First dates.
So you’ve snagged yourself a date with that special somebody. Now what are you going to do? With first dates it’s important that you have a good balance of something to do to keep you entertained and a good level of communication. This way if you run out of things to talk about you are still doing an activity, yet you still don’t want to be so much engaged in an activity where you can’t communicate. For example, I personally don’t like going to movies on a first date because you are so focused on the movie that you don’t have time to interact and communicate with the person. Going out to dinner is a popular first date, and there’s not anything particularly wrong with that, but going to dinner is what almost everybody does on a first date. If you want to stand out you need to do something different, something where the focus is not 100% on you or your date. To stand out you need to do something memorable and something fun. Here are my top 10 favorite first date ideas.
1. Meet up for Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream: This is one of the safest and easiest dates. It’s easy to meet a well-known public place like an ice cream shop or frozen yogurt place and it’s a good idea, especially if you are meeting up for the first time and don’t know each other that well. Almost everybody likes Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt, it is much cheaper than going to dinner and you won’t have the appearance that you are trying too hard to impress your date by going to the nicest restaurant in town. We suggest meeting up for ice cream or something simple like this and if things are going good, then proceed do something else fun to continue the date.
2. Hike: Going on a hike is one of my favorite first date ideas because you can talk with the person, yet be entertained with the surroundings and activities around you. But make sure you date is the outdoor type, not everybody loves the great outdoors. Stay within one another’s comfort zone and don’t do anything the other might be uncomfortable with.
3. Bowling: Maybe your date is not the outdoor type? Maybe its cold windy and raining? Bowling is classic first date and it can be done no matter what the weather is. There are a few places for bowling in Southern Utah. My first choice would be Sunset Bowl because of the location. Sunset is the more popular place to bowl in St. George however Dixie Bowl has better rates and less of a crowd on most nights. If you’re willing to travel a little further the Virgin River in Mesquite has higher quality of lanes. Bowling alternatives: What if it’s late? What if you live far away from bowling? Or what if the bowling lanes are closed? X-box Kinect and Nintendo Wii have some fun bowling games that are in a digital gaming format which involves movement and fun. Lawn bowling, bocce ball or croquet can be done in most back yards or the park as well.
4. Mini Golf: A close second to bowling is mini golf. It is entertaining to see how each hole has different themes and ideas to keep you entertained. My favorite place to mini golf is Laser Mania, it’s great because it’s indoor and can be done any time of year, the black lights add to the fun atmosphere. Fiesta Fun Center has great outdoor mini golf and they also have a driving range if you would rather hit a bucket of balls.
5. Live Theater: Going to a play is a bit classier than going to a movie. Unlike the movies, the theater has an intermission so you can have time to talk with your date. Almost everybody likes the theater. Each show is unique and there is just something that stands apart from having real life actors instead of a screen to watch. Tuacahn is the best place in southern Utah for live Theater. Southern Utah University is world renowned for its Shakespearean festival and almost every school in town has theatrical performances as well. For show times and information about theatrical plays in the Southern Utah area check out: (Tuacahn) www.Tuacahn.org, (The Utah Shakespearean Festival) www.bard.org, (Southern Utah University) www.suu.edu, (Dixie State University) www.dixie.edu, (Dessert Hills High school) dhthunder.org, (Pine View High school) http://www.pineview.org/activities.html, (Dixie High School) http://dhs.washk12.org/, (Snow Canyon High school) http://new.scwarrior.net, (Hurricane High school) www.hhs.wash.k12.ut.us (Tuacahn High school) http://www.tuacahnhs.org/
6. Duck Pond: Feeding ducks is not just a little kid activity it is fun for kids of all ages. Ducks are funny little creatures and feeding them is good way to make sure you both are laughing and entertained. If you’re both relaxed and having fun your chances for a second date are much higher.
7. Go on a picnic: Instead of going out to a restaurant get your food to go or meet at some place and go to the grocery store and get some food that you can eat outside. The outside atmosphere can be magical and work wonders. Go to the top of the Dixie Hill and enjoy the sunset, Enjoy eating on a blanket at the Park, or make Tinfoil Dinners that you can cook in a campfire. Trust me, you will stand out if you do something different from the rest of the crowd.
8. Interactive Video Games: With games like Guitar Hero, Rock band, Just dance, Kinect Sports, Wii Sports, or Scene It, interactive video gaming has become very popular in recent years. These games can be especially fun and interactive where you can laugh and play games but still get to talk and enjoy each other’s company. Don’t just hang out, do things that are fun and allow for interaction and conversation.
9. Go to a concert: If your date is the musical type then going to see live music is a great date. Jazzy’s Rock N Roll Grill often has an Open mic night and live music. Jazzy’s has been voted Southern Utah’s best place for live music and really has some talented people and great food. Applebee’s has a Karaoke night, and Twentyfive Main Café & Cake often has live music. Check out http://suswa.com/ for local musicians and concerts. Suswa has an open mic night a few times a month and Dixie State University has a club that has them often as well. The St. George Tabernacle has a free musical series. World famous as well as local pianist, violinist, vocalist, and choirs perform every month. The music series and concerts are FREE to attend.
10. Watch a sporting event: Almost any time of year you can find some kind of sporting event going on. High school and University Football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, baseball, and special events like the St. George Marathon, Ironman, Huntsman world senior games. It’s great to show some team spirit by cheering on your favorite team or events.
11. Bike Ride: St. George has many wonderful bike trails. Biking is such a great first date for so many reasons. It’s the perfect combination of a fun activity and still being able to communicate. Its good exercise and you release endorphins that help you feel good and when you feel good and you’re having fun and you’re communicating at a level that is fun and entertaining that is great.
