The Three Best Places for a First Date in St. Louis

First dates come so full of possibilities and expectations that nothing can dare be left to chance. They must be planned, but not overplanned, interesting but not extravagant. This is the "gateway" date that will determine the interest in a second meeting or the brass ring of dating - the long-term relationship. St. Louis offers so many options for a great first date that it will be hard to choose.

The activity and location chosen for the first date are all-important. They must give the pair time alone together to get to know one another, but not be so isolated so that a slightly long lull in conversation becomes awkward. Going to see a band perform is not intimate enough while hiking through the woods puts too much pressure on them for witty banter over an extended period of time. Movies are terrible first dates because there is no opportunity to get to know each other and restaurants can be expensive and some are uncomfortable eating in front of someone they just met - the "can I use my fingers to eat that" anxiety.

This list of the three best places for a first date in St. Louis balances all the demands of that first encounter and stacks the deck just a bit to your advantage on the quest for companionship or a soulmate.

Loves Me, Loves Me Not.....

The Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard. Admission: $8/adult, free parking.

A leisurely stroll through the gardens and flora of the Botanical Garden, or "Shaw's Park," provides the perfect backdrop for the first date. You have the opportunity to talk and learn about each other over several hours while the unique plants are constantly there to provide a subject of conversation if you think you've run out of things to say. While it might seem a perfect place for it, picnics are not allowed on the grounds. There are two restaurants to choose from. The Botanical Garden also has a number of special weekend events, such as the Japanese Festival on Labor Day Weekend. During the summer it hosts free outdoor concerts on Wednesday evenings. Seating is on the grass (bring lawn chairs or a blanket) and picnic baskets and coolers are allowed at those evening concerts.

Where The Wild Things Are

Suson Park, 6059 Wells Road. Free admission.

The word of the day at Suson Park is Fun! The Park sprawls across 98 wooded acres in South County and offers an eclectic bunch of activities. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grass or let him show off his barbecue prowess on a grill at one of the reservable picnic sites. After lunch pet the farm animals - that's right, horses, cows, pigs, goats and chickens within arm's reach. You can tell a lot about someone from the way they react to animals, so also think of a first date at Suson Park as a kind of compatibility test. Bring a kite in case a breeze kicks up. You could even round out the afternoon with some fishing in the Park's frequently stocked lake.

Barefoot In The Park

Forest Park. Free admission.

There are so many things to do in Forest Park they couldn't all be done in one day much less one date. But the best first date begins at the Zoo. Walking around the Zoo alone makes for a great day and so doing it with someone you'd like to know better will be just that much more fun. The astounding number of animals, most in friendly habitats, has just gotten better and better during its 100 year history. You can spend and hour or spend the day every day of the year except Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission to the Zoo is free, but parking and special attractions do have fees.

After the Zoo, take your date just down the road to the Boathouse. There you can experience the romanticism of the 19^th Century as you row your date around the lake and into the Great Basin in a lock-oar skiff or pedaling a paddle boat together ($15/hour). When you come off the water you can enjoy drinks and a late lunch on the outside deck of the lakeside restaurant and plan your next date together.

SOURCES

http://www.mobot.org/

http://www.co.st-louis.mo.us/parks/suson.html

http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/