First Date Ideas

A live concert. If my date is into music or their favorite band is in town, I don’t think twice. My date will be grateful and love me for planning a surprise date to the concert.

A night at the theatre. No, not the cinema. The theatre, with live actors and actresses. This is by far my favorite first date idea! Most people don’t venture to the theatre for a night out because they don’t realize how great a show can be. Better than any movie! If my date is the artsy type, they are sure to love a good musical. So the next time wicked is in town, I offer that as my first date!

A scenic bike ride. As somebody who has horrible balance, I do not like riding bikes – period. But I have seen countless friends go on first dates with men and women based purely on their shared love for bikes. The pair will take a ride to the beach or (for the daring sect) along mountain terrain, getting a great workout and a lot of bonding time in.

A short walk. Take a walk on a quaint street I know well. Every few minutes or so of walking, I find a new place to walk into, be it for a coffee or to try something exotic. I just don’t walk down a dark and lonely street unless I’m looking for a few dark corners.

A stand up show. Standup comedy is always funny, and a perfect date idea if I can couple it with dinner, either after the show or during the show.

A visit to a factory. If there are any happy factories around town, be it an ice cream factory, a cookie factory or a chocolate or confectionary factory, I take my date out there. It’s not conventional, and worthy of a unique experience.

Amusement park. Pick a few crazy rides together, and before I know it, the chemistry would be sizzling with adrenalin.

Aquarium. Aquariums aren’t just for fourth-grade field trips; they’re also a great place for a first date. Aquariums are perfect to bring both of us closer, especially while pointing at fishes in a cool, blue surrounding. I can walk leisurely with my date as the two of us survey all of the sea life. And underwater creatures are colorful, slimy, toothy, and weird enough to keep things interesting.

Arcade games. I may feel really awkward walking into a store full of kids. But it’ll only take a few games and a few minutes of awkwardness to bring out that inner child and have a wonderful date. Going to an arcade and playing some fun video games while sipping on some beers or cocktails can be a childishly adult date night. I recently went to an arcade for my birthday, and I realized just how ridiculously fun they were. Challenge my date to beat my score at pac-man, or take them on at dance revolution. Whatever games I decide to play, the great thing about an arcade is that there is always another game to go play if we get bored.

Art gallery. A trip to the local art gallery is a great first date for the artsy person. It’s not a bad idea to do a little research on the exhibit beforehand, though. Not just because it’s good to seem at least a little knowledgeable, but also because I don’t want to accidentally take my date to an exhibit on the horrors of meat-processing plants or the atrocities of war.

Attend a local film or music festival. It’s a rare individual who won’t enjoy a local festival at least a bit. This is a pretty safe bet for anybody but the most boring of people.

Backyard BBQ. Rather than the regular “let me cook you dinner sometime” date, I ask my date to bring over their favorite vegetables and meats while I take care of the prep work.

Be a good sport. Stand-up paddle board? Spartan race workout? Crossfit? If we’re both athletically inclined, we try a new sport that will challenge us both and give us something to talk about. Afterward, we stop by a juice bar and share our war stories or lick our wounds together.

Be a kid again. I find a nice, big playground and run around. Play tag, play hide and go seek, just let my inhibitions go and channel my inner child. I think this is one of the most organic ways to bond with someone because for that time I’m not worried about impressing them. All I’m worried about is not getting tagged.

Beach. A day at the beach or an hour walking near the waves can make both of us feel really comfortable with each other. We play touch football near the water, and talk about your favorite summer vacation trips If I feel comfortable enough, I don’t forget to hold hands.

Boat ride. I pick what you intend to do, a romantic paddle boat or one with an oar, or a jet ski to make the date exciting.

Bookstore. The first date with a book lover? If so, nothing beats a street lined with bookstores selling second hand books. It doesn’t matter how many books they’ve read, but no book lover can hold a smile back when they’re in the midst of thousands of quaint books.

Botanical garden. We smell the roses at a botanical garden and wind our way through manicured lawns and groves of blossoming trees, taking the time to sit near the fountains. Sip cups of tea at the outdoor café, and enjoy the romantic scenery.

Bowling. Not really anything too extraordinary about bowling, but who actually goes there for dates anymore? Unfortunately, not many people, which is why it may seem like something new and exciting for my date. Bowling can be a lot of fun, even though it sounds like a total cliché. A bit of rivalry on a romantic date always spices things up. This first date idea will definitely «get the ball rolling» in our relationship, and it’s guaranteed to be an enjoyable night out. Even if we’re not  good bowlers, we’ll think it’s cute.

By the water. If I’m looking for a romantic time with no distractions, I pack a picnic basket with sandwiches and drinks and we spend a good few hours in each other’s company.

Campfire. I might be in an area where I can build a campfire, but if I have a fireplace of some kind, that’ll work too. After we’ve eaten dinner, we build a nice cozy fire to sit around and melt some s’mores. Fires are the ideal place for chatting and will help get rid of any awkwardness or nervousness.

Check out a food festival. Whether it’s a chocolate fair, literal sausage fest or a vast sampling of one culture’s cuisine, this will keep us both entertained (and well fed) all evening long.

Clubbing. If I’m feeling a lot of chemistry already, I wrap my arms around my date and grind my way to a great night!

Coffee. A coffee date is a comfort date at its best. It’s easy and can help my date judge me for who I am without being overpowered by the surrounding.

Cook dinner for my date. A warm and loving gesture on a first date is a home cooked meal. A typical cook and eat restaurant is a wonderful experience for anyone. It helps us bond and laugh while we goof up, and awe when we cook up a perfect little dish! It’s not cheap, it’s personal and shows off my effort and culinary skills all at once. I find a delicious recipe online that involves lots of ingredients so I don’t run out of things to do too quickly. It may seem odd at first, but once we get the pan sizzling, we’ll be having so much fun. What I like to do is assign my date to be in charge of a specific task, and give them the pleasure of being the taste-tester.

Cornfield maze. I love to get lost together in a corn maze. It might take hours for us to find our way through, but who cares! After we get out, I warm my date up with a cup of hot cider and some cuddling.

Create our own picnic.  I pick a nice spot near where we’re meeting up and swing by a grocery store or take-out restaurant for some quick eats before setting up camp for food and conversation with my new favorite person. There’s no need to spend a lot of money. Picnics are supposed to be simple and I want it to be about getting to know my date, not truffles wrapped in gold foil! If the weather is nice and I know of a gorgeous park, I pack a yummy lunch and head out with my date! For some extra fun, I bring a kite to fly!

Date’s ports. If I know my date is an athlete, I offer to go to one of their games and then make a date out of it by getting something to eat after. My date will probably try to impress me by showing off in the field, and I’ll have plenty to talk about over our meal afterwards.

Do art together. If I have clay, crayons, paint around, why not hang out at my house or apartment and make some art together? I buy some cheap take out, put on some great music, and make a night of it.

Early breakfast. We get up insanely early and become the first customers at our favorite breakfast joint – we get a chance to chat before the restaurant gets busy and have time to do some people-watching when the regulars start pouring in. If I find somebody who is cool with rolling out of bed early to join me for a breakfast date, it’d be a bad idea to let them get away!

Eat in. I have some great cooking skills and break ‘em out for an early dinner! I might need to check for possible food allergies before I start sharing my iron chef skills though.

Evening beach picnic. If  we adore the ocean, but kind of hate crowds, For a romantic evening that neither of us will forget, we pack up a picnic basket full of goodies (all in resealable containers) and a mini bottle of champagne, then take a drive to your favorite coastline. We breathe in the air, talk about our favorite memories of the ocean and perhaps even dip our toes in the water.

Explore vineyards of the world. Take a wine tasting class together. Find a local winery, wine bar or restaurant to learn more about wine and food pairing. Buy a bottle that you both enjoy and make plans to drink it on your second date. Be sure to sip and not gulp. Try not to get drunk — unless you’re drunk on love!

Face paint. Water-based face paint is cheap, especially if we have any left over from Halloween. We paint each other’s faces, and then walk around showing off your creations.

Farm trips. We go berry picking or just take a walk down the endless rows of low hanging fruit bearing trees and shrubs.

Fishing. Okay, this isn’t as weird as it sounds. If I  know my date is an outdoorsy type, we go fishing! I drive down to a creek for a bit of lazy fishing or hire a boat to bag those bigger fishes, depending on what I want, romance or excitement. Whether we go on a boat or do it off a pier, it’s loads of fun and a great time to talk and get to know each other. Plus, a lot of guys love a girl who isn’t afraid to get a little dirty.

Flower show. If my date loves flowers, I don’t miss any opportunities to head to a flower show around my area code. It’s always romantic, especially if I gift my date a flower pot or two as a souvenir.

Fly a kite.

Fortune teller. At some point on my date together, we spend a while crystal gazing with my date. It’s a fun way to take a peek into our future and bond with my date. And if I act an eccentric fortune teller, it’ll be something my date won’t forget in a hurry.

Gallery. If my date has an artist’s streak in them, I take them to an art exhibition or a gallery. For someone who appreciates art, it’s always a beautiful experience.

Game of pool. A game of snooker or pool can be a good casual date, especially if both of us have some time to kill before heading somewhere else. It’s a lot more fun if I’m helping my date learn the game or if they’re playing for the first time.

Go boating. The idea of sailing on a first date seems like a recipe for disaster but something milder, like canoeing, row boating, or taking a paddle boat out on a sunny afternoon would work well. Admittedly, the last time I took my date on a paddle boat for a date we both ended up soaking wet with marsh moss in our hair. It was amazing though!

Go bowling. Winner buys the beer.

Go dancing. We sign up for a local class and get our feet moving. We spend the night hand in hand, falling into his arms. Let the music lead. The spring in our step might just kickstart our heart.

Go for a hike and bird watch.

Go for a run together. An easy run with a new friend can make for a great date!

Go for a walk. This is such a simple first date idea but most shy away from it because they feel like they must do something complex in order for their date to be impressed. Wrong! The only ideas you need to impress your date with are the ones that you articulate as your conversation progresses. I am an interesting person and if I find a fun person to spend time with, a walk about town will be just fine. The  idea is to leave my date wanting more.

Go gallery hopping and talk about which paintings we’d buy if we were rich.

Go gift shopping. Mot for each other, but for somebody else. When I need to pick up a gift for my sister or some other relative and need some insight into the process, I ask my date to give you some in-motion advice and perhaps even pick up something small for each other. Trinkets only. Save the cars and fur coats for later dates!

Go inner tubing. If it’s summer and I live near a river, we go inner tubing!

Go on a movie marathon. I pick a theme on netflix: horror movies, adventure movies, movies starring sean connery, whatever, make a huge tub of popcorn and start our movie marathon.

Go rock climbing. This can be a super fun activity to do on a first date. Rates are cheaper during the week, and if your date is afraid of heights, just stick to bouldering!

Go rollerskating. You can often save big on rollerskating if you go during the week. Also, do a search for coupons; many rinks offer discounts in the local paper or parent’s magazine. Of course we can always skate outside for free in the park as well.

Go see a community theater play. Community theater is incredibly fun, and incredibly cheap. I follow this one up with dinner from a local diner and I’ve got a budget date in the making.

Go somewhere with interesting scenery and sketch. Then we ask strangers to vote on whose drawing is better. Winner buys a drink.

Go thrifting. Each of us has a budget of $5 or $10 to spend at a thrift store. The challenge? See who can find the most outrageous or hideous outfit. The crux? We have to change into the outfit and take pictures.

Go to a book reading.

Go to a carnival. Carnivals can get pricey. But in terms of people watching and down-home fun, they can’t be beat. We can also forgo the rides in favor of elephant ears, and a blanket for people watching. An explosion of colors is a wonderful thing to experience, and it can’t get better than a street fair or a carnival. We can spend hours together, act silly and still have a perfect date.

Go to a comedy club. Comedy clubs can either be a blast, or a dud. Either way, it’s sure to be an experience! We could also go see an improv group, which can be incredibly fun as well.

Go to a horse race. This first date idea sounds like it can get boring, but the trick is to make a game out of betting against each other. Bet on a different horse than my date each time and tease them about it. Let some friendly and flirty competition evolve, and I guarantee we’ll have a great time.

Go to a used bookstore. It can be a new bookstore if my date insists. It doesn’t matter! If my date enjoys reading and perusing books, hitting up a bookstore on a first date may just end up being one of the ideas that sets us on a quick course to true love. we may even buy each other one book we think each should read.

Go to chuck-e-cheese. Cheese’s can be a super fun place to go on a first date, if my date doesn’t mind the lights and noise.

Go-karts. I can’t think of anything more fun than racing around in a little car with my date! Unfortunately, I’ve never go-karted yet, but from what I hear it’s tremendous fun.

Have breakfast before work.

Hiking. Exploring the great outdoors and getting some physical activity is a terrific first date idea, provided my date is up to the task. I need to check first to ensure that my date the outdoorsy type. A high-maintenance person does not want to go on a hike. But for the cute surfer person I met at the pub, it’s perfect.

Historical sites. A trip down history lane can be good for two reasons, it’s peaceful and calming which can make my date feel comfortable in my company, and they sell souvenirs. A souvenir would always make my date think of me fondly each time they see it.

Holding stray animals. Many shelters, particularly no-kill ones, will let people come in to hold animals like kittens and puppies in order to get them acquainted with human beings, thus making them more adoptable. If we two share a love for animals,  this is the date night for me.

Horseback riding. I love it because it’s such a sexy rush and I feel more exited. Can you ask for a better combination on a first date? Okay, sure, this one sounds a little cheesy and brings to mind images of lovers silhouetted against sunset skies, hair billowing behind them. But in all actuality, for me, horseback riding is a super way to enjoy the outdoors while also trying something new together.

Hot air balloon ride. Most people have never been in a hot air balloon (myself included, which will be changing very soon, I hope), so this is a fresh activity to do together as newbies. I will just make sure my date isn’t afraid of heights before I buy tickets. A hot air balloon with a glass of champagne will definitely be something to talk about.

Hot for teacher. Cooking classes are all the rage, so why not take one that involves making dessert with a blow torch, then marvel at your newfound skills over wine after? Smoking hot.

Ice cream parlor. Take my date back to their childhood by ordering a humongous portion of ice cream with all the works for them. Just looking at it will brighten my date’s smile

I can help my date finish it.

Ice skating. There are plenty of indoor ice skating rinks all over the country, so this is a great idea whether it’s December or June. Ice skating or roller skating in a rink for an hour is a good way to spend an afternoon together before we head off to do something else. It’ll bring out my date’s inner child and it’ll be a laugh too. Who knows, maybe we’ll link arms to keep one another balanced! And if my date doesn’t know how to skate, so what? Holding hands as I help to stay on the feet is a fun way to spend an afternoon and an excellent opportunity to get to know each other.

Improv jazz show. Going to a jazz show is, in many ways, better than taking my date to a normal indie (or similar) concert during our first evening together. While it’s a more relaxed setting wherein we don’t have to worry about dancing at all, casual jazz shows at coffee shops or lounges are typically a lot quieter than your average show, thus allowing us to talk more. There’s something very sexy and sensual about jazz, especially if both of us are having a drink and sitting next to each other in a dimly lit room.

Indoor sports. Paintball and laser tag are good fun for groups of people. But sometimes, even a twosome can make for great fun that’s worth talking about on the second date.

Karaoke. We can find out who’s the best bathroom singer, or try to impress each other with our showmanship. Nothing beats a karaoke bar.

Local music show. I remember that conversation is probably the most important part of a first date. However, the right music in the right venue can provide the perfect ratio of conversation to pleasant distraction. I don’t want a stadium show. I don’t want heavy metal or techno — the emphasis there is more on dancing than listening. But if I can find a more mellow act in a smaller venue, it’s perfect.

Make homemade pizza. Instead of going out, why not make your own pizza at home? Yes, this includes making the dough as well. If I already know this person and we feel comfortable together, this is a super fun (and super cheap) option. We simply buy pizza dough, sauce, cheese and the toppings of our choice, then invite! Dinner and an activity, all prepared in moments.

Meet up for a drink. This is one of the safest, and therefore one of the most-used first date ideas. We  can make things a bit more adventurous by visiting a jazz club or finding a bar that will teach us to make new drinks. Of course, I could always go and grab some bottled water. =)

Movie. Movie dates are perfect for cozying up and feeling the tingle of romantic excitement, especially when both of our elbows touch each other accidentally, of course.

Museum visit. Being educated on the past via artifacts will not only help me learn more about the world, it’ll teach me about my date, who could reveal that they have patience and a sense of humor about sort of hokey historical stuff, as well as being genuinely intrigued by the past.

Museum. A classic art museum may not be for everyone, but there are tons of fun to be had at a modern art museum. A museum may not be the typical date idea, but no matter which museum you go to, there’s a very good chance that you’d find something interesting to see for a couple of hours. In my experience, there is nothing funnier than walking through a modern art museum and making some jokes with a friend about the pieces. (sorry modern art lovers!) A person will always feel more relaxed if they know they can joke around and have a laugh. Even if we do genuinely enjoy the artwork, you can enjoy it together.

Nature walks. If my date is an admirer of nature, we go hiking on a short hiking trail before you stop in a beautiful setting to sit down together and spend a few moments of romantic time.

Old fashioned eateries. There’s always a heritage eating joint in every city. It could be an old ice cream parlor or a bakery serving the best cupcakes or waffles.

Old fashioned pub. Old irish pubs or any quaint pubs that my date hasn’t been to would be a nice way to spend a while getting to know each other better. And if there’s a happy live band with a fiddle, well, we’re going to have a happy time for sure!

One hour classes. There are so many one hour classes that are perfect for dates, be it pottery, glass painting, or just about anything else. I just make sure you go somewhere where we can finish the class with a souvenir.

Opera or a musical show. An opera or a musical show is perfect for a sophisticated date who loves a grand and colorful gesture.

Paint some pottery. This is a nice opportunity to be creative or funny, depending on our sculpture choice, and it’s also a relaxed environment to talk. If I’m feeling extra flirty, I could always have a little fun with the paint and my date’s face!

Park. I love having a picnic at a park, especially if it’s a pleasant sunny day. There’s something about staring at nature’s beauty that makes me feel wonderful inside.

Peddle boating. Renting a cute little peddle boat can be a calming way to get to know one another while also seeing some scenery in your area.

Phone it in. Oh yeah, the date that consists entirely of talking into a small electronic device. This one is for all cyber dating pros out there looking for first date ideas like I planned on doing something other than talking on the phone. =) all jokes aside, there are some benefits to phoning in. Sure, I don’t get to see my date’s face while we’re talking, but that also means that I don’t have to get dressed up or worry about what my face looks like. See? Might not be a bad idea.

Planetarium. For the star gazing lovers like me, nothing beats the peaceful setting of a reclined seat in a planetarium. It’s dark, cozy and a complete out-of-the-world experience!

Play at target. I love doing this. Head over to target (or any other retail store) later in the evening. Play with the toys, peruse the books, and play hide-and-seek.

Play chess at one of those outdoor tables.

Play games in the park. I pack a picnic, my uno cards, and a blanket. We’re set for the afternoon and play hooky from work.

Play miniature golf.

Play night games. I can remember all too well playing ghosts in the graveyard and capture the flag at night when i was a kid. It’s super fun! If I invite a group of fun-loving friends, and my date seems to be adventurous as well, night games are a blast. End of story.

Play paper dolls. Before you roll your eyes at this one, let me say this: playing paper dolls with my friends is one of our favorite things to do. And this group includes an equal mix of guys and gals. The focus is on high-fashion, couture paper dolls, not kiddy paper dolls. Many of our dolls look more like works of art.

Play Picasso for the night. Painting parties are popping up throughout the country. Many places let me bring in my own wine and beer; others provide appetizers and cocktails. It doesn’t matter whether I create a masterpiece or make a big mess. It’s about sharing the experience together.

Play ping-pong.

Play scrabble at a coffee shop.

Play tourist. We sometimes take our hometowns for granted. I try to see my hometown from a tourist’s perspective and become a tourist in my own city and visit a local attraction that neither of us has ever been to. We check out the local tourism office; it will have guides and information on all kinds of festivals, events and sights worth seeing. I take my date on a touristy excursion around our hometown and see the city from a different perspective.

Play video games. PS2, Nintendo, Xbox, it doesn’t matter. If my date is into video games and I’ve got strong thumbs, it might be time for a bit of virtual smack-down! I just stay careful not to beat my date too badly at whatever video game we decide to play. I don’t want my first date ideas to turn into video-game-inspired revenge ideas. =)

Rent a chopper. When I’m ;ooking for a really grand gesture to impress your date and woo them on the very first date, I hire a chopper for a ride and soar through the night sky. It’s posh, expensive and something my date will love talking about, during the date and after the date too!

Restaurant with a view. If I have a choice, pick a restaurant with a view, be it a garden, the horizon or the sea.

Ride around. When the weather’s warm, I try taking a bike ride outside our city and having lunch in the next town over. Better yet? Pack a picnic and eat al fresco.

Rifle range. This is adrenalin pumping action at its best. If I want to get my date all worked up before a meal, head to a rifle range and fire a few rounds. It’ll definitely work up more than just the appetite.

Rock climbing. I think rock climbing is just about the most funny thing! The best thing to do is make it a race between the two of us. If I want to raise the stakes and definitely catch my date’s  interest, I add a prize to the pot. The winner gets a kiss.

Roller blading couple. Scuba diving/snorkeling. Going for a swim is always fun, but if I really want to have a great time, I bring along a mask and go snorkeling! If my date is scuba certified, we go for a dive too, although that may be more difficult to do my date isn’t.

See a community theater show. These can go one of two ways: be so good, you’re amazed at how much we enjoy them, or be so bad, we wind up laughing about it together for hours afterward. Centering our night around a play can give our evening’s conversations something to focus on.

See a free outdoor concert.

Seeing stand-up comedy. There’s nothing like a hilarious host with raunchy jokes to start the night off to a playful, carefree start. I just avoid the front row – getting heckled might be a little less fun in front of a new date.

Shall we dine? Turn a typical dinner date into an adventure by having what’s called a “progressive dinner,” where we enjoy our appetizers, entrees and desserts all at different places. Yum!

Shoot some pool. Yes, this is an obvious one, but let’s be honest: some people would really prefer to not go wild on first dates and to simply have a couple of beers while playing a game of pool at a local dive bar. It’s a casual, classic way to have a good conversation in an easygoing setting.

Snow bunny. If my date lives near the slopes, we enjoy an afternoon of skiing or snowboarding, then refuel with burgers in the ski lodge. I will end the date with our feet by the fire and a warm drink in our hands.

Special events. There are special events in our city that comes around once a year. Special events and celebrations are a unique experience that can be memorable and fun too.

Spooky date. If my date’s adventurous, we go to a haunted house. Not the real kind, but the fun kind where all the ghosts and skeletons are jack-in-the-boxes and there’s creepy music in the air. Each time we see a skeleton pop up, it’ll either be a laugh or a hair-raising experience. Either ways, it brings both of us closer!

Sports. If my date’s more inclined to sit in stadium seats than theatre seats, I go to a game! Even if I’m  not much into sports. So if I have no idea what’s going on during the game, I ask my date  and watch as their eyes light up as they explains free throws or field goals. Or, if I am a sports fan, wow bond over hearty shouts of triumph.

Star gazing. There is no sight in the world that can compare to the night sky. Watching a meteor shower, looking for constellations or simply staring at stars are all great excuses to set out a blanket on the ground and lay next to each other in a sweet, low-pressure way. I take a walk through the park, or find a hill somewhere and lay out a blanket. We snuggle up together and try to count the stars together. I did this once with a friend, and before I knew it we were so comfortable talking about anything with each other. It was a great bonding moment, and it’s very romantic.

Tackle a rock climbing wall.

Take a cooking class together – I check local community college or continuing education program for listings of cooking classes we can take if there isn’t a culinary school to be found.

Take a hip-hop dance class.

Take a music lesson together – I have always wanted to learn how to play the guitar or some other instrument. Inviting my date along for a partner lesson at a local music school might be a fun way to start your lesson and get the much-dreaded first date out of the way.

Take an intro yoga or other fitness class – if I or my date is  really out of shape, this might not be a great idea for a first date. Otherwise, we pick a class that will fit both of your fitness levels and have some fun! You should know that getting hot and sweaty

The movies are always an easy option for going on first dates, but adding a more exciting element can make it that much more special. Plenty of cities have theaters with big, comfy love-seats (no awkward armrest hand-holding standoffs!) where I can order food and sometimes even alcohol. It’ll feel like we’re at home watching a flick, only way better.

Themed restaurant. Themed restaurants are always fun, but for a first date, I opt for something with a romantic touch, be it candlelight or a band of mariachis.

Try new cuisine. Sharing new experiences together is a great way to build a connection with someone. That’s why if I’m going to take my date out to a restaurant, I try something a little more adventurous. I check out a new ethnic cuisine - something neither of us have tried before. The element of adventure will add some excitement to our date, and, who knows, maybe the two of us will find a new favorite.

TV show marathon. If you know my date absolutely loves a tv show that I’ve been wanting to watch, I invite the person over and make a date out of watching the first season! People enjoy sharing something they love, and I’ll get to fall in love with not just a new tv show, but hopefully my date too!

Visit a new restaurant – there’s a bit of risk in eating at a new restaurant because I can’t be sure of the quality but this first date idea still makes the “safe” list because it’s not hugely risky.

Visit a shut-in – this might not seem like it belongs on a list of first date ideas but if we step away from our preconceptions, I think we might consider it and even try it out. Visiting people who are unable to get out and enjoy regular social interactions isn’t just a worthwhile use of our time. It gives me a chance to learn a bit about the character of my date. if my date is unkind it will only be a matter of time before that unkindness is pointed at me. Seek the good hearts!

Visit an art museum. If we’re both into art, then I can save big if I buy a membership to our art museum. This can pay for itself in no time. Even if we don’t buy a membership, art museum entry fees are usually cheap anyway.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen – one of the best first dates I’ve ever been on involved to serve breakfast at the local soup kitchen. Not only did we get to know each other better but we got to do something worthwhile that helped our community. It’s hard to come up with a reason why giving back to your community could be considered a bad idea for a first date! If we don’t have a soup kitchen or other short-order volunteer opportunity, we try to be creative and come up with our own. There is always somebody nearby who could use some help if we are willing to give it.

Walk dogs at the humane society. If it’s nice out, why not volunteer to take shelter dogs out for a walk? They never get personal walks like that, and doling out love to a needy dog is a wonderful activity to do with my date.

Walk dogs. We walk our dogs at the park or, if you my date doesn’t have a dog, we watch the dogs at the dog park and discuss which ones we want to take home.

Watch an outdoor movie – going to a movie is pretty worn out in the world of first date ideas. I can resurrect it in a fun way by going to see a movie outdoors or, even better, at a drive-in movie theater if we still happen to have one near where we live.

Watch cartoons. If my date loves cartoons, why not hang out at my house, in our pajamas, and watch cartoons together? I never forget, plenty of those old looney tunes cartoons are up on youtube. In fact, i have 6 DVD’s full of those old looney tunes cartoons. They just don’t make them like that anymore.

Who’s got game? I bring our competitive edge by going to an arcade, fair, or boardwalk to indulge in some gaming olympics: best out of five competitive events wins. Then, the winner gets a giant toy bought with our combined tickets.

Wii olympics. I think, Tag teaming on the nintendo Wii is a fun and free way to spend time together. This works especially well for double dates.

Wine tasting. Vineyards tours are very romantic and brewery tours are exciting and fun.

Workout together. Not many people would want a get sweaty and disheveled with a person they don’t know very well. But exercising together could be a great opportunity to get to know each other. If we goes to a gym, or runs every morning, I bring up the idea of working out together. This is the time to pull out that pair of spandex exercise pants that make out body look amazing.

Zoo. Walking through a zoo can help both of us feel really comfortable with each other. It’s hard to hold my excitement back when I’m staring at wild animals indulging in wild antics.