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41 First Date Places To Go: Make Sure It Will Go Well Plan A Second Date
41 First Date Places To Go: Make Sure It Will Go Well Plan A Second Date
t date places to go
Everyone knows the first date is the hardes41 bestt one to plan. Should you opt for something
simple—such as coffee or a drink—or are you the type of person who wants to be remembered
by doing something out-of-the-box? One thing is for sure: when planning a first date, you want
to make sure it will go well— give you the chance to plan a second date as well
link above.
guaranteed to not only impress your date but also potentially lay the groundwork for a lasting
1. Take a walk.
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Yes, sometimes the simplest date ideas are the best ones. According to research by the dating
app Zoosk, after dinner and coffee, a walk is the third most popular date idea for women in their
30s, 50s, and 60s. It ranked 4th among women in their 20s.
2. Go thrift shopping.
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Hit up a couple of thrift stores and search for some hidden treasures. This is a great way to get
a sense of your date's style and sense of humor. And no matter how the date goes, you could
3. Visit a museum.
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"Visiting one or several museums can be a great first date," says Michelle Ngome, a speaker,
author, and connection enthusiast. "Many museums are free, affordable, or accept donations.
This gives the couple a chance to have casual small talk and understand each other's
It's also a surefire way of killing any awkward silences: There will be an endless supply of great
conversation starters all around you. Plus, many museums have a small cafe inside, so if things
are going well, you can extend the date by grabbing a bite.
4. Swap hobbies.
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Splitting the day between your favorite activities is a great way to get to know each other. Each
of you pick one of your favorite ways to pass the time and share it with the other. After a meal
There are a ton of reasons this works so well as a first date. "First, it's a public place so it's
relatively safe," says Sunny Rodgers, a clinical sexologist and certified sex coach. "Plus, it gives
socially-nervous daters a lot of different things to discuss. You can discuss flowers, fruit, and
jam preferences as you wander and shop together. If the date is going well, I suggest buying
coffee, fruit, or ice cream and sitting someplace to eat or drink together. If things are going
extremely well, I suggest purchasing a few key ingredients and setting a second date where
you'll cook or prepare the purchased ingredients to enjoy together." And if the date's not going
well? You've got the perfect excuse to head out: fresh ingredients that need to be put away.
This beats the typical conversation over cocktails. Many bars and pubs have themed trivia
nights, so you can show off your pop culture or historical knowledge and get into the playful
It doesn't matter how old you are, an amusement park (or pop-up carnival) outing is a perfect
summer date. Having rides, games, and food stalls at your disposal will help break the ice and
These adventure games in which people get together to use clues to solve various puzzles are
incredibly popular right now, and they make a fantastic first date activity. "An escape room is a
surefire way to get to know your date quickly," says Laura Bilotta, a dating coach and
matchmaker. "You'll have to use teamwork, and the task at hand will keep the two of you talking
9. Go hiking.
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If you both like being active outdoors, this is a great way to get to know each other. "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," suggests J. Hope Suis,
a relationship expert and author. "Pack some water and a few snacks, dress comfortably and hit
the road. You will have plenty of time for conversation and you can also judge their spontaneity
intellect and provide a conversation starter. "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," says Janet
It's way too early for a couples rubdown, but a side-by-side manicure or chair massage, you can
do. It'll ease any nerves that you or your date have about meeting, making for a much more
relaxed conversation. You'll also both get the satisfaction of doing something nice for yourself.
12. Go skating.
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"Ice skating or roller skating was a dating staple back in high school for many," notes Stef
Safran, a dating and matchmaking expert. "Try out doing an activity that keeps the focus on
balancing yourself from falling—literally." At the end of the day, a little light physical danger is a
"Nothing draws us close to someone like a willingness to share with openness and honesty,"
says Michelle Puster, a licensed professional counselor. "A demonstration of such vulnerability
shows confidence and an effort to get to know someone by sharing about themselves first."
Pick a weekend day to check out open houses in a nice neighborhood near you. Lots of them
have free snacks and drinks, plus you'll be able to see what your date is hoping for out of their
15. Go bowling.
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Bowling can be a little goofy (the shoes, the music, the technique), which only means it's perfect
"This activity can spark your creativity and will also allow for conversation and connection,"
notes Susan Ruth Freedman, a couples therapist and a clinical sexologist who works with Jack
"A great way to ditch the tired dinner and drinks combo is to grab a cocktail and go to a comedy
show," Bilotta says. "Having a drink first will help you get comfortable and acquainted.
Hopefully, the show you see is funny, but even if it isn't, you'll have lots to talk about afterward."
"If you're an animal lover, one of the best first dates is to go to an animal shelter where they
have a selection of animals from cute kittens to Komodo dragons," says Cherry Davis, a dating
coach. It's a great way to see how your date interacts with them, plus you can often gauge how
Love sports and know your date does too? Head to a local game. "Both people can get to know
each other and how they react at events like this," explains relationship coach Susan Golicic,
PhD. "It also has lots of things going on in case some awkward silences pop up at the
beginning." Don't do this if your date isn't into sports, however—they won't enjoy you explaining
If your city has a great jazz club (and chances are it does), take your date to enjoy some live
music while you have a cocktail or three. The setting will be more romantic than your typical bar,
and you'll have plenty of material to chat about in between sets. (After all, it's the perfect
"I usually suggest a cooking class because it's hands on," Rodgers says. "Again, it's a safe
place and offers a shared experience that allows for lots of topics to discuss. It's also usually a
short time period, so the dater can decide if they wish to extend the date or make plans for a
second date. With something like a pasta making class, you could suggest a second date at an
What better way is there to find out if you're destined to be together forever?
You'd be surprised how many of these events there are, and they make great date destinations.
"It's pretty easy to find a festival within 10 or 20 miles if you look hard enough," says David
Bennett, a certified counselor and relationship expert. "They often involve free shows, good
food, games, and rides. And, at the very least, you can people watch."
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Seeing a movie isn't generally ideal for a first date since it's pretty difficult to have a
conversation in a crowded theater. A drive-in, on the other hand, allows for a little more privacy
so you can chat about your favorite scenes without bothering anyone else.
"If the weather allows, checking out a botanic garden can be a nice way to view things when
you have to focus on what's in front of you," Safran says. That way, you don't have to stress
Many wine shops and bars offer wine-tasting evenings, which can be a fun way to do something
social and still get to know each other at the same time. If you can't find a class near you, DIY
If you have access to a beach, it's a good idea to utilize it. In Zoosk's research on date ideas,
women of all age groups mentioned the beach one of their top romantic venues.
If you feel like getting really creative, give this first date idea a go. "Order one appetizer at a
local place, then go to another place and share another appetizer," suggests Zinn. Keep going
until you're full! "You'll learn your date's food tastes, and it's a fun way to try different things
together."
"Meet to watch the sunrise or sunset," Golicic recommends. "This is not only romantic, but also
Similar to the botanic garden idea, this shifts the focus onto something other than the two of
you, Safran says, which can help cut out the first date awkwardness that sometimes occurs.
Take it upon yourselves to find the best dessert spot in town. "Going from place to place on a
tour can have you sampling deserts while making small talk," Safran says. You could also book
a cupcake tour or something similar if it's offered in your area. "While being one-on-one can
make some people nervous, going with a small group can make things easier if it takes you a bit
If the weather is nice, there's nothing better than an outdoor picnic in your local park. Pick up
some fruit, cheese, crackers, and wine and you'll be set. Dinner in a fancy restaurant is nice as
Or do pretty much any other physical activity you both enjoy. "Not only do you get to do
something you would normally do and get to talk about how you work out, you get to check the
It's pretty hard to not have fun when jumping around in a room filled with trampolines. "These
indoor parks are popping up everywhere," Bennett says. "They add a little thrill and fun to your
first date." What's more, you'll see if your date is able to have a good time and not take
Take each other on a tour of the bookstore, pointing out your favorite books and why they're
important to you along the way. Many bookstores have coffee shops, so you can always start or
"This is a playful way to engage, get exercise, and learn how you move together as a couple,"
Freedman says. Even if neither of you is a great dancer to begin with, learning a new skill
37. Go to a concert.
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"Similar to the sports event, there are times when talking isn't required," Golicic points out. "I
would suggest something on the more mellow side to start with, but this is a chance to have fun
If you live in a major city, it's likely that there are neighborhoods in your area that you've never
explored. Maybe there's even a major tourist attraction in your town that you've never been to.
"Bars are popping up that are filled with old school arcade games and Skee-Ball," Bennett says.
You can often play for free if you buy a drink or two, and some friendly competition is a solid
40. Volunteer.
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Do some good together. "Volunteer dates for an organization are great way to see if you share
the same values and morals," Davis says. "You can observe how they interact with other
volunteers, if they are adaptable or need structure, and if they are willing to try something new
This takes all the stuffiness and pretension out of the typical restaurant date. It's hard to take
This first date idea can easily be DIY-ed. "Take your smartphone and go for a walk and talk
while taking pictures of what you like," Zinn says. "Then, sit and compare what you took and
Daytime dates are seriously underrated, and brunch is an easy way to give them a try if you
haven't done one before. Pick a restaurant you know has amazing food and a lively atmosphere
44. Go kayaking.
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"For the outdoor enthusiast, this is a great activity for a beautiful day," Freedman says. "Ideally,
rent a two-person kayak so you can be close and communicate about the beautiful sites in
nature."
It's safe to say you and your potential S.O. have been on a million coffee dates, but have you
ever been on an ice cream date? Probably not. Grab a cone and take a stroll.
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