Looking for the best first date ideas that aren’t awkward or a typical dinner date? Great you have come to the right place!
First dates can be awkward. I know we’ve all been there and it’s hard to think of the perfect fun, not lame and not awkward activity to do. There is nothing worse than sitting there uncomfortable at a fancy dinner thinking – well this is weird…
Not to worry! We’ve got you covered with cute first dates that will leave your date impressed and wanting to go on a second date with you! These dates are much better than what you’ve read in Teen Vogue back in the day.
39 Best First Date Ideas That Aren’t Awkward!
1. Picnic Car Date
It’s great to get creative on a first date to show you are putting effort in. A car picnic date is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Pack a cute picnic, drive somewhere scenic with a view, pop the boot and prepare your spread. If you don’t have a boot you can sit in, you can always enjoy your picnic from the comfort of the front seat.
Here are some fun & flirty first date questions you might like ask while you are in the car looking for conversation.
2. Be Sandy and Danny from Grease and see a Drive In Movie
An alternative to the picnic car date and one idea that I personally love is going to the drive in cinema.
It’s a bit old school (I’m thinking Sandy and Danny from grease here) and it’s really fun. Make sure you stock up on goodies and pack some blankets to make the event cozy and memorable! Just don’t get too handsy while you are there, we all know how that turned out for Danny….
If you don’t check out the clip below for what NOT to do on a drive in date.
3. Take a bike ride somewhere scenic
If yourself and your date are the active type, a bike ride is a great idea.
Because you are doing an activity together it means there are less awkward silences and normally something to talk about will pop up along the way (splash into a puddle maybe?!) to keep you both laughing and entertained.
If you want to up the ante, pack a picnic blanket and some goodies in your backpack for a romantic snack by the lake/view etc. If you are looking for first date ideas that aren’t awkward this is a good pick!
Get active with your date! Exercising and enjoying life is the key to a successful date
4. Go bowling
My first date was at a bowling alley and I personally won’t let my husband live it down because I won the game!
It was really fun and something we won’t ever forget. We followed bowling with a game of pool and a movie.
Bowling is also the perfect rainy day date idea if your first meet up falls on a day when it is a bit miserable outside.
5. Visit an arcade and play some virtual reality games
Another fun indoors date is an afternoon at the arcade. It would be fun if you could win your girl or boy a special teddy or prize to commemorate the date but even if you don’t it’s sure to be a bit of fun.
Arcades now have not only some old school fun but also many of them offer virtual reality games which make it a bit more interesting, especially if you are yet to try one out.
6. Complete an escape room together
There is nothing that will let you know whether you are compatible or not more than completing an escape room challenge together.
You will know by the end of the date if you love or hate the person and whether you are destined to spend more time together.
7. Be Vikings and go Axe Throwing
Who doesn’t want to bring our their inner Ragnar and Lagertha? Axe throwing is something a little newer on the dating scene and we’re totally here for it!
Why not follow up with a nice meal somewhere downtown where you can debate who is the king/queen of the axe throwing ring?
8. Roller skating or Ice skating
We are going to throw it back old school now and say that roller skating or ice skating is one of the most iconic first date ideas!
You might even get a bit of sneaky hand holding in there to help stop your date from falling over. I mean it is for his or her own protection right!?
It is nice to end a date of skating with a warm cup of hot cocoa from the canteen.
9. Have a home cooked meal together where each of you make a dish
Feel like staying in and enjoying an at home date idea? No worries. Why not have a home cooked meal together where each of you prepare a dish.
One if you make the main and the other (who is not hosting) bring the desert. Here are some of our favorite low calorie brownie recipes for some inspiration!
My husband thinks this is too intense for a first date but I love it so I guess it just depends on your personal taste and whether you are a bit extra! You might want to consider what the other person will think of this idea and if you think it might be a bit intense you can always save it for a third date idea!
10. Conquer a hike
You always feel a bit accomplished when you finish a hike so it is something fun to do it with another person and feel accomplished together.
This “accomplished feeling” can also lay good groundwork for a long term healthy and happy relationship together.
Remember to bring enough water and a few snacks or lunch with you. There is nothing worse than a good date being ruined by not having enough sustenance!
11. Go-carting
I really like a more action packed first date as it takes any initial awkwardness out of the date. Go carting is the perfect choice for this kind of date.
If you feel like you’ll miss out on getting to know the person on a deeper level, why not make it a multi faceted date and go out for lunch or dinner after?
It means the ice will already be broken from completing go carting together so there are no awkward silences. If you are still a bit worried about that, you can bring some of our flirty questions with you (questions for guys here/ questions for girls here)
12. Sushi train
Sushi train always a fun first date idea as it takes away the uncomfortableness of being seated across from each other.
You sit side by side at sushi train making it less confrontational. Plus, sushi is totally delish! It’s one of the best foods – amiright!?
13. Wine and paint night
Wine and paint nights have become pretty popular for both couples and groups of friends alike so you can now find them in every major city which is pretty convenient. All you need to do is google your “city + wine paint” to find one close to you.
One of the best first date ideas for adults for sure.
Sometimes wine and paint nights have an extra level of fun. Here is a drag wine and paint night we attended on a cruise!
14. Go out for ice cream
Ice cream is a nice causal date idea which can last as little or as long as you like. Feeling awkward and the conversation isn’t really going anywhere? You have leave in as little as 5 minutes just scoff that ice cream down!
Having a good time? Order another scoop or alternatively have a coffee or a milkshake.
Usually ice cream stores don’t mind you sitting and chatting for a while after you’ve finished even if you don’t feel like anything additional in any event.
15. Have a summer first date in a pool, beach or waterpark!
It’s time for hot girl/boy summer people!
If your first date falls in the summertime, it’s always fun to hit up a pool, beach or waterpark. You are bound to have loads of fun (summer has the best dates) and it’s also something that will keep your mind off the heat!
16. Have a fall first date searching for the best fall colors, going for a hayride or picking pumpkins 🎃
If your first date happens to be in fall, it is in our opinion the most romantic time of year and your relationship is bound to be a success.
There are so many awesome fall date ideas but some of our favorites include searching for the best fall colors in your area, going for a hayride or picking out a pumpkin. You could always take it a step further and get into some pumpkin carving if you are feeling creative.
Starbucks is a nice place to finish off a fall date with a delicious pumpkin spiced latte!
17. Have a winter first date skiing, snowboarding or enjoying a cozy coffee indoors
Winter has tonnes of cool activities that are perfect for when you just start dating.
Some of the best first date ideas when its cold include skiing, snowboarding or even snowshoeing if you live in a place where it snows in winter.
If you don’t, enjoying a cozy coffee indoors at a coffee shop by the fireplace is still very fun and gives all those warm, cozy winter vibes.
Here’s some more winter first date inspiration if you need more ideas.
18. Spring First Dates
Spring is for sure the prettiest time of year. If there is a flower festival in your city, this would be a great first date. If not, there are plenty of other places to check out the fresh blooms like the city botanical gardens or nearby parks.
A picnic is always a fun addition to a spring first date.
19. Feed the ducks at the park
This gives me gossip girl vibes as Blair always goes and feeds the ducks at Central Park. It is something I enjoyed as a kid too as I’m sure did most people.
It’s a fun, sweet activity which could be followed up with a coffee date.
20. Walk your dogs together
If you both have dogs, it would be super fun to suggest a joint doggy walk. I’ve always thought it is romantic when couple meet walking their dogs but equally going on a first date walking your dogs is pretty darn cute too!
You might even like to go to a doggy beach or a doggy park so you can let you furry friends run free while you have a chat about what you love most (your fur-babies of course!)
21. Go to a language class together and learn something new
Learning a new language is something fun and interactive you could do together plus, it gives you a new joint shared interest which is always fun.
If the relationship works out, who knows you might end up traveling the world together and putting your new skills to the test!
If you want a low-key first date that is cheaper than a class, you could always do this at one of your homes or a coffee shop via a youtube video like this one below.
22. Volunteer together
Volunteering together is a really fun activity that you can do together while also giving back to the local community.
Options for volunteering include soup kitchens, animal shelters and homeless shelters. Make sure you ring the organisation in advance to see if they accept volunteers and organise a time to go.
23. Go kayaking
Kayaking is a fun first date idea if you and your date are both fit and active and like adventurous activities.
I personally love kayaking so this is a date idea that would hit the mark for me plus it would take the pressure off awkward conversation that can occur on a first date and provide you with a cool and unique memory together as a (hopefully) new couple.
24. Make it a double date and invite some friends!
If you aren’t too sure about the person yet and you want the date to be less serious, it is a good idea to bring a few “wing-couples” along for the fun.
The good part about going on a double date is that it can help the conversation flow more easily. This works best when your wing couple are mutual friends of you both otherwise it can feel like an interrogation for your date and end up turning him or her off!
25. Go vintage shopping together
Regular shopping can be a bit dull and boring but vintage shopping adds a little more interest and flair to a first date.
Some ideas include second hand clothing stores or old record stores.
26. Visit an animal café
Animal cafes are popular and in almost every city these days. We have been to dog cafes, cat cafes and even a Meerkat café in Seoul which was super fun.
This is a great first date idea if neither or you have pets or if you are both animal lovers. Animals are so cute so I don’t know many people who wouldn’t like this date, except maybe if you are allergic! Check in advance about an allergies to avoid a big flop.
One of the best first date ideas for teens!
27. Go to a pottery class
Pottery making and painting is so fun and always reminds me of that famous scene from Ghost. There is just something romantic about making pottery together.
There are also places you can go to paint pottery if you don’t feel like getting your hands dirty on the making part.
A lot of couples have had fun recreating the scene from Ghost together (which may or may not be too much for a first date) see below:
28. Go to a cooking class together
It is always fun to learn a new skill and cooking is something that most people have to do in their everyday life so you can put your new talents to good use (and hopefully together) after the date.
On your second date, you can see who is better at making the dish you learnt.
Cooking classes are super fun and a great way to spend your time, whether on a date or not. Food always makes everything better!
29. Or a cocktail making class
Not for a teen date idea, but if you are over 21 (or 18 for the rest of the world), a cocktail making class is a great first date idea for adults.
I love learning how to make new cocktails and as with the cooking class, you could test your new cocktail making skills on your second or third date together!
30. Go on a brewery tour
A brewery tour is always fun, especially if the pair of you like beer!
If you can’t find a brewery tour in your city, micro-breweries have popped up everywhere now so you can enjoy a tasting paddle there instead.
31. Or a winery
If there is a winery close to your city, this could be a great alternative first date idea.
Usually you can go on a tour where they tell you about the wines, followed by a tasting where you can normally order a yummy cheese platter. Definitely recommended.
32. Play tourist in your city
Map out the top 10 tourist attractions on your city and plan guide and tourist touring the best places.
Chances are some you haven’t visited since you were a kid or for a long time so it is a chance to take a walk down memory lane and share your memories together.
If your date comes from another city, he or she can tell you and that city and the top things to do there. Maybe you can even talk about a possible future trip together (or that might be a bit too soon?)
33. Take a scenic boat ride
If there is water (lake or ocean) near where you live, chances are there is a fun scenic boat ride, whether it is a public ferry or a tourist boat.
There is something romantic about being out on the water plus it is something entertaining to do while you are just getting to know each other.
If the relationship works out, you’ll never forget your first date so you want to make it count!
34. Go to a theme park
If you live nearby a theme park (Hello Florida friends!) this is a great date idea as it brings out the inner kid within you.
It doesn’t have to be a massive theme park like Universal, there are often touring fairs or small theme parks that you can visit. Simply google your city plus theme park and see what comes up!
35. Go to a concert together
Usually before you go on a first date (unless it is a totally blind date) you will have spoken together and worked out what similar interests you share.
Both country music fans? Why not organise to go to a Luke Combs concert for example. The same applies whether your genre is rock, pop or techno.
36. Or a festival
If you were friends previously and this is your official first date (but not your first time together) why not go to a festival together?
As festivals can be longer, I would suggest this only if you know the person a bit before you decided to go on a date as otherwise it might be a little too long to commit to hang out with someone you might not even gel with!
36. Go to a yoga class
Going to a group yoga class is not only a cheap activity you can do together but it is also an activity that can help get rid of the dreaded first date jitters!
On a future date you might like to consider going to a couples yoga class and pulling off a move like the one pictured below.
37. Visit a venue with live music
If you think you might struggle to make good first date conversation, going to a venue with live music is a good way to keep you both entertained without the sole focus being on you and keeping up conversation.
38. Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is a great activity to do when you are just getting to know each other as it will let you know how well (or not) you work together.
Does the other person assist you and let you know where to put your feet next or do they just stand there silent? Rock climbing is not only a fun activity but it will tell you a lot about how well you gel together as a couple.
39. Visit an Art Gallery
We will finish with a romantic one. There is just something so romantic about visiting an art gallery on a date. If your relationship isn’t a massive success after an art gallery date, your date clearly just isn’t cultured enough!
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FAQ About First Dates
Can you kiss on a first date? That really depends how comfortable you are together. There is no right or wrong answer here. See how you and the other person feel and go with the flow.
How do you make a first date fun? Making a first date fun has more to do with your enthusiasm and energy than what you are actually doing (although a good idea is always a good start!) Take one of our ideas above and go into the date with a positive mindset. You can’t control how the other person reacts but you can do your part to make the date fun.
What is a romantic first date? Some of the more romantic first dates include a trip to the art gallery, a visit to a winery and going out for ice cream.
Is canoeing a good first date? Yes, absolutely. Kayak or canoeing is a fabulous first date idea.
Where do girls like to go on a first date? As a girl, I like to go somewhere really fun and exciting on a first date. Some ideas that I would love include a concert, a cooking class or to visit an art gallery. It is great to know that a guy put some real effort into it as it makes you feel extra special.
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So there you have it folks, our top ideas for a first date. If you just went on a successful date, let us know what you did in the comments below.
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See more:
Romantic things to do in New York City
