You’ve been messaging, video chatting, have become friends on your social media accounts, and have even exchanged phone numbers. Now, you’ve decided to meet up in person for a real-life first date. And first dates can be stressful. Where will you go? What will you do? Choosing the venue may be a bit of a challenge, but here are eight ideas that might just work.
Safety First
Before we delve into the eight great ideas, let’s look at some safety precautions. You met this date on an online dating app. Now, almost all reputable apps have certain safety measures in place. For example, Taimi, the largest LGBTQ+ app, verifies the identity of its users and urges them to report any inappropriate activity. Still, trolls and bad actors can slip in. So, for that first date, arrange to arrive separately and in a public setting with others around, especially if the date is at night. This goes for both males and females.
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With that out of the way, let’s unpack some very cool and unique first date ideas.
Great Idea 1: Paint and Sip Party
No one needs to be any kind of an artist to produce a good painting under the tutelage of a good instructor. This is a couples’ thing, although other groups participate too. One of the reasons it is such a good choice is that it takes the anxiety and stress out of keeping a conversation going during those awkward lulls. The two of you can laugh, joke, and get to know each other in a very casual environment. And there’s no worry about how to dress. The cost? Pretty reasonable for the canvas, paints, and your choice of wines or beers.
Great Idea 2: Take a Cooking Class
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This is along the same lines as the paint and sip date, except that you will cook something together – usually a gourmet meal that you would never cook on your own. Again, you are in a group environment that is safe. And it allows you to act as a couple too, with your own side conversations, laughs, and even some intimate flirting.
Great Idea 3: Meet Up at a Flea Market
It may sound a bit weird but you may find out a lot about each other at a flea market – from choices of clothing and food, to tastes in “toys,” baseball caps and other sports memorabilia, books, items that speak to hobbies, and even décor. A flea market can easily be a half-day long date, with lots of opportunities for conversation, even in a large public environment.
Great Idea 4: Volunteering
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Do you volunteer at an animal shelter or tutor school kids, deliver “Meals on Wheels,” work in a soup kitchen, or participate in “Habitat for Humanity?” Maybe you each have a favorite cause that you volunteer for. Even if one of you has not, one can invite the other to volunteer with them. Again, being involved in an activity that benefits the community in some way gives both some insight into the other to see if a second date is a good idea. When one is really committed to community service and the other sees it as a waste of time, chances are this isn’t a good match.
Great Idea 5: Consider a Group Date to an Escape Room
Escape rooms get extremely high marks from reviewers. Participants can choose from hundreds of scenarios, so pick one that both of you will like. Then each of you invites another couple to join in. Here’s what you will learn about each other: Is your date a good “team player?” Is the couple your date chose fun to be with? Does your friend couple like your date? Top off this adventure with dinner or drinks and get to know each other even better.
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Great Idea 6: Take a Day River Cruise
If there is a river nearby this is an ideal day date. Why? Because evening cruises have a romantic environment and you may not be ready for that yet. On the other hand, if you are ready for a more romantic date, go for it. Still, arrive separately, so that you have your own transportation home.
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Without the option of a river cruise, you may be happy renting a boat and going fishing on a lake. Or, if the lake is big enough, there will also be jet skis to rent. This only works in warm weather, whereas the river cruises are set up for all seasons in many parts of the country.
Great Idea 7: Go to an Arcade or Amusement Park
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So, this is not a romantic date, of course, but for keeping things light and fun, this is an ideal setting. You can “compete” with each other on a go-kart track or at some of the booths. You can see who freaks out first on some of the more daring rides. If you are really enjoying each other, there’s nothing to say that the date can’t end with a great kiss and hug and even setting up that second date.
Great Idea 8: Have a Fancy Dinner at Multiple Places
If you want to get more formal, choose three restaurants – one for appetizers, one for the main course, and one for dessert. Leave your cars at the first spot and uber to the other two, then back to your cars. This is much more fun than a regular dinner date, and you still have time to talk and get to know each other.
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Any of These Work for You?
At least one of these should appeal to you. And all of them should eliminate some of the stress that those first dates cause.