All of our Dates
Date ideas, the constant question of what to do when you're dating. Whether it's a first date with a new love or a date night with your wife, what you do with your partner sets the tone for the relationship. Are you the creative type who will surprise them with a massage and strawberries or the boring type who will want to watch an endless stream of movies on the couch? This issue reflects on how you are received by potential partners and how you are treated in return by existing ones. Use our date ideas to get off on the right foot or keep your relationship on track!
9.6
1. A Dinner to Remember
When it comes to dating, memorable is good. Not the "Yeah, we had lobster" kind of memorable, but the "You wouldn't believe the amazing night I had!" kind of memorable. Think about... more 9.2
2. Classic Radio Broadcast
You're original, right? So why not plan a more creative date than dinner and a movie - like dinner and an old radio show! Enjoy a nice meal with your date and then drive somewhere ... more 9.2
3. Decisions Decisions
Take any old date idea, add this twist, and watch your date's interest skyrocket as they try to figure out what you’re up to! So what's the twist? It's pretty simple really: you're... more 9.2
4. 43 Kisses
You're going to learn all about kissing on this date; new techniques, unusual kisses, and what gets the two of you revved-up! I guarantee you'll discover some likes and dislikes yo... more 9.1
5. Stargazing
If done right, stargazing can be an amazing date! Think about it, the scenery's beautiful, no one else around, and you're lying next to each other in the darkness, looking up at th... more 9.0
6. Treasure Hunt
Who doesn't enjoy the thrill of the hunt, the mystery of a good puzzle, and the excitement of finding hidden treasure? Only a lunatic! Not only are treasure hunts fun, but coming u... more 9.0
7. Now I Know My ABCs
Are you imaginative? Great! You'll need to be as you work your way through 26 spontaneous, fun, and silly activities all on one date! Why 26, you ask? Well, that's the number of le... more 9.0
8. I Know You
Do you know your date? No, I mean do you really know them? Have you been paying attention? Have you picked up on their interests and tastes, their hopes and dreams? The things they... more 8.9
9. Cozy Fire under the Stars
Imagine cuddling with your date next to crackling fire while you roast marshmallows and chat under the open night sky. Afterward you might even take a moonlit walk along the beach ... more 8.9
10. Surprise Massage
This is a great idea for couples who are on fairly intimate terms, but probably not something you want to pull out on a second or third date. That is unless you don't want a third ... more 8.9
11. Custom T-Shirts
Spend the afternoon exploring your creative side and making something completely unique. One of the best things about this date idea is that whatever pattern you create, be it an i... more 8.9
12. In the Dark
Have you heard about this idea out of Europe where blind waiters serve food to patrons in complete darkness? No joke. It's called dark dining and customers cannot see a single thin... more 8.8
13. Drinks with a View
I'm all for casual first dates. Things like grabbing a cup of coffee at a local shop or having a drink together are perfect because you can break the ice in a low-pressure setting ... more 8.7
14. Mystery Date
Ok, so this date idea doesn’t really have anything to do with solving a mystery, it’s more about providing your date with a fun and unique path to find you. In essence, you will cr... more 8.7
15. Homemade Ice Cream
You love ice cream, right? Of course you do! Everyone loves a bowl of smooth, creamy ice cream on a hot summer day. But have you ever wondered how it's made? Why don't you whip up ... more 8.7
16. It's a Goal!
We all have goals -- lots and lots of goals. Some are big things like traveling to another country or climbing a mountain, while others may be as small as painting a room or puttin... more 8.7
17. A Day at the Spa
Do you like to get wrapped, scrubbed, oiled, exfoliated, and massaged until you’re just a lump of oh-so-soft flesh? Then read on, because this date is for you! Spending an afternoo... more 8.7
18. Moonlight Cruise
Moonlight. Nature's aphrodisiac. Imagine gently drifting upon a glassy lake while you sip wine, eat chocolate, and enjoy the endless beauty of the night sky. Now what if you had a ... more 8.7
19. Blackout
Technology's great, but sometimes I think we're bombarded with way too much information every second of the day. Once in a while it's healthy to unplug and just enjoy each other's ... more 8.7
20. Photo Shoot
If things are going well, spend an afternoon capturing the excitement you feel about each other right now. The early days are terrific and you can't help but throw off an aura of h... more 8.7
21. Drive-In Movie for Two
Anyone who's ever been to a drive-in knows how fun it can be to go park and watch a movie, but be in your own little private space. There aren't many drive-ins around these days, b... more 8.7
22. Share and Share Alike
Are you ready to hear some funny, embarrassing, and touching stories about your date? Well then you'd better be willing to share a few of your own because this is a two-person game... more 8.6
23. Geocaching
You may not know it but there's hidden treasure all around you! It's true, and the only thing you need to find it is a GPS and a spirit for adventure. Geocaching is basically a big... more 8.6
24. Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage therapy dates back thousands of years to a time when Indian Yogis used the practice to balance the body's energy. Whether or not you believe in the power of hot s... more 8.6
25. Romantic Puzzle
Instead of doing a generic puzzle of the ocean or a landscape, why not put together one of you and your date? You can easily have a custom puzzle made in a variety of sizes and pie... more 8.6
26. Make Chocolate from Scratch
Chocolate is super-delicious. This is not news. But what if I said that you can make your own unique chocolate at home in about 5 minutes? No joke. Making chocolate from scratch is... more 8.6
27. Ride Segways
A Segway Personal Transporter is, without a doubt, one of the funnest ways to go sightseeing with your date. When most people first see one they think, "You've gotta be kidding me,... more 8.6
28. A Little Tweak
We're all attracted to the little things that make our partners uniquely them. Those bunny slippers she wears around the house and her horn-rimmed reading glasses, or the way he sm... more 8.5
29. Watch the Moonrise
What could be better than enjoying a romantic sunset with your date? How about sitting together in the dark, just the two of you, and watching a full moon come up over the horizon?... more 8.5
30. Dates with Dogs
It's no surprise that dogs are man's best friend. Why? Because they're loyal, affectionate, and so much fun! If you're dog lovers there's no reason to leave your pal behind while y... more 8.5
31. Theme Night
Leave behind your city, job, weather, routine and everything else as you travel to a faraway land! How does relaxing on pillows and sampling dates in an Arabian castle sound? Eatin... more 8.5
32. Perfect Picnics
Go out somewhere interesting, enjoy the fresh air, and get to know your date without pressure - have a picnic! With picnics you're not staring at each other across a table, trying ... more 8.5
33. U-Pick Fruit
Spending a few hours in nature, picking and eating perfectly-ripe fruit, is not a bad way to spend the afternoon together. It's ideal for a date because you’ll be learning somethin... more 8.5
34. Chinese Lantern Picnic
The idea for this date is to have a nighttime picnic in a secluded, romantic spot with the soft glow of Chinese paper lanterns and candlelight. This is one of those unique date ide... more 8.5
35. Trapeze School
Ever wonder what it's like to fly through the air like the circus acrobats you saw as a kid? Well here's your chance, real live trapeze school! I heard about this one from a friend... more 8.4
36. NYSDM: Western-Style
Howdy partner, this is the Western version of our Not Your Standard Dinner and a Movie date idea. As with all of these movie dates, the plan is to take a cultural theme and really ... more 8.4
37. Coffee & Cribbage
This is a mellow date for couples who just want to pass a few hours together, and a good idea for a casual first date with someone you don't know all that well. The basic idea is t... more
8.4
38. Dance Lesson
Do you want to get close to your date? Then try dancing! I'm not talking about the freestyle stuff you find at most clubs, but couples' dances like salsa, swing, or the tango. This... more
8.4
39. Rock Climbing
If you both enjoy being active, give rock climbing a shot, it may develop into something you'll enjoy doing together regularly. It's easier if either of you have climbed before, bu... more
8.3
40. Poker for Pleasure
The basic idea of this is playing poker for time instead of money. Every chip you bet is one minute of your time that the winner can use either that night or at some point in the f... more
8.3
41. Share Music
This is a very simple date idea that can tell you a lot about your date's musical tastes (and what concert suggestions to expect in the future). The basic idea is for you to each p... more
8.3
42. Live Music for Two
This is the type of date that will score you all kinds of points with a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse, but should never be attempted on the first date, or even a second, third, ... more
8.3
43. Sailing
Sailing is one of those things that most of us dream about but never really get around to doing. Impress your date by getting around to it! Enjoy the salt spray against your face, ... more
8.2
44. NYSDM: Japanese
This is the Japanese version of our Not Your Standard Dinner and a Movie date idea. As with all of these movie dates, the plan is to take a cultural theme and really dive into it. ... more
8.2
45. Caving
Does the idea of crawling through mud and squeezing passed tight cracks in pitch darkness sound like a good date idea to you? I hope so, because this is the only way to experience ... more
8.2
46. Stargazing Indoors
In the mood for romantic stargazing without the planning and travel necessary to do it outside? Don't worry, you can improvise and make your own night sky out of glow-in-the-dark s... more
8.2
47. Hot Air Balloon Ride
Close your eyes and imagine soaring through the air, sipping champagne, and holding your date close as the sun sets in the distance. This doesn't have to be a dream, you can find i... more
8.2
48. Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding. Sliding across glassy water in the morning light and getting mad air while your date cheers you on from the boat. Sound fun? It is! Ok, well the 'mad air' thing is pr... more
8.2
49. Hiking
Spend your date away from the hustle and bustle of civilization while enjoying the quiet beauty of nature as you hike scenic trails together. As a date idea, hiking supplies a peac... more
8.1
50. Paint-by-Numbers
I think just about all of us have done a paint-by-numbers at some point, but if you haven't, you’re really missing out! Invented in the 1950’s, this fun pastime gives you plenty to... more
8.1
51. Off-Roading
Are you ready to tear it up on the back of a supercharged quad? Of course you are! Or maybe you just want to ride along with your date, exploring beautiful, rugged areas that are i... more
8.1
52. Cooking Class
What's that old saying, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?" Well, I can tell you from experience that it goes both ways, women love a guy who can cook! So why not sp... more
8.1
53. Who's the Boss?
If you're looking for a date about Tony Danza or bad 80's TV then this one's probably not for you. Who's the Boss is about control - one of you having total control of your date an... more
8.0
54. Frisbee Golf
Frisbee golf is a great way to get outside and have fun playing around without the hefty greens fees, awkward bag of clubs, or frustration trying to hit a tiny ball. Everyone knows... more
8.0
55. Lounge at an Upscale Pool
Did you know there's a luxurious pool waiting for you nearby with free towels, recliners, umbrellas, and waiters who are happy to serve you drinks? It's true! Just think of the mor... more
8.0
56. Yoga
This is a great date idea for people who like to try new things and stay fit. Be warned, if you want to get a guy to do this with you, there may be some resistance. But as someone ... more
8.0
57. The Story that Never Was
The main purpose of this date is to provide a creative way for you to go out and take a bunch of pictures together. The basic idea is to make up a story, any story, and take photos... more
8.0
58. Wine Tasting
Whether you're completely lost when it comes to wines or a true connoisseur, wine tasting has all the makings of a great date! It starts off with a scenic drive out to wine country... more
8.0
59. An Amazing Drive
Rent an expensive car and take a drive this weekend. There's your date. What, you want details? Umm...try the country...have a picnic. More? Geez, ok ok, let me think about this. A... more
8.0
60. Paint Ceramics
It's time to dust off your creative side and make something special for your date. That's right, actually make it with your own two hands and a little imagination. There are these ... more
8.0
61. Dance Under the Stars
An open night sky can make for an amazing dance hall, so why not take your date out to a secluded spot and have your own private dance under the stars? All you need is a good setti... more
7.9
62. 7 Great Walks
A good walk can be one of the best first dates you'll ever have. They’re a nice, relaxed way for you to get to know each other and should provide plenty of scenery to keep the conv... more
7.9
63. Trap Shooting
You're thinking "Shooting guns on a date? You can't be serious!" Oh but I am, and you won't believe how much fun it is! These days very few of us have a chance to handle guns in a ... more
7.9
64. Sailing Lessons
As with any lessons, these are a good way to learn something new together that you may want to pursue as a long-term hobby. At the very least it's a date idea that should score som... more
7.9
65. Try Golf
This is a fun sports date that anyone can do to try golf without the frustration of getting out on the fairways and feeling like a complete spaz. You see, you don't actually have t... more
7.8
66. Watch an Unusual Sport
Why watch yet another football or baseball game on your date when you can be creative and learn about an entirely new sport? For free! Ok, the free part isn't always true, but you ... more
7.8
67. Everybody's an Expert
You're great at something! It's true. And not only are you great, but you're passionate about it too! So why not take this passion and knowledge and share it with your date? Do you... more
7.6
68. Volunteer
Why not give a little something back to the community while having a great time on your date? Volunteering offers the opportunity to not only do some good, but also see your date i... more
7.6
69. Fly a Kite
I like this date idea because flying a kite isn't serious, there's no pressure, it's just the two of you running around, having fun in the sun. That's a pretty good start! The only... more
7.4
70. NYSDM: That's Italian!
This is the Italian version of our Not Your Standard Dinner and a Movie date idea. As with all of these movie dates, the plan is to take a cultural theme and really dive into it. I... more
7.4
71. City Lights
This is a simple date about finding a secluded spot with an amazing view of the city at night and having a picnic or dessert while you lay back, watch the city lights, and talk.
... more
7.3
72. NYSDM: Do You Kung Fu?
This is another take on our Not Your Standard Dinner and a Movie date idea with a Chinese twist. As with all of these movie dates, the plan is to take a cultural theme and really d... more
7.3
73. Mountain Biking
Take a scenic drive out of the city and spend your afternoon exploring the beauty of nature while mountain biking! This is a chance to get a little dirty, see the sights, and learn... more
7.0
74. Bike Ride
Get outside and see different things, explore new areas, and experience the freedom and fun of a bike ride. This is a great no-frills date idea where you're just pedaling along, ta... more
