You’ve done it.
After weeks of anxious moments of “should I” or “shouldn’t I” you finally gathered the courage together and asked her out on a date.
What’s more, she even said “yes!” While it really shouldn’t have been quite that gigantic of an ordeal, that’s beside the point. The real question is, now what?
Obviously the next step is to select a location for the date. Pizza at your place while your roommate plays video games is not a wise decision here. You should take a moment and consider a few important factors. Is it the first date?
Has she expressed a particular taste for a certain cuisine? Does she seem to prefer the outdoors over an indoor setting? Is she a hermit who’s never left the comfort of her house?
Maybe all of these questions are just making you nervous because you don’t have the slightest idea whether she’s the night club type or an afternoon at the museum type. Relax, don’t worry, we have you covered.
Here are 30 unique date location ideas she’s sure to love.
The Three-Stop, Three-Course
This involves choosing three different restaurants and having drinks and appetizers in one, a main entree in the second one, and coffee and desert in the third establishment. This may seem like a lot of moving around, but trust me, it can work in your favor.
First, it eliminates the infamous dead time as you sit for a prolonged stretch of time in one place. Second, it increase your chances three-fold of finding a place that she genuinely likes. Third, you will impress her with your “originality.” Don’t worry. I won’t tell her you read about it here.
A Cooking Class
Book an introductory cooking class for the both of you. This might sound as an odd way to spend a date, but it will demonstrate to her that you are open to new experiences.
Besides, what better bonding experience than when two people cry together over the same chopped onion. Also, if she really enjoys the class and wants to continue, it opens up the door for a second date!
Arcade Time
Mind you, this may not be appropriate for all women, but if she’s a free spirit or if she is still a little girl at heart, an afternoon or evening at the arcade can be a very fun (and inexpensive) way to show her a good time.
Just remember, focus on what she wants to play and don’t get caught up on some “mission” to get the top scorer position on Galaga.
A Day/Evening at the Fair
Obliviously this location is not available year round, but when a fair or carnival comes to your neck of the woods it makes an excellent location for a date. The fact that it is a very seasonal event adds an aura of uniqueness to it. Also, it offers you the chance to put many gentlemanly attributes on display.
As it gets dark and cooler, you can offer her your jacket. Being in a crowded area makes holding hands for the first time less awkward. Just remember, if you win a stuffed animal — give it to her. You and I both know you already have a teddy bear of your own at home.
Karaoke Night
Okay, this may not be for the feint of heart, but a night of karaoke can be an excellent way to share some genuine laughs with your date.
Only one piece of advice, you may want to skip your rendition of “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Tour a Winery or Brewery
Touring a brewery or winery is an ideal way to demonstrate that you have some grace and knowledge of the finer things in life. It is also a good way to get some drinks for you and your date for free.
Word to the wise, beforehand, it would be advisable to google some basic information about the winery or brewery that you will be visiting. Dropping some knowledge beforehand will make you look like a true man of the world.
A Drive-In Movie
If you can find a drive-in theater that is in operation near you, it is a very original (and cozy) way to spend a date. If it’s not a fist date, you can even make it more original by suggesting dressing up retro style.
Hey, you may even find out why your grandparents always blushed when talking about drive-ins — wait, scratch that memory from your head, too far.
Attend a Comedy Show
Laughter releases endorphins. In turn they make you feel good and even more resilient to pain.
They also happen to be released when one is in love or immediately after having an orgasm. Need I say more?
A Trip to the Bookstore
Not all reading material has to come from Amazon. There are still brick and mortar bookstores in existence. They make a great spot for a date, especially if you want to highlight your academic side.
Many bookstores have cozy sitting areas to lounge in; some even sell coffee and biscotti. It is also a suave way to get some insight into what she likes. Great intel for bringing up topics of conversation on subsequent dates.
Strangers in Your Own City
This is one of those “unplanned” or “unplugged” type of dates. Whether you live in a large or small city, by virtue of being one of its residents, you have probably overlooked many of its interesting or touristy spots.
Let your date choose one of these spots to visit. Have a list of your own to fallback on in case she can’t come up with anything.
Shorten Her Bucket List
Mind you, this one requires doing your homework beforehand.
Discover an item on her bucket list and make it happen. Yes, this might involve you having to jump out of airplane, but we guarantee it will be a date that she will never forget.
Take a Dance Class Together
This is one of my favorite dates to go on. Plenty of laughs for both of you? Check. Lots of natural touching and intimacy? Check.
A date she’s unlikely to have had before…? Check!
Give this one a go fellas. Trust me.
Visit a Fortune Teller
This is one of those dates that can be fun and memorable.
Plus, if you can pave the way by visiting the fortune teller beforehand and leaving her a nice tip, your date may hear a “fortune” that prominently includes you.
Visit the Zoo
A zoo is a nice place to spend a day.
It involves strolling and is conducive for the type of casual conversation that can help the both of you get to know each other better.
Cook Dinner Together
Some practice and preparation is required for this one, but it can be a lot of fun. Pick some dishes that are easy to prepare.
The goal is to have fun as you both prepare dinner. As funny as it might be, you probably don’t want to create a Gordon Ramsey type atmosphere.
Hit the High Seas
If movies like “Titanic” have taught us anything, it’s not that cars are fit for purpose for hooking up. It’s that water and romance go together like peas and carrots. While it doesn’t have to be literally on the open ocean, an afternoon boating is a romantic and impressive way to spend quality time together.
Whether you are an experienced sailor, or if you rent a boat with its own crew — the experience will be gratifying for you both.
Attend a Pottery Lesson
Local art schools, community colleges and cultural centers offer a variety of art lessons. Take her to a painting class, a sculpting class, anything that allows the both of you to draw upon your inner inspirations to create an expressive piece of art.
If an actual pottery lesson is available — well, Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, “Ghost” — there should be nothing else left for me to say.
Attend an Outdoor Music Festival
Music in the park is a terrific way to spend a summer’s afternoon or evening. Normally this will imply a mellower type of music, such as jazz.
This makes it perfect for setting a casual, yet romantic mood. It also allows for a free flowing date, one that doesn’t seem overly structured or rigid.
Visit an Apple Orchard
For an autumn date, visiting an apple orchard is ideal. The colors are just turning golden brown, the weather is not too hot and not too cold.
Plus, after picking your baskets of apples it’s the perfect opportunity to setup the next date which would involve baking a pie together with those recently picked apples. See what I did there?
Take Her on an Old Fashioned Picnic
If Yogi Bear taught us anything, it was that picnic baskets are a good thing. Impress her by taking her on a real picnic. Chances are that she has been on many picnics, but not a fancy one. Choose a scenic spot, such as along a lake, on a beach, or even a nice spot at the park.
Put some real effort into it, Buy yourself a formal picnic basket with checkered blanket to throw on the ground and everything. If you are not handy in the kitchen, pick up some gourmet sandwiches at a fine deli and a selection of pastries at the bakery. Oh, and don’t forget — a bottle or two of wine, of course.
Horseback Riding
There is something magical about riding a horse. Share that moment with her. Whether it is following a trail on horseback, or if neither of you are comfortable riding, find a place where you can go on a horse drawn carriage ride.
The sound of the horse’s hooves as they hit the ground always spark a little magic.
Mini Golf
Similar to a day at the arcade, a day of mini golfing is a fun and casual way to spend time together. Also, seeing how a person reacts to the windmill hazard will tell you a lot about that person.
It’s Girls Night—and You
If you so much as watched one episode of “Sex and the City” you will be aware that there’s no better way to hit it off well with a woman than by hitting it off well with her best friends.
A Night of Star Gazing
Plan an evening where you can take her away from the city sprawl and to where the heavens can really shine. As corny as that phrase may sound, it does make for a romantic date.
Make sure to do some research online as to where the best known constellations, stars and planets will be positioned that night so that you can impress her with your knowledge of the heavens. You’ll get bonus points if you can point out her zodiac constellation.
Take Her Bowling
There is nothing wrong with falling back on one of the standards every now and again. Bowling is one the most relaxed and casual settings for a date, but it is also one of the most enjoyable. Maybe that’s why it’s a classic.
Regardless, there’s friendly competition, you both get to wear funny shoes and there’s plenty of beer. It’s the perfect setting for a fun and casual date.
Spa Date
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love or need a day full of pampering and relaxation? No need for a spa visit to be a solitary experience. Book a couple’s session and have the both of you experience true relaxation together. Even if there isn’t much conversation, trust me, she will love you for it.
A Volunteer Date
If you know that she is interested in a charitable cause, going on a volunteering date is a great way to show her how much you care too. This can be by volunteering at a particular shelter, or helping to deliver aide to the needy, etc. You’ll look good and you will be genuinely helping some worthy causes. It’s a win-win all around.
Reach For the Sky
Hot air ballooning or a helicopter tour of your city are certain to make your date memorable.
Yes, it requires some planning and involves some expense, but if you want to leave her breathless, reaching for the sky will do it.
Roller Skating
You can never go wrong with roller skating. Yes, you may fall several times, but you can never go wrong. So, dust off any fancy disco moves that you may have inherited from your parents and take her down to Funkytown on wheels.
Candlelit Dinner at Home
Whether you prepare the meal yourself, or if you had it catered, nothing spells true romance than a candlelit dinner at home. It displays timeless elegance and puts forth your most cavalier traits. Definitely a classic.
That’s it, gentlemen. I trust you’ve picked up a couple of new date location ideas. If you think you may need some help keep the conversation going, check out our list of fail-safe conversation starters.
So you still think that pizza at home could be weaved into a memorable evening? Let us know how in the comments.
