20 First Date Ideas That Will Make Your Date Swoon

A first date can be full of excitement and anticipation. But, if you are the one in charge of planning it, you might also be filled with trepidation. Don’t worry – worst case scenario you fall back on a low key first date idea, like grabbing a drink or taking a leisurely walk. Even if you go for a very basic first date, remember that the most important thing you have to offer is – YOU. 

If it’s been a while and you need a dating primer, here are the basics of How to Date.

If you are in the mood to impress though, consider introducing your date to an interesting experience they may not have had before. Sharing fuller and more adventurous first dates can pave the way for a novel experience and definitely create some swoon! 

Try one of the below 20 first date ideas – they are all bound to awe. Having something to do that’s fun and thrilling may also help you spark more of a connection.  

Is There a Perfect First Date Idea?

There is no such thing as a generic perfect first date idea. But to make the experience as perfect as possible, you’ll want to find out as much as you can about your date’s interests, abilities, and comfort.

Also, the more relaxed and present you are on your date, the better. Focus on enjoying the company and yourself, and allowing the conversation to flow naturally. 

To make it easy, below first date ideas give you many creative options. You’ll find new ideas, plus a few of the classics, but with a twist thrown in to spice it up.

25 Creative & Fun First Date Ideas for Anyone

Embodied or Active First Date Ideas: 

A great way to get the chemistry flowing between you and your love interest is to choose experiences that bring you more into your body. Getting your bodies moving, and especially moving together, can be an awesome way to start building a connection. Here are some great body-centric dates ideas:

• Go dancing – shaking your booty together is one of the classics. A great twist on this is taking a partner dance class. It’s a good idea to do at least 4 classes on your own to get an idea of the basics. It can also be very impressive to have a few moves up your sleeve. One thing to consider: you’re likely to have to switch partners throughout the class. Make sure to discuss this with your date, and decide whether you’re both going to be comfortable with that.
  
• Take a yoga class – if you feel like being centered, limber, and maybe a little sweaty on your first date, you can try a yoga class together. Some studios offer partner classes, where you do some or all of the poses and stretching together. 
  
• Go hiking – taking a hike together with a first date can be invigorating. And it’s a nice change, if you’re tired of meeting indoors all the time. A fun twist can be rock climbing, at a climbing gym or outdoors, depending on your own and your date’s skill level.
  
• Go for a nature stroll – while going for a simple walk is definitely a classic, you can up the ante by visiting a botanical garden or sauntering through an aquarium or zoo.
  
• Do something sporty – though it can be a bit dicey to have a competitive activity on a date, consider doing sports-oriented together if you think that it’ll fit your date’s personality. Mini-golf, bowling, axe throwing, going to the batting cages, or even playing pool are all solid options (see below on how to make this sexy and / or silly).
  
• Take a scenic bike ride – if you know your date likes to bike, taking a ride through a scenic local park could be fun. If you don’t own your own, most cities have bike rental spots.
  

Arts & Culture Dates:

• Visit a museum – this is definitely considered a classic date option. But… consider spicing it up by finding a lesser well-known or downright weird museum, like the ones on this list.
  
• Check out an art gallery – galleries can be great conversation starters because they’re basically full of Rorschach tests. In other words – you can tell a lot about a person based on how they react to art.
  
• Go to the theater – whether you enjoy a big production or prefer an out of the way local theater company, watching a play together can give you just the opportunity you were hoping for to reach over and hold your date’s hand.
  
• Find a landmark that’s unique to your city and go explore it with your date – like an alley full of murals, a mystery house, or a famous street.
  
• Live music – another dating classic is to listen to live music at a local bar or club. If you want something groovy, try a local jazz club. To make it unique, experiment with a drumming circle – swoon your date with making the music yourselves.
  

Foodie Dates:

• Share a meal together – going out to dinner is a stand-by option for any first date. It can run the gamut from grabbing tacos to finding a unique dining experience. Creative ideas include a Spanish restaurant with a flamenco dinner show, a themed restaurant, or even a secret restaurant like this one (located behind a fake pawn shop in San Francisco).
  Less high-stakes options like lunch can be great too – like a brunch with bellinis or a dim sum lunch. You could also try something sweet like a specialty ice cream shop, or one of the many new dessert restaurants that have been popping up.
  
• Cook the food yourself – inviting someone over for dinner may be a great way to show off your culinary skills. Consider however that many people aren’t ready to go to someone’s home for a first date. A fun way to play it safe while wooing them with your gastronomical prowess is to take a cooking class together. Just remember though – there are certain foods that increase your libido, so you might want to put oysters, avocados, or chocolate on the menu…
  
• Grab coffee together – while you can get a cup of joe just about anywhere, foraging for a unique cafe with specialty coffees makes for a fun first date quest. It’s a great reward to find that perfect cardamom latte, or introduce someone to their first Turkish coffee. As a twist, find a boba shop or chai or matcha tea house. For an elevated option, you can try for high tea at a British tea house.
  
• Sample a food truck park – if you don’t want to settle on a specific food option, or are in the mood for something hip and casual, consider one of the many food truck parks. You can grab something from 4 different trucks and have a sampling party. Plus, often, there’s a great IPA close by to wash down all that deliciousness.
  

Unique & Memorable First Date Ideas:

• Go stargazing – seeing constellations together can be as simple as laying a blanket down in a backyard. But for a more extravagant outing, schedule a tour with a local observatory where you can look at stars and planets through a telescope. Keep your eye out for a shooting star and invite your date to make a wish! 
  
• Check out a farmers market – if you want to create a down to earth experience with a date that’s also good for the planet, go to a farmer’s market. Here, you can buy some delicious fruit straight from the farmers who grew it. Some markets even have entertainment! So stroll around, find a nice bench to sit on, and feed each other the strawberries and nectarines you bought.
  
• Take an art class – if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, there are lots of places you can make or decorate the pottery piece of your choice. Art classes where they will walk you and your date through the steps to complete a particular piece of art in an hour or two also abound. Painting classes often come with a cocktail you can sip while you paint. At the end, you can even gift exchange your creation – so you’ve already given each other a first gift to be remembered by!
  
• Create a picnic experience – a sumptuous picnic by the ocean, lake, or any body of water can be a very sweet and memorable dating experience. In absence of water, any beautiful park will do.  

Funny First Date Ideas

Laughter can be a hugely bonding experience. Aside from the obvious comedy and improv shows, look for first date ideas that will offer an opportunity for shared laughter. 

For example, let’s say you go to play pool. Make a rule that each of you has to make a silly or sexy poses whenever you mess up a shot.

Romantic First Date Ideas

Most of the above first date ideas can also be turned into romantic first date ideas.

To add more romance, think of the atmosphere you want to create. Got to a restaurant that has more of a romantic vibe – somewhere with lowlights and candles on the table. You can always bring a single rose or a bunch of flowers to give to your date as a way to make it more romantic. And some dates are just inherently romantic, like stargazing. Others are a bit less so – perhaps avoid the axe-throwing…

Ultimately, romance is more about the kindness you show than the place you go. You can ask a person what their ideal date looks like – and then orchestrate it for them. Simple gestures include opening the door for your date, helping them on and off with their coat, or pulling out their chair. You can also give a romantic compliment, like “you are so enchanting” or “I love being here with you.”

Pro Tips for a Stellar First Date

A few quick tips to make your date a success:

• Be timely! It’s no fun waiting for a date. Tardiness can sour the whole experience from the very beginning. If you are going to be late, make sure you text with plenty of lead time, so they wait at home – instead of at the restaurant or venue. 
• Dress to impress – this doesn’t mean you need to dress up though you can. Dressing down in a way that pays attention to what you will be doing can be a great look. Just make sure your clothes are clean and smell good. 
• Pay more attention to hygiene – make sure your breath is sparkling fresh, your hair is clean and styled. Even if you like the tousled look, make sure you do it well. Slobbiness can be a huge turn-off.
• Pay less attention to phones – consider keeping your phone out of view, and turning the ringer off all the way instead of on vibrate. Texts and other notifications can be massively distracting – and it’s so nice to feel fully embodied and present on a date. 
• Listen with interest – bonus points if you can show empathy and ask thoughtful questions.

How To End a First Date

Now that you have a long and thorough list of great date ideas in many different genres and price ranges – from free to fancy – you have no excuses! Get out there, meet some folks, and have some fun.

When choosing which date you want to go on, find one that resonates with you, reflects your personality, and feels right – and is also based on what you know about the person you’re going to meet. 

Just a note on how to end a first date: regardless of how the date went, check in and see if your date wants to be walked to their car, or wait for them to be picked up if they’ve called a ride. If it was fun, make sure to thank the person for a delightful time. Then, check out the vibe and see if you want to give a hug goodbye or perhaps end with a sweet, sexy kiss. Pay attention to how you feel and to the body language of the other person, and only do what feels right.

Finally, if it was a good connection and you are hoping for more, you can always send a sweet text about getting home safe and looking forward to the next time.

Work with a Dating Coach

Unsure of your dating prowess in general? Do yourself a favor and book a session with a dating coach.

They can help you really clarify your desires and approach. And, perhaps even more importantly – they can give you great tools (like flirting tips!) and honest feedback about how you are coming across.

What To Do Next:

• Book a session with a Certified Dating Coach 
• Read the books Making Love Real and Coming Together
• Take one of our Sex & Relationship Classes