If your first date with a special someone is just a few days away, chances are you’ve been racking your brain for some crazy ideas to spend the big day.
The first date is make-or-break. And a good date sets a precedent for a lifetime of memories.
However nerve-wracking it may be, first dates are where you want to make the best impression. A lot can happen on your first date. You may be laughing at a joke when suddenly it dawns on you that this person is the ‘one.’
Fast forward to many years ahead; you might look back on your first date where the magic began.
The first look, the first of many kisses; where would you want it to be? Well, let’s find out!
27 Best First Date Ideas
Impress your partner with a brilliant first date. This way, they’ll remember you fondly, regardless of whether or not it worked out.
1. Exchange Your Hobbies
First dates are all about getting to know one another. What better way than to split your day enjoying each other’s favorite pastime.
You can take a break and have a meal in between to enjoy your date to the fullest.
2. The Classic Movie and Dinner Date
This one never gets old—and for a good reason.
We all adore Barack and Michelle Obama’s love story. Theirs, too, began with Spike’s Lee, Do The Right Thing.
“Barack showed all the sides. Michelle said. “He was hip, cutting-edge, cultural, sensitive, … patient.”
A movie date has the potential to show you various sides of a person. Their quirks, humor, and most importantly, if they are a crier during movies.
What if they ask too many questions during a movie? It may be a deal-breaker for some, but there’s a good chance someone will find their other “pea in a pod.”
3. Take a Walk
In the wise words of Aerosmith, “Walk this way”… to the park.
Walking is one of the best ways to bond with your person.
Research shows how a humble walk on a first date can help woo your partner without conversation. Plus, you can impress your partner by breaking a sweat, literally.
Associate Professor Chia-Huei Tseng, who worked on this research, claimed, “Walking side by side without a conversation is enough to promote social impression with a stranger. However, the conversation has its value – when synchronized walking includes an ice-breaking conversation, the social impression is enhanced even more.”
4. Cook Together
When in doubt, eat!
And when on a first date, cook.
Run to the grocery store, gather a couple of ingredients, and cook together. During the process, you’ll get to know so much about your date while also enjoying their company. Plus, both of you will reap the benefits of your hard work.
5. Dance
Or you can learn to dance.
Dancing is one of the hottest activities you can do with your partner. You’ll both be sweaty, panting, and high on energy.
What’s the worst that can happen? (Apart from some serious toe-stepping, then I can’t guarantee a second date.) Joking!
6. Draw Each Other’s Portrait
Drawing each other is fun and a good way to learn how they see you.
You’ll be surprised to know that they’re able to see a hidden mole on your face, a slight dimple on your cheek, or something you thought people barely noticed about you.
It doesn’t matter if you’re not good at drawing. You’ll still end up having a good time while laughing at your artistic attempts.
7. Laugh
If you and your partner are up for it, hit a comedy club for a night full of laughter. Make sure to check it with your partner first before setting up a date. Some people find stand-up comedy offensive and childish.
8. Yoga
It might be a bit of a stretch, but couple yoga can help take your love life to another level.
How? you may ask.
There’ll be heat; there’ll be flexibility; and most importantly, there’ll be romance.
9. Visit a Pier
Breezy, vibrant, romantic ambiance. Is there any reason not to visit a pier on a first date?
Plus, you could always offer (or accept) a coat if it gets chilly. The one chivalrous act that melts everyone. And, if you want to see them again, you can always forget to return the coat.
10. Go Stargazing
It doesn’t matter if you don’t know any constellations. Just point to a group of stars and say, “Do you know that one’s called Orion’s belt?”
Chances are they’ll be impressed anyway!
Okay, jokes aside, stargazing is one of the loveliest ways to spend your first date. You are calm and peaceful, completely in the zone. And it is super romantic to stare into the midnight blue sky while watching glittering specks of dust. Sigh.
11. Hang Out
Did you know James Cordon and Julia Carey had a first date where they did nothing but hang out all day and planned the rest of their lives together?
“Jules and I never went on dates. The night we met, we talked about how we were both bored of going out all the time and that we were going out too much, and we were drinking too much and having too good of a time,” the comedian said.
This shows you don’t need to overspend on flowers and dinner dates. Just simply being in each other’s company can tell you whether you’d like to see them again or not.
12. Throw An Ax.
Um, yeah, literally. Ax throwing is a Canadian sport (and it’s totally legal).
While I just recently heard about it myself, it’s a great way to show strength, which might end up impressing your partner.
13. Bike
Biking is a super fun way to spend time with one another. With the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, you’re winding down the parking lane together, laughing.
What a super cute date idea.
14. Go to a library
I’ll be completely honest here; this one has been my fantasy for the longest time. Unfortunately, none of my dating partners were into reading, so this idea never appealed to them.
But maybe you lucky nerds can enjoy this date idea.
Go to a library together, pick out your favorite books, and give them to each other to read. On the next date, you’ll have so much to talk about. Plus, you’ll also get to know about their taste and preferences.
15. Boat Ride
Whether it’s a motor boat, a ferry ride, or even a paddle boat, boat riding can be a fun experience.
There’s something so romantic and charming about the water. It sets a quiet, gentle vibe for talking and sharing your thoughts, dreams, and plans.
16. Visit an Art Gallery
If you and your date appreciate art, hit up some local art galleries. You’ll enjoy culture, aesthetics, and, best of all, something to converse about. Plus, art is the perfect ice-breaker.
You’ll seem interesting, and the experience will be something to talk about on the next dates.
17. Go to an Aquarium
Want to make a fairytale come true? Visit the aquarium. You’ll end up having a really great time with your human partner.
Okay, Little Mermaid reference aside, visiting an aquarium can be such a cool first date. Look at sea creatures together and be amazed by the marine life while holding hands.
18. Sing Karaoke
If you invite your date to do karaoke and they accept, chances are they are very ballsy. Rarely do people ever show their “off-key” side on the first date. But hey, it’s raw, honest, and a super fun way to spend the day.
19. Go to a Winery or Brewery
Take your date to a brewery or winery and learn something new together. You’ll also learn about each other’s favorite wine, which you can have on later dates.
The best part about this activity is that it only lasts for an hour. This means you have ample time to figure out if you have chemistry together and would like to see each other again.
20. Go to an Arcade
Let out your inner child and hit up an arcade together. Have a playful competition, and the winner gets to choose where to dine out.
This way, you’ll have worked up an appetite and will no longer feel the need for strained conversation. It will naturally flow.
21. Go to a Coffee Shop
Having a coffee shop meet-cute seems like an idea straight out of a romance novel. There may be the pressure of what to say and how to break the ice, but we have you covered.
Try these questions whenever you feel the conversation has come to an awkward pause:
- Tell me some random facts about yourself?
- What’s the worst date you’ve ever been on?
- Do you have pets?
- What is your favorite place?
- What are you looking for in a life partner?
- Can you cook?
- What’s your favorite childhood memory?
- Do you believe in love at first sight?
- What is your idea of happiness?
- What’s your dream vacation?
22. Thrift Store Shopping
If you love shopping, then hit up a thrift store. Find goodwill nearby and give each other a time limit, say 30 minutes.
Find the craziest outfit you can for each other and wear them to dinner. The one who wins gets to pick dinner.
23. Go Ice Skating
If you’re not scared of falling smack on your butt, then go ice skating. It’ll be fun learning a new activity together. You can always go for a coffee or hot chocolate right after.
24. Skydiving
Best date ever?
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, go skydiving or bungee jumping. You’ll establish yourself as the official “coolest” date ever.
How awesome would it be if you overcome your fear of heights together?
25. Visit a Planetarium
Pique your date’s interest by taking them to a planetarium.
A dark, quiet room with glittering lights above. Romantic? no?
Planetariums are one of my favorite places. You can learn so much about constellations and astronomy and appreciate the wonders of our universe hand in hand.
26. Find a View
There are multiple options to find a gorgeous view to look at together. You can take a Ferris wheel ride, go on a rooftop, or hike up a hill.
You’ll not only have an amazing adventurous time together, but at the end of your breath-taking efforts, you’ll have a spectacular view to look at together.
27. Enjoy a spa day
The possibilities of what to do at the spa are endless. You can have a couple’s massage, enjoy a sauna, or dip in the jacuzzi. It’s the perfect place to unwind after an exhausting day. And you’ll both be refreshed at the end of it.
After that, you can hit up a restaurant for a dinner date. You’ll both feel light and relaxed. And the conversation will flow much more easily over a glass of wine, leading to a wonderful end to a perfect first date.
What is the Three-Date Rule?
Are you familiar with Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City? If not, then let me brief you on her famous three-date rule.
If you have watched this show, chances are you already know what I’m talking about.
This gorgeous but clumsy blonde character shared great wisdom that has reverberated in the dating world.
The three-date rule states that both parties should not have sex until at least the third date. After that, they are free to have sex if they choose without worrying about being ghosted.
The third date rule is all about setting boundaries and what works for you.
The rule typically applies to women more than to men. You may call it double standards, but the reality is women are far more likely to be judged for having sex on their first date than men.
On the one hand, if women do not conform to this rule, they’ll be labeled as sluts, while men are likely to get away with a slap on the back and the title of ‘womanizer.’
Now how did this rule come to be? The dating world is complex. If you offer sex on the first date, then there’s a chance the relationship goes to a standstill—a one-night stand that has low chances of developing into a relationship.
So the rule originated for women to be cautious about investing in or going all-in on a dating partner who might not be relationship material.
To follow or not to follow?
Getting to the third date is a milestone achieved. The first date is too early to tell whether you’ve found the one. By the third date, you’re likely to know where the relationship is headed and whether or not you’ll be seeing each other.
While the rule has no scientific basis or, in any case, is legitimate, some women still consider the 3-date rule binding.
Some women discard the rule as nothing is set in stone. What if you do sleep together on the first date and find out you have great chemistry and sexual compatibility.
So, in the end, it’s up to you and your partner whether you want to wait it out or get into it right off the bat.
Is it Okay to Kiss on Your First Date?
“Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars.”
You’re having the best time of your life; sparks are flying, wine is served, and you’re feeling giddy.
Is your partner going to kiss you? Or should you even kiss on the first date? Is it too soon?
While we don’t know the exact pragmatics of your love life, you can read on some points whether you’d like to go forward with a kiss or not.
- Check out the vibe: A kissing expert says, “If there’s no ‘kiss me!’ vibe, then the kiss should be pushed to the back burner. Sometimes people feel a tad shy or may be more reserved, so best not to rush the moment.”—Andréa Demirjian.
- Chemistry: the sparks between you two, compatibility, and comfort level dictate whether you should lean in for a peck.
- Go with your gut: Listen to your gut. Just go with the flow and be in the moment. Over-thinking can ruin the beauty of the moment, so trust yourself and go with it.
- Leave them curious: Regardless of how much you both want it, you can leave your partner wanting more. This builds excitement and curiosity. What will it be like when you finally kiss? What will they taste like?
- Enjoy: A kiss is nothing more than a kiss. Some people don’t like to read too much into things and would rather live in the moment. There’s no harm or foul in kissing on the first date. If you feel like it, lean in and enjoy your kiss.
Conclusion
First dates are exciting and have the potential to turn out to be the best day of your life. You never know, you might end up finding your soul mate or a really good friend.
Nevertheless, first dates are hard to forget. Let it be because of time well spent.
Up your game with these brilliant first date ideas and take your love life to the next level. And if all goes well, you’ll want to text them shortly after!
