Now that you've gotten the awkward first date small talk out of the way, there's room to get creative on the second one. Yes, you could play it safe and opt for a traditional dinner, but it pays to think outside the box. A new shared experience can help you get to know your date in ways you wouldn't be able to, say, chatting over a three-course meal—not to mention, those get expensive! Unfortunately, coming up with creative date ideas isn't as easy as feels like it should be. It's easy to say you don't want to just do dinner and a movie, but when it actually comes to planning something more out of the box, you're not alone if you completely freeze up.
Luckily, you don't have to live in a real-life romantic comedy to plan something special in the second date department. All it really takes is a little extra effort and some soul-searching about what you truly love to do (and what you think your date will truly love to do, based on what you learned about them on the first date). And, if you're still stuck, you've come to the right place. Ahead, we've compiled 50-plus second date ideas. They all guarantee fun, get the conversation going, and/or ensure there's no mid-date awkwardness, plus many of them double as genuinely cheap dates (that don't feel cheap). Happy dating!
Volunteer Together
Take a page from the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle love handbook and bond by giving back to a cause you both care about.
Go to a Carnival
You don't have to go to an all-out amusement park with roller coasters to have fun. Carnivals are one of those timeless traditions that feel just as exciting on screen as they do in real life. Play some games, eat too much cotton candy, and take a trip on both the ferris wheel and the carousel.
Hit up a Rooftop Bar
If you live in a city where you're lucky enough to experience the incredible views, why not do it with someone new? Find a rooftop bar that fits the vibe (whether that's cozy intimate or more of a crowded scene) and soak it in together. Who says you have to stay at just one bar, either?
Grab Brunch
If you want a less stuffy environment than a dinner setting, where there's mimosas aplenty and no pressure to stick around for the rest of the day, try going for a day date to brunch on the weekend. For fellow angsty people, you can at least get the date out of the way and then go about your day instead of sweating it until evening.
Stage Your Own Film Festival
You don't have to Netflix-and-chill on date #2, but you can set up a cozy movie night that guarantees you some privacy. Settle on a film or a couple episodes of a television series (if you're scrambling for options, a comedy will lighten the mood) and order in some pizza.
See a Live Music Show
After dinner, head to a local show to see some live music—but do your research, since a random band that can't play their instruments can be a serious mood-killer. Here's an opportunity to find out more about his musical tastes and to see how you both gel in a performance setting. This one doesn't have to be your favorite band.
Go Boating
Sailing can be precarious unless one of you has some prior expertise. If you want to keep it simple, rent a paddleboat in the park to reinvent that scene from 10 Things I Hate About You when it's sunny out.
Visit a Museum
Pick a museum that suits the mood you want to set. Attend an opening you've both wanted to check out or explore the galleries of a museum with enough options to keep you entertained for more than one hour. It's an added bonus if you have any special knowledge you've studied up on (looking at you, art history majors).
Enjoy an Adventurous Meal
A date option that works for foodies is trying food that's a little out of your comfort zone. Never shucked an oyster before? Always wanted to try Ethiopian cuisine and know a local restaurant with stellar Yelp reviews? Let yourself enjoy a little cultural adventure and learn some things about each other's willingness to take risks. This one's also a great chance to order a spread of different options and to sample it all.
Attend a Poetry Reading
Poetry slams can go either way: they can be an enlightening experience or a fidgety nightmare if the poetry is just bad. If both of you are literary people, it's an easier pill to swallow, but if not—come with an open mind and a backup option in case you need to slip out halfway through.
Cook Dinner Together
Here's your chance to really show off your cooking skills and your mean mac n' cheese recipe. If your partner's the better cook and you're more of a Seamless girl, sit back and take the sous-chef role. You'll deal with the chopping and peeling, then relish the experience of eating an amazing meal you helped create.
Go Stargazing
It may be more difficult if you live in the city, but once you've ventured out into areas with clear skies, you can test out your astrologer skills—no telescope required. Wear some warmer clothing, stretch out on a fleece blanket, and try to spot as many constellations as you can. Very romantic.
Attend a Food Festival
A well-fed person is a happy person, which makes the appeal of taste festivals kind-of a no-brainer. Take a stroll through the street carts, sample each other's food, and simply enjoy each other's company.
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Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
While this may not be the most affordable date idea on this list, it is guaranteed to impress your date. As long as neither one of you are afraid of heights, nothing sounds as romantic as watching the sunset from the sky. Bring along a bottle of wine, enjoy the view, and mentally prep your third date.
Paint Some Pottery Together
Depending on your artistic skills, you could start from scratch with some clay and build your own piece. But if you’re lacking in the arts department, painting a mug or vase can be just as fun. Your date can give you painting inspo, then you both get to go home with a new piece of kitchenware that serves as a cute memento of your date.
Catch a Movie at a Drive-In Theater
Yes, these are still a thing and they can be a fun way to shake up date night. Since you more than likely don’t live in super close proximity to one, enjoy the road trip, stop on the way for snacks, then settle in for a classic flick. Just don’t forget the blankets.
Play Bartender for Each Other
Getting drinks at the bar isn’t nearly as fun as making them yourself. Each of you can pick your favorite cocktail or choose a recipe you’ve been dying to try, then challenge the other on how can make the best drink. If you’re not too confident in your bartending skills, you can always sign up for a mixologists class together, too.
Make it a Double Date
If your partner is cool with it, make your second date a double date. Adding your bestie and their significant other into the mix can help if the conversation stalls. Plus they will be able to tell right off the bat if you’re vibing well with you date since they know you the best.
