14 Day Dates You'll Actually Want to Go On

If you’re being honest, Netflix and chill turned into Netflix and hibernate for you right around the time sweaters entered your outfit rotation. But now that it’s warmer out, there’s really no excuse to spend all weekend curled up on the couch. It’s always fun to make dinner plans, but why not take advantage of the sunshine by spending the afternoon with bae or that cute guy from Bumble? Here are creative ideas to get you thinking outside brunch.
1. Go on a taco crawl. Companies offer a variety of walking food tours highlighting an area’s grub, from ice cream to pizza, but you can also get creative and make up one of your own. Try to hunt down the best taco in your neighborhood…or the best hamburger or doughnut.2. Hit up a baseball game. There are usually enough lulls in a baseball game that you can engage in a great conversation without missing any of the action. Plus, lots of parks now have tons of non-hot-dog-and-beer options, from barbecue and seafood stands to cocktail lounges. No MLB team in your area? Check the schedule for your local minor league or college squad.3. Lounge at a hotel. Some hotels offer day rates, which allow you to check in during the morning and spend the afternoon by the pool or at the spa. Or you could curl up under the covers and indulge in some hotel sex.4. Explore a nearby town or neighborhood. We all can’t spontaneously fly to Nashville like on Master of None. But driving or taking the train to an unfamiliar nabe could be just as exciting. Take a cue from Robin: While walking around, she and her fiancé will take turns picking which shops to pop into. You’ll get to know a new area—and each other—better.5. Ride every ride at an amusement park. A trip to Adventure Land will quickly make your S.O. forget his stressful week or bring out the silly side of a new guy. As Lauren O. explains, “I’m into guys that don’t take themselves too seriously, so amusement parks help me gauge their ability to go with the flow and loosen up around me.” 6. Sip suds on a brewery tour. Sitting at your usual table at your usual bar can get a little flat. But at a brewery, you can find your new favorite IPA and finally learn what a hop is. A visit to a vineyard or distillery is just as appealing and will also make you two feel sort of fancy. 7. Take a class… You can usually find discounts online for all kinds of learning opportunities—crafting, flying, dancing, anything. Cheryl would love to take a date to a cooking class: “It’s great because you’re doing something interactive. Plus, it can ease some of the getting-to-know-you discomfort to have other people around. It takes some of the pressure off.” 8.…Or try something new on your own. You don’t need a teacher present to pick up a new skill. One of you can take the lead or you can bond while trying to figure it out together. Has one of you mentioned an activity you’ve always wanted to pin down? Jessica was smitten when a guy invited her to an archery range after she expressed her inner desire to be Katniss Everdeen. Not only was she amped to go all Hunger Games, but it also made her realize how thoughtful he was.9. Stroll through a botanical garden. Municipal gardens usually offer rotating exhibits and themed tours—which have “New Instagram Photos!” written all over them. Plus, few things are more romantic than meandering through a field of roses (or whatever’s in bloom). If you don’t live near a specialty garden, don’t underestimate how much pretty you can find at your local gardening center.10. Wander through a flea market. You’ll get in a full day of casual walking and talking without spending any money, and you might discover some one-of-a-kind treasures along the way. “The items tend to be unexpected and odd,” says Cara, who attends local fleas with her husband. “It’s fun to browse, discuss, and people watch!” Bonus: Food trucks often park nearby.11. Take in an outdoor concert. Many communities host open-air performances ranging from large festivals to small gigs once temps begin to rise. Dust off your flower crown and dance together in the dirt or pack a picnic and cuddle in the grass near your local band shell. 12. Soak up some culture. Museums are an old standby, but how about visiting a science center or an outdoor sculpture exhibit at a park or on a college campus? Leslie likes how both offer enough to discuss to keep the conversation going on a first date even if you realize you two don’t have much in common.13. Act like kids Shoot hoops at the gym. Let out your inner child at an arcade. Show off your backhand (and how good you look in white) on the tennis court. Throw darts at a dive bar. You’ll have an awesome time and catch a glimpse of his competitive side. Plus, sometimes a girl wants an excuse to bro out. “Enjoying sports with guys is fun for me,” says Lauren P. “I have a lot of girlie-girl friends, so I don’t always get the chance to do these things.”14. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Nurture the soft spot you share for furry friends by lending your time to a local shelter. Depending on the facility’s rules and programs, you may be able to help with washing the animals before adoption, walking dogs, or providing staff support. The buzz from all that altruism might guide you to set up other do-gooder weekends, like knocking on doors for your presidential candidate of choice or stocking shelves at a food pantry.