Our personality, our interests, our goals, and our approach to life – all these things change as we get older. We may not really notice that, but they definitely do. This maturity and perspective we gain with years also affect the way we view relationships and dating.
Dating around just for experience – like you did in your 20s – may not seem as appealing these days. Your preferences may have changed, and you may have realized you want something lasting now that you’re in your 30s. Because of that, you need to plan your dates accordingly, and figure out which dating activities you enjoy the most. Below, a list of four date ideas for 30-somethings to help you plan your next date.
Plan an outdoor picnic
If your idea of a perfect date involves nature and long conversations that are free of distractions, then outdoor picnics probably sound like a perfect date idea. Picnics are ideal if you’re looking to connect with your date and get to know them well. They provide the perfect setting for meeting someone on a deeper level since you’ll be talking most of the time.
Spring and summer are ideal for picnics, and you can also go stargazing afterwards. It’s the perfect way to show your romantic side! Central Park happens to be one of the top picnic spots in the U.S., along with Walden Pond, Mount Bonnell, Bedell Cellars, Folly Beach, and Golden Gate Park. Wherever you decide to pack a picnic, make sure to bring a bottle of wine and some fun games, too.
Swap a dinner date for a daytime rendezvous
Romantic dinner dates and restaurants such as Frank Restaurant and Pera Soho in New York may have been your go-tos in your 20s. But as you enter your 30s, you realize that staying up late is a luxury you can no longer afford. Not only do you have to sleep in the next day and wave goodbye to your weekend. Chances are, you’ll also find yourself googling the best cures for hangovers the day after your dinner date.
To switch things up a bit, schedule your rendezvous at daytime. For some couples, that will mean heading for a weekend brunch in Coconut Grove Miami where the two of them can shake off the hubbub of everyday life. For others, this will mean enjoying an alfresco lunch at the Peacock Park while admiring bay views and mature trees, visiting a local museum or a zoo, or having an ice cream together. As long as you can enjoy it during the day, anything goes!
Have a romantic date night in
If you’re a homebody and have been dating your partner for a while, why not stay in? If quarantine has taught us anything, it’s that cooking at home can be fun and that sometimes the simplest things can bring us so much joy and happiness.
Bring a little Spain to your date night with sangria and tapas. Live “la dolce vita” like the Italians do by enjoying the homemade pizza you two made. Or, order some sushi for delivery for a taste of Japan, and pair it with chilled or warm sake. End the night with an episode of your favorite TV show or a movie you both love.
Take a virtual cocktail-making class together
While at-home date nights usually involve either making or ordering food in, one way to take things up a notch and try something different is to take a virtual cocktail-making class together. Not only is this a great way to boost your mixology skills, but it’s also so much fun.
You can try crafting your favorite cocktails and learn how to garnish them so they look Insta-worthy. It’s also a great way to pick up a skill or two that you can flex at your next cocktail party. The best part? You two can master the art of shaking and stirring all the while dressed in your yoga pants and PJs. You’ll have a great time, and you’ll also be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor later on. Vodka Martini, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, White Russian, or New York Sour? We’ll leave that up to you to decide.
Wrapping up
A lot of things change once you’re in your 30s. Your dating game is no exception to the rule. Rely on these date ideas as inspo when planning your next romantic rendezvous – just make sure it’s something the two of you equally enjoy so that both sides can have fun.