Regardless of your circumstance, when planning a date, we often want to impress and have fun with the person we elected to spend time with. It’s nice to feel like they had a great time thanks to your planning effort. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy simplicity, nor that you have to spend vast amounts of cash to “do it right.” But if you’re still talking about that experience a week later, it can be lovely.

In this post, we’ll discuss some underrated date ideas that make you stand out:

The Theatre

Planning a date at the theater can be a lot of fun, and it shows you put some genuine thought into the evening. You get to dress up a little, and there is a certain regal or classical quality to it, especially if you use methods to get easier tickets from broadway.com via appropriate services. More than a cinema trip, you’ll find that seeing a play or musical is a great way to spark a conversation afterward because you both have a shared experience to talk about, and it feels more pressing and present than any other type of show.

Don’t forget you can grab a drink before the show or even dinner, then talk about your favorite parts on the way home. That feels more memorable than just a normal movie date. The energy of a live performance is also just amazing, as it’s such a different feeling from watching something at home or at the cinema.

Mom & Pop Restaurant Reservations

Finding a cozy mom-and-pop restaurant for a date is a nice change of pace and quite intimate, because these places often have a charm and character that big chain restaurants obviously won’t, and you can feel a real sense of community there. The food is typically made with a lot of love and care, and you can tell the owners are passionate about what they do. Reserving a space somewhere special can be pleasant.

This kind of spot lets you have a more focused conversation without a ton of background noise and it feels more personal, almost like you found a hidden gem. It also gives you a chance to support a local business which is always a good thing and makes you feel connected to the community. They may even put special flowers on your table if you ask.

Classes & Active Dates

Trying a class or an active date is a fantastic way to get to know someone better, and is generally considered best for first dates. You could try a cooking class, or maybe a pottery workshop, where you get to be creative and a little goofy together. Other more active dates like hiking or rock climbing are great for seeing how someone handles a challenge and has some fun, just make sure they’re happy to exercise.