Locals enjoy coffee shop at Phin Coffee located in Boston. Photo by Olivia Reid (She/Her)/ Photography Editor.
The traditional date idea of dinner and a movie has long been overused. Couples need more excitement than this, especially young people, where traditional dates aren’t seen as much anymore. Dating should be fun, so here are some ideas to bump up your dating game.
This one is for all the book lovers out there. First, go to a coffee shop and grab a beverage. It can be anything, but go for a fun drink and get it to go. Next, walk over to the nearest bookstore, sip on the beverage and have both people pick out their favorite book. Then, go to a park and exchange books. Reading someone’s favorite book gives insight into who they are as a person and what is important to them. If spending money on a new book isn’t feasible right now, just bring it from home!
Since spring is here, why not take advantage of the beautiful weather and pretty flowers? There are many beautiful gardens in Boston, like the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden and the Carolyn Lynch Garden on The Greenway, just to name a few. Go to a grocery store and grab some snacks before heading over to a garden for a picnic. It’s pretty, and it’s cheap. What’s not to love?
This date can also be taken to the Boston Common; swan boats are nearby for after the date to take a boat ride around the water. Stop by the dollar store to pick up cheap canvases and paint to paint something while at the picnic. It could be the flowers, each other or whatever comes to mind. UMass Boston student Emily Walsh says this is her ideal date.
For those who prefer a little more excitement, Boston is home to a plethora of cool attractions. Escape the Room has a Boston location with three rooms currently running, including a South Park themed room. Boxaroo, located right near Government Center, also has three rooms running, ranging from two to 10 players each (2). There are plenty of other escape room venues in the area as well, so just do some research before visiting.
If escape rooms don’t seem appealing, Puttshack in Seaport puts an entertaining, modern twist on traditional mini golf. Players don’t need to keep score because of the high-tech system that tracks the points earned by each player based on the ball they use. There are four different tracks, each with their own unique features and twists. There are beer pong inspired holes, air hockey inspired holes and so much more.
Board game cafes are also an enjoyable way to spend time on a date. Tavern of Tales on Tremont Street is a cafe and bar that also houses many board games for visitors to choose from. Free play is walk-in only and has a 90-minute seating limit on Fridays and Saturdays.
For longer games like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride or Dominion, players can rent out a room for up to six people—for double or triple dates—up to four hours. They serve breakfast until 2 p.m. and food until close—which on Fridays and Saturdays is 1 a.m (3).
Another activity that’s a little more lowkey is taking a class together. A cooking class would be a great way to bond over food with a little more personal touch then just eating at a restaurant. An art class or exercise class are other classes that could be good for a date. The Boston Public Library offers tons of free classes available to everyone on their website, bpl.org.
Small artists come to Boston to play music all the time. Pick a random one and “pregame” by binge-listening to their music. Then, go to the show, knowing almost nothing about them, and just have fun. The Lizard Lounge or The Red Room at Cafe 939 would be good places to do this, as they feature small and local acts all the time.
Whether escape-rooming or picnicking, any of these dates will guarantee a good time. Remember, dating should be an exciting time, so try not to stress too much over what the activity is. Just spending time with each other is enough.
Sources
