Fun Ways to Spend a First Date

From the hip twenty-something to the experienced dating diva, everyone's always on the look out for fresh, fun ideas to spice up a first date. Check out my list of thoughtful ways to make your time together memorable and special:

1. A delicious brunch at a Zagat reviewed restaurant in your area.

2. Keep your eye on upcoming exhibits at your local art or science museum for a day of fun and education. Art galleries also host great events by featured artists that involves a mix of free food, good art and encourage interesting conversation.

3. Kite-flying or a game of Frisbee on the beach or at your local park. If you have pets, bring them along and make it a family affair!

4. A book or poetry reading at a bookstore or coffee shop.

5. Have a session with a spiritual medium, have your aura photographed, or get a tarot reading together at a psychic fair.

6. For a day of pure indulgence of the senses, check out a renaissance, wiccan, pagan, psychic, medieval, crafts, music, food & wine, or movie festival.

7. Sample treats from your neighborhood Whole Foods or gourmet market.

8. Have an intimate dinner at a fondue restaurant. Or, take a cooking class together.

9. Go on a tour of your city, college, favorite old haunts and hot spots. If your date falls around the holidays, check out the festive happenings in your city for ideas. Some cities have great ghost, historical and popular tours of favorite restaurants, landmarks and sights that are worth experiencing. If you're in Boston, check out the Chocolate Trolley Tours where you get to spend a few hours trying out the best chocolate desserts from restaurants around the city!

10. Karaoke night. Sing off-key together and have a few laughs. No way to break the ice better than this one!

11. Ice-skating in the park or local rink.

12. Midnight stroll through a beautiful city park or along the beach. Or, plan a picnic during the day.

13. Play a round of pool, air-hockey, darts and share a snack or pint of your favorite ale at a sports bar.

14. If you're into sports, go to a live game, a shooting range, a round of paintball, play a competitive game of one on one basketball, go rock-climbing, biking, bowling, horseback riding, golfing, parasailing, bungee jumping, kayaking, hiking, running or swimming together.

15. Go trick or treating together and share the goodies.

16. Build a snowman or make angels in the snow.

17. Spend the day at a video arcade.

18. Cool off at a water park, or chill out and have fun at a nearby amusement park or carnival.

19. Be entertained and get your giggles on at a comedy club.

20. Make your evening shine with tix to Cirque Du Soleil, Blue Man Group, Stomp or a theater play or musical.

21. Strut your stuff on the dance floor at a trendy club.

22. Spend the day at the zoo or go on a harbor cruise together.

23. Go on a hot air balloon ride. Don't forget to bring the champagne flutes and bubbly to toast the magnificent view!

24. Share a few cups of hot cocoa in front of a roaring fire after a day of skiing or snow tubing.

25. Attend a lecture or workshop together.

26. Experience grape-stomping in places such as California and create a bottle of your own wine.

27. Attend a taping of a sitcom, game show or even a popular talk show.

28. Take a pottery class together.

29. See the opera.

30. Rent a motorcycle and do some coasting along a long stretch of road with beautiful scenic views.

31. Head to Vegas for a night of gambling, magic shows, music concerts, dancing and sight seeing.

32. Experience a spiritual retreat or spa resort together. A great massage sets a relaxed mood where everyone can be themselves and enjoy the rest of the day.

Whatever you do decide to do on your date, it's important to customize the activities based on what you and your date are interested in. If you pick an activity from my list, focus on having fun and just be yourself, you really can't go wrong! Happy dating!