It's totally normal if first dates feel a little nerve-wracking to you. This simple getting-to-know-you ritual could lead to your next long-term relationship, introduce you to your soulmate, or land you in your group chat’s Dating Disaster Hall of Fame. The possibilities are endless!
And while no, you can’t exactly guarantee sparks will fly, you can stack the odds in your favor by choosing the right date activity. And honestly? Cocktails or awkwardly splitting an appetizer isn’t always the most memorable way to make a first impression. Enter: Our master list of the best first date ideas that aren’t drinks or dinner.
Sure, grabbing a bite is The Classic First Date™, but it can feel a little stale at best and suffocating at worst. (Ever realized within minutes that there’s no chemistry but had to suffer through an entire meal of small talk anyway? Yeah, not ideal.) Since the whole point of a first date is to see if there’s potential for future dates, why not make it a little more interesting?
That’s why this list is rich with options: flirty dates that take the pressure off, give you something to focus on when conversation lulls, and let you see a different side of your maybe-future partner—whether that’s their competitive streak, creativity, or ability to function outdoors. Plus, when your first date is actually fun, it’s way more likely to lead to a second date (and away from setting the foundation for a confusing situationship—IYKYK).
So whether you’re looking for something budget-friendly, adventurous, or just plain fun, here are 45 first date ideas that don’t involve overpriced drinks or candlelit discussions about the weather.
Outdoor First Date Ideas
1. Take a Scenic Hike
If you’re both outdoorsy (or at least willing to pretend for the day), a hike is a solid way to get to know each other without the pressure of forced conversation. Plus, the scenic views make for a great backdrop if you need a "Hey, look at that!" moment to break the silence. Just make sure it’s a public trail with enough foot traffic to ensure you’re, you know, not totally in the middle of nowhere with a first date.
2. Go Roller Skating
Whether you’re a pro or can barely stay upright, roller skating is one of those dates that guarantees laughs, nostalgia, and a built-in excuse to hold hands. Bonus points if you find a retro rink with disco lights and a DJ spinning early 2000s bangers.
3. Go Kayaking or Paddle Boarding
If you’re down for something a little more adventurous, renting kayaks or paddle boards is a great way to bond while getting some fresh air. You’ll quickly find out if your date has a hidden athletic streak… or if they’re the type to immediately tip over and laugh it off. Either way, it’s a memory in the making.
4. Take an Outdoor Adventure Course
If you’re both down for something a little outside the box, an outdoor ropes course or adventure park is the perfect mix of fun and flirty. You’ll climb, zip, and balance your way through obstacles, which makes for instant teamwork (or a hilarious “Wow, I have zero upper body strength” moment). Plus, conquering a challenge together? Total bonding material.
5. Try Goat Yoga (or Any Animal-Inspired Workout)
Stretching while tiny goats climb on your back? Absolutely. Whether it’s puppy yoga, alpaca therapy, or some other animal-adjacent fitness class, it’s the perfect mix of fun and ridiculousness to break the ice.
6. Take a Ferry Ride
A scenic ferry ride gives you all the romantic vibes of a boat date without the commitment of an all-day cruise. You can soak up the views, enjoy the fresh air, and—if the convo is flowing—hop off and explore wherever you land.
7. Go Horseback Riding
If your date is down for a little adventure, a horseback riding session can be equal parts romantic and hilarious. Bonus: You’ll immediately learn if they’re the type to gracefully ride into the sunset… or cling to the saddle for dear life.
8. Try a Stand-Up Paddle Board Yoga Class
If you’re both up for a challenge (and don’t mind getting a little wet), this date idea is equal parts fun and hilarious. Whether you manage to hold a pose or immediately topple into the water, it’s an instant bonding experience.
Artsy First Date Ideas
9. Take a Pottery Class
Ghost moment or not, getting your hands dirty with clay is a fun way to break the first date mold (heh). You’ll get to see each other’s creative side (or lack thereof), and at the very least, you’ll leave with a wonky-looking handmade keepsake.
10. Go to a Comedy Show
A shared sense of humor is a solid indicator of chemistry, so why not test it out with a night of stand-up? Plus, the built-in entertainment takes the pressure off constant conversation—so even if the date is a dud, at least you’ll get some laughs out of it.
11. Check Out a Flea Market or Vintage Fair
Walking through booths of quirky antiques and retro fashion gives you plenty of conversation starters. You can swap stories about weird childhood toys, pick out outfits for each other, or just see how they react to an extremely cursed-looking porcelain doll.
12. Take a Dance Class
You don’t have to be Dancing with the Stars material to have fun with this one. Whether it’s salsa, ballroom, or a TikTok-worthy hip-hop class, you’ll get a chance to loosen up, laugh at yourselves, and maybe even share a cute moment or two.
13. Visit a Drive-In or Outdoor Movie
Regular movie dates can feel like a cop-out (sitting in silence for two hours? Yawn), but a drive-in or outdoor screening gives you the chance to chat, cuddle up under a blanket, and sneak in some flirty side-eye moments. Bonus points if you bring your own snacks instead of paying $12 for popcorn.
14. Go Thrift Shopping and Pick Out Outfits for Each Other
This is the ultimate test of humor and taste. You can either go full America’s Next Top Model mode and try to style them in something cute or lean into the chaos and make them try on the most unhinged outfit you can find. Either way, it’s a guaranteed laugh.
15. Take a Painting or Art Class
This one is perfect whether you’re actually artsy or just there for the chaotic vibes. Maybe one of you creates a masterpiece, or maybe you both end up with something that looks like a preschooler’s fridge art—either way, it’s a cute and interactive way to get to know each other.
16. Take a Pole Dancing or Aerial Silks Class
Hear me out—this one is not only fun, but also a ridiculous way to bond over mutual embarrassment (unless one of you is randomly amazing at it). You’ll cheer each other on, get in a good workout, and probably walk away with a few funny stories to tell.
17. Take a Glassblowing or Metalworking Class
Channel your inner artistic genius (or just try not to burn yourself) while crafting something one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s a blown-glass ornament or a DIY metal ring, you’ll walk away with both a keepsake and a fun story.
18. Go to a DIY Candle-Making Workshop
You’ll get to customize scents, mix wax, and create something cute to take home. If the date goes well, your candle becomes a sweet little reminder of the time you spent together—if not, well, at least your apartment will smell amazing.
19. Go to a Cat Café (or a Dog Café, If That’s More Your Vibe)
If your date loves animals, this is an instant win. You’ll be too busy fawning over adorable kittens to worry about any awkward silences, and honestly, if they don’t like animals, is that…a red flag?
Foodie First Date Ideas
20. Take a Cooking Class
Instead of sitting through an awkward dinner, actually make the food together. Whether you’re perfecting pasta or rolling sushi, you’ll get hands-on interaction, built-in conversation, and—bonus—you can see how they handle a little heat.
21. Do a DIY Food Tour
Instead of committing to a full dinner, hop from one food truck or restaurant to another and try small bites along the way. It’s a great way to explore a new neighborhood, plus there’s zero pressure to sit through an entire meal if things aren’t clicking.
22. Visit a Farmers Market
Wandering through stalls of fresh produce, handmade candles, and niche artisanal snacks is way more fun than awkwardly sitting across from each other at a restaurant. You’ll get a feel for each other’s taste (literally) while supporting local vendors, and if things go well, you can grab ingredients to cook something together later.
23. Sign Up for a Wine or Beer Tasting
Okay, yes, technically this involves drinks, but it’s way more interactive than just sitting at a bar. You’ll get to sample different varieties, compare notes (“This one tastes—expensive?”), and maybe even discover a shared favorite. Just pace yourself—no one wants a first date that turns into an accidental blackout.
24. Do a DIY Dessert Scavenger Hunt
Who says dinner has to be the main event? Pick a few dessert spots and hop from one to the next, sampling different sweets along the way. Make it your mission to find your favorite cookie, cake, or ice cream, or simply try to discover the best sweet in the city. Sugar rush and a fun first date? Win-win.
25. Try a Cooking Challenge at Home
If you’re cool with doing a casual date at home, make it interesting by turning it into a mini Chopped situation. Pick random ingredients, set a timer, and see who can make something actually edible. Worst case? You order pizza and laugh about it.
26. Have a Sunset Picnic With a Twist
Instead of just bringing snacks, make it an activity: one person brings drinks, the other brings surprise food items (mystery charcuterie board, anyone?). Pick a scenic spot, soak in the sunset, and enjoy a low-key but super romantic first date.
27. Go to a Retro Drive-In Diner
Picture this: milkshakes, burgers, and a little vintage charm—all from the comfort of your car. A drive-in diner date has that Grease-coded, old-school romance feel, minus the pressure of a formal sit-down meal. Bonus points if you share fries.
Competitive First Date Ideas
28. Go Mini Golfing
A little competition never hurt anyone, and mini golf is the perfect balance of playful and low-pressure. Plus, you’ll get a solid read on their personality—are they fun and chill, or are they weirdly intense about getting a hole-in-one (hi, it’s me)?
29. Go Bowling
It’s classic, casual, and gives you something to do in between conversations. Plus, if you’re both terrible at bowling, you can bond over gutter balls—if one of you is actually good, well, now you have a built-in teacher.
30. Hit Up an Arcade
Nothing brings out the flirty competitive energy like a good old-fashioned arcade. Whether you’re battling it out in air hockey, showing off your (questionable) skee-ball skills, or teaming up for some nostalgic racing games, it’s an easy way to keep things fun and light. Bonus: If the date is going well, you can trade in those tickets for a cheesy souvenir to remember it by.
31. Go to a Trivia Night
Seeing if your date knows random facts about literally everything is weirdly attractive. Plus, a little friendly competition makes things way more exciting than the usual, “So what do you do for work?” conversation loop.
31. Go Axe Throwing
Nothing says romance like flinging sharp objects at a wooden target. If your date has ever wanted to live out a lumberhack fantasy, this is their moment—and if nothing else, you’ll see if they’ve got some secret superhero arm strength.
33. Compete in a Laser Tag Battle
Unleash your inner action hero and see if your date is the type to go full stealth mode or just fearlessly charge in. Either way, running around in glow-in-the-dark vests is way more exciting than sitting through another dinner.
34. Test Your Skills at a Board Game Café
Competitive? Check. Cozy? Check. Board game cafés are an easy way to break the ice since you’ll have something fun to focus on (and an excuse to playfully trash-talk each other). Just maybe avoid games that take five hours to finish—no one needs Monopoly-level commitment on a first date.
Adventurous First Date Ideas
35. Go to an Amusement Park
Few things test chemistry like screaming in unison on a rollercoaster. Between the adrenaline rush, the nostalgic cotton candy, and the opportunity to bond over thrill rides, this one’s a guaranteed memory-maker.
36. Try an Escape Room
If you want to know how your date handles pressure, put them in a room where they have to solve puzzles to get out. It’s fun, interactive, and a solid way to see if you make a good team—or if one of you is about to go full-on control freak mode.
37. Try a Rage Room
First-date nerves? Smash them away—literally. A rage room lets you suit up, grab a bat, and go to town on old TVs, glass bottles, and whatever else they have available. It’s a cathartic way to bond (or subtly see how much pent-up aggression your date is harboring).
38. Visit a Haunted House (or Do a Ghost Tour)
If you’re dating in the fall, this one is *chef’s kiss.* Nothing speeds up bonding like a little fear-induced hand-holding, and even if the ghosts don’t show up, it’s a guaranteed adrenaline rush. Bonus points if one of you actually gets scared and needs a little—ahem—comforting.
39. Visit a Fortune Teller or Tarot Reader
What better way to break the ice than letting a psychic tell you if this relationship has any future? Whether you take it seriously or just go for the laughs, a tarot or astrology reading makes for an unforgettable first date.
40. Go to a Silent Disco
Dancing in a crowd where everyone is grooving to different music? Chaos, but in the best way. A silent disco lets you swap between stations, compare song choices (oh, so they’re a Swiftie too?), and dance without worrying about screaming over loud club music.
Educational Date Ideas
41. Visit a Science Museum or Interactive Exhibit
ICYMI: Science museums are full of endless fun and built-in conversation starters. Whether you’re geeking out over dinosaurs or playing in a hands-on exhibit, you’ll have plenty to talk (and laugh) about.
42. Visit a Planetarium or Observatory
Few things are more romantic than stargazing, and a planetarium ensures you actually see the stars (without the stress of bad weather). You’ll learn some cool space facts, get a little closer in a cozy dark room, and maybe even have an accidental brush of hands moment. Very Notebook-coded.
43. Visit an Aquarium
It’s basically a real-life Finding Nemo experience, complete with glowing jellyfish and adorable sea otters. Wandering through exhibits gives you plenty to talk about, and you can gauge if they share your very important opinions on which ocean creatures are cute vs. terrifying.
44. Explore a Botanical Garden
Strolling through a botanical garden = major romantic vibes. You’ll have plenty to talk about (even if it’s just debating which plant looks the most like something from Avatar), and the dreamy setting makes it a great spot for those natural, “Did we just have a moment?” moments.
45. Visit a Butterfly Garden or Aviary
Walking through a lush, dreamy butterfly garden or bird sanctuary gives you major fairytale vibes. Plus, if a butterfly lands on your date, you can pretend it’s a sign that this relationship is meant to be because maybe it is!!!
