9 Houston Date Ideas That Are MORE Than Just Dinner and Wine

Do you know what your love language is? It’s this quick test that you and bae can take to determine how you receive and show affection. I think it’s pretty accurate and makes a lot of sense for people who want to learn more about how they interact with their significant other, friends and family. As a super extrovert, my top love language is Quality Time. So below I layout some date ideas in Houston that highlight this trait because ~~I hope my boyfriend reads this post~~ Valentine’s Day is coming up and people tend to want to bump up the romance factor this time of year.

While buying someone a steak dinner and an expensive bottle of wine is always a good fallback, I think there’s more ways to show your appreciation for one another and have a good time! What’s great about this list is that it’s for people with all different types of budgets, plus I’ve tested out most of the activities myself so I know they’re fun!

Picnic & Pedal Boat at Hermann Park. Spread out a blanket and spend the afternoon people watching in Hermann Park. On weekends (if you’re planning on celebrating Valentines Day a bit early) there’s plenty of activity going on in the area. I love walking around the lakes and seeing the art installations. The McGovern Centennial Gardens and Japanese Gardens are particularly delightful to wander around. Plus, you can get as cheesy as you want and rent a pedal boat for 30 minutes for $10.
Dinner & a Show at Prohibition. A visit to Prohibition Supperclub & Bar can get as expensive as you want. Typically a set menu, comes with the cost of the show. Drinks extra. Two show times per night – book early! Save cash on parking and take the METRO Rail to Downtown. When you’re done with the show you’re perfectly situated on the METRO Red Line for more bars and clubs. Might we recommend Honeymoon Cafe? That sounds romantic af, no?
Bike & Brunch the Bayou. Rent bikes from B-Cycle or bring your own to Buffalo Bayou or White Oak Bayou. Follow our mapped out trails and spend the morning exploring the city. Curb your appetite with brunch at Liberty Kitchen or Kitchen at the Dunlavy. Read more on bike routes and itinerary here! Also, check out our mural bike tour guide here.
Jazz Show at Cezanne. Speaking from experience, this jazz bar is totally first impression rose material. Located in Montrose above the Black Labrador Pub, Cezanne has jazz shows every Friday and Saturday night starting at 9pm. Make sure you show up early to get a seat. There’s a cover charge and you’re packed in pretty tight. But the experience is very intimate as you sit just a few feet from the stage at this uniquely Houston experience. Click here to see the lineup!
Life the high life at River Oaks District….or at least pretend to! Make a reservation at Le Colonial and transport yourself to a Southeast Asian colonial estate and treat yourself to Thai and Vietnamese classic dishes. Grab tickets to an iPic show and nestle into a pod–complete with blankets, footrests and wait service. This ain’t your average movie theater. Then celebrate a great close to the evening with a bouquet of rose…shaped ice cream at Amorino!
Rockets Game and Night in Downtown Houston. You can get last minute home game tickets to the Rockets for cheaper than the Uber ride to the game. I used the Gametime app and saw tickets as low as $12 and am headed to a game this week! Toyota Center is a few blocks away from the METRO Red Rail Line which connects you to load of bars and restaurants. For drinks before the game, I recommend getting happy hour at Part & Parcel or a bite to eat at the underground food court and beer hall, Conservatory (they have discounts for fans wearing team gear!). Get $5 when you sign up with the Gametime app with my code ANASTASI8, here’s a link to the Houston Rockets’schedule.
Float the Texas river at Marriott Marquis. It’s always sunny in ~~Philadelphia~~ Houston, which makes nearly any weekend a great weekend to layout at the pool. Take your apartment pool up a notch and chill at the new Marriott in Downtown Houston. Book a room at the hotel, grab some brunch at Walker Street Kitchen, and float the lazy river in the shape of Texas. If that pool isn’t love at first sight, I don’t know what is.
Staycation with a Show. Slip away and escape from the usual routine with a stay at your favorite hotel and maybe grab a show downtown. We’re currently crushing on the line up put on by Society of the Performing Arts at Jones Hall. Many Downtown Hotels have planned packages for Valentine’s Day and if you mention you’re going for a special occasion on the reservation, chances are good you might find a bottle of wine waiting for you in your room. Our favorite Staycation spots include Hotel Sorella, Hotel Alessandra, the Westin in the Woodlands, and the Marriott Marquis.
Kayak Buffalo Bayou. The weekend before Valentine’s Day, Bayou City Adventures is offering couples a 7 mile kayak tour of the Houston Skyline. This tour has been on my bucket list foreveeerrrr–seeing the gorgeous downtown skyline up close and personal from a kayak!? Come onnn! Plus, for a limited time only you can help Bayou City Adventures bounce back from the recent flooding and get $50 worth of tours for just $25. Sign up here! For tips on kayaking in Houston, click here. For the full bayou kayak tour schedule, click here.