If you’ve been with your partner a while, it can be hard to come up with exciting date ideas. Maybe you’re stuck in a dinner-and-a-movie rut… if you’re making time to “date” at all. Or perhaps you’re so active that you’ve already done everything. Or so you think. Relight the fire in your hearts by spending quality time with that ol’ gayngsta you call boo with these full-of-fun, new-to-you date nights.
Group pedacycle. Traditionally a pedacycle refers to any motorized bike, like a moped, but more and more places, like my own town of Asbury Park, are introducing pedacycles built to hold upwards of 15 riders who hop on board to jointly mobilize the vehicle with only their burning leg power. This isn’t just a trip around the block, either. Most of these rides have a purpose, like a food or booze tour of an area to get you good and snockered. Great as a just-you-two date if you like meeting other couples, or get your whole squad together for this tipsy cardio workout. 
Datebox. Once a month you’ll receive a box in the mail (based on your likes and dislikes determined through a preliminary personality test) that contains the makings of a memorable date designed to rekindle the romance. Could be a date night in with curated activities and snacks or you might venture out to explore never-before-visited places in familiar territory. Choose from four options — Serious, Steady, Flirting and Digital Only — that range in price from about $33 down to $8 per month. Datebox is a monthly subscription that renews automatically, but you can cancel at any time with no penalty.
VR experience. Virtual reality for public consumption has been around for a few decades, but it’s become quite sophisticated in the past few years, so much so that facilities dedicated to the experience, like Ctrl V, are now opening. There are more than 20 games from which to choose at many locations that allow you to explore mountain ranges, venture into space, and become a soldier in fully immersive scenarios that give players an hour in a variety of games for about $25 per person.
Make-and-take activities. Huge fan of make-and-take activities over here, and I’m always looking for the next best to-dos. Recently my boyfriend and I participated in Plant Nite — an offshoot of the very popular sip-and-stroke Paint Nites — where we designed our own succulent terrariums. We’ve also rolled up our sleeves to make candles, blow glass and create DIY projects in the free workshops offered by Home Depot.
Fitness challenges. My guy and I participate in the Rugged Maniac race every summer — it’s a great workout with a lot of teamwork and even more laughs — and we sign up for other fitness challenges when we’re feeling competitive. And of course there are fundraising walks, runs and bike events to get fit and give back to your community.
Road Trip in a classic car. Get dressed like you’re going to a sock hop, rent an old car (maybe Classic Chassis Car Club can help out) and roll into an unexplored town like you just drove through a hole in the space-time continuum. You’ll turn a few heads for sure.
Campy camping. Upscale camping becomes even more accessible thanks to companies like Hipcamp and Glamping Hub, which helps wanderlusters find the beyond-cool accommodations they never knew they wanted. If you prefer a little more luxury and filth in your vacay, check into Club Getaway’s Camp John Waters (there’s currently a waitlist), offering a weekend in the woods of Kent, Conn., with everyone’s favorite pencil-’stached homo-con and featuring activities like Hairspray karaoke, burlesque lessons, a JW film marathon and a one-man show from Mr. Counter Culture himself.

— Mikey Rox