out.
- Stop into Curious Nature for all your gifting needs—antiques, jewelry, books, skulls, taxidermy, specimens in jars . . . they really have it all.
- The Musical Instrument Museum might not seem that weird, but look closer. You’ll find exhibits like the 11-foot-high Octobass, which plays the lowest notes of any string instrument, and a stage prop of Alice Cooper’s severed head.
- Tovrea Castle, aka the “wedding cake house,” is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Phoenix. Not every city has a mansion built on sheer dreams and shaped like a wedding cake.
- We shouldn’t have to explain what Nearly Naked Theatre does. Head to the Central Arts Plaza to see them bare it all.
- The tiny town of Guadalupe is known for its big religious festivals. Catch the annual Deer Dance around Easter, before this under-the-radar day trip gets too popular.
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Get outside
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- Get in touch with your inner cowboy. Take a sunset ride with KOLI Equestrian Center for some great romantic views in Phoenix, or go north and hook up with Cave Creek Trail Rides for a 2-hour meander through gorgeous scenery.
- Speaking of romance, a gondola ride at the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch is a must-do. Complete with professional singing gondoliers, this is definitely the only Phoenix date night that will make you feel like you’re in Italy.
- Get in touch with your fun-loving side on the pedal boats at Encanto Park.
- Try surfing at Big Surf water park—or show off skills your special someone didn’t even know you had.
- Get the adrenaline going on Trail 100 at the Tatum Trailhead. Not pro enough to own your own mountain bike? You can rent one from Trailhead Bicycles.
- There’s always something new happening at the Desert Botanical Garden, which hosts tons of events throughout the year.
- Evening events at Butterfly Wonderland, just 20 miles northeast of downtown, are a great date night idea in Scottsdale. From paint nights to beer tastings, there’s something for everyone.
- Looking for free things to do in Phoenix today? Park on Air Lane and watch the planes take off right over your head.
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Night time is the right time
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- Dating in Phoenix can be a real drag . . . but a double date to a drag show on Fridays at The Rock or BS West in Scottsdale is sure to spice things up.
- Think bingo is for old people? Let’s just say drag bingo at Kobalt ain’t your grandma’s bingo.
- Surprise your partner with all your useless pop culture knowledge at Trivia Sundays at Crescent Ballroom, and get some friendly competition going.
- Cheer on the ladies of the Arizona Roller Derby. The crowd is loud and the food trucks are plentiful, making this one of the most fun things to do in Phoenix.
- See a comedy show or get up there yourself during open mic at Stand Up Live. Marriage is all about supporting each other, right?
- For a quieter night, take a romantic stroll through Civic Center Park to check out the Her Secret Is Patience art installation.
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Got your own Phoenix date ideas? Let us know in the comments!
Header image by Gregory E. Clifford/Shutterstock.com
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