What does a first date look like? Dinner at the Italian restaurant? Cocktails in the bar? Boring! With our outdoor date ideas you can score better
Cinema, restaurant, shopping mall – yawn! These places are definitely not suitable for the perfect first date. Where should you go instead? Outdoors, of course – action and experiences are guaranteed. The joint activity is an excellent way to get to know him or her better. Another advantage: the experiences on your open-air date are more bonding than any conversation by candlelight.
For a successful outdoor date, you should definitely get an idea of your date’s fitness, enthusiasm and adventurous spirit. After all, the right assessment will determine which outdoor experiences will be fun for both of you on your date.
With our date tips, you not only have at least one suggestion for every season, but also impress your date with natural charm and your outdoor talent.
Outdoor dates for little money
1. walk in nature
Laaangweilig – normally perhaps. But if you know your way around your surroundings and know about the little secrets, you can turn a dull nature walk into a highlight hiking tour. Surprise your date with a walk to idyllic clearings, to impressive viewpoints, for example with a great view of your city. You may also know a hidden spot or two, where sometimes shy forest creatures can be admired.
Be careful not to choose a route that is too demanding, because you don’t want your date to run behind you completely exhausted. Rather, plan time for breaks and chats with. Portals such as outdooractive or outdoor-magazin.de offer inspiration for the tour.
2. geocaching
Take her/him on a modern scavenger hunt, for example. In geocaching, people hide all kinds of treasures that you can then track down with your date. Check out websites such as www.geocaching.com to find out where so-called “caches” are located in your area and plan well in advance: Where exactly is the destination, how will we get there (car, bike, public transportation), do I need equipment to get to the treasure?
Once everything has been clarified and prepared, you’re ready to go. Armed with a map and GPS device (the smartphone will do) you take your date on a treasure hunt. On the way you will have a wonderful conversation and maybe discover one or the other beautiful spot in your surroundings, which you did not know until now.
While solving the puzzle you will see how you both harmonize as a team and whether you find solutions together. By the way, it is common to replace the cache with something of equal value – maybe you put something in it as a common memory? And maybe the cache is not the most valuable thing you discover that day.
3. look at the starry sky
What, that’s too trite for you? Then we’ll quickly prove you wrong. Because there’s not much that compares to a clear sky full of stars to score points with your date.
Of course, a cloudless sky at night is the most important thing for your planning. That means checking the weather forecast beforehand to avoid disappointment and bringing a picnic blanket (from €18.99) for the cold ground. A flashlight (from €23.98) (in case nature calls) and food should also be with you.
While you’re marveling at the natural highlight, you’ll start talking as if by magic – and not with the usual small talk, but with more profound conversations. Any bet that she/he will remember the romantic outdoor date for a long time, where she/he spent hours under the stars.
4. rent a boat
Rent a boat with your date, for example a canoe, and sail into the dream date on the water. Whether it’s spring, summer or fall, you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life in a boat and have a date all to yourself. As an experienced outdoor adventurer, of course, you first offer to take the oars in hand – but do not stiffen here alone to keep the boat on course. Because when rowing or paddling together, teamwork and coordination are most important. You’ll quickly find out if the chemistry between you is right.
By the way, in addition to a warming blanket (from €27.99), pack some provisions. That way, you can make a spontaneous picnic stop along the way or, if there’s already a spark between you on the water, make yourselves more comfortable in the boat.
5. mountain biking
A date in the open air, on a bike – but not on a boring city bike on crowded roads, but on off-road mountain bikes, cross-country through nature. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to go downhill or take the tour with the beautiful view.
You live near the Eifel, the Black Forest or the Swabian Alb? Excellent. Then it should be no problem for you to find a mountain bike route for your sporty outdoor date. But always remember: you’re riding as a couple. So plan a route that suits the fitness level of both cyclists. Otherwise, you’ll soon be over the hill while he/she struggles to keep up. Instead, take a more relaxed approach.
As with all outdoor activities, food is an important issue. Of course, you carry a backpack with you that not only contains enough liquid for the trip, but preferably also a small reinforcement for the break. Especially nice are: a viewpoint with a great panorama, a cozy restaurant or a quiet place where you can get closer to each other undisturbed.
6. stand-up paddling
On the board you get away from the hustle and bustle of the city or the crowded hiking trails. And don’t worry: on the big board you almost can’t fall into the water. If you don’t have your own board, look for a rental shop nearby.
Allow 1 to 2 hours for the SUP tour. So you have no time pressure and can enjoy your date on the water in peace. You will be undisturbed and discover your surroundings from a completely new perspective. At the same time, you’ll find out whether your date is also athletic and feels as comfortable on the water as you do.
And if you do need a break: Just lay on the boards and drift. Pack the snacks waterproof, for example in zipper bags or in a waterproof cooler bag (from 29,00 €) – so you surprise your date on the way with a spontaneous picnic on the water.
Delicious ideas for the first meeting
7. go fishing
We’ll stick to water. Admittedly, not everyone can relate to fishing and slippery water creatures. That’s why you should propose this date idea first before surprising her/him with it (negatively). You have a fishing license and know a lake or river where the fish are biting well and where you and your date can spend some quality time together? Perfect.
Then preparation is the key to success. Make sure you’re comfortable on your outdoor date – is there comfortable seating on site, or do you need to pack camping chairs, for example? A blanket and a thermos are great for colder temperatures. While you’re waiting for something to bite, you’ll also strike up some excellent conversation. And if the fish on your date’s hook pulls too hard, you’ll also get physically closer: help her/him land the catch. Whether you put the fish you caught right back into the water or later use your joint catch to conjure up a meal, you’ll always have a great time.
8. dinner at the campfire
Instead of just cooking for your date at home, invite her/him to a campfire dinner. Get to know each other while collecting firewood and prepare the cooking area together – you take it from there. Impress your date not only with how quickly you can light a real fire, but also with a delicious menu that would make any star chef jealous – and make your date melt away.
It’s best to find out ahead of time what she/he likes to eat: does she/he like fried steaks or grilled fish, or do you prefer to prepare a vegetarian meal with fresh vegetables? Just remember to bring enough water for cooking and don’t forget the bottle of wine that will make the outdoor dinner perfect. And for dessert, of course, there’s only one thing you can do: marshmallows on a stick.
Unusual places for an outdoor date
9. through the air in a hot air balloon
This date tip takes you high up in the air. However, you should save something so special (and not quite cheap) better for the anniversary, instead of going directly on the first date in the air. You should expect a starting price of 200 euros if you want to offer something to your date. You can book balloon rides online or with local event organizers.
As an outdoorsman, you know the woods and meadows in your area – but certainly not from the air. Grab your date and climb into a hot air balloon. As a rule, a trip lasts 1 to 2 hours and, depending on the weather, you’ll cover between 5 and 30 kilometers at an altitude of 300 to 3,000 meters – enough time to enjoy the breathtaking view as well as the other person in the balloon basket.
10. climbing or bouldering in the hall
Admittedly, our last tip is not quite outdoor. But no one is safe from bad weather. So if the weatherman has conspired against you and your plans for the upcoming date outdoors, then just go to the climbing hall for bouldering or climbing. By the way, this also works in good weather: many of the halls have outdoor areas where you can climb or boulder in the fresh air. Your date doesn’t have to worry about her/him just watching from the ground while you scramble up the walls – there are routes for every level. Plus, the mats on the ground allow for a soft landing.
If your date has no experience, it’s best to take an introductory course with her/him. Here she/he will learn basic techniques and lose the possible fear of heights. If she/he already has experience, you can start climbing on your own. Between climbs you should take longer breaks to let the muscles regenerate. This is an ideal opportunity to sit back, relax and learn more about each other. The sore muscles you’ll both feel after a day at the climbing gym are the perfect excuse for the second date: a relaxing visit to the thermal spa.
Conclusion: Romantic to sporty – the main thing is outdoors
Whether sporty, romantic or creative, on land or water – there is the right place for every first date. Find out before the date how fit she/he is and what you can do with her/him. Take her/him to an outdoor activity that she/he likes to do. Or surprise her/him with a side of nature she/he has never seen before.