The undeniable truth: 

is we’re creatures of habit. In romantic relationships, rituals like morning coffee time or a weekend Netflix binge can make you feel secure. The problems arise when you let routines take over. That’s how couples fall into the infamous “relationship rut.” Don’t worry, though, because science says that the lull is avoidable. Research shows that couples who try new activities together feel more closely connected. You can venture to new places, learn a new skill, or try a new experience. So, in the spirit of mixing it up, grab your partner and enjoy one of these unusual date activities.

Greek Peak zip line tour. 

1. Feel the Rush of Love

Adrenaline makes the heart grow fonder. An exciting activity like riding a rollercoaster can increase feelings of attraction, according to a research summary from Psychology Today. Luckily, you can find plenty of thrills nearby at the Outdoor Adventure Center at Greek Peak Mountain Resort. There’s a guided zip line tour through 4 zip lines totaling 3,000 feet in the summer and 2 zip lines totaling 1,200 feet in the winter. After soaring above the trees, you can head over to the mountain coaster to speed down the track in a cart that tops out at 32 MPH. The cart is rumored to go even faster on rainy days. At the end of this adrenaline-filled day, you can enjoy your feelings of heightened attraction by relaxing in one of the resort bars or restaurants.

Greek Peak | greekpeak.net | 1856 Route 392, Cortland

Three Lives Bar | photo courtesy of Jessica Montgomery of Stay Fresh

2. Prepare to Level Up

Nothing says romance like a cutthroat Mortal Kombat battle. If gaming is your love language, head to one of Syracuse’s free or low-cost retro arcades on your next date. Munch on the award-winning food at Three Lives while playing both classic and modern games. The arcade machines cost 50 cents per play and the console controllers cost $10 per hour. Once you’ve had your fill of beer and burgers, head down the road to Luv Handles for self-serve frozen yogurt. The shop has a full room of free play retro machines ranging from PacMan to Ninja Turtles. Get your game on and level up your relationship!

Three Lives | threelives.bar | 316 South Clinton Street, Syracuse
LuvHandles | luvhandlz.com | 2500 James Street, Syracuse

Hobart Book Village | Photo courtesy of Jessica Vecchione

3. Couples Who Read Together…

Take a drive to Hobart in the Catskills where you will find a “book village.” There are only a few book villages in the United States, and this one has received national attention. Hobart has about 400 residents and a whopping seven bookshops. The bookshops try to avoid overlap by specializing in certain areas. There’s a shop for antiquarian books, one for children’s books, one focused on New York State books, and another centered on creative topics. The book village is open daily from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, and it’s open on weekends for the rest of the year. After you visit the book village, try reading aloud to one another. Engaging in certain activities together can synchronize your brain waves, according to a study published in NeuroImage. So, grab a book, snuggle up, and get synced up!

Hobart Book Village | hobartbookvillage.com | Main Street, Hobart

Photo courtesy of New York Kitchen

4. Cook Up New Skills

Food has been called “the key to a person’s heart.” If you’re a believer in the power of food, plan your next date at the New York Kitchen in Canandaigua. This nonprofit organization hosts regular hands-on workshops where visitors can learn everything from sushi rolling to knife skills. Each cooking class is taught by a culinary or beverage expert. The institute also hosts special experiences and guests like Food Network’s Baking Championship Judge Nancy Fuller, Food Network’s Baking Championship judge and Dan Pashman, three-time winner of the James Beard Award and host of The Sporkful podcast. Even if you prefer to let someone else handle the cooking, New York Kitchen can still be the perfect place for your date night; there’s a tasting room, a partner-operated restaurant, and a picturesque view of Canandaigua lake.

New York Kitchen | nykitchen.com | 800 South Main Street, Canandaigua

5. Climb To New Heights

Learning a new skill can strengthen relationship bonds as you support one another through vulnerability and triumph. Rock climbing certainly lends itself to big feelings, and there’s a gym where you can learn the sport right here in Central New York. Central Rock Gym in Syracuse has beginner-level classes and an open space to practice. The Intro Belay class is a great choice for a date night. Belay is a climbing technique that involves two people: one person climbs and the other manages the rope. In this class, you will need plenty of trust and communication — the same attributes needed for a healthy relationship! The Intro Belay class includes a gym pass and climbing gear rental, so after class you can stay to practice your new skills and experiment with other types of climbing as well.

Central Rock Gym | centralrockgym.com | 600 North Franklin Street, Syracuse

6. Go With The Pros

There’s no need to plan date activities when you let the entertainment professionals take over! There are several tour companies in Central New York that offer day trips to nearby tourist destinations. Onondaga Coach Tours is one of the largest local tour companies. Recent trips include Niagara Falls, Corning Museum of Glass, and Saratoga Race Course. The company schedules regular trips to New York City with access to shopping, sporting events, and shows. Occasionally, the tour company will offer a Mystery Tour in which passengers are provided with a pickup and drop off schedule, but the trip details remain hidden until the group reaches the secret destination. Research has revealed that couples who travel together regularly report higher levels of relationship satisfaction and passion than those who travel solo. This means you can reap the relationship benefits of travel regardless of whether you choose the city, the country, or a mystery destination.

Onondaga Coach | onondagacoach.com | 7659 North Street Road, Auburn

7. Add A Little Mystery

Tired of the same old dinner date? Head to the full service restaurant and “dungeon” pub at Beardslee Castle. The stone manor was built in 1860 as a replica of an Irish castle, and visiting this mystical spot is like stepping into a haunted fairy tale. The castle’s long history of death and fire has built its reputation as a spooky spot, and it gained national fame when it was investigated by on the Ghost Hunters television show. Beyond the tales of spectres and spirits, the restaurant entertains guests with murder mystery dinner shows that are scheduled regularly throughout the year.

Beardslee Castle | beardsleecastle.com | 123 Old State Rd, Little Falls

Photo courtesy of the British Blacksmith

8. Discover Your Macho Creative Side

Paint nights have become wildly popular, but let’s be honest: very few of us will be hanging that artwork on the wall. Blacksmith classes are a clever alternative for creative couples. The British Blacksmith in Kirkville offers both public and private classes where you can forge red hot steel into practical objects. From knives to candleholders, there’s something for everyone. There’s even a date night themed class where you can craft a metal rose. If you’re looking for a new spin on artsy dates, the blacksmith class is a great activity to try.

The British Blacksmith | thebritishblacksmith.com | 8477 Pools Brook Road, Kirkville