If you're looking for a fun date night in Bell County, there are many things to do as a couple all over. Explore 52 date ideas in Killeen, Temple, Belton & Salado, TX with our complete date guide!
Some date night activities are romantic, others will bring out your inner child. So, get to planning your next night out together...
You can also find date night ideas in Waco, TX if you're in that area! (or willing to drive)
Belton | Temple | Salado | Killeen
Summer Fun Waterpark has all of the attractions of a big-city theme park without the traffic and parking issues. And when you’re finished riding water slides and cooling off, you can stop by a Belton institution—Frosti Cones, which is famous for combining delicious sno cones and soft serve. Summer Fun also hosts Adult Nights that include live music and dancing.
What could be more romantic than painting a piece of pottery with your significant other or taking an adult art class at That Art Place? Or if reenacting a scene from Ghost isn’t your cup of tea, then head to Board & Brush Creative Studio Belton and create a piece of artwork for your home.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive date night, check out the Grand Avenue Theater. The theater boasts comfortable, reclining seats, a full-service menu, Starbucks coffee and all of your favorite classic movie snacks like popcorn and candy.
Whether you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz or the latest Star Wars flick, you will find a film and your favorite wine or beer at The Beltonian Theater. The drinks even have entertaining names like Tequila Mockingbird and Hard Groot Beer Float.
Come out and see top performers, enjoy Monster trucks, or find your inner child at the Central Texas State Fair (that usually takes place over Labor Day weekend) when you come out to the Bell County Expo Center. Their events calendar lists all of the coming attractions and will help you plan your special night.
Take a swim in Belton Lake, relax on Sierra Beach BLORA (Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area), find some selfie-worthy sights at Stillhouse Hollow Lake, or go horseback riding at BLORA Ranch.
Enjoy some true Texas cuisine like a burger, a steak or a plate of tacos with a glass of local beer or wine at The Gin at Nolan Creek. And when the meal is over, you can take a romantic stroll along Nolan Creek, and take in the sights and sounds of downtown Belton.
Not only does Bold Republic Brewing Company serve great beverages, but they also brew them on the premises. You can get more locally-sourced than that! It’s a drink and an experience in one.
Not only can you get classic sweet waffle flavors at Water Street Waffle Co., but you can also get savory waffles like the BLT waffle that is topped with fried green tomatoes and eggs!
Oakfire Pizza and Brewing is located inside a rustic, brick building in downtown Belton. Not only does this eatery have woodfired pizzas with names like Taco Revolution and In it to Win it, but they also have domestic and craft brews you can enjoy inside the restaurant or on their rooftop patio.
Escape the Italian countryside (at least in your mind) when you dine at Napoli’s Italian Bistro. Order a hot sub, a classic Italian dish or just a cannoli, and savor the flavors of the restaurant’s delicious menu. They even have to-go specials that feed five to seven people. When you’re finished dining at this downtown bistro, head down to McWha Book Store to browse the shelves of bestsellers and binge-worthy books.
Each Belton barbecue restaurant has their own unique flair. Clem Mikeska’s offers the classic barbecue faire, with the addition of Las Casas’ famous white wings, Schoepf’s has Tex-Mex favorites like brisket nachos and quesadillas, and Miller’s Smokehouse boasts a Frito pie-inspired dish called “Fire in the Bowl” that will leave you begging for the restaurant’s signature Sopapilla cheesecake to cool your taste buds.
Enjoy Chinese cuisine at Jake’s Chinese Buffet or China Café, explore Thailand at Narunya’s, or watch the talent of a Japanese chef at Nami’s while you dine on fried calamari or soft shell crab.
If you and your significant other love a good cup of coffee or tea, then Arusha’s is the place for you. They have everything from French press coffee to Chai Tea Lattes to smoothies. And after you relax with a hot (or cold) beverage, you can order lunch from their extensive menu and shop for coffee and tea-related gifts.
After you eat a great meal near Nolan Creek, take a stroll down Central Avenue and find antiques, vintage and up-cycled items at Exchange on Central.
If your date is a history buff or just enjoys learning new things, the Bell County Museum might be the perfect location for a unique date.
Whether you want a massage, a facial or a whole day of pampering, The Woodhouse Day Spa is a place to unwind and enjoy some relaxing time together.
The annual Nature in Lights event turns the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) into a winter wonderland full of twinkling Christmas lights. For just $20 a car (more for larger vehicles), you can drive though the illuminated displays and make your Christmas dreams come true. The event usually begins before Thanksgiving and lasts through the New Year.
Lace up your bowling shoes and grab a bowling ball and enjoy a night of lighthearted fun at Spare Time Texas. You can bowl, play laser tag and try your luck a room full of arcade games. Spare Time also offers a full menu of treats, eats and adult beverages to make it an all-inclusive night.
If your date wants to be the next Tiger Woods or just enjoys a round of golf, book a tee time at Sammons Golf Links or Wildflower Country Club. You will have to become a member at Wildflower to play, but with all of the club amenities, it’s worth the price.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a fancy meal, try Pignetti’s downtown Temple, or La Riv Kitchen & Bar off of W. Adams Avenue. Both offer palette-elevating cuisine with signature wines and beverages.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, outdoor date, then a day at Lion’s Park might be just the ticket. With bike and jogging trails, picnic pavilions and disc golf course, this park is perfect for an outdoorsy couple.
Grab some snacks from the concession stand and sit back and get ready for a movie experience unlike anything else at Cinemark Movie Theater and Premiere Cinema 15 IMAX. The Cinemark location boasts reclining chairs and an XD entertainment environment, which features a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling movie screen. Premiere Cinema, located inside the Temple Mall, offers IMAX viewing experiences that use high-resolutions cameras and screens.
It’s a water park without the big city price tag, and it’s perfect for a day floating down the lazy river or thrill-seeking down a three-story water slide. Lion’s Junction Family Water Park is open all summer and offers snacks to round out your visit.
Request your favorite slow jam and get ready for a couple’s skate at Wheels Family Skating Center.
If you have a boat or just a good fishing pole, take it down to Temple Lake Park off of Cedar Ridge Rd. and catch your dinner. Use one of the park’s grills to cook your meal and watch the sun set over the water.
Bring your favorite bottle of wine and your art skills to a night at Painting with a Twist or AR Workshop.
Check out a live stage performance or art exhibit at the Cultural Activities Center or the Temple Civic Theatre. Or enjoy a night of classical music performed by the Temple Symphony Orchestra.
Find out if Fido is a fan of your date when you go for a day of play at the Central Texas Bark Park. If you’re already a couple, then enjoy the nice weather with your furry friend.
This Temple institution has been around since 1946 and has provided the community with a constant source of great food and service. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert at this one-of-a-kind location, and find out why Green’s Sausage House is still cooking after all of these years.
Bird Creek Burger Co. and The Jody’s Family are both local favorites who pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that are made from scratch daily. Whether you dine in or carry out, you’ll be getting the best homemade meals around.
Spend the evening exploring the flavors of Thailand at Mee Mee’s Authentic Thai Cuisine in the Bird Creek Crossing shopping center at 3550 S. General Bruce Dr. St. 124, Temple, TX 76504. From spring rolls to fried tilapia, this restaurant does it all. They even have a special menu that includes MeeMee’s “Toast Fried Rice” and Curry “Mee” Soup.
Taste your way through Temple wineries like Moose & Goose Winery or Three Texans Winery and enjoy the sprawling vineyards under the Texas sky. And if you want a more downtown vibe, head to Axis Winery, where you can sample a variety of wines and catch some live music.
The historic Stagecoach Inn in Salado, TX is now the Shady Villa Hotel. And although the original establishment has been around since the 1860s, the hotel has brought southern cuisine into the 21st century. The menu includes favorites like fried green tomatoes and garlic mashed potatoes as well as cocktails like the Lavender Lemon Drop and draft beers like the Creek Don’t Rise.
Visit the Salado Winery and Wine Seller from 12 to 6 p.m. any day of the week. You can taste up to five of their ten wines for just $10 a person. And when you’re finished selecting the perfect wine for you, you can take a walk around the picturesque Salado Sculpture Garden that showcases the work of local artists.
You can literally and figuratively take a leap for your loved one when you go on a tandem skydive jump with Skydive Temple. For less than $300, you can have the experience of a lifetime. They even offer discount rates for military personnel, full-time students, and first responders.
The artists at Salado Glassworks not only show you how to create beautiful pieces that will become family heirlooms, but they also make the experience one to remember. Salado Glassworks also hosts “Blow-Your-Own” events where you can create everything from glassware to ornaments to glass pumpkins. And with a slew of restaurants nearby, you can make glass work part of a whole night of fun.
Chupacabra Craft Beer & Salado Lone Star Winery, Barrow Brewing Company and Alexander’s Distillery at Inn on the Creek can all supply your date night with a steady stream of hand-crafted beverages.
Artist, Michael Pritchett opened the Sirril Art Gallery to share his love and passion for art with the Salado community. Not only does he have his pieces up for sale, but he also hosts Cork & Create nights where patrons can come and sip on adult beverages and create their own unique pieces.
Go treasure hunting at Fletcher’s Books and Antiques, or take some colorful and creative pictures inside this unique space.
Visit Mud Pies Pottery in downtown Salado and find the perfect piece of hand-thrown stoneware. You might even want to grab the shop’s most popular piece, the “Egg Baker/Egg Poacher.” And when you’ve found a piece you love, sample some of Sir Wigglesworth’s Fudge that has been a Salado staple for three decades.
For less than $50, you and your date can climb to your heart’s content with all the necessary gear at Boulder’s Sport Climbing Center in Harker Heights, TX.
Hallmark Lanes and the Killeen Bowlerama both offer patrons the chance to enjoy a night of bowling.
Not only can you play games and eat from the fresh salad and pizza bar, but if you go to Mr. Gatti’s Pizza on Monday night, both of you can dine for just $9.99.
The Mayborn ScienceTheater hosts nightly events that explore the cosmos and create a romantic atmosphere for any date night.
If you’re looking for adventure and the chance to shoot a bowfishing bow, then GarQuest Bowfishing might be the perfect date night outing for you and your loved one. Board a boat on Stillhouse Hollow Lake or Lake Belton and hunt for gar, buffalo, carp, gasper, and sucker fish.
Whether you join a group or go for a two-player game, Great Escape of Central Texas will test your smarts and your patience under pressure. You’ll have the chance to solve puzzles and work together to escape before time runs out.
If your date loves golf, then try your hand at putting around the greens at Stonetree Golf Club.
This entertainment venue has everything you’d need for an exciting date night. At Cinergy Cinemas & Entertainment in Copperas Cove, TX, you can bowl, see a movie, play laser tag, try your luck in an escape room and dine on a full-service menu.
Get dolled up and head to the Central Texas Theatre for a night of music, dancing and high-caliber performances. Past shows have included hits like Elf, Spamalot, and The Little Mermaid. You can even book a VIP Experience, that includes two tickets to the show, a charcuterie board, a backstage tour, a meet and greet with the cast, and your bottle of champagne, wine or a pitcher of a show themed drink.
Spend an evening bonding with your significant other at Axed Out with their Couples’ Retreat package. It comes with two targets, one range for an hour of throwing, and an instructor’s guidance. You can bring your own food and drinks or purchase drinks during your event.
At BitBar, $5 gets you free play on classic arcade games all night long. You can order your favorite drink or attend one of their Alchemy Nights where you can design your own cocktail or try one of the bar’s creations that often contain dry ice, pop rocks and color changing tea. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
No matter how you choose to spend your date night, there's tons of fun things to do in the Killeen area. We hope you have a fun night out together!
Jessa is the Editor-in-Chief of Hooray for Family and the mom of three energetic children. She has a BA in Mass Communication/Journalism from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and is a long-time resident of Central Texas. When she isn't writing and editing, she enjoys playing board games with her kids, teaching Sunday school and channeling her creativity into craft projects.
