Austin, TX
It's a date: 35 date ideas in Austin
Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to ATXtoday.
Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time).
Regardless, whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 35 local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.
For the ones who want a night out on the town
Why not fall in love in the glow of Austin’s skyline?
If the way to their heart is through their stomach
Uchi — which ATXtoday readers suspect will soon earn a Michelin star — is known for its elevated Japanese food from chef Tyson Cole.
- Source ingredients (and don’t forget the flowers) at one of Austin’s farmers markets before making dinner together at home.
- Head to a food truck park and get the first, second, and third courses from different trucks. Play “rock, paper, scissors” to decide who gets to choose each restaurant.
- Delight your date’s taste buds by introducing them to a new cuisine — you can eat around the globe without leaving Austin.
- Eat dinner at a restaurant in the 2nd Street District (let its twinkling trees set the mood), then keep the conversation going over chocolate fondue for two at Crú Food & Wine Bar.
- Impress your date by taking them to one of Austin’s best restaurants — here are the ones that ATXtoday readers think are deserving of a Michelin star.
If you love the great outdoors
Laguna Gloria isn’t just a great date spot — it’s also a popular wedding venue.
Photo by Melanie Applegate
- Watch the sunset from a scenic locale like Mount Bonnell or the Pennybacker Bridge Overlook.
- Wander through the sculpture garden at Laguna Gloria, then grab a grazing board at Spread & Co.’s on-site location to enjoy on the grounds.
- Take your date to the lake on a paddleboard, kayak, or quirky boat rental.
- Pack dinner, a deck of cards, and a cooler of beverages, then make your way to a local park.
- Take your relationship to the next level — aka have your pets meet each other — at one of these dog-friendly locations.
- Take a Downtown Austin daycation and reserve a poolside cabana at a luxury hotel through ResortPass.
For the ones who like to play games (just not with your heart)
Love is a battlefield baseball field.
If you’re really hoping that it works out
Pro tip: Pack some tennis shoes for the hike up to Mount Bonnell.
- Get into the groove and head to a dance class with Ballet Austin.
- Climb to the top of their “best date” list with an indoor rock climbing session.
- Find your zen through a heated yoga class at TruFusion Austin. Bonus: your first class is free.
- Hike to Sculpture Falls on the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Psst — wear a swimsuit and jump into the creek together.
- Sip coffee together at The Perch ATX before walking or biking the Ann and Roy Hike-and-Bike Trail.
- Learn to surf together on Lake Austin with ATX Wake Surf.
If you want an “old fashioned”-style date
What’s more romantic than a date inside The Paramount Theatre?
If you wanna show off by knowing all the hottest events in town
- Shameless plug: Sign up for our daily newsletter, where we call out our top picks of things to do around town. Your date doesn’t have to know we’re behind it, you can take all the credit.
- Stay up-to-date on the coolest local events around Austin with our events page (and check out this guide for our tips on navigating the page).
What did we miss? If you know a perfect date spot that’s not on the list, guide us in the right direction.
Austin, TX
Two IT Employees Allegedly Working for Dallas and Austin Simultaneously
Austin, TX
Titanic: The Human Story Now Open in Austin, Texas
Austin, TX
2026 Pro Swim Series Kicks Off in Austin – Austin Today
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The 2026 Pro Swim Series, the first leg of the prestigious swimming competition, is set to begin tomorrow in Austin, Texas. This four-day event will showcase some of the fastest swimmers in the world as they compete in a variety of events, including new semifinal structures and updated prize money. Fans can look forward to comprehensive previews, live results, and multiple ways to watch the action unfold.
Why it matters
The Pro Swim Series is a critical stop on the road to the 2026 Olympics, with swimmers looking to qualify for national teams and secure valuable ranking points. The Austin event will also feature new event formats and prize money structures that could impact the competitive landscape and strategies of the top athletes.
The details
The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin will run from January 14-17, with preliminary sessions starting at 9:00 a.m. local time and finals kicking off at 6:00 p.m. local time. All sessions will be streamed live on the USA Swimming Network, and the finals on January 15 and 16 will also be aired on Peacock. The event schedule includes a variety of individual events, with the women’s and men’s 1500m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 400m individual medley being the highlight distance races.
- The competition will begin on Wednesday, January 14 and run through Saturday, January 17.
- Preliminary sessions will start at 9:00 a.m. local time (CT) each day, with finals beginning at 6:00 p.m. local time.
The players
USA Swimming
The national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States, responsible for organizing the Pro Swim Series.
Peacock
The streaming platform that will air the finals sessions on January 15 and 16.
SwimSwam
A leading swimming news and media outlet that has provided comprehensive previews and analysis of the 2026 Pro Swim Series event in Austin.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What’s next
Fans can look forward to additional previews and analysis from leading swimming media outlets in the days leading up to the event, as well as live results and coverage throughout the four-day competition.
The takeaway
The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Austin promises to be an exciting showcase of the sport’s top talent, with new event formats and prize money structures adding an extra layer of intrigue. Swimming fans won’t want to miss this must-watch competition as athletes vie for Olympic qualification and national team spots.
-
Atlanta, GA6 days ago1 teenage girl killed, another injured in shooting at Piedmont Park, police say
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Toy Testing with a Discerning Bodega Cat
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoVaazha 2 first half review: Hashir anchors a lively, chaos-filled teen tale
-
Georgia4 days agoGeorgia House Special Runoff Election 2026 Live Results
-
Pennsylvania5 days agoParents charged after toddler injured by wolf at Pennsylvania zoo
-
Arkansas23 hours agoArkansas TV meteorologist Melinda Mayo retires after nearly four decades on air
-
Milwaukee, WI5 days agoPotawatomi Casino Hotel evacuated after fire breaks out in rooftop HVAC system
-
Entertainment1 week agoInside Ye’s first comeback show at SoFi Stadium