You’ve made a connection online, talked on the phone, gone out for a drink, and you’re ready for a real date, a night on the town, or an afternoon together. It’s the natural next step, and you already know it’s going to be fun. But somehow, dinner and a movie doesn’t quite cut it—not for this person. Because frankly, you haven’t met anyone you liked so much in a long time, and you really want to show this person a good time. So what do you do? Get creative. Here are some ideas for dates that outshine dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town.
Beer Tour: Ever wonder how barley-pop is made? Take your date on a tour of a local brewery. Even if root beer is your drink of choice, it’s fascinating to see how chemistry, history, and art come together in a brewery. Plus, the bottling assembly line is fun to watch. Afterwards, you can head out for a drink.
Float a Boat: There’s something undeniably romantic about idling away the afternoon in a canoe. Take a mini roadtrip to a river outside of the cities, where you can rent a canoe and get a shuttle up the river. You don’t need to be a skilled paddler to get to your destination. Just pay attention to obstacles, and let the river carry you and your love downstream. You’ll have lots of time to talk and get to know one another better, and you’ll find out what kind of traveler he or she is. Or rent a boat on the city lakes and do a shorter tour in town.
Cook Up a Hot Date: Sign up for a cooking class together. Why have someone else cook for you when you can have the fun of making a special meal together? You’ll learn what your date is like in the kitchen, plus you’ll gain some skills you can take home. Dessert is up to you.
Wander Through Someone Else’s House. Spend a weekend morning visiting a few estate sales with your date. Maybe you’re seeking just the right book shelf, or you collect something quirky. Estate sales can give you the chance to observe your date’s lifestyle tastes, and maybe hear a little about his or her family. When you see the same dishes your grandma used to have, or find that board game you played as a child, you can share a little of your own history, too. And who knows, maybe you’ll come home with some treasures.
Stargaze. Get a blanket, a pair of binoculars and a spotting scope, and find a park or wide open space beyond the reach of the city lights. Pack a late-night picnic (sweets and a bottle of wine, perhaps) and take your date out to look at the stars. If you time it right, you could catch a meteor shower for other celestial event. But if it’s just an ordinary starry night, you’ll still have a memorable time gazing into the heavens together.