Couples pay $123 for a date night in 2024 on average. The most expensive date nights are in Miami ($156), followed by Washington, D.C., and Seattle with $153 and $150. In Miami, dinner and a movie comprise more than a fifth (21%) of an average resident’s weekly income, making it the least affordable city for dating, too. Time is money: date night expenses are $27 per hour based on the estimated time people spend.
The most expensive dates in history
If you want to get rid of copious amounts of cash, though, the sky is the limit. In 2020, a Singaporean couple paid $2 million for a date that included private jets, diamonds, a stay at the Raffles Hotel, and an 18-course Michelin dinner. The vivid experience started at a rooftop restaurant, after which the couple retreated to the Outpost Hotel, where 10,000 roses were waiting for them, strewn around the room.
The U.S. doesn’t fall behind. Arnaud’s New Orleans restaurant charged almost $10 million for a Strawberries Arnaud. The dessert came with a “complimentary” drink, including 24-carat gold leaf flakes, Cristal Champagne, and a royal blue, 10.06-carat diamond engagement ring. If that weren’t impressive enough, a couple bought a house on their first date.
First date ideas rivaling an expensive date night
Expensive date ideas aren’t limited to a luxurious dinner. In fact, this is overly conventional and lacking in imagination. More creative approaches to a first date can include:
- Renting a boat or a luxury car.
- Visiting a vineyard.
- Doing a wedding cake tasting.
- Booking a helicopter ride.
You can take your date on a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon. Imagine standing side by side, champagne in hand, celebrating a new beginning above the clouds. The excitement of gliding over majestic landscapes will transform the date into a cherished memory.
Making lasting memories
It’s estimated that we forget almost 60% of unpleasant experiences but only 42% of pleasant ones. The above and the following date ideas should make for a pleasant memory as long as the person you’re seeing is willing to take part.
Stargazing is undeniably romantic. One of the best places is the Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah. It is the first certified International Dark Sky Park, the primary attraction being a phenomenon called the “river of light.” The Milky Way creates it as it rises over a natural rock formation, the Owachomo Bridge, which forms a window into the night sky, framing the multitude of stars visible to the naked eye.
A private sailing trip
Charter a sailboat or yacht for an adventure across the Aegean Sea and Greek islands. You can take turns steering into the sunset as scattered islands adorn the horizon, creating an unforgettable backdrop for romance.
Go glamping
Another memorable and extravagantly expensive experience includes the magic of the Northern Lights at Borealis Basecamp in Iceland, where glamping (luxury camping) blends with the enchantment of the breathtaking aurora borealis. As long as your partner is on the same page, you’ll relish in the experience of a front-row seat to one of nature’s most stunning shows from the comfort of your glamping retreat.
Embrace your creativity
Do you have an artistic side? French wine will inspire you and your date’s brush strokes in an exclusive Parisian art studio. Who knows – you might even produce a masterpiece.
Another creative date idea is a jewelry-making workshop in Florence. In this workshop, participants craft personalized jewelry under the guidance of skilled artisans in the heart of the Italian city.
Experiences like these can forge a bond through a shared, pleasant memory. People who engage in reliving happy experiences report greater satisfaction and happiness. In a recent study, participants were divided into three groups, with one group being told to focus on objects of sentimental value, like photos, and another instructed to spend 20 minutes a day recalling a positive memory. The third group was asked to relax while thinking about a current problem or concern. The first two groups reported greater feelings of positivity.
That said, these date experiences aren’t guaranteed to be positive. Your date might be bored by stars, lack a creative flair, or be opposite to outdoor experiences, even in the luxury setting glamping provides. Being on the same page is crucial.
