What do you and your DH do when you go out?

[ChangeAgainAgainAgain]

Our kids are now grown up, and DH and I have free rime. Jolly lovely it is to be able to spend time together!

But we've realised that most weekends we're going out for food or cocktails, and this isn't good for our waistlines or our wallets!

We don't like sport at all, so won't enjoy sports based activities or stuff like dancing or roller skating.

We've done all the stuff like mini golf/axe throwing/bowling at our local complex, and honestly find that stuff a bit 'meh' (and expensive).

Cinema, theatre etc are OK if it's something we're interested in, but not for every weekend.

We have enjoyed stuff like sip and paint or escape rooms, but again, not every weekend.

So what stuff do you do with your DH when going out alone, that isn't just eating or drinking?

We are 47 and 45. We go walking in various different places with the dog - beach, moors, local lanes. Sometimes to garden centre (for my benefit!), working in the garden, playing board games, watching films. We also go to our local village hall for bingo a few times a year- it’s hilarious 😝 and out with the neighbours frequently. You might pick up we live very very rurally!

Cinema? Im pregnant right now and me and DH have been doing that for date nights when DS is on a sleepover with grandparents

Museums, galleries, concerts, theatre shows, cocktail bars, dinners out and sometimes shopping.

Quiz night at the local. Alcohol optional. They do a nice coffee and soft drinks.

Darts, pool, sometimes bowling, sometimes casino or at home poker nights. We also enjoy a cinema date from time to time.

We are in not dissimilar position to you, DH still working full time, he is quite happy to chill at home evening and weekends.
I do regular volunteering during day and spend more time supporting my mum since we lost dad 6 months ago. i also have a wider friend network for daytime and some evenings out as DH can be away several times/month.
We too have a dog so weekends always involve joint decent walks and a coffee stop. Some times we will go to cinema or out for a meal but certainly not weekly, try and watch a film or series at the weekend so we are doing something together.

I relish our quiet times now (and i probably get more than most with kids up and gone).

This was my thought, too!! Are people really out on the town or ballroom dancing / theatre-going / escape-rooming / axe throwing every night?

We really like going to a pub with live music or a local cover band. Day time we go for brunch, a walk or coffee

We dont go to the theatre daily. But at least every 10 days to two weeks. We are in London. Many £ 10 or £15 theatre deals.
I go out a lot on my own too. I like going out.

Live music, poetry, comedy.
Spa evening.
Cocktail/ cooking classes

Absolutely fair enough - you know what you enjoy and you’re doing it.

You’re not asking people to give you ideas for new things to do because it’s getting costly having dinner and cocktails out all the time, and you’ve already tried axe throwing! 🤣

Drinks and food every time for us!

We do everything and anything. There’s nothing I hate more than feeling like I have ‘wasted’ a weekend by not doing anything. We’re blessed to be living in one of the best cities in the world and we like to make the most it. We do the following (not everything every weekend though obviously).

Raves/gigs
Theatre
Cinema
Opera
Ballet
Comedy clubs
Boat parties on the river
Rooftop parties
Music festivals
Museums
Art galleries
Spa day/rooftop pool
Indoor climbing
Cooking classes
Food festivals
Food markets
Wine tasting
Long bike rides
Paddle boarding/kayaking on the river
Ski weekend
Hiking
House parties
Friends’ birthdays/engagement parties

I love an Escape Room! Maybe do a hobby together - wild swimming? Learn a language?

Daytime: day trips, free museums, castles/stately homes, zoos, theme parks, weekends away

Evening: card games, board games, film nights at home, stand-up comedy, ballroom/salsa dancing, see a band/musical/orchestral concert

We like going the theatre. If the anticipated cost puts you off I can tell you that you can get some shows quite reasonably at certain theatres depending where you live. Amateur led theatres are really cheap. Also, matinees are good.

We like just going for walks too.

Mostly comedy, theatre, music. But we go out about 5 times a year. Also like a spa day and walking.

If your kids are grown and you’re on your own… what’s your sex life like ? It’s free, it’s great for your mental health and health in general, doesn’t cost a penny and you could maybe explore each other at the weekend/evenings instead 🤷🏻‍♀️ you sound like your both very active in other activities maybe go back to basics with each other - it’s never to late to spice up your life 😉

Don’t know if it’s been mentioned yet but how about a pub quiz? You don’t need to drink alcohol if you don’t fancy it whilst there

Having your favourite person nearby is everything.
We are just recently, last two years, empty nesters.
However, until January, I had caring responsibilities.
I’m still acclimatising to it.
I miss my mum dreadfully, but my husband is my favourite person, and we are having lots of weekends away.
We’re also clearing our hour of clutter after 25 years of child rearing.
Spending time reading, in front of a fire, chatting and chilling (plus Netflix our son is providing, is gorgeous.

I’d carry on with what you’re doing now but just choose carefully?

E.g clear spirits,slimline tonic or lime and soda or still go out for food but choose leaner options.

sounds like you’ve got nice full lives and enjoy evenings out so it’s just thinking of was to carry try on but in maybe slightly healthier ways.

I have your answer OP. With the lighter evenings coming. Get an allotment. You'll lose hours and hours together.

Go to see comedians or plays at our local theatre. Go to the gym together if we can. A walk and a coffee. Sometimes dinner. We also like hosting friends for dinner when we can.
We don’t get lots of time/nights out due to kids sports so sometimes it’s a mid week lunch at home just to catch up!

Campervan? That’s our plan for weekends once DD no longer wants/needs us around.

For now we tend to cinema, theatre shows (comedy mainly as small local theatre), meals.

We walk along the promenade or around the Marine Lake, have a coffee then home. Kills a couple of hours and breathing fresh air and exercising