20 First Date Ideas For College Students That Aren’t Boring
First dates can be awkward and uncomfortable. Traditional coffee dates reflect more networking than a date and dinner and a movie is so cliche. Having a fun first date can allow you to see if you two can be adventurous and have fun together. Here are some first date ideas for college students that go beyond the boring!
1. Go on a bike ride
Whether you are riding around your old neighborhood or are exploring a new place, bike rides allow you to have interesting conversations with your date. You can take a trip down memory lane by pointing out memorable buildings or learn new things together.
2. Go dancing or take a dance class
First date ideas for college students tend to involve some level of discomfort. However, dancing allows you to loosen up and let go. It also allows you to see if you are physically compatible. If you are both terrible dancers, this will give you something to laugh about.
3. Learn something new together
Learning something new together can be fun. Finding something you both want to learn can be fun and bring you closer together. Take a class or go to a museum that you are both interested in. Go out for dinner together afterward and talk about what you got out of the new experience.
4. Go to a concert
Whether it is a band that you both love or one that neither has heard of, concerts are a great way to break the ice and see what the other enjoys. If one likes the band and the other has not heard of them, it allows you to learn new things about each other.
5. Play a game
Finding first date ideas for college students doesn’t have to be all about spending money! Whether you challenge the other person to a board game or a game of air hockey at a local arcade, things are likely to be fun. This also allows you to see how competitive the other person is, which is an important thing to know about someone.
6. Go to a fair or festival
Whether it is a local carnival or a huge street fair, these kinds of events can be a great way to learn whether or not your date is into big events. Music festivals are fun as well, as you can see what music tastes you have in common while showing them your individual interests.
7. Go to a sporting event
Whether it is a major league team or a little league game, going to a sporting event can be a fun way to get to know each other. Even if you are rooting for an opposing team, this is a fun way to hang out and have some competitive fun.
8. Go for a hike
This is a fun way to build a good relationship. No matter how advanced either of your hiking skills are, it can be fun to get out and enjoy some fresh air. Having to trust each other in the middle of nowhere is a great way to build trust.
9. Go ice skating
First date ideas for college students can still include some universal classics. Whether it is an outdoor rink with views of a major city or a local indoor rink, ice skating is a fun way to get to know each other and to build trust. Hanging onto each other is a great way to feel closer to each other.
10. Restaurant hop
While going out to dinner may seem boring and traditional, go restaurant hopping. Start at a bar of one for drinks. Then go somewhere for appetizers, followed by an entree. Go to another restaurant for dessert or go to an ice cream parlor.
11. People watch
This is especially fun if you live in or near a big city, but you can even do it at a mall. Pick a spot that gets a lot of foot traffic and just watch people. Something about someone may trigger a memory you can share with the other person.
12. Sing a few karaoke tunes
Going to a karaoke bar is a lot of fun, even if you are not the best singers. Even just listening to others attempt to belt out the biggest hits can be amusing, giving you two something to laugh about and remember.
13. Spend the day at a beach
There are few things more romantic than a date at the beach. If you live nearby a beach, take a day trip with your date. Jump in the waves and go for a long walk, looking for shells or just talking. Play a game for a prize on the boardwalk.
14. Attend a fall festival
In the fall, many farms have fall festivals. Take a hayride or venture your way through a corn maze. Go to the pumpkin patch and pick out pumpkins to paint or carve together. Share a bucket of popcorn or get caramel apples.
15. Go horseback riding or on a carriage ride
Horseback riding can be a lot of fun. If it is your first time, go out with someone who can show you the ropes and guide you on the path. See if a nearby beach offers horseback riding. Many cities have carriage ride tours, which are also fun.
16. Taste some wine
As long as you know your alcohol limits, go wine tasting at a local winery or brewery. This is fun, especially if there are others there. Learn about what wine connoisseurs know and enjoy some booze together. After all, the best first date ideas for college students celebrate what college is all about: alcohol.
17. Go on a double date with friends
First dates can be challenging. Get together with another couple that you both know to help break the ice and keep the conversation flowing. If you are not compatible, you can at least talk to the others and end it there.
18. Go to a flea market or a farmer’s market
These markets are popular in the suburbs as well as in big cities. While they are a great way to get some shopping in for less money than shopping in a store, they also offer a wide variety of other activities for you to indulge in.
19. Try your hand at an escape room
Escape rooms are a lot of fun. Even if you are put together with other people, these rooms can be a fun challenge to test each other’s intelligence and communication skills. If you cannot communicate, this will cause issues further down in your relationship.
20. Attend a book reading
If you both love the same kinds of books and authors, attending a book reading can be a way to build a connection. This can stimulate intelligent conversation and give you both a memory to cherish forever, especially if you get a book signed.
What first date ideas for college students do you have? Put them in the comments!
