What are some good first date ideas?
Working up the nerves to ask the person that I like out on a date, but I have no ideas for what we should do together. I'm open to trying just about anything, but I want to make sure that we both have a good time and can hopefully have a second date afterwards. Any recommendations you all have?
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Expert Comments
Here are some fun first date ideas for you: Go for a walk in the park:
it's low-key and a great opportunity to chat
Grab a coffee or drink:
it's chill, and it's easy to call it after one drink if there's no spark or get another round if you're enjoying yourselves
Go mini-golfing:
this classic date is fun and
active so it's a win-win
Go to a comedy show:
nothing brings people together like laughter
Have a picnic:
just pack a few sandwiches, bubbly waters, some dessert, a blanket, and voila—you've got a romantic and cozy date
Visit the farmer's market:
there's so much to explore and taste, plus, you can get your grocery shopping done—it's practical and fun at the same time
Go to trivia night:
see how well you work as a team while enjoying a cup of coffee or a drink
Check out an art gallery reception:
they're usually free and often have snacks and wine (also free!)
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I always say the best dates are always free and involve some sort of movement. I think that dinner and a movie are very stagnant dates because it feels like an interview or you can't even have a conversation to begin with. I'm a huge fan of walking and exploring new places. You could go to the mall with a coffee or find a cute neighborhood that you've always wanted to check out. I personally love going to local universities because they're beautiful and it's great for people-watching.
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Reader Comments
Mall dates seem basic but they're my favorite kind of first date for a lot of reasons!
- If someone sticks their nose up at a mall date, they're not the kind of person I want to be with
- At the mall food court there are lots of different cuisines we can have
- We can people watch while we're on our date
- You can walk around the mall and as you walk through different stores and see different things, it's easy to find different topics to chat about
- You can gauge how interested the person is in you because after dinner you can ask them if they want to grab a drink or dessert somewhere else in the mall, and if they say yes that's a good sign!
- After the mall closes, you have a safe and secluded place to walk around that sets the stage for more vulnerable and intimate conversation, and more connection!
My most recent first date was at a mall and it was over 5 hours long :)
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- If someone sticks their nose up at a mall date, they're not the kind of person I want to be with
- At the mall food court there are lots of different cuisines we can have
- We can people watch while we're on our date
- You can walk around the mall and as you walk through different stores and see different things, it's easy to find different topics to chat about
- You can gauge how interested the person is in you because after dinner you can ask them if they want to grab a drink or dessert somewhere else in the mall, and if they say yes that's a good sign!
- After the mall closes, you have a safe and secluded place to walk around that sets the stage for more vulnerable and intimate conversation, and more connection!
My most recent first date was at a mall and it was over 5 hours long :)
I like adventurous dates because they get my heart and my date's heart pumping, which can help create feelings of attraction. I've taken my dates to amusement parks so we could ride on roller coasters. I've also gone on nature hikes with stunning views and just a liiitle bit of danger (narrow bridges or steep cliffs, but still safe).
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Call me old-fashioned, but I like a romantic dinner. It's a classic first date. I like to take a girl somewhere nice where we can dress up for each other and enjoy a delicious meal together. People may think that somewhere with candles and roses is cheesy but I like the ambiance and the dates I've taken to restaurants like that have thought it was sweet.
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I like low-stakes first dates. It's the first time I'm seeing my date in person and my goal is to just see if there's potential, which I think can be done pretty quickly. If there's a spark, we can always set up a second date. I don't want to be locked into a 2-3 hour-long dinner date if the vibes are awkward or even dangerous. I'm also not out like $50 (or more, depending on how nice the restaurant is). My go-to low-stakes date is coffee/boba/tea.
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