City Guides

17 Unforgettable Date Ideas in Reno for 2024

Last Updated on Jun 12th 2024
Date Ideas in Reno

It’s time to elevate your date ideas in Reno. The city has so much to offer and many people, including residents, don't realize. While the city is known for gambling, you don’t have to have all of your date nights at a casino. 

There’s so much for couples to do together in the city and it’s a great way to discover new parts of Reno you may have never been to. While many couples do many activities together, planning a dedicated date night or date day has plenty of benefits. According to For Your Marriage, date nights allow you to have quality time to help you build a connection, foster community and strengthen a romantic spark, .

Date nights are important for relationships of all lengths and types. Whether you’re newly dating, in a committed relationship of a few years or married to your partner, you should make a conscious effort to have a date night. The classic dinner date isn’t going anywhere, but it’s always a good idea to have a few new and fun date ideas in Reno to try. 

So, wondering where to go on a date in Reno? We’ve rounded up a few ideas you can use on your next date night. Here are 17 date ideas that are sure to make memories.

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Fun Date Ideas in Reno for Adults

1. Make Something Delicious in Cooking Classes

Foodies will love cooking classes in Reno as a fun date idea with their partners. Led by expert chefs, you’ll learn basic and advanced techniques that will help elevate your cooking.

Plus, you’ll learn plenty of recipes inspired by cuisines from around the world. With these classes, you can learn how to make some of your favorite dishes, plus discover a few new ones you’re sure to be craving.

You and your partner will work together to craft a few dishes and then enjoy your handcrafted meal together. If you’re looking for a way to switch up a dinner date, cooking classes are one of the best date ideas in Reno.

couples cooking class in Reno
via Classpop!
 

2. Visit a Brewery or Winery

If you’re looking for date ideas in Reno where you can sip on a few drinks, consider visiting a brewery or a winery. The city has many breweries and wineries to choose from that make a great weekend date.

Sample some of the offerings or try a few of their pairings. Plus, many serve food to enjoy along with your drink. For a more immersive date idea in Reno for couples, book a winery or brewery tour, so you can see where your drinks are made.

A winery or brewery is a great alternative to the standard date night at restaurants in Reno.

3. Pamper Yourself at the Spa

Life gets stressful, but spending time together can be a great way to relieve it. Plan a relaxing date idea in Reno and book yourselves some spa treatments. 

You can get massages, facials or body treatments to help you feel pampered and rejuvenated. This is a fun thing to do in Reno for adults who need a little time to reset themselves.

It’s also a great alternative date that will help mix it up from the standard dinner and movie. Spending the day at the spa together is also one of the best anniversary date ideas to celebrate your time together.

Indoor Date Ideas in Reno

4. Friendly Competition at an Arcade Bar

Don’t allow bad weather to keep you from a fun date night. If you’re looking for indoor date ideas in Reno, you should spend the evening at an arcade bar. Press Start has classic arcade games and pinball along with a selection of beers and cocktails. 

They also have weekly pinball tournaments. Round 1 also has arcade games plus bowling that you can enjoy with your favorite drink and delicious foods. Arcade bars are some of the most fun things to do in Reno for adults because they allow you to let out your inner child and have some fun.

They also make great first date ideas, since there are so many activities to do.

5. See a Show at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

For those who love to see a show, spending the night at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is one of the best places for a date in Reno. They put on productions of Broadway musicals and classic plays throughout the year. 

It’s one of the best date ideas in Reno for couples who like live performances. However, you don’t have to be an aficionado to enjoy one of their productions. With plenty of performances, there is something for every taste. 

Make an evening out of it and get drinks or dinner beforehand and then enjoy the performance together.

pioneer center for the performing arts in Reno
via This is Reno
 

6. Check Out the Museums

If you’re looking for indoor date ideas in Reno, consider spending the day at one of the city’s incredible museums. Whether you’re trying to escape the sun on a hot day or it’s a rare rainy one, spending time exploring the museums is one of the best date ideas in Reno. 

Check out the Nevada Museum of Art and the John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art for beautiful works of art. Or visit the National Automobile Museum or the Sparks Heritage Museum for more science and transportation exhibits. 

Spend a weekend day walking around and discussing all the sights you see.

7. Visit the Fleischmann Planetarium

Another place to spend a date inside is the Fleischmann Planetarium. ​​What is there to do in Reno, NV besides gamble? See a show about the world, space and the universe. Fridays and Saturdays feature full-dome shows every few hours. 

They also have unique monthly events, live music on some first Fridays and stargazing events.  The Planetarium also offers workshops on Saturdays and live star tours. This is one of the most fun date ideas in Reno whether you have a keen interest in stars and the universe or just want to try a new activity with your partner.

Outdoor Date Ideas in Reno

8. Explore the River Walk

Reno has great weather for most of the year, so get outside for a date. Explore the River Walk to enjoy the beautiful weather and some of the scenic views the city has to offer.

If you’re looking for cheap date ideas in Reno, you can walk it or bike on a nearby path. Plus, you can stop by some of the shops to support small businesses and restaurants to grab a drink or something to eat.

The Riverwalk also often has festivals and events that can be fun to explore for a date. 

9. Visit the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

The Rancho San Rafael Regional Park has 570 acres of land that you can explore. For an inexpensive date idea in Reno, you can walk around the grounds, taking in the scenery or visiting the botanical gardens. 

Pack a picnic and spend the day enjoying a delicious meal with a stunning backdrop. This park is also the home of the Great Reno Balloon Race, which can be one of the most exciting outdoor date ideas in Reno. Throughout the year, the park also hosts special events that can be fun to enjoy for a date day.

How far apart are Reno and Lake Tahoe? If you’re looking for other places to spend a date outside, Lake Tahoe is about 48 minutes away by car.

Reno Date Idea in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
via Wachoe County
 

10. Watch a Baseball Game

If you’re looking for date ideas in Reno for sports fans, you should see a baseball game. The Reno Aces is an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The games occur during the summer, so they’re a great option for outdoor dates. 

Purchase tickets for a single game or get a few to watch a series. Make these day date ideas even more special with merchandise to be a true fan. Treat yourself to fries, nachos and a couple of sweet treats while you watch the game.

Cheap Date Ideas in Reno

11. Take a Scenic Bike Ride

You don’t always have to spend a ton of money to have a fun and memorable date. The city is incredibly scenic, making it the perfect setting for a bike ride. Consider some of the city’s mountain bike trails, such as Peavine Mountain and Sierra Vista Park for outdoor date ideas in Reno. 

These are cheap date ideas, so you and your partner can make memories without spending a ton of money. Biking through the city is one of the best affordable date ideas if you don’t want to do any strenuous rides.

12. Check Out a Comedy Show

Does Reno have a nightlife? Of course! There are plenty of bars, restaurants and evening activities for a date night. Spend the night laughing away at a comedy show. Tickets are pretty inexpensive, usually between $20 and $30 each. 

Plus, you can see local comedy acts, rising stars and sometimes big comedy celebrities. For these date ideas in Reno, visit Reno Improv, Reno Tahoe Comedy or Laugh Factory for unforgettable shows. Grab dinner and drinks beforehand, then get excited to spend the night laughing until your stomach hurts.

13. Walk Through the Rose Garden at Idlewild Park

If you’re looking for one of the most romantic date ideas in Reno, you have to take a walk through the Rose Garden at Idlewild Park. This unique park has over 200 varieties of roses that bloom from late June through late August, so it’s a great summer date idea. 

The garden also has public art and has programs that teach you to grow and care for roses. This date idea in Reno is a great option for those who want to get outside and anyone who loves flowers.

blooming rose garden
via Canva
 

Unique Date Ideas in Reno for Couples

14. Try Restaurant Hopping

If you’re looking to put a spin on date night at restaurants in Reno, consider going restaurant hopping. This is also a great way to get a taste of various cuisines in one night.

Start at one restaurant for drinks, head to another for appetizers, another for your mains and a final one for dessert. This is a unique date idea in Reno since you’ll get a taste of the local culinary scene in a different way.

Choose a couple of restaurants in advance and plan your route before you set out. It’ll be a fun way to have a unique dinner date.

15. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

If you’re looking for romantic date ideas in Reno, consider taking a hot air balloon ride.For this date idea in Reno, you can take morning flights over the Carson Valley with Balloon Nevada, where you’ll see the sunrise. 

The pilots will create a personalized experience and include post-flight sparkling wine. You can also join in on the Carson Valley Balloon Festival or The Great Reno Balloon Ride if you want to take part in larger events. This is an impressive date that would be fun for special events like birthdays, anniversaries or even engagements.

16. Unleash Creativity with Splatter Painting

Let your creative side run free with splatter painting. This is one of the most unique date ideas in Reno as long as you don’t mind getting a little messy. Brainy Actz has a splatter paint room, which will allow you to paint on a canvas, the walls and even yourself. 

You’ll have one hour to unleash your creative side and take home a one-of-a-kind work of art. This can also be fun date ideas for teens, who are looking for a fun way to spend time together as a couple or as a group date.

17. Head to the Roller Disco

Going roller skating is one of the most classic date ideas in Reno. Roller Kingdom is a fun place with DJ music for you to dance to while you skate around.

Take a break from skating and head to the connecting arcade or grab a snack from the snack bar. If you’ve been searching for date ideas in Reno, many suggest roller skating as a fun option.

It’s great for couples of all ages and also makes fun last minute date ideas if you’re looking for something quick and fun to do on a weekend night.

Couples roller disco date idea in Reno
via Canva
 

Don’t let your date nights become a boring routine. Instead, try these date ideas in Reno. Whether you’re looking for a way to spend a weekend day or somewhere quick to go one evening, there are plenty of activities in Reno that will help you make memories with your partner and benefit the growth and strength of your relationship. 

With so much to explore in Reno, you’ll never be short of date ideas. These 17 date ideas in Reno will become your new favorites this year. 

For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!