If you want to make a great first impression on your date and have the best time of your life, then you need to plan. As they say, failing to plan is planning to fail. With that being the case, here’s a list of the 50 best first date ideas.
But before we get into these first date ideas, you should have an understanding of what makes a first date special.
A date must be fun, exciting, intimate, and enjoyable. You need some one-on-one time with your date to connect with them on a more romantic level. This entails being able to have a good conversation, share stories, take part in an activity together, and escape the world.
This is why I compiled a list of first-date ideas that takes all of the above characteristics into consideration.
Check them out below, and let me know what you think.
The Best First Date Ideas
1. Go For A Classic Coffee Date
Do you know what coffee lovers love more than coffee? Nothing. They can’t live without it. Take them for a nice delicious cup of joe at a coffee show with a good intimate vibe.
2. Go Horseback Riding
It should come as no surprise to you that horses are majestic and riding them is an experience you will never forget and neither will your date.
3. Go For A Live Comedy Show
Make someone laugh and they’ll enjoy your company far more if you were just serious and uptight all the time. Start off on the right foot by going for a live comedy show. It’s fun, light and full of good energy.
4. Have A Picnic
A picnic is a nice opportunity to have a relaxing, romantic and outdoor date with someone at your own leisure. You don’t have to worry about spending a ton of money or dressing up to the 9’s.
5. Take A Walk On The Beach
Long walks on the beach on a beautiful Sunday morning or afternoon is something most people love. The wide and vast ocean is an escape from reality making it easier to form a connection with someone.
6. Karaoke
This might be one of my favorite first date ideas on this list because of how much fun I’ve had. Karaoke nights are always a blast. Sure, your singing may be terrible but at least you’ll show off some confidence to your date. And you know what they say about confidence? It’s sexy!
7. Attend A Musical
Depending on the type of person you’re going on a date with, a musical could be more than enough to knock their socks off.
8. Attend A Play Or Recital
These dramatical live shows are always full of thrill, production value and drama. Your date will remember this one for years to come.
9. Play Mini Golf
Here’s another classic date idea that shouldn’t be ignored. It may not be the most thrilling or adrenalin-pumping idea on the planet but the chilled vibe is a nice enough way to hold a good attentive conversation while shooting holes.
10. Try A Poetry Reading
Poetry is an expression of feelings, particularly love, in a beautiful and artistic way. They resonate with our souls and remind us to hold onto the hope of true love.
If you would like a step-by-step explanation on how to get an ex back or to re-attract someone who lost interest, grab a copy of my ebook called Reconcile. I put this guide together for serious students of the game who want to cut through the fluff and get results in their love life. Click Here To Check It Out!Â
11. Go For Bowling
Bowling is fun and competitive. A healthy competition between you and your date could really help build sexual tension and attraction.
12. Visit Different Restaurants
You don’t have to settle for just one place to eat. You could hit 2 or 3 different places for starters, main course and dessert. By the end of the night, it would feel as if you went on 3 dates.
13. Check Out Food Popup Stalls
If you’re dating a foodie, there’s no better way to win their heart than through their stomach. Food popup stalls are usually delicious, affordable and in a fun location.
14. Play Games At The Arcade
Dating is fun. Arcade games trigger nostalgia. Mix the two and you and reignite those childhood memories and feelings with your date.
15. Visit An Art Gallery
A picture says a thousand words and art galleries, especially new openings, tend to be a hot spot for the finer things in life.
16. Have A Candlelit Dinner
Candlelit dinners epitomize romantic dates. There’s no better way of setting the mood for the night than by a romantic candlelit dinner
17. Take A Craft Class Together
I wasn’t sure I’m much of a craft person until I actually tried it. The classes are often fun and you get to make something cute for your date. That’s a win-win situation.
18. Plant A Garden Together
Gardening is a fun way to get your hands dirty while doing something wholesome with your date.
19. Go Out On A Food Truck Tasting Session
Some of the best fast food you will ever taste will be from a food truck. You can take your date for a taste of Indian, Chinese, Mexican and Italian food all in one night.
20. Take A Cooking Class Together
While we’re on the topic of food, cooking classes are another fun way to collaborate with your date to make something delicious. This is a great way to form some rapport and a connection fast.
21. Visit A Haunted House
I know it’s cliche but there’s no better way to get someone to cling to you than by taking them for a horror movie or to a haunted house. It works, that’s what matters.
22. Go To The Funfair
I can’t think of a single person who doesn’t have a fond memory at the funfair. The lights, music, fun rides, cheerful laughter and candyfloss are all a recipe for romance.
23. Volunteer
Show your thoughtful and considerate side by volunteering to do something good with your date.
24. Go Ziplining
Ziplining is a thrilling, scary, fun, exciting, jaw-dropping and picturesque experience.
25. Paint Together
Painting is just as fun as cooking together. You get to play around, paint cute portraits together and have a good clean time.
26. Play Trivia Together
Test your date knowledge and get some healthy competition brewing with a few fun rounds of trivia. You can check out the world’s largest online trivia quiz game right here.
27. Play Some Pool At The Bar
Drinks and a game of pool is another surefire first date idea that is chilled and affordable.
28. Go To The Amusement Park
Amusement parks are packed with fun things to do and I bet a rollercoaster ride is something your date will enjoy beyond words.
29. Visit The Zoo
If you’re going on a first date with a pet lover, trust me, the zoo can be heaven for them.
30. Go To A Flea Market
Flea markets are like the fun and exciting version of window shopping at the mall. The buzz of the market place just exudes good vibes.
31. Visit A Jazz Club
Jazz clubs are oddly sexy and intimate. The slow-burning vibe of jazz doesn’t overpower a good conversation over drinks.
32. Watch A Live Sports Game
I once attended an indoor soccer match with a date and we both had a great time. Ideally, live soccer, football or basketball match of a local team is one of the best first date ideas out there.
33. Trampoline Park
Jump your way into your partner’s heart at the trampoline park.
34. Have A Campfire
A warm and romantic campfire under the stars during a cold winter night is a wonderful date idea.
35. Go On A Hot Air Balloon Ride
If you really want to pull out all the stops and blow your date away, then a hot air balloon ride will be the most memorable first date ever.
36. Go To A Fun Club
I’m not a club person but I can’t deny that many people have a blast with high energy music, dancing and drinks.
37. Cook Together At Your Place
Instead of going out, invite your date over to your place and cook together. That way, you can avoid the nerves of being out in public while trying to impress your date.
38. Go Hiking
If you’re going on a first date with someone who loves nature, a therapeutic hike through the mountains is a solid idea.
39. Go Running
Exercise and fitness fanatics find romance on a run. I mean, it’s one of the ways to get hot and sweaty with your date, right?
40. Dark Dining
Dark dining is a unique experience because it takes place in a dark restaurant. It’s a weird and oddly interesting first date worth trying. You don’t get to see the food you’re eating. The idea is to depend on and enhance your other senses during the dining experience. You can read more about it here.
41. Play Twister
If you’re really trying to get up close with your date, twister might be the best non-intrusive way of going about it.
42. Go Dancing
Show off your dance skills and create some strong sexual attraction with dancing. Alternately, if you can’t dance, go for a dance class together.
43. Go Paintball
Paintball matches are fun, exciting and oddly stress relieving. Not everyone is up for it but if your date is game, do it!
44. Visit The Shooting Range
You’d be surprised how thrilling and fun it is to shoot a gun at the shooting range. With the right date, you’ll have the time of your life.
45. Stargaze With Snacks
Picture sitting outside at night, under the starlit sky, sipping on something delicious while eating chocolates and grapes with your date.
46. Go On A Boat Ride
Boat rides out at sea or in the bay area is always a nice first date idea. I’ve tried it and loved it.
47. Go To A Waterpark
If your date has no problems with getting wet and wild at the waterpark, then absolutely do it.
48. Visit The Botanical Gardens
A lot of first dates possibly end with a romantic kiss. Can you think of a better place to get to know someone and finally kiss them?
49. Go Sightseeing Different Locations
You don’t have to always spend alot of money on expensive dinners when you can take your date sightseeing the hot spots in your town while eating delicious food truck meals and stopping at different coffee shops for a top-up of caffeine.
50. Go For A Train Ride
Where I live, train rides aren’t as common. We spend most of our time stuck in cars. Taking a train ride breaks that monotony and offers a new exciting first date experience.
What’s Your Idea Of A Perfect First Date?
Dating can be an extremely fun and rewarding experience if you just take the time to plan it to your heart’s content. I hope you found this list of first date ideas to be useful and it helps you impress the new woman or man in your life.
Before you head off, you might want to check my extensive guide on dating tips for shy guys or my step by step system of getting over someone so that you can enter the dating game with a renewed sense of vigor.