First Date Ideas for the Greater Springfield, IL Area

Making a good impression on a first date is critical. Where you take your date sets the tone for the rest of the evening. You can't simply take them to your normal hangouts. Living in central Illinois, just outside of Springfield, choices are pretty slim unless your date is a big fan of farming. However, there are a few options out there that will impress while not breaking the bank.

First we have the dinner date. Nothing is more traditional than going out to dinner on your first date. My suggestion? Bella Trattoria (100 West Main Street in Williamsville). Bella Trattoria is a very intimate Italian restaurant with maybe a dozen or so tables. Lighting is low and traditional Italian music plays unobtrusively. The walls are festooned with photos of Italian celebrities and the tables are done in classic red and white checked table cloths. Prices are reasonable, with dinner for two (appetizer, two entrees and split a dessert) coming in at about $30. Some specials cost more. Don't eat here if you're in a hurry. This place is not about rushing. It's about a leisurely (and hopefully romantic) dinner, that can take up to an hour get to your entree if their really hopping.

If you don't want to eat, but would rather impress your date with your mind, try Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site (15588 History Lane in Petersburg). The park itself is free to enter and is an accurate replica of the town where Lincoln spent a goodly portion of his life. There are people in period clothing working the site that can tell you all sorts of interesting historical tidbits. There is a restaurant on site if you want to grab a bite, and gift shops selling all things Lincoln.

Finally, if you want to just go out for a goofy fun first date and don't mind spending a little money, you have to take your date to Knight's Action Park (1700 Recreation Drive in Springfield). Knight's Action Park has a ton of different things to do. There's an arcade, go-karts, miniature golf, driving range, water park, drive-in theater and plenty of food choices. The bonus of is that you can't possibly do everything here on one date, so a follow-up date is a lock!

So there you have it, dinner, educational experience and goofy fun! Any are fine choices for a first date and won't destroy you financially. You could always try to impress and do an all day first date and try to pack in all three! Good luck!