Planning a first date can be very challenging since you probably don’t know a lot about the other person. Also, dating has changed a lot in the past 20 years or so, and relationships tend to end before they even begin. But I refuse to accept the fact that this is how it’s going to be from now on. I’m sure there are still people that are willing to go above and beyond the ordinary for the one they like, so romance isn’t lost just yet.
But now comes the question, should you plan a simple date where the two of you can talk and get to know each other better, or should you do something more fun and exciting, just to make sure the other person is not going to forget you anytime soon?
Truth be told, no matter what you choose, you should focus on making your first date as pleasant as possible, in order to pave the way to a second one. If you don’t know how to make your day unforgettable, don’t worry, I’ve got your back! Read on to discover the 20 exciting first dates that cannot go wrong, and you’ll likely impress the other person!
Make sure to also check: 10 Signs You Ought to Say “Yes” to a Second Date.
1. Be a tourist in your own city
We’re so used to the city we live in that we tend to take it for granted and forget that a lot of people would do anything just to visit it once. So why not plan a first date where you can be a tourist in your own city for a day?
It would be a great idea to visit a tourist hot spot where neither of you has ever been to before, even if you’ve been living there for many, many years. Experience the beauty of the city together, hand in hand, take pictures and create new memories.
And even if the place you’ve chosen is not exactly what you expected, you can also use your creativity (and the internet) to find other interesting spots that are worth visiting. If the conversation is flowing, enjoy a coffee or a meal together in a popular place that your city is famous for.
2. Enjoy a walk together
Do not overlook the simplest first date ideas that can make the time spent together unforgettable. Sometimes a simple walk in nature can help you two bond and create a real connection, potentially laying the groundwork for a lasting relationship. Research done by Zoosk, a dating app, has shown that women actually prefer talking a walk together, as it is the third most popular date idea for women aged between 30 and 60 years old.
The first and second date ideas among women are dinner and coffee dates, so remember this the next time you say women are complicated and need complex things in order to be impressed. Walks also ranked 4th among 20-year-old women.
3. Go on a hike together
If you love nature and outdoor activities, hiking is a great way to spend time with someone you like and have interesting conversations. According to J. Hope Suis, a relationship expert, and author, “I don’t suggest hitting secluded trek or one that would take hours to complete, but instead find a walking trail either around your city, in a park, or out in the countryside.”
In order to make your first date as pleasant as possible, make sure to pack a few snacks and some water, because you’ll likely need it. Also, dress as comfortably as possible and just enjoy the other person’s company, as you’ll have plenty of time to get to know them better and discuss everything you want.
4. Visit a museum
According to Michelle Ngome, a speaker, author, and connection enthusiast, visiting museums together on a first date can be a great idea. Additionally, a lot of museums are free, while others are very affordable, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money.
“This gives the couple a chance to have casual small talk and understand each other’s perspective on life based on art,” as Ngome has explained. This will also prevent awkward silence on the first date since you’ll have a lot to discuss and a great share of conversation starters everywhere around you, which is great. Additionally, many museums also have indoor cafes, so if everything goes as planned and you like each other, you can g there and have a chat.
5. Try an escape room
This first date idea is great fr those who love adventure and get bored easily. Maybe you’re tired of all the simple dates you had in the past, and want something a little more fun and less common.
Well, going to an escape room might be the right call for you, plus, the other person will likely not forget the date anytime soon. According to Laura Bilotta, a dating coach and matchmaker, this type of date will help you get to know the other person pretty fast, as you’ll have to work together in order to solve the puzzles and escape the escape room.
Read also: 8 Ways to Attract New People, According to Experts.
6. Watch an outdoor movie together
While going to a movie on a first date is very common and pretty worn out at the same time, you can make it a little more interesting by choosing an outdoor movie. Seeing a movie outdoors or going to a drive-in movie theatre can be a great idea since it’s not as common. The good this is you can choose everything from romance, to comedy and horror, because either way, she’ll end up in your arms!
7. Attend a comedy show together
Sense of humor is very important in a relationship, and probably the first thing women look for in their male partners, and what better way to laugh than to attend a comedy show together?
As Bilotta has explained, “A great way to ditch the tired dinner and drinks combo is to grab a cocktail and go to a comedy show.” This will help you get comfortable with each other which is very important, especially if you tend to be nervous on first dates.
Plus, it gives you the chance to see something funny and have a great time while laughing together. If not, at least you’ll have something to discuss after the show is over.
8. Go to a farmer’s market
Sunny Rodgers, a clinical sexologist and certified sex coach, believes this is a great first-date idea, for two main reasons. Firstly, you’ll be in a public place so you won’t have to worry about your safety. Let’s not forget that not everyone you meet is a good person, so you need to make sure you’re not putting yourself at risk.
Secondly, if you’re the type of person that gets nervous when meeting someone for the first time, choosing a public setting is a great idea as you’ll have a lot of different things to discuss. You can talk about anything, from flowers, to fruits, and even jam preferences.
Plus, you’ll have the chance of doing a little shopping together because it’s unlikely to leave empty-handed from a farmer’s market. If you like the company, you can also buy an ice cream or a coffee and sit together while having a nice conversation.
Rodgers also recommends buying a few key ingredients and planning a second date together where you can cook something delicious with them. At the same time, if the date doesn’t go as planned, you have a good excuse to leave, because these fresh ingredients need to be put away.
9. Plan a picnic for two
Another very simple, yet interesting first date idea is planning a picnic and enjoying it with the person you want to get to know better. It’s important that you choose a nice place for the picnic and don’t forget to bring good food and drinks to make the date memorable. Also, understand that picnics are supposed to be simple, so try to stay away from fancy foods wrapped in gold foil. Instead, swing by a grocery store or prepare something delicious at home if you love cooking, and focus on having a nice conversation with the other person.
10. Go on a gastronomic adventure together
I guess it’s true what they say, the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. So why not plan a date where you can eat a lot of delicious foods and try new things a part of your gastronomic adventure.
You can either go to a restaurant you’ve never been to, to food festivals, street fairs or food truck parks where you can find a lot of delicious foods. And make sure to leave room for dessert, just because everyone needs a little bit of sweetness in their lives.
11. Participate in a cooking class together
According to Rodgers, attending a cooking class together is a great idea, even when you don’t like cooking or don’t know how to. Also, you’ll get to enjoy this amazing experience together and learn new things in the kitchen, which might be useful in the future.
Additionally, this experience will offer a lot of topics for future conversations and you’ll probably laugh together a lot at each other’s cooking skills. Plus, if you’ve learned how to make delicious pasta, you can ask your date to join you for dinner some other time, where you can cook the recipe you’ve learned at the course.
12. Go to a spa
Let’s face it, we all need a little pampering from time to time, so why not choose something relaxing for your first date, where both of you can enjoy each other. Even though it’s a little too early for a couples rubdown, you could always try a massage or a side-by-side manicure together. You’ll definitely leave the spa more relaxed and with a lot more information about the other person.
13. Visit an animal shelter
If you’re both animal lovers and love your pets as much as you love your family members, visiting an animal shelter might be a great idea if you want to play with adorable dogs, cute kittens, and other animals they might have there.
As Cherry Davis, a dating coach has explained, you can tell a lot about a person in the way they treat animals. And who knows, maybe you leave the animal shelter with a new family member!
14. Swap hobbies with your date
This is a great first-date idea that will help you get to know more about the other person and vice versa. For instance, if you love playing the guitar and you’re pretty good at it, plan a date somewhere in a park or on the beach, and play a few songs for your date. Try to teach them as well a few notes, if they want it, of course.
Then, have a meal break and let the other person share their hobby with you after you’ve recharged your batteries. Who knows, maybe it’s something you’ve never done, such as fishing or pottery, and you get to learn to do something new, which is always a good thing.
15. Attend an art class together
According to Susan Ruth Freedman, a couples therapist and a clinical sexologist who works with Jack & Jill adult store, even though you’re not a very artsy person, it’s still important to find ways to spark your creativity.
So why not attend an art class with someone that’s either interested in art or wants to find a way to express themselves without using words. And even though your final ‘masterpiece’ might end up being a complete fail, at least you can make fun of each other’s painting skills.
16. Go thrift shopping
Even though this is not your usual first date idea, you’ll definitely have a lot of fun while searching for hidden treasures in thrift stores. This will also help you get a better understanding of your date’s fashion style and sense of humor.
Plus, even though your date doesn’t go as planned and you’re not on the same page, at least you go home with a bunch of cool stuff that will remind you of this day.
17. Go to an amusement park together
This will definitely be a very fun and exciting first date, perfect for summer, where you can ride your favorite rollercoaster, play games together, and eat a lot of delicious foods as well. I guarantee there won’t be any awkward silence on your first date, since you’ll have a lot of things to talk about.
And who says you have to be in your 20s to enjoy this type of date? 40, 50, and 60 years olds need to have a little fun as well. After all, the child inside us never dies.
18. Go to a sporting event
If you love sports and you know your date loves it too, it’s the perfect occasion to attend a sporting event together. According to relationship coach Susan Golicic, PhD, you can get to learn a lot about the other person by how they react to these types of events, and how they choose to express themselves.
“It also has lots of things going on in case some awkward silences pop up at the beginning,” she added. However, for this date to work as planned, it’s important that both of you love sports. If your partner is not so fond of it, it will turn out to be a disaster.
19. Go skating together
According to Stef Safran, a dating and matchmaking expert, you probably used to take your high school sweetheart out roller skating or ice skating back when you were a teenager, and it was very fun. So why not do it when you’re an adult as well? It’s guaranteed that you’ll have a lot of fun, plus, a little light physical danger might be good for you. And if you happen to fall, at least you’ll have something to laugh together at.
20. Attend a reading together
If you find intelligence sexy and prefer brains over looks, this date idea is perfect for you. Attending poetry or literature reading together can be a great conversation starter and you’ll also be able to evaluate your date’s intellect. According to Janet Zinn, LCSW, a couples counselor, “It will allow you to talk about a subject matter that is outside of ‘tell me about yourself,’ and yet you still get a sense of the other person.”
