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Look, we’re not saying that there’s anything boring about a dinner-and-a-movie date. But at some point you might decide you’re ready for a romantic experience that’s a little more, well, challenging. If so, here are some high-thrill date ideas. In case you’re not quite sure how hard core you’re ready to be right now—or if you feel like you’re ready to roll, but you need to ease your date into the idea—we offer below some recommendations to help you find out just how “thrilled” you’re both willing to be. We’ll start with some warm-up thrills, then offer a few mid-range heart-racers, and finally move on to the serious adrenaline-pumping dates that, while they might not be death-defying, will feel like they are.
WARM-UP THRILLS
Serious Roller Coasters
To get you started, there are some pretty intense amusement park rides these days. One we’ve heard about is the Dive Devil at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, which offers the feeling of skydiving—without the parachute. On this 15-story, 60-mph free fall, you end up falling to 6 feet above the ground.
Approximate cost: $125 for the two of you, including admission tickets and snacks for the day
Scream meter: 5 out of 10
MID-RANGE HEART-RACERS
Whitewater Rafting
As another move toward living dangerously together, you and your date might want to try whitewater rafting. There are outfitters all over the U.S. and Canada, and they can usually accommodate everyone from beginners to serious adventure seekers. That means that you can ride the rapids along with children and grandparents if you’d like, or you can schedule trips that actually take you over 20-foot waterfalls. Now that’s serious! Approximate cost: You can find prices as low as $35 per person, but the longer, more intense trips will cost much more, sometimes up to several hundred dollars.
Scream meter: 6–8 out of 10
Jet Boating
You’ll feel like you’re flying as you travel at breakneck speed along the surface of the water. Then, brace yourself as the pilot of the boat executes a 360-degree spin that’s guaranteed to take your breath away. And be prepared: you’re going to get wet! Approximate cost: $25–$40 per person
Scream meter: 7 out of 10
DEATH-DEFYING DATES
Bungee Jumping
Bungee jumping has come to be known as a prototypical event for thrill seekers. This high-altitude, high-speed thrill will stop your heart as you drop toward the earth and (eventually) snap back up at the end of the cord. There’s even such a thing as a slingshot bungee, which fires you skyward at extreme speeds. And while you could fly to New Zealand to dive at the site of the original bungee jump, you don’t have to spend that kind of money. There are bungee jumping venues and even bungee jumping clubs all over the country, and with just a bit of research you can most likely find a place not too far from you. Approximate cost: $50–$300 per person
Scream meter: 9 out of 10
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