15 Cute And Fun Dates To Plan With Your Girlfriends This Summer

Summer dates aren't reserved solely for the romantics. Whether or not you're single shouldn't have any bearing on how much fun you have. If there’s something you’ve been wanting to do, chances are that your friends are game to try it too. It’s easy to get FOMO from social media, so put down the phone and get out there (after you text your friend when and where to meet you, that is).

Whether you prefer staying in or going out, hosting or making a reservation, this list of 15 cute friend dates has got you covered.

Activities for Two (or More)

1. Try a Flight (No, Not That Kind) 

We’ve all heard of wine tastings, but if that’s not your thing, there are many other “flights” to take. A flight is a selection of beverages along a common theme that allows the taster to learn more about what she’s drinking and figure out what she likes best. Many coffee shops, breweries, and distilleries offer flights, and they’re a fun way for you and a friend to dip your toes into something new. Not to mention, you might get to meet the artisan who made what you’re drinking and learn about what they do. 

2. Check Out Your Local Amphitheater

Summer is amphitheater season, and believe it or not, you can find out about fun events just by googling the word “amphitheater.” You’ll quickly see locations near you and can find each venue’s events schedule from there. Amphitheaters in city centers are a great bet for free concerts that allow you to wander in and out as you please – and some even play free outdoor movies!

3. Dance the Night Away at Salsa Lessons

Whether you’re a novice dancer or a pro, you can always learn new dance moves. But it can be scary to walk into a dance class or club alone! Bring a friend, and at least you can laugh at your two left feet together. Latin dancing is a great way to have fun and work up a sweat, so check out Yelp for dance lessons near you.

4. Take a Pasta-Making Class

I love watching cooking videos as much as the next girl, but sometimes you need a little more instruction than a 30-second video clip can provide! Handmade pasta has been having a moment, but there are so many more options than just pasta-making classes. If you’re wondering how to find a class, check Groupon for deals in your area.

5. Find Out Your Best Colors

Is your closet full of clothes that don’t go together? Grab a friend and find out your best colors with the help of a local color analyst. Figuring out how to complement your complexion with your clothing and makeup is a huge step in helping you feel more confident and attractive. After all, who doesn’t want to know what shade of red lipstick will bring your look from blah to bombshell?

6. Go Kayaking

Got a river or lake nearby? Then it’s time to explore the water on a kayak! If you enjoyed canoeing back in your summer camp days, then you’ll definitely want to grab a friend and try out kayaking. Don’t feel like you have to buy or borrow a kayak – lots of parks and adventure centers rent them out, saving you the hassle of transporting a boat. If you’re new to kayaking, check out this handy beginner’s guide from REI. 

7. Make Mood Boards Together

Mood board, vision board, collage – whatever you choose to call it, it’s always fun to get crafty with a friend! Gather up some old magazines and start cutting. Maybe you’re making a true vision board with your hopes and dreams for the rest of the year. Or maybe you’re making a collage to represent your summer aesthetic! Either way, don’t forget the glue sticks.

8. Check Out an Estate Sale

Have you always wanted to check out an estate sale but been too afraid to go alone? Well, grab a friend and turn your trip into a cute and fun date! Wondering where to start? Check out EstateSales.net to find sales in your area. You might be surprised by how many sales are happening near you! Map out your route on a Thursday or Friday and hit as many sales as you can on Saturday. 

9. Thrift New Outfits for Each Other

Who’s going to say no to a new summer outfit, especially one you get for pennies on the dollar? This activity is best with just one friend. Grab some iced coffees and roll up to the thrift store – but first, check out these thrift shopping tips as a refresher. For your outfits, you and your friend can pick an aesthetic – like coastal cowgirl or mermaidcore – to guide your shopping. You never know what thrift shop gold you might find!

10. Refresh Your Profile Pictures Together

Let’s face it, when was the last time you updated your profile picture? These days, all you need is a smartphone camera for a quality pic (because we’re not ready to use AI to generate our headshots quite yet!). Meet your friend at a park or cute downtown area during golden hour and start snapping. And if you’re a little camera-shy, check out these tips for posing in photos.

Activities for a Group

1. Host a Potluck

Let everyone contribute to the dinner party with a potluck! A delicious meal can come together beautifully with a little teamwork. As the host, there are a few things you’ll want to do, says Alison Cheperdak, founder of Elevate Etiquette.

“Establish a theme, vision, or cuisine for the party. This will help the meal be more cohesive and less random,” Cheperdak tells Evie. “Offer attendees categories of dishes that they can bring, rather than assigning specific dishes. This leaves room for guests' creativity, but also helps manage the appropriate ratio of appetizers, main dishes, salads, sides, desserts, and drinks.”

2. Organize a Clothing Swap

Everyone’s got a pile of clothes in their closet they’re not sure what to do with – and a clothing swap is a perfect solution! Organize an afternoon get-together with a few friends so that everyone can leave with something new to them. Other variations on the clothing swap include an accessories swap or even a cookbook swap!

3. Host a Flower-Arranging Workshop

Flower arranging, bread baking, jewelry making – if there’s a skill you’d like to learn, you probably have a friend who can teach you! Or better yet, teach a whole group. That’s what motivated DC resident Madeline Peltzer to host a flower-arranging workshop earlier this year. She hosted a group of roughly 10 women. 

“We had a casual brunch and coffee beforehand and then got down to business. Everyone loved it! Truly an idyllic day,” Peltzer tells Evie.

4. Go on a Themed Picnic

Whether you’re in the suburbs or the city, you probably don’t take nearly enough advantage of your local parks! Fix that and invite your friends to a themed picnic at a nearby park. The more elaborate the theme, the better! Go subtle with a French theme and bring red wine and baguettes, or get a little zanier and tell everyone to dress up as the 2023 version of their favorite Disney princess. All you need are blankets, some snacks, and sunshine!

5. Channel Your Inner Artist at a Paint and Sip

I feel like paint and sips were so popular a few years ago – and now they seem to be making a comeback! What’s better than sipping a little vino (or a non-alcoholic mocktail, if that’s your thing) and channeling your inner artist? Gather up a few girlfriends to split the cost of a painting lesson, and be ready to walk out with a masterpiece!

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