Boy's, as popular as "Netflix and Chill" has gotten over the years among our generation, that shouldn't be your first idea for a date to ask that girl in you Economics class on. If your parents were to tell you about their love lives, it sure as hell wasn't countless hours together sitting on a couch watching TV. Back then, people would go on dates at the diner, go to drive-in movies, dates at the bowling alley, basically anything where they can connect with someone and be romantic. One thing that our generation should rejuvenate from the past is romance.
1. Movies
What ever happened to taking your girl out to the movies? That used to be the trade mark date for teenage couples. It's the perfect place because it's considered a good date, but it's not a $100 dinner so you can save your money without looking cheap or going on a boring date. You can get close in a dark room together and pick a movie based on how you're feeling. Want to cuddle but you're too awkward to approach her? Take her to a horror film, unless she has some weird pleasure for scary movies, her face will be buried in your chest the whole night.
2. Picnic at the Park
This is the ultimate date for you college boys who have about $10 in your bank account. All you need is a blanket, maybe wine or champagne, and maybe a snack. Dates at the park are perfect, especially in the fall or spring when the trees are changing and the scenery is just beautiful. It's also a peaceful place so you two can still connect on an intimate level but you're still in public. The only tricky thing about these dates are a little hard to plan with the weather.
3. Coffee Shop
Why was the cast of Friends always hangout in a coffee shop? They're so easy to find because every town has that signature coffee shop that's really retro and hipster. Coffee shops are great because most of them have that "homey" feeling to them usually with dimmed lighting and couches or small tables instead of a typical restaurant set up. It's a great place to get intimate with a girl and enjoy some coffee and just talk, but you're still taking her out. Coffee shops are a perfect place to go if you're the type of guy who doesn't really like going out and would rather stay home.
4. Bowling Alley
Bowling alleys are the perfect place to go to get a mix of fun, food, and flirting. You can get drinks and food ordered to your table so you both can get a little tipsy while you play. You can mess around and be a little competitive and maybe even try to help her do better job and get a little touchy. Bowling is a lot of fun itself and not too expensive, and for the most part you can stay there pretty long and it will pretty much take up the majority of your night. The only concern with this is if you're naturally a really competitive person. This is a date not the Olympics so try to keep that inner competitive rage to yourself for the night, at-least on the first date.
5. Mini Golfing
Mini golfing is a great place to take her out on a date. It's better to go in the summer so you can go to one of those cute outdoor places with the water falls like the ones on the Jersey Shore board walks. It's a perfect place to get a little intimate because you can excuse yourself to hug her when you wrap your arms around her to "help her swing better". If you don't like kids though, this is not the place for you because there are probably kids everywhere.
6. Ice Skating
Most out door dates can only really be done during the summer, except for one trade mark winter activity. Ice skating has always been around and unless you live in Florida I'm sure you've done it at least once in your life before. If you can at least get from one end of the rink to the other you'll be fine. Falling down and messing up is half the fun of ice skating so if you're not good you can both mess up together. However, if you're a bit of an expert then you can just help her not fall on her butt. Also, try to pick a nice location. If you live in New York, try not to go to Rockefeller Center, at least during prime season. You don't need the whole rink to yourself but ice skating in a crowd as tight as sardines can make your date loose its romance.
7. Broadway
A Broadway play or musical is basically a classier, more expensive live movie. This is the date you go on if you want to get dressed up and have some extra money laying around. This is definitely meant for a girl who is into elegant, classy events. Plays are a little difficult because not everyone likes plays or wants to sit through them since they're so long. Definitely make sure the girl you want to take out is interested in this before you spend all that money.
8. Sporting Event
If you have a passion for sports, or if she does, this is a great place to go out on a date. Whichever one of you enjoys the sport can teach the other all about it which is a great way to connect and share your passions. Also, taking interest in something she likes or her taking interest in something you like is a great way to grow a connection, and who knows you may end up having your first kiss together on live television. Sporting events are also a lot of fun, even if you don't have a preferred team. Plus, food and drinks are 10 times better at stadiums. You just have to make sure she's not the type of girl that has a passionate hatred towards sports or else, well this wouldn't work out too well.
9. Hiking
Hiking is a tricky one because there's a lot of physical activity, struggle, and sweat. However, if you and her both don't mind looking a little gross and like the challenge it could be a great date. You can pick a trail based on its scenery, length and difficulty. Once you found the perfect trip you can make your way up, help each other out, and then enjoy a beautiful picnic at the top of a mountain. This is definitely not a perfect date for everyone but if this is your thing it could be a lot of fun!
10. Restaurant
How could I ever leave out the all known signature date? Taking her out to a restaurant is probably the easiest date to go on since there are endless types of foods, atmospheres and price ranges that you can find the perfect restaurant for what you're going for at the time. They're all great places to feel intimate in a crowd and you can basically stay there for as long as you like.
