8 Outdoorsy First Date Ideas For Active Adventurers

You’ve met someone you’re interested in and now you’re looking for the perfect first date. Where should you go? What should you do? Rather than the go-to dining or drinking meet-up, why not get together and go rock climbing, bike riding, canoeing or fishing? A day hike or playing a board game with a beautiful picnic can be a great way to not only enjoy someone’s company, but also, put both parties in an optimistic and open headspace. Participate in an active adventure and discover what interests you both have in common. If you love wild places, hiking, or trail running, likely the person going on a date with you does too.

Consider the below outdoorsy ideas, with suggestions located across the US, when planning a meaningful, picture-perfect outing.

Stroll and Sip

Going for a walk is a great way to get to know someone. Plan on meeting somewhere to grab a coffee or fresh smoothie and then visit a city park or forest preserve. Many beautiful botanic gardens are dotted across the country: Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, United States Botanic Garden in Washington D.C., ABQ Bio Park in Albuquerque, and Chicago Botanic Garden, to name a few. If your date has a pet, consider going to a dog park. If you’re in an urban environment, walk around the neighborhood and pop in and out of shops and bookstores. The idea here is to remove yourself from the standard and oft-dusty interview-style date. Learn how the person operates in the real world—you’ll be surprised at just how easy it is to open up with each other and share meaningful conversations when you’re simply walking around the block.

See an Outdoor Concert

Learning about a person’s interests and establishing a connection doesn’t have to be a tongue-tied and awkward experience. Attend an outdoor concert and bond over music and entertainment. Ravinia Festival, for example, is home to a wide variety of musical performances, set on a beautiful 36-acre woodsy park. In the warm-weather months, plan on bringing a blanket and a picnic or, should you prefer, dine in one of the on-site restaurants—Park View, Tree Top, or Lawn Bar. Other year-round venues here include The Martin Theatre, Bennett Gordon Hall, and Ravinia Music Box.

Paddle and Ponder

Move your body and get your heart rate up through kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. You’ll have fun with your date without forcing an uncomfortable tête-à-tête. Organically connect while enjoying the scenery and natural landscapes. Rent a double kayak or bring your own. Oru Kayak, for example, has a portable folding tandem vessel, the Haven TT, that can be converted into a single craft—brilliant!

Opt Outside: Shop Local

Visit a local farmer’s market and interact with purveyors and artisans from the region. Find out if your date likes to cook. Learn if health and wellness is a part of their lifestyle. You’ll discover important “likes” and “dislikes” throughout this outing, which will give you valuable insights into their personality and disposition.

Do Good: Volunteer

Whether you sign up for a beach clean-up or trail maintenance event, you can spend time together outside, while at the same time, offering up your time for a greater cause. Promote a sense of teamwork by volunteering to walk dogs at a shelter. See how you can help at your local state park or forest preserve. Learn how much compassion and empathy your date has while giving back to a worthy non-profit.

Experience a Thrill-Seeking Adventure

First dates can be tricky, particularly if you’re meeting in person for the first time. To ensure that you’ll have something to talk about, why not go big and sign up for a guided thrill-seeking rendezvous with Polaris Adventures? Choose from off-road, on-road, or snowmobile itineraries and a professional guide will safely lead the way, which is especially helpful for those new to powersports. With locations across the country, including Wyoming, Utah, West Virginia, Minnesota, and Texas, it’s easy to find a nearby outfitter. At Lawson Adventure Park & Resort in Dumont Colorado, for example, you can experience a two-hour guided ATV tour and then grab a paddle and go whitewater rafting with the Ridge & Rapids package. Undoubtably bold, this will be a first date to remember no matter how the romantic bond materializes in the end.

Nosh and Nibble at a Food Truck

If you must add a meal to your date, make it interesting and visit a food truck. The casual and lively atmosphere will spark an easy exchange between you and your date. Locations like South Walton, Florida have fun events like Food Truck Friday and you can always grab noshes at one of the retro food trailers stationed along Airstream Row in Seaside, Florida. Get to know each other while sitting on a bench or picnic table outside rather than in a formal indoor restaurant—you can focus on the dialogue rather than whether or not the server is coming with the check.

Go for an Easy Run

Don your sharpest fitness gear and head outside for an easy-breezy run. You won’t have to worry about maintaining constant banter while working up a sweat; instead, you can let the connection happen naturally. Setting the stage early for a healthy relationship, one that allows for not only fun and fitness, but also, vulnerability, is always a good idea. To ramp up the challenge, consider participating in a low-key race, like a Life Time Athletic Event. Completing a 5K, for example, would certainly be a memorable and exciting first date.