28+ Easy Second Date Ideas (that will turn into more dates)
You went on your first date and it was great. You both had a wonderful time. You went home, and you started thinking about your second date.
But suddenly, you feel stuck and start to wonder: if your partner felt the same and wants to see you again, what should you do next?
Most people make the same mistake and, next time, they repeat the first experience because they are afraid of failing. They go back to the same coffee shop or sit through another long dinner at the same boring restaurant.
Instead of doing another date, which feels like a boring job interview, try something fun, which will guarantee that you will get a third date.
The good news? We wrote 29+ easy second-date ideas to help you have fun, be yourself, and get more dates.
Top 10 Second Date Ideas
Why? Here's How Our Brains Work on a Second Date
On a first date you are just checking the facts and learning more about the person: what they do for work, what they like to do in their free time, whether they love dogs, etc. You get the point.
It kind of feels like an interview.
On the second date, you want to learn more, but without the obvious "interview" questions.
When you do an activity together, your brain stops worrying about what to say and starts focusing on having fun. It all happens naturally.
There is a science-based trick called the "happy brain" trick.
What does it mean?
When you do something active or funny, your brain releases "happy chemicals."
If you are laughing while doing an activity together, your brain thinks, "I feel great right now!"
Your brain starts to associate that feeling of happiness with them.
When you are side-by-side with someone, it's much easier to talk to them without feeling nervous, and when you're doing an activity, you don't feel the pressure to talk nonstop.
Best Second Date Ideas For Active People
Try an Escape Room
Work together in a themed room, and in most cases, you have one hour to find clues and solve the mysteries. Why is it a good idea? It helps you understand how well you and your date work together and how they react under a little bit of pressure. The escape room will create a great memory and give you plenty to talk about on your following dates. Bonus points if you laugh or manage to escape the challenge.
Go Bowling
If you want a low-pressure second date, you can't go wrong with bowling. Most bowling places have food, music, or drinks. Combine these with high-fives for strikes or little teasing conversations for missing the pins, and you're guaranteed to have a successful second date.
Play Mini-Golf
Even if it's a great idea, not every town has a mini-golf course. If you do, do not hesitate to suggest this activity to your date. The good part? You do not need to be a pro athlete, and "failing" to put the ball in the hole will give you more chances to laugh together or have little chats. Make sure that your partner won't feel bad if they see you laughing every time they miss.
Play some games in an Arcade Bar.
Playing games is always fun as they remind us of our childhood. When you share your happy memories, you bond more easily with the other person and can help you both share things that you wouldn't share on a second date in a coffee shop. Why is it a good idea? You don't have to sit at a table; you have to move from machine to machine and compete with each other or play together to gain points. Once you finish playing, you could eat an ice cream together and debate who was better at Mario or Pac-Man.
Go-Karting
There is a high chance that your partner never driven a kart before. Competing in a kart race will be a unique memory your partner will never forget. It will turn a simple date into an adventure, and at the end, you will have plenty to talk about or do another race.
Best Second Date Ideas For Introverts
Take a Walk in the Park
Do you both prefer a quiet place to a loud one? A walk in the park is the cheapest and easiest solution for a second date. You get to add to your daily step count, enjoy nature, and have a side-by-side convo without having to maintain eye contact. If it is cold outside, who knows, there may be some hugging involved, too.
Go Bookstore Browsing
If your date is into books, and you feel comfortable talking about books, this is a great way to start conversations and learn about the other person by seeing what they like to read. Bookstores also have coffee places, and if the date goes well, you can grab a coffee or tea and continue to talk about the books you both like.
Visit a Museum
When you visit a museum, the best part is that it does the "talking" for you. You can learn how your date thinks and what they enjoy and find interesting. You won't run out of conversations if they like art or history.
Try Pottery Painting
When you choose this activity as an introvert, it will make talking feel more natural, as you will both be busy painting. If your city does not have that, you may find a similar ceramic painting. The good part is that at the end, you get to keep the result, and it will be a nice memory for both of you. If the studio needs more days to finish the creation in an oven, this is a reason to meet for a third date to exchange the masterpieces you both created.
Explore a Botanical Garden
The botanical garden idea is similar to the "walk in the park" one. You will find a botanical garden in most cities, and, by default, they are romantic places full of beautiful flowers or exotic plants. A place like a botanical garden will help you relax and get the most out of your date.
Best Second Date Ideas For A Small Budget
If you don't want to spend a lot on your second date, we've got you covered.
Have a Picnic in the Park
If the weather is good, grab a blanket and some simple snacks, and head to your favourite local park. It will be a private date, without worrying about the waiter interrupting your conversation or someone at the following table overhearing you.
Grab A Coffee or Tea and Go For A Walk
You must have a favourite coffee place. Grab a drink together from there, then go for a walk around the neighborhood. When you're on the move, your brain relaxes, and you can easily find conversations about the area or some other low-hanging topics. If you enjoy your date, you can stop by again for another drink, or finish your drink and say goodbye.
The "Grocery Store" Secret Gift Challenge
This might be an unusual second date, but that's what you need for great memories, right? You set a small budget of $5-10, and then each of you has to get something based on the things you learned on the first date. At the end of the challenge, you meet and discuss what each of you picked and why.
Become "Tourists" in Your Own Town
Most people visit the same places in their own city. This is a chance for both of you to explore statues or streets with some history. You can prepare before the date with some topics, like: "Did you know that in this house there lived a famous painter? You can also grab a coffee during your walk, and you're guaranteed to have a successful second date.
Go on a Photo Scavenger Hunt
Before the date, make a list of 5 or 10 interesting things. Then walk together and try to find everything on your list. It turns a normal date into a game, and who doesn't love games? At the end of the date, you will have a lot of photos to remember the great time you had together.
Best Second Date Ideas For Summer
Go on an Ice Cream Marathon
Everybody loves ice cream, and your date loves it too. Get a small cup, and turn your simple date into a mission. You will find out if your date likes classic flavours or the fruity ones. You will get plenty of topics to discuss, as you will be able to explore different parts of your city in the search for the next perfect ice cream.
Go To An Outdoor Event
During the summer, you will find many events in your city, such as live music and theater. Research if you need to bring your own folding chairs. If the weather is not warm, don't forget to bring a blanket and maybe some hot tea. It's a great way to enjoy a beautiful summer day or night in a low-stress environment.
Visit a Local Fair or Circus
Grab a popcorn, eat something sweet like cotton candy, and play some games to win a stuffed animal for your date. You won't have any boring moments; you will have fun and create many happy memories.
Go To A Farmers' Market
On a Saturday or Sunday morning, head to a local farmers' market. While you browse for organic fruits and handmade treats, there will be plenty to talk about. You will learn what your date likes and dislikes, and at the end, you might go home and cook what you bought together.
Watch the Sunset
Search for a great romantic place where you can watch the sunset together while you drink a couple of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. This is one of the simplest and cheapest things you can do, but you're guaranteed to have a memorable second date.
Best Second Date Ideas For Winter
Go on a Hot Cocoa Marathon
Similar to the ice cream marathon idea in the summer, this is the winter variant. You turn a second date into a fun hot cocoa adventure. You will have plenty of time to chat between the shops, and you won't get a chance to get cold. If your date still gets cold, who knows, maybe it's time for a hug.
Visit an Indoor Aquarium
If it's winter, and your city has an indoor aquarium, this is a must-do date. It doesn't need to be a place for your second date, but if you choose it, it will offer plenty of conversation starters. The blue lights from the aquariums and the quiet atmosphere will create a calm, intimate date.
Go Public Ice Skating
Ice skating is a classic winter date, and you will find one in most cities. \nIf you know how to skate, it will be a great way to impress your partner, and if not, you can hold hands and help each other.
Visit A Themed Cafe
You might be wondering what type of coffee shop I'm talking about. In each city, there might be some animal cafe places. If you both like animals, this will be one of the happiest dates. Spend time together while playing with animals. There is a risk that animals might interrupt your conversations, but it will show your date that you're a kind person.
Best Second Date Ideas For A Rainy Day
Go to a Comedy Club
If it’s raining outside, the best thing to do is go on your second date, laugh, have a drink, and have fun. It's a great way to see if your date has a sense of humor and turn a rainy date into a memorable experience.
Go To A Trivia Night Contest
Go on Google and search for a Trivia Night bar. If your city has it, it will transform a rainy day into a fun activity. Team with your date and try to win some prizes. There is no right or wrong answer; the best case is that you know the answers, the worst case is that you can laugh about the things that you don't know.
Take a Dancing Lesson
This idea might be a first for both of you. You and your date will learn something new while you have fun. It can be Salsa or Bachata or anything, you won't miss with a date like this. You will hold your partner's hand and move together in a non-awkward way, and if you both have "two left feet, you will laugh, and maybe you will then do more dates to learn how to dance. It's a great test for your social skills.
Play a Game of Billiards (Pool)
You can find a table in most cities. It is a slow game, so you can enjoy a drink and have a chat. Like bowling, pool is a "side-by-side" relaxed date, where you will learn how competitive your date is.
Where Not To Go On A Second Date And Why
Not every idea is a good one, and it might transform your second date into a boring one. Your second date might make or break the future with your partner, so choose wisely. Here are some places that you should avoid on your second date.
Going To A Movie Theater
This is a big "no." You sit in the dark for 2 hours and aren't allowed to talk. Your second date is to get to know each other, not to stare at a screen in silence.
Going For A Super Fancy Dinner
If the restaurant is too quiet, it might be awkward because you feel you cannot talk about much. If it's too expensive, you might think that your date is testing you, and if you're on a budget, it might create anxiety, because you won't know what your date will order. With these two, you won't feel comfortable.
Going to a Night Club
This is obviously a bad idea, because you won't have a chance to talk unless you don't want something serious with your date. Save the night outs for when you're a couple.
Meeting Your Friends or Family
Too much pressure for your date, because they don't even know you, and now they have to meet your friends or family.
How to Make Sure That There Will Be A Third Date
Picking a second date idea is the easy part. What makes a difference is how you act during your date. Below, I wrote some simple suggestions to help you ensure there will be a third date.
The "Call-Back" Move
During the date, try to remember one small thing they mentioned on your first date. If they said they love a particular kind of candy, bring a small bag. If they mentioned a movie they wanted to see, ask if they ever watched it. If you need inspiration, check our flirting skills test. Why it works: It proves that you were actually listening. Everyone wants to feel like the person they are with truly cares about what they say.
Put Your Phone Away
This sounds simple, but it’s the most important thing you can do. Keep your phone in your pocket or bag. Why it works: When you look at your phone, you are telling your date that the internet is more interesting than they are. When you keep it away, you are giving them your full attention, which makes them feel special.
Mention the "Next Time"
If you are having a great time, don't be afraid to say it! If during your date you see something or she mentions a band she likes that will be in the city next week, don't hesitate to say you'll do that thing next time. Why it works: This is like a "sneak peek" at the third date. It lets them know you like them without you having to make another big preparation.
Send the "Great Time" Text
Don’t follow the "three-day rule." If you had fun, tell them! Please send a text that night or the next morning to say you had a great time and mention one specific thing you liked (like the funny story they told or the game you played). Why it works: It takes the guessing game out of the equation. It makes the other person feel good and lets them know the door is open for another date.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the best second date idea is the one that makes you both feel comfortable and happy. No matter which activity you choose, the goal is to see if you enjoy being in each other's "world."
Use these 28 easy second-date ideas to open the door to your following dates and a relationship. If you are kind, you listen well, and you aren't afraid to be a little bit silly, you'll be planning that third date in no time!