Social Distance Date Ideas That Are Actually Really Cute

I recently had the best first date ever, and it just happened to take place when social distancing protocols were in full effect.

We’d planned for to-go cocktails and a walk by the Hudson River. He gave me an address and I showed up at what turned out to be his restaurant. We breezed past the to-go cocktails at the window, and he invited me inside, masks on, of course, swung behind the bar, threw his arms wide and said, “What can I make you?” Folks, I felt like a cosmopolitan princess. He shook up this incredible watermelon mezcal situation, looked over his shoulder at the kitchen and back at me… “Are you hungry? Should we make a picnic?” lol. Who’s saying no to that? 

We strolled along the water, him carrying our dinner and a hand-selected bottle of french wine, me carrying a cocktail, and I thought, “How am I ever going to do this story justice?” We ate six feet apart on a grassy knoll as the summer solstice sun set before us, and got to know one another with the kind of banter that comes with red hot chemistry. We waved goodbye warmly, but without any kind of rule-breaking embrace, and both left excited for the next date.

As we all prepare for a longer quarantine than we probably predicted, I’ve begun exploring what it feels like to date in-person in this new normal. What follows is a list of tried and true social distance appropriate first dates, that are actually, really cute. 

Opposite Ends of A Park Bench

Maintain six feet of distance easily, without worrying about any party leaning in too closely. It’s also a nice opportunity for anything from to-go cocktails from a local establishment to bringing your own beverage of choice from home. I went on a first date to a park bench in the middle of the afternoon and I loved it because it was so breezy. I walked up and the gentleman was absorbed in a book, the perfect accessory to bring on a park bench date, because it immediately gave us something to talk about. Plus, he looked all cerebral and relaxed reading as I walked up, and we didn’t have to do that awful, wave from thirty feet away thing as I approached. 

The Walking Date 

Low commitment but high yield, the walking first date is something I’ll recommend long after restrictions lift. Nearly impossible to overthink, a walk allows two parties simply to show up, and stroll in the same direction. Be careful to keep your mask on if you’re walking directly side by side, afterall, you’re still strangers, but the shoulder to shoulder stance is actually a great one for conversation. Nothing like a job interview and much more like a friendly encounter, the nature of being alongside someone allows for conversation to flow unlike any other setting I’ve come across. For first dates, this should be the kind of neighborhood walk that is easy to keep to less than an hour, and both of you can depart at any point. Further along in your courtship, a nature hike is a lovely idea but since it involves more than an hour commitment, usually a drive and probably closer contact, keep things local to start. I took a walk with a suitor through Greenwich Village, my new neighborhood, and it quickly turned into a tour of his favorite places he insisted I try once they were back open. Fun and educational. 

The Picnic 

Not a chef? Not dating a restauranteur? No problem. During lockdown, many trendy restaurants have gotten creative with their to-go offerings to appeal to their target audience. A date is the perfect time to splurge on a nicer dinner and the fancier the restaurant, the more likely they are to pack you up a meal with some aesthetic to-go. Particularly small, local businesses will be more likely to accommodate what you’ve got in mind, so simply call ahead and ask if they can set you up with what you’ll need to eat outside. Then just pick a spot with some nature or a nice view, each bring your own blanket to keep that space and voila, romance. 

Take To Water

Rent kayaks, a rowboat or maybe stand up paddleboards to take your connection out on the open water. These options guarantee you some fresh air and outdoor fun with a healthy dose of distance built right in. While a seafaring excursion might be too much for a first date, this is an ideal second or third date when you’re willing to commit more than an hour to the experience. Just be mindful of safety precautions and weather advisories. Nothing kills the vibe like a mayday call to the coastguard. 

Sports? 

A tennis date, golf outing or even a friendly croquet match are great options to drum up some flirtatious competition from an acceptable distance. My only caveat is don’t say yes to this if you’re truly not into sports. Worse than sending the wrong message, if you set yourself up to feel out of your element it’ll be that much harder to show who you are… and first dates are nerve-wracking already. If ping pong or whatever is your thing, by all means do the sports date, but don’t say yes to it just because a guy suggested something he likes to do. A simple, “Let’s start with a walk and work our way up to surfing” is a great line to help pivot.

Virtual Cooking Date 

For better or worse, the safest dates are still virtual dates and the good news is you can still make meaningful, flirtatious connections from behind a screen. I’ve got a single, successful New York gentleman friend who has been inviting romantic prospects for what he calls, “Cooking Dates,” and the man is really on to something. He finds a recipe that calls for simple ingredients and enough prep that it’s fun, but not something that requires advanced skills. Both parties shop separately and agree on a time to cook together from afar. Then, he sets up his kitchen so that it’s clean, warm and friendly, and uses his practiced amateur chef skills to walk his date through the process. “It’s a great way to get to know how someone thinks, gives us plenty to talk about, and at the end, we get to eat ‘together,’” he told me. He also says it’s fun because both parties inevitably make mistakes which gives the opportunity for laughter and teamwork to fix problems along the way. 

Dog Walking

Doesn’t even have to be yours, any dog will do. Find a friend whose dog needs some exercise and offer up a text like, "Hey! I'm watching my friend's dog today, care to join this cutie for an evening stroll? [insert photo of dog]" If your date says no, c’mon… who wants to date someone who says no to that text? 

Botanical Garden

I don’t know about you but a man who appreciates plants gives me the feels in a way that’s tough to describe. With outdoor breezes, plenty of visuals to spark conversation, zero skills required and a low price tag, you may be hard-pressed to find a more ideal first date, social distance or otherwise. 

Beach Day 

Get that vitamin D you’ve been craving by taking that beautiful summer bod of yours to the seaside. This makes an excellent date because it can be a brief stroll or an afternoon excursion. If it's a first date, make it a walk that’s not too far, strenuous, or secluded, and make sure you time it right so that you're hitting the sunset toward the end of the walk, not the beginning. A nighttime beach walk with a stranger gets creepy quickly.

Balcony/Rooftop/Fire Escape/Stoop

Sit outside on literally anything and enjoy conversation with a new prospective honey. It really is that simple.