Not Your Average Date Ideas

Are you tired of the same old dinner and a movie? Does every date seem like just another Saturday night? Maybe it's time to get creative, spice things up, and think outside the bar. Here are a few outrageous and unforgettable dating ideas to make sure your next night on the town is not your average date.

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Elevate your romance, and leave your earthbound cares behind, by taking your date for a ride in a hot air balloon. You can arrange a hot air balloon ride at almost any time of day -- from sunrise to sunset. Some balloon rides include a gourmet picnic or a champagne brunch; all offer breathtaking views and an above-the-treetops change of perspective that no other experience can equal.

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For an exciting date that neither of you will ever forget, try tandem skydiving or bungee jumping. Any shared experience that challenges both your courage and your common sense is sure to bring you closer as a couple. To make your daredevil date even more thrilling, try it in the nude.

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Searching for an interesting date idea? Join a scavenger hunt hosted by a charity or community group -- or organize one of your own. Invite friends to help you and your date locate the treasures on your list of hard-to-find items, or make it strictly a duet. Either way, let the scavenging begin.

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What date could be more classic than a night of dancing? Take a drop-in lesson or dress to the nines and go to your nearest club. Who cares if you're a little rusty or don't know the moves? Once you're waltzing cheek-to-cheek or swinging to a salsa beat with your heart's desire, you'll feel like you're floating on air.

Nothing says romance like shark-infested waters. Swimming with sharks is a popular travel adventure these days. And with hundreds of shark species roaming the world's oceans, there are many places -- from Mexico to South Africa to Australia's Great Barrier Reef -- where you can go nose-to-nose with these fascinating seagoing predators.

Saddle up for adventure when you take your date horseback riding. Whether you go for a ride at a local stable or spend the weekend at a guest ranch, sitting astride a horse is a great way to spur romantic feelings and add a little flair to your date. After all, who doesn't look terrific in a cowboy hat?

Find a secluded spot and go for a refreshing swim the way nature intended. That's right, we're talking skinny dipping here. If you're a little shy, make it a moonlight swim. Take along a picnic basket to share with your date while you dry off. Surprise your guy with this idea. Trust us, he won't mind.

A really good date should leave you breathless, your heart pounding, and that's pretty much guaranteed when you make a date to go white water rafting. Find a reputable river guide and choose your river -- from Class II to Class V -- based on your experience and your tolerance for terror. Then grab a paddle, strap on a life vest, and take the plunge.

Impress your date and go in style by splurging on VIP passes to something you'll both love, whether it's a sporting event, an invitation-only gallery opening, or a concert by one of your favorite bands. With your VIP passes, you and your date will have the best seats in the house -- and you'll feel like celebrities.