Gettyimages.com/Cheerful black couple bowling having a lot of fun looking at each other smiling
The warmer temperatures and greener grass allows for a new array of date ideas! And, since everyone comes out of hibernation in the summer, people are generally happier and more open to the idea of dating. I know plenty of long-term couples’ whose love began as a summer fling because summer is a time of long weekends, beach days, and generally a little more time to let a relationship flourish. Of course, first dates are delicate. Brand new couples can’t quite get away with some of the activities more established couples can. My boyfriend and I, for example, do comedy open mics together. But we also have been together for nearly six years and literally are incapable of feeling embarrassed in front of each other at this point. That’s just not the case for new couples. Here are the worst and best summer first date ideas.
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Worst: Outdoor movie nights
Just because it’s outdoors doesn’t mean you get to chat the night away—you’ll still upset your neighbors. People are there to watch the movie, not to chat. Any type of movie-watching situation is not conducive to getting to know somebody.
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Best: Star gazing at an observatory
If you do want to enjoy an evening outdoors, why not go to an observatory and look at the stars? It’s a quiet, peaceful place where you become naturally reflective and feel like opening up. Plus, star-gazing is just romantic.
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Worst: Camping with friends
Though group hangouts can be a nice low-pressure way to get to know someone, group sleepovers are not. Don’t bring a new date on a camping trip with friends. Nobody is at their best on a camping trip. People become irritated. People have to pee in the wilderness. You’re really stuck together in less-than-comfortable circumstances for one or several days. Save that for serious relationships.
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Best: A friend’s BBQ
If you prefer a group thing, then bring your date to a friend’s barbecue. Barbecues are perfect because, they aren’t some deeply personal thing, like a friend’s birthday or anniversary party. BBQ’s are fair game for people you’ve just started dating, and they give you the chance to see how your date gets along with your friends.
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Worst: Family cookout
Group BBQs do not include family barbecues, even though there may be plenty of those in the summer. No matter how casual the setting, it’s never a casual thing when you introduce your date to your family. If this is a first date or brand new fling, don’t bring the person to your family’s cookout.
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Best: The dog park
If you both have a dog—or even just one of you does and the other loves pups—go to the dog park. Everybody’s in a pretty good mood at the dog park, and you can bond over your love of animals. A dog park is really just a regular park—so it’s a nice place to sit and chat—with adorable animals to pet.
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Worst: The zoo
Just because you both love animals does not mean you should go to the zoo. The zoo may be a fun place in the summer, but it’s never a fun place for a first date. There’s just so much…feces.
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Best: A hike
Hiking is a nice, simple way to get to know someone. You aren’t jogging, so you can still actually talk, and you’re away from the busy sites and sounds of the city. You can take a hike to a romantic lookout, and pack a few snacks for when you get there.
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Worst: Rock climbing
Avoid first dates that are overly active. Even though warm weather is conducive to rock climbing, don’t bring your date on this activity. There are just too many logistics—you don’t get the chance to talk. And nobody feels attractive in those harnesses.
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Best: The farmer’s market
Farmer’s markets are so lovely in the summer. And you can pick up some produce and treats that you can use to make a meal together after. There is usually some live music, artwork, and plenty of things to inspire conversation.
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Worst: An outdoor shopping area
Farmer’s markets are about where it ends when it comes to shopping and quality first dates. While you may love the outdoor mall during the summer, a mall isn’t a great place for a date. You both want to go into the stores you love, but don’t want to bore the other one while you shop. Then there are the people at kiosks practically forcing you to try samples and get your hair done.
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Best: Renaissance fair
Renaissance fairs tend to abound in the summer, and they’re excellent places for first dates. You get to act like kids again, playing dressup, trying all kinds of unique foods, and walking around a pretty outdoor setting. You have the option to participate in activities, but you can also just eat, drink, and talk.
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Worst: Theater in the park
If you’re craving some Shakespeare in your life, go with an old friend. Theater in the park is the same as a movie in the park, but worse. You really aren’t allowed to talk during theater in the park. If you do, the cast will probably call you out.
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Best: Music in the park
There are typically some wonderful music in the park series during the summer. These take place in relaxed environments where you can bring a picnic, sprawl out, relax, and chat with music in the background.
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Worst: Music festivals/concerts
Music festivals or concerts are too hectic for a first date. They are intended to be so loud that you can’t hear your own thoughts, let alone have a conversation.
