This post features 50 fun and cozy solo date ideas to spend quality time with yourself and romanticize your life!
Looking to get out of your comfort zone and learn how to love spending time with your own company? A great way to do this is by taking yourself out on a solo date. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, solo dates will feel so freeing and help you gain so much confidence!
There’s no better time to go on a solo date than now! Every solo date idea is suitable for every weather condition, every season (but personally, I love doing solo dates during summer and fall), and in all different kinds of locations!
So with that being said, here are 50 fun and cozy solo date ideas to help you spend quality time with yourself. These are split into free/low-budget solo date ideas, mid-budget solo date ideas, and solo date ideas for if you’re happy to spend a bit more money for a new experience!
Free/low-budget solo date ideas
1. Make a vision board
Making a vision board is a great solo date idea for when you want to reflect on your goals and aspirations. Actually visualizing how you want your life to be not only gives you a sense of clarity, but also motivation to achieve the life you want!
2. Color in a coloring book
Coloring books aren’t just for kids, you know? I absolutely love coloring books as it’s such a fun activity that calms my brain.
It’s important to get a coloring book with high-quality paper so that your markers don’t bleed through. And if you’re unsure what markers to go for, I’d highly suggest a dual-tip alcohol marker!
3. Make a feel good playlist
You know those songs that make you wanna dance around in your room? Put all of them in a feel good playlist to listen to whenever you feel good!
4. Watch the sunrise or sunset
Watching the sun rise and set on the horizon is a beautiful sight that everyone should see at least once in their life. The reason why I think this is a great solo date idea is that it makes you reflect on how beautiful nature, space, and time are! You can just take it all in, reflecting in the peace and quiet.
5. Go for a nature walk
Another solo date idea where you can enjoy nature is going on a nature walk. You can do this at your closest national park or wetlands. Walking in nature is beautiful to experience, and like watching the sunrise or sunset, it’s very peaceful.
6. Have a movie night at home
Nothing feels better than sitting on your couch in the living room, snuggled up in a blanket while watching movies! As a cinephile (who loves to collect movies on DVDs and Blu-rays), I had to add a movie night at home to this list of fun and cozy solo date ideas!
The best movie nights, in my opinion, are movie marathon nights! My personal favorites are the MCU franchise, the Planet of the Apes franchise, the Paddington movies, and the Star Wars franchise!
7. Listen to a new podcast
The world of podcasting is so interesting because it provides you with access to so many different viewpoints, facts, and interesting stories around the world.
For example, if you’re wondering how to start taking your finances seriously, you can listen to Girls That Invest. Interested in the health and wellness industry? Listen to Maintenance Phase. Maybe you’re business savvy. If so, listen to Working Hard by Grace Beverly! If you love learning about relationships with family, friends, and partners, and how to improve them, listen to We Need To Talk.
There are so many podcasts out there for you to discover and enjoy!
8. Browse your local bookstore
Window shopping at the local bookstore is such an underrated activity. Book buying and reading are two different hobbies, but so is browsing bookstores! It’s a fun way to discover new books. Plus, if you really want to read any of the books you find, you could always go to your local library to borrow them!
9. Try out a new recipe
Step out of your cooking comfort zone and try out a new recipe! Like me, I imagine you might have one recipe you’ve saved from TikTok that you’ve been meaning to cook for months but haven’t gotten around to it.
Find the recipe and try it out. You might discover your new favorite dish to make!
10. Write a poem or short story
If you have a fascination with words, then writing a poem or short story is a lovely solo date idea. You have all the time to use your imagination to create a beautiful piece of art with just your words. There’s something so beautiful about that.
11. Make a list of goals
Spend your time reflecting on what you want to achieve in life and make a list of these goals! They can be as simple as keeping up with your laundry or as ambitious as skydiving for charity. Whatever it is, you’ll find that you’ll feel so accomplished once you’ve ticked those goals off your list!
12. Teach yourself a new craft
If you want to get your creative juices flowing, try learning a new craft. For example, sewing, knitting, or crocheting. All you need is equipment (which is pretty budget-friendly) and good old YouTube tutorials, and you’re set!
13. Play a video game
Video games are one of the best ways to have a solo date packed with fun!
I highly recommend getting a Nintendo Switch as it’s a portable gaming console that you can take everywhere with you! You can play some cozy video games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons or action-packed games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
14. Do a picture puzzle
Doing a picture puzzle is one of the most calming solo date ideas you can do. There’s something about picture puzzles that relaxes the mind and helps you focus on the task at hand.
You can do a picture puzzle in silence, while listening to music, or while listening to a podcast, whatever works for you!
15. Scrapbook your favorite memories
With the way the world is shifting to everything being completely digital, it’s important to remember how important it is to have physical things too.
When scrapbooking your favorite memories, you can print out physical pictures and stick them inside. I love using my Canon Ivy and Canon Selphy for printing out photos for my scrapbook!
16. Feed birds in your local park
There are always birds flying and walking around in the park. So if you aren’t afraid of their claws and beaks, bring some bread to the park and feed the birds!
17. Take a bike ride around your area
I always say that biking around your area, whether you live in a town, city, or village, is the best way to explore it in a new light.
You can rent a bike, or if you have your own bike, just cycle around the area and discover new places to appreciate.
18. Go on a hike at a national park
National parks are one of the most beautiful places to see nature. So for this solo date idea, grab some hiking boots, bring a packed lunch and bottled water, then set off on a hike at your nearest national park to admire the nature around you.
19. Take a bubble bath
Nothing feels more relaxing than coming home, filling up the bath with hot water and bath salt, and lying inside.
Taking a bath is such a calming, cozy solo date idea that’s so easy to set up. While soaking in the bath, you could watch your favorite movie or TV show, read, or just close your eyes and relax.
Mid-budget solo date ideas
20. Go to the movies
It’s so common to believe that people will think you’re weird for going to the movies alone, but I promise you, it’s not the case. Going to the movies is one of the best solo date ideas you could ever do, and I’m not just saying that because I go to the movies solo about twice every week!
What’s so great about going to the movies solo is that you don’t have to worry about being late, waiting for another person, or having someone talk to you while the movie is on. You just show up on your own, with your choice of snacks, sit (or lie down if you go to a movie theater with reclining chairs), and enjoy the movie!
21. Go to a farmers’ market
Farmers’ markets are a great way to buy fresh produce while supporting independent businesses. There’s something about going to a farmers’ market on a Sunday, enjoying the sun, and discovering new fruits and vegetables to buy for the meal you’re going to cook.
I love going to the farmers’ markets in the summer as I can make it into a sunny Sunday day activity: go to the farmers’ market, go on a coffee run, walk around the area, and visit the park!
22. Have a picnic at the park
Picnics are fun to have with friends, but they’re also really fun to do as a solo date. Pick a day when it’s sunny outside to go to the park, lie down on a blanket, and soak up the sun.
I love bringing little snacks to my solo picnic dates. And of course, don’t forget to bring a book with you!
23. Buy yourself flowers
No one should wait to be given flowers because you can always buy yourself flowers! Buying yourself flowers is an act of self-love, which is always a sweet thing to do!
24. Visit your local museum or gallery
When you start exploring your local area, you might come to realize that there are a few museums or galleries that you’ve never heard of but have been there for a long time
So, visit your local museum or gallery for a solo date to discover more about history and art!
25. Eat dinner at your favorite restaurant
Just like how no one will think you’re weird for going to the movies on your own, no one will think you’re weird for eating dinner at a restaurant on your own, too!
If you’re new to taking yourself out on a solo date, but you really want to try eating dinner at a restaurant, go to your favorite restaurant. This could help ease your nerves as you’ll already be familiar with the place, so it’ll feel less intimidating.
26. Read by the lake
Taking a trip to the lake is always a nice activity to do, especially in the summer! For this solo date idea, bring a blanket, lie down on it in an area close to the lake, and enjoy peace and quiet while reading a book.
27. Become a tourist in your own city
It’s easy to see your home city as a boring place that you’ve already explored, but looking at your city through a tourist’s lens will help you discover new things to do and places to see! Spend a day being a tourist in your own city, with an open mind to try new things and visit new places!
28. Go strawberry picking
Strawberry picking is a fun summer activity to do. Instead of waiting to find someone else to go strawberry picking with, why not go strawberry picking as a solo date? You’ll still have fun, and you’ll be glad that you didn’t miss out!
29. Go thrift shopping
Thrift shopping is one of those solo date ideas that you can spend all day doing. You have all the time you can to find second-hand gems that will glow up your wardrobe and accessories!
30. Visit an aquarium
Aquariums were so fun to visit as a kid, and they’re still fun to visit when you’re older, even as a solo date! Seeing the different sea animals and learning about their habitat and behaviours is always fascinating!
31. Go roller skating
Roller skating is such a fun activity to do, especially during the summer! You can choose to roller skate at your local skate park or go to a skating rink!
Solo date ideas if you want to splurge
32. Get a mani-pedi
For a self-care solo date idea, take a trip to your nail salon to get a mani-pedi! There’s something about a mani-pedi that makes you feel so refreshed!
33. Take a pottery class
If you’re looking for a solo date idea that involves doing a creative activity, then attend a pottery class! You’ll be surprised by the things you can make, even if you’ve never done pottery before.
34. Get a massage
One of the coziest of solo date ideas has got to be getting a massage. All you gotta do is lie down, relax, and let the massage therapists do their thing. As someone who always has knots in my back, getting a massage is super helpful for destressing!
35. Try a dance class
Salsa, break dance, ballet…whatever type of dance you’re interested in, I’m sure there’s a class that you can sign up for and try out! Again, solo date ideas are there for you to experience life without being held back by other people not being able (or wanting) to go with you!
36. Take a day trip to the nearest city
If you’re feeling brave, then you’ll love this solo date idea. Find a city close to where you live and take a day trip there! Explore everywhere you want to, experience the area, and enjoy spending time with yourself in a new place!
37. Take a yoga class
Taking yourself on a solo date to a yoga class is a form of self-care! Yoga can help you improve your flexibility, strength, and balance, so it’s totally worth it!
38. Take a cooking class
If you want to explore different cuisines and get taught how to cook by an expert, then one great solo date idea is to take a cooking class! Food is a universal language, and eating the food that you cooked will make you feel so proud!
39. Go to a comedy show
You can’t take everything too seriously in life, which is why one of the best solo date ideas to do is to go to a comedy show! You’ll be surprised how people’s funny jokes land with you!
40. Take a trip to the zoo
Taking yourself to the zoo after not visiting since you were younger feels like a different kind of excitement, especially if your local zoo does zoo nights where it’s adults only! The zoo animals are cute, and you might be able to pet some of them!
41. Go to a candle-making workshop
Lighting a candle will make any room smell luscious. But when it’s your own candle that you made with your bare hands, it’s a bit more of a flex! Go to a candle-making workshop to make your own handcrafted candle!
42. Watch a musical at the theater
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect weekend or the right person to watch a musical at the theater, take this as your sign to watch it solo. It’s just like taking yourself to the movie theater, except everything’s live.
43. Watch a sports game
Whether you like football, baseball, basketball, or any other sport, find out where you can watch it live in person! The atmosphere is more exciting and lively when you’re watching a sport live in person!
44. Stay in a cabin in the woods
For a solo date idea that offers peace and quiet, stay at a cabin in the woods! You’ll come out of it feeling refreshed and at peace.
45. Visit a planetarium
The whole concept of space is really fascinating, so visiting a planetarium as a solo date will be a better experience than you could imagine! I highly recommend this solo date idea to the astrology girlies specifically.
46. Go to a wine tasting
If you enjoy wine, then this is a classy solo date idea that you’ll love! You could do a wine tasting at a wine bar, winery, or vineyard, whatever you prefer!
47. Visit a jazz bar
Jazz music is undoubtedly one of the best genres of music, so seeing it being performed live is an amazing experience. Take yourself out on a solo date to a jazz bar and enjoy the beauty that is live jazz music!
48. Go ice skating
This solo date idea is perfect to do during the winter months. There are ice skating rinks everywhere, so there’s no way you can miss out! Take yourself out to ice skate on a rink and romanticize your life (and winter)!
49. Go to a rug-making class
This solo date idea is for the artsy girls who love doing creative things. Making your own custom rug is such a flex, and you can do any design you want!
50. Go to a jewelry-making class
If you love wearing accessories to go with your outfit, then you’ll love this solo date idea! Bracelets, necklaces, rings…there are so many different pieces of jewelry you can create!
