The best first date ideas are the ones that up the romance factor, have something original in them, and allow you and your special someone to bond, laugh, and get to know each other.
First dates are one of the scariest and most exciting things at the same time. The butterflies, the anticipation, the planning – they all contribute to the magic of going on a first date. Where you go and what you do is the most important thing, because it sets the mood for the entire date and hopefully helps you connect.
Creative First Date Ideas
Take a cooking class together
Instead of going out for a conventional candlelit dinner, why not learn how to cook together? This is an excellent date for foodies, regardless of how skilled you are at making food. Working as a team is very important in any happy relationship, and there’s no better way of finding out if you make a good team than by cooking together.
If you’re good at it, you get to impress your date and maybe even offer to prepare a romantic meal for your second date. However, what makes this one of the unique first date ideas is that it works even if you’re not so good at it. Take the opportunity to make your date laugh, and show them that you can take a joke at your own expense. There’s nothing sexier than humor and confidence.
Volunteer at the local shelter
What better way to spend time together than by helping the local animal shelter take care of their animals? You get to do something good for the community while spending quality time together, making this one of the most awesome first date ideas out there. Empathy and care for others, especially for those weaker than you, are very attractive traits.
People are naturally drawn to those who protect others and show higher levels of altruism. Plus, you can learn a lot about a person from the way they interact with animals.
Go to a trampoline park
High levels of adrenaline and childlike fun is exactly what makes going to a trampoline park a good first date idea. After all, couples who laugh together, stay together. You can both be as silly as you like, get some exercise, and find new ways to have fun at the trampoline park together.
This activity also provides the perfect opportunity for physical intimacy if you start hitting it off. For example, you can try jumping together or doing tricks, which may end up with the two of you lying next to each other when taking a break.
Visit the weirdest museum you can find
One of the most fun first date ideas is to visit a weird museum. Museums can be fun and educational as it is, but when you find an unconventional museum showcasing something quirky, you have to take the chance to visit it.
It would give you something to talk about with your date, there would be plenty of opportunities to laugh, and you’d see how they think and what they find interesting. So, research local museums together, and choose something you would both be elated to see. Think of Ripley’s Believe it or Not as your starting point.
Casual First Date Ideas
Go for coffee
A classic casual first date that never fails is a coffee date. Whether it’s a chain cafe or a local one, you can get to know your date over a hot beverage and a chat. If you both love coffee, this is an especially good option, as it’s an automatic conversation starter. Moreover, how a person drinks their coffee can tell you a lot about their likes and dislikes, which can easily turn into a deeper conversation you’d both enjoy.
The best part is, transforming this from one of the many simple first date ideas into a unique one is easy – instead of meeting in the afternoon, make it a breakfast date.
Late-night drive
If you and your date already know each other, you can take it slow and casual by taking a late-night drive. Regardless of where you live, the city has a different feel to it during the night. It slowly falls asleep and gets quieter as the hours go by. Who knew that such a lively and busy environment could offer such peace?
What makes this one of the most romantic first date ideas at night is that you can drive to a place that overlooks the city. Then, you can play some jazz, look at the city lights, and enjoy the stars together. To make things even more comfortable, bring a blanket and spread it over the hood of the car.
Ice-skating or rollerblading
If you’re looking for fun things to do on a date while keeping it casual, ice-skating or rollerblading is a perfect choice. Rollerblading is ideal for warm summer evenings, while ice-skating makes for one of the best winter first date ideas.
This activity is an especially good choice if you or your date aren’t that good at it. Holding hands while you keep each other on your feet is the perfect opportunity for some innocent physical intimacy. Add the fact that you’re getting out of your comfort zone, and you’ll have an easier time building trust together.
Cheap First Date Ideas
Go for a hike
Hiking is a very fun first-date activity for people who like the outdoors and staying active. There’s nothing better than getting to know the person while the sun shines and nature blooms around you. It’s best to choose an easy trail for your date, regardless of how much of an experienced hiker you are. This guarantees that both you and your date can finish it without challenging anyone’s strength or stamina. The point is to enjoy each other’s company in nature while getting some exercise, not to show off or compete.
The reason why this one of the many great first date ideas is the fact that physical exercise makes you feel less tense. First-date jitters are normal, but now you won’t have to worry about being too anxious to talk or putting your foot in your mouth. When all the anxiety is worked out through exercise, there’s only room for confidence.
Make a picnic
If the weather is nice, you can make some sandwiches, bring fruit, and pack a bottle of wine. Head straight for the park with a picnic basket and a blanket. What makes this a cheap but good first date idea is that it even lets you show off your cooking skills in case you want to make more than sandwiches.
This is a very romantic and laid-back date activity, and it allows you to really get to know the person you’re picnicking with. Small talk will often turn into deep conversations about the world, imagination, and maybe even a little bit of philosophy. This is especially true if you try cloud watching.
Walk your pets
If you and your date both have dogs, one of the many cute first date ideas is to walk your pets together. Not only will your little buddies get the exercise they need, but you’ll also have a great conversation topic. Our dogs tend to soothe us in anxious situations, so you may even end up looking confident in front of your date.
Discovering similar interests is easy when you’ve got a strong starting point and something to elaborate on. From discussing your dog’s favorite activities and quirky habits to laughing at something silly the pups did, there won’t be a dull moment in the conversation.
Go for a drive-in movie
One of the most romantic first date ideas that will save you a few bucks is going to a drive-in movie. Those who want the traditional dinner and a movie kind of date but don’t want to spend a fortune can go for some tasty junk food during a drive-in movie.
It’s more intimate and laid-back while still not coming across like you didn’t put any effort into making it happen. You and your date can talk, laugh, and eat during the movie, leaving no room for awkward silence. If the weather is nice, you can also bring a blanket with you and sit in front of the car to up the charm.
First Date Conversation Ideas
Interests
Get to know your date by talking about what you both like and dislike. Start with movies, music, TV shows, books, and so on. This will give you a good idea about how your date spends their free time, what they’re interested in, and what makes them feel happy.
You’ll discover what you have in common, all the while talking about something you’re both comfortable with. What makes this one of the many cool first date ideas is that you can even agree to watch their favorite movie or TV show as a second date.
Ambitions
Talking about your future, ambitions, and plans can let you know if there’s something here for the long-term. If you and your date have a similar vision for the future, you’ll have something to bond over and maybe even work towards together.
If not, you’ll both know not to waste your time.
A little bit of history
What makes this one of the best first date ideas for conversation is that it lets you discover your date’s values and the things you have in common. In other words, you’ll almost instantly know if there’s a future.
Get to know your date by talking about where you’re from, saying something about your family, and uncovering something about your life.
How to act on a first date
Ask questions
The whole point of going out is to get to know each other, so the more you encourage the conversation, the better. Being interested, actively listening, and asking questions is all going to make your date feel like you actually value what they have to say, making this one of the many easy first date ideas for stimulating conversation.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should constantly break the conversation with new questions or panic and ask something random as soon as there’s a lull. If your date is talking about their family, for example, you can ask how they get along with their siblings, add some fun facts about your family, and let the conversation flow.
Don’t bring up your past too much
Talking about your dating history is not really a good first date idea. If the conversation turns to exes, you shouldn’t avoid it, but you shouldn’t get into it too deeply, either. It’s always a good idea to just summarize your romantic history without going into detail.
You can tell a lot about a person from the way they talk about their exes. Getting too hung up on them and saying all nice things can make it seem like you’re still dealing with some things from your past. On the other hand, saying only bad things just makes you seem bitter. Bad-mouthing is never attractive, especially when it comes to the people that used to mean a lot to you.
Don’t rush or slow things down
This is one of the hardest first date etiquette rules to follow. We tend to get hung up on the physical intimacy part of the date and whether it’s socially acceptable to hold hands, kiss, or have sex on the first date.
Talk to your date. If things are going well and you feel like physical intimacy is on the table, start by taking their hand. If your date seems reluctant, respect their boundaries and don’t rush them. One of the best first date ideas for this situation is to just let things take their course.
Additionally, if you’re hitting it off and things are going really well, don’t slow things down just because of some arbitrary social rules. Even first date sex is on the table when two mature, consenting adults feel like it’s something they both want.
Conclusion
The early bloom of a new romance is a wonderful thing. These best first date ideas are on your side and will help you make things as romantic and memorable as possible. So, get those first date jitters under control, show your special someone how confident you are, and get ready for a fantastic date. The right activity is bound to lead to a second date and maybe even a happy relationship.
