Ultimate Date Idea List

Finding the Ultimate Date Idea in 2023

Everybody has their own reasons for dating: Socializing, Rebounding After a Breakup, Finding an Adventure Buddy, Casual Dating, or One-Night Stands.

Due to the introduction of online dating and social media, people have unlimited partner options. Additionally, younger generations are not longer staying in their hometowns and moving into cities, thereby increasing the dating pool.

  • Higher Standards and Unlimited Options — people can quickly find a date via common (e.g., tinder, hinge) and secret dating apps, as well as from the “old-school” methods!
  • Increased Expectations due to Romantic Comedies, Social Groups, and Instagram
  • Women are shattering corporate stereotypes and prioritizing their careers. Some want a great guy who is there for the ups-and-downs, and who also has the similar career aspirations.
  • Rejection is Easier (e.g., ghosting and texting) for both men and women.
  • Sex is Easier to Obtain (e.g., Tinder or secret dating apps)

Why is it so hard to pick a date idea?

It got harder to pick a date idea because people value experiences more, dating budgets are smaller due to multiple first dates from online dating (e.g., Tinder/Hinge/bumble), and daters get bored of the same date format (e.g., drinks and dinner).

In a world where dating multiple people is normal, it’s important to put your best self forward by coming up with the best date idea — separating you from other potential mates.

An Ultimate List of Date Ideas

Use our compiled list of date ideas and try our free dating tool of 580+ date ideas to find the best date based on your budget, lifestyle, activity, and more!

Table of Contents

Best First Dates

The purpose of a first date is to get a preview of your date in a few hours. You want be yourself and put your best self out there to get a chance to meet them again. If your date doesn’t have a positive experience on the first date, they probably won’t go on a second date.

Remember: Everyone gets nervous on first dates. You’re not human, or simply not interested in a long-term relationship with the person, if you don’t get first-date jitters.

First Date Ideas

  • Drinks After Work and/or Dinner
  • Grab a Coffee or Ice Cream and Walk around a Neighborhood
  • Go Mini-Golfing

There are hundreds of other first date ideas you can choose for a more personalized, memorable first date by asking simple questions before the date: favorite hobby, sport, attraction, neighborhood, or band. Just make sure not to choose a few of these worst first date ideas! And, find out the answer to the age-old question about who should pay on the first date?

We won’t get into what to wear, how early to arrive, what to do if either or you are late because there’s too many personal, logistical, and regional factors.

Best Second Dates

A second date idea is more important than a first date because you already got a preview of his/her interests by asking the right questions on the first date. This is the date where you begin to learn more about your shared interests, ambitions, and personality quirks you don’t quite get on the first date.

Also, you should be less nervous on a second date because you already know there’s mutual interest. After the first date, they would have politely said they are not interested in a second date when you followed-up because they did not experience a spark, sexual chemistry, ect.

Second Date Ideas

  • Something Related to Both Your Interests
  • Anything active (non-sweaty) with something afterward
  • Go to a local museum that isn’t full of families or kids
Discover More Second Date Ideas

Best Third Dates

The third date can be hard to obtain but it’s a fun date because you’ve already gotten to know each other and got through the deal-breakers–work schedule, smoking, active lifestyle–for a potential future mate.

Don’t go in with any expectations for this date: Everyone has different experiences on how long their first and second date were, where you kissed, not-kissed, or whether sex has happened yet .

Third Date Ideas

  • Dance Lessons and Social Dancing (e.g., Salsa, Swing, Line Dancing)
    • If you haven’t held hands, kissed, or passed the “touch barrier” in your first date, this a great opportunity to get more comfortable with each other.
  • Take a Pottery or Cooking Class
    • These classes can be expensive ($60-80+ each) but they are interactive, flirty, and are a great learning experience for both of you.
  • Introduce Them to Something You Love
    • This will help you get an idea how open they are to one of your favorite hobbies.
Discover 40+ More Third Date Ideas

Best Relationship and Double Dates

We get it. Everyone’s lives are busy and full of responsibilities but it’s  important to have at least one date a week. Add variety to relationship with weekly date nights together.

Why not involve your single friend(s) or go on a double date for a fun couple? This is a great chance to spend more time with your friends, have shared experiences, and introduce date idea opportunities you couldn’t do just together.

Relationship and Double Date Ideas

  • Host a Game Night or Dinner at Your Place
  • Head to Trivia Night
  • Go to a Concert
  • Get Outdoors and Go on a Group Hike
Discover More Relationship and Double Date Ideas

Best Active Dates

Whether your date has an active lifestyle, active dates are an opportunity to do something besides drinks and dinner after work. If the date doesn’t lead to another date, at least you had a shared experience with someone new.
Note: Not all active dates require you to be sweaty at the end. 

Active Date Ideas

  • Short Hike or Long Hike on the Weekend
  • Rent Kayaks or Paddleboards
  • Go for a Bike Ride in a Scenic Area of Town
  • Go to a Sporting Event (e.g., Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, ect)
Discover More Active Date Ideas

Best Chill and Casual Dates

Chill date ideas are great for those who have a dating budget, want to slow down, or simply want to have a relaxing night at home.

Chill Date Ideas

  • Go to a Trivia Night
  • Head to a Local Cafe or Bagel/Donut Shop and People-Watch
  • Netflix and Chill
  • Play Video Games Together
  • Go to a Yoga Class Together and Grab Smoothies After
Discover 140+ More Casual Date Ideas

Best Foodie Dates

If you live in an area with a lot of culture, restaurants, food trucks, or outdoor markets, Foodie Dates are excellent choice to enjoy new cuisines while having a fun time with your date.

Date Ideas for Foodies 

  • Go to a New or Trendy Restaurant in Your Neighborhood
  • Make a Pizza or Sushi at Home
  • Cook a Country’s Cuisine You’ve Never Tried
  • Go on an Appetizer or Desert Crawl
  • Find Nearby Food Trucks
Discover More Foodie Date Ideas

Best Artsy Dates

Even if you’re not artsy, these types of dates allow you to visit an unfamiliar place and immerse yourself in the local art scene. You don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home to have a creative and fun artsy date.

Artsy Date Ideas

  • Get Dressed Up and Attend a Play, Musical, Ballet, or Opera
  • Have a Photoshoot in Your House, Downtown or a Park
  • Drive to a Local Gallery or Open Art Studios
  • BYOB Painting Class
  • Attend a Poetry Slam
  • Sketch Together
Discover More Artsy Date Ideas

Other Types of Date Ideas

Date Idea Resources We Use

  • Take advantage of Eventbrite, Facebook Events, or Facebook Local (App) to find events near you.
  • Follow your local music venues on social media to get event updates in your feed.
  • Select ‘Follow’ on your favorite artists on Spotify and use BandsInTown to get alerts when they perform near you and receive alerts when your favorite artists are in town.
  • Save Local Magazine or Concert Calendar Posters and throw them on your Fridge
  • Use your Local Library’s Museum Passes to Save Money on Local Museums (Who wants to spend $20-25 per ticket?)

 

Want more date ideas?

Try our 580+ Date Idea Generator