35 Best First Date Ideas That’ll Get You a Second Date

03 Feb 2023, by Danielle Slauter, min. read

Plan the perfect date with ease.

Dating has so many pitfalls to navigate, and it can feel next to impossible. How soon do you text back? Who plans the date—and who pays for it? But when it comes to figuring out what to do when you hang out together, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve come up with 35 different date ideas for you to try out. Find your perfect fit below!

30 Fun Things to Do on a First Date

In need of serious inspiration for your first date? We’re here to help! No matter what your first date vibe is, we’re bound to have an answer for you. From free date ideas to weekday dates, you’re covered.

Scroll to find the perfect first date for you and special someone!

Cheap First Date Ideas

We get it—you want to woo your date, but you don’t have the cash to spend a lot. Here are our best cheap date ideas that are bound to impress (and get you that second date):

Go shopping at a secondhand bookstore
Grab a drink at one of your favorite spots
Head to the zoo or aquarium
Hit up an arcade
Play a round of putt-putt

Free Date Ideas

There are also plenty of free date ideas that are fun and cost nothing! Find some inspiration on the list of free date options below:

Visit a museum
Go for a bike ride or hike
Take your dogs to the park together
Hit up your local farmer’s market
Plan a picnic together

Fall Date Ideas

Fall is the best season for dating! But sometimes the paradox of choice makes it impossible to choose something to do! Let us help you narrow down the options so you’re ready for your next autumn date.

Visit an apple orchard
Go pumpkin picking
Make hot cocoa and go for a walk
Build the perfect blanket fort and snuggle up
Find out who can make the best at-home pumpkin spice latte

Short Dates

Running short on time to see your significant other? Not to worry—there are lots of options for short dates, too! Now you can find time to see each other, even if it’s only for a few minutes.

Go out for ice cream
Make a playlist to listen to together
Watch the sunset together
Take your dogs for a walk
Whip up a mocktail to try out

Weekday Date Ideas

Who says dates are just for the weekends? It’s easy to find time during the weekdays to spend time together. Read through our list of weekday date ideas for some much-needed inspiration.

Watch your favorite show
Cook dinner and enjoy your meal together
Find a new food truck to try out
Catch a game from your local sports team
Eat takeout by candlelight

Double Dates

Going on a double date can take some of the pressure off of going on a date. Grab your best friends and check out one of these double date ideas!

Hit up a new restaurant for weekend brunch
Catch a matinee showing of the latest movie
Go bowling
Try out an escape room
Find a local trivia night and team up to win

Second Date Ideas

You snagged a second date—congratulations! But maybe you’re wondering what you should do when it comes to planning it. It’s time to up your game a bit and try to impress them more! Not to worry-we’ve got plenty of ideas for that, too.

Go out for a nice dinner
Take a cooking class together
Volunteer together
Try an exercise class together
Be a tourist in your own city and visit popular spots

What is a Low-Key First Date?

There is an art to planning a low-key first date. You want to look like you put effort in, but not too much effort. It’s a fine line to walk, we know.

The hallmark of low-key first dates usually involves a few key factors: time, location, and amount of money spent.

Low-key first dates tend to be a bit shorter. You’re not going out for a lengthy dinner or spending the entire day together. Short and sweet is the way to go. Think somewhere in the range of an hour or so.

Location is also a big factor. A big, elaborate first date is not low-key. Grabbing coffee is an easy go-to that’s probably the most low-key of low-key dates. Keeping it simple is key, so something easy and stress free is perfect.

Lastly, think about the amount of money you’re going to spend. Even if you end up going dutch for the first date, it shouldn’t be a financial burden. Again, coffee is the easy option, but even a quick lunch or study date would work. Try to keep it less than $20 per person.

Best Places for a First Date

Picking a spot to have a first date can feel like a daunting task. However, some options are better than others.

One of the most common first dates is going to the movies, but let’s think about it—you’re not going to spend that much time talking. You can’t really get to know your date over the course of a movie, right? That’s why finding the perfect location is a must.

Try and pick something the two of you can do together that’s a blend of talking and doing. Things like going to an amusement park or playing mini-golf are great options. You’re engaging with each other in between moments of activity. There’s time to talk, but you can also avoid awkward lulls in conversation.

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Looking for even more dating & relationship advice? Check out everything you’d possibly need to know about new relationships.