When couples are dating or are newly married, they spend a lot of time together doing things they both enjoy. Over time financial pressure, the demands of children, and the busyness of life crowd out those fun times. At its core, a marriage is a friendship, and friends enjoy spending time together. If a couple stops spending time together, they start to lose some of the joy of their friendship. It’s important for all married couples to continue to date each other on a regular basis. To help facilitate this, The Atlanta Center for Marriages has compiled a list of fun and creative date ideas below.

• Listen to great music and an inspiring message about marriage at Married Life Live once per quarter at North Point Community Church.



• Hit a bucket of balls at the driving range or play some tennis and then go out for ice cream.



• Feel young again by going to a drive in movie.



• When was the last time you went bowling with your spouse?



• Hike to the top of Stone Mountain and then watch the sun set (bring a flashlight for the walk down).



• Buy her flowers, and then make her dinner before she gets home.



• Surprise your partner with pastries and coffee in bed.



• Buy tickets to a high school or college play.



• Enjoy a night of music and a picnic at Chastain Amphitheater.



• Take dance lessons through your county parks and recreation department.



• Take a cooking lesson at Harry’s Farmers market.



• Go to a comedy club.



• Pack his or her bags and then surprise your spouse on Saturday morning with a road trip to Savannah on a holiday weekend.



• Have dinner at J Alexanders in Norcross and then walk around the shops at The Forum. End the night with coffee and looking at books at Barnes and Noble.



• Hike to the top of Kennesaw Mountain. Reward yourself with your favorite beverage, cheese and crackers at the top.



• Rent a boat for the day on Lake Lanier.



• On your anniversary, give her a bouquet of the same flowers she had on your wedding day.



• Drive to your first apartment or house, talk about how much life has changed since then, and eat at one of your favorite restaurants in that area of town.



• Play a par 3 golf course together and then have lunch in the club house. Chateau Elan has a terrific par 3 course.



• Go on a hot air balloon ride for a special occasion.



• Give her a morning at a spa to get a massage, facial or pedicure and then take her to her favorite lunch spot.



• Go ice skating in downtown Atlanta and then warm up with coffee or soup in a nearby restaurant.



• Plan a night away in a Georgia bed and breakfast or a Buckhead hotel.



• Admire beautiful art at the High Museum and then have dinner in Midtown.



• Race your sweetheart at Andretti Speed Lab and play some video games.