Everyone knows that the first date is the hardest to plan. Should you opt for something simple, like a coffee or a drink? Or are you the type who wants to do something a little more… out-of-the-box? Here are 40 irresistible first-date ideas.
We’ve rounded up all the best first-date ideas, carefully vetted by experts. They’re guaranteed to impress your date with your savvy ideas. And to lay the foundations for a potentially lasting relationship.
1 – Take a walk
Yes, sometimes the simplest first date ideas are the best. According to dating app Zoosk’s research on the best date ideas, after dinner and coffee, a walk was the third most popular idea for women aged 30, 50 and 60, and ranked 4th among women in their 20s.
2 – Visit a museum
Visiting one or more museums can be a great first date. Many museums are free, affordable or accept donations. This gives the couple a chance to have a little informal chat. And to understand each other’s point of view on life based on art.
It’s also a sure-fire way of eliminating any awkward silences. There will be an endless supply of great conversation topics all around you. What’s more, many museums have a small café inside. So, if all goes well, you can prolong the encounter with a sweet treat.
3 – Visit a farmers’ market
There are a ton of reasons why this works so well as a first date. First of all, it’s a public place and therefore relatively safe. Plus, it gives socially nervous lovebirds lots of different things to talk about. You can discuss flower, fruit and jam preferences as you stroll and shop together.
If the date goes well, buy some coffee, fruit or ice cream and sit down somewhere to eat or drink together. If things go really well, buy a few key ingredients too. Then schedule a second date where you’ll cook or prepare the purchased ingredients to enjoy together. What if the date doesn’t go well? You’ve got the perfect excuse to go out: fresh ingredients that need to be put away.
4 – Try it at night
Many bars and pubs offer cocktail-themed discussion evenings. So you can show off your pop culture or historical knowledge of the subject. And get into the spirit of playful competition. And to make sure she’s really into you, discover the signs of body language.
5 – Play an escape game
These adventure games in which people get together to use clues and solve various puzzles are incredibly popular right now. They make a fantastic activity for a first date. An escape room is a surefire way to get to know your date fast. You’ll need to use teamwork, and the task at hand will get you both talking without overwhelming each other.
6 – Take a hike
If you like being active outdoors, this is a great way to get to know each other. However, avoid trekking in isolation or for hours at a time. Opt instead to find a trail either around your town, in a park or in the countryside. Pack water and a few snacks, dress comfortably and hit the trail. You’ll have plenty of time to chat. What’s more, you’ll be able to judge each other’s spontaneity. And maybe even their physical abilities..
7 – Attend a book reading
If you find intelligence sexy (especially if you’re sapiosexual), a book reading will help you assess the intellect of your first date. And provide you with something to talk about. It’ll give you something to talk about that isn’t “tell me about yourself”. And you’ll always have an idea about the other person.
8 – Go skating
Ice skating or roller skating was a must-do first date in high school for many. Plus, a little physical danger is a great bonding experience.
9 – Play karaoke
Nothing brings us closer to someone than a willingness to share openly and honestly. A demonstration of such vulnerability shows the trust and effort made to get to know someone by first sharing about yourself.
10 – Go bowling
Bowling can be a bit wacky (the shoes, the music, the technique). Which means it’s the perfect icebreaker.
11 – Take an art class
This activity can stimulate your creativity and also allow for conversation and connection.
12 – Attend a comedy show
A great way to change from the classic drink in a bar or restaurant! Grab a cocktail and take in a comedy show. Having a drink first will help put you at ease and familiarize you. Choose a funny show. But even if it’s not, you’ll have plenty to talk about afterwards.
13 – Visit an animal shelter
If you’re an animal lover, one of the best first dates is to visit an animal shelter. They have a selection of animals ranging from cute kittens to komodo dragons. It’s a great way to see how your date interacts with them. Plus, you can often gauge how affectionate someone is by how they treat potential pets.
14 – Attend a sporting event
You like sports and know your date? Head to a local game. Both people can get to know each other and react to such events. There’s also plenty going on in case awkward silences appear at first. Note to men: don’t do this if your date doesn’t play sports.
15 – Listen to jazz
If your town has a great jazz club (and chances are, it does), take your first date to listen to live music while you sip a cocktail or two. The setting will be more romantic than your typical bar. And you’ll have plenty to talk about between rounds.
16 – Take a cooking class
Again, this is a safe place that offers a shared experience that allows you to discuss many topics. It’s also usually a short period of time. So you can decide whether to extend the meeting or schedule a second date. With something like a pasta-making course, you might suggest a second meeting at an Italian restaurant known for its fresh pasta, for example.
17 – Go see a psychic
What better way is there to find out if you’re destined to be together forever?
18 – Discover a street or a music festival
You’d be surprised how many of these events there are. And they make excellent first-date destinations. It’s pretty easy to find a festival within a few miles if you look hard enough. They often involve free entertainment, good food, games and rides. And, if nothing else, you can people-watch.
19 – Make a Drive-In or Outdoor Movie
Watching a movie isn’t usually ideal for a first date. Indeed, it’s pretty hard to have a conversation in a crowded theater. A drive-in, or plein air, on the other hand, allows a little more intimacy so you can discuss your favorite scenes.
20 – Visit a botanical garden
If time allows, visiting a botanical garden can be a great way to see things when you need to concentrate on what’s in front of you. This way, you don’t have to worry about coming back to the subject at hand when the conversation is interrupted.
21 – Take a wine tasting course
Many wine stores and bars offer wine-tasting evenings. This can be a fun way to socialize while getting to know each other at the same time. If you can’t find a class near you, set one up in a restaurant with a few different bottles of wine.
22 – Dare to go to the beach
If you have access to a beach, this is a good idea to try. In Zoosk’s research on first date ideas, women of all ages mentioned the beach as one of their most romantic places.
23 – Create your own culinary tour
If you feel like getting really creative, try this. Order an aperitif at a local venue. Then go to another place and share another aperitif. Keep going until you’re full! You’ll learn about your date’s food tastes. Plus, it’s a fun way to try different things together.
24 – Have a Sunrise or Sunset Meetup
Get together to watch the sunrise or sunset. It’s not only romantic, it’s also a great way to hold a conversation – sometimes a very deep one – while admiring the beauty of something we often take for granted.
25 – Visit the zoo
Similar to the botanical garden idea, this shifts the focus to something else. This can help eliminate the first date awkwardness that sometimes occurs.
26 – Enjoy some desserts
Choose the best dessert spot in town yourself. Going from place to place on tour can get you sampling deserts while chatting. You can also book a cupcake tour or something similar if it’s offered in your area. Although one-on-one can make some people nervous, going with a small group can make things easier if you need a bit to come out of your shell.
27 – Have a picnic in the park
When the weather’s nice, there’s nothing better than an outdoor picnic in your local park. Gather some fruit, cheese, crackers and wine and you’re all set. Dinner in a fancy restaurant is nice. But it’s much more thoughtful, even intimidating.
28 – Go for a bike ride
Or do just about any other physical activity you both enjoy. Not only will you be able to do something you’d normally do and talk about how you train. And you’ll also be able to interview the other person in sportswear.
29 – Discover a trampoline park
It’s pretty hard not to have fun jumping around in a room full of trampolines. These indoor parks are popping up everywhere. They add a little thrill and fun to your first date. Plus, you’ll see if your date is capable of having a good time and not taking himself too seriously.
30 – Take your first date to a bookstore
Visit each other’s bookstores, highlighting your favorite books and explaining why they’re important to you along the way. Many bookshops these days have cafés, so you can always start or end with a cup of coffee.
31 – Try a dance class
It’s a fun way to engage, get some exercise and find out how you move as a couple. Even if neither of you is a great dancer at first, learning a new skill together is a sure-fire way to gauge your compatibility.
32 – Go to a concert
Just like a sporting event, there are times when you don’t need to talk. It’s a chance to have fun moving around and singing along to the music.
33 – Discover a neighborhood you’ve never been to before
If you live in a big city, chances are there are parts of your town you’ve never been to before. Maybe there’s even a major tourist attraction in your city that you’ve never visited. Meet your first date there and explore.
34 – Play arcade games
Bars are popping up everywhere, filled with arcade games. You can often play for free if you buy a drink or two, and friendly competition is a great way to see if there’s a spark.
35 – Volunteering together
Do good together. Volunteering meetings for an organization are a great way to see if you share the same values and morals. You can observe how the other interacts with other volunteers, whether he/she is adaptable or needs structure. And if your first date is willing to try something new by interacting with people who wouldn’t otherwise be part of his/her social circle.
36 – Mix your meals
This takes the pretense out of the typical restaurant date. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you’re eating croissants for dinner.
37 – Take a walk and photograph what you love
This idea is easy to DIY. Grab your smartphone and go for a walk. Talk while taking photos of what you love. Then sit down and compare what you took and why you liked it.
38 – Have brunch on your first date
All-day dates are seriously underrated. And brunch is an easy way to test them out if you haven’t already. Choose a restaurant that offers extraordinary cuisine and a lively atmosphere that will inspire conversation. Plus, you’re signaling to your potential partner that you’re not just involved in what goes on in the bedroom.
39 – Go kayaking
For outdoor enthusiasts, this is a great way to spend a day. Ideally, rent a kayak for two, so you can be close to each other and communicate on the magnificent natural sites.
40 – Buy ice cream
You can safely say that you and your potential have been on a million first dates in a café. But have you ever been on a date with ice cream? Probably not. Grab a cone and take a walk.
