First Date Ideas For Over 70s
Got a first date coming up and no idea where to go? Relax. Nobody expects you to plan a trip to Vegas. The best dates at our age are the ones where you can actually hear each other, sit down when your knees ask nicely, and get home in time for Jeopardy. Here are six ideas that work just as well in Maine as they do in Arizona.
1. A Leisurely Lunch
Lunch beats dinner for a first date over 70. The restaurant is quieter, the light is better and nobody has to drive home in the dark. Pick somewhere convenient for both of you, so one of you is not stuck on the interstate while the other strolls around the corner. A small town diner with great pie, a winery in Napa or the Finger Lakes, or the Italian place everyone in town swears by will all do nicely. One tip from experience: save the barbecue ribs and the lobster bib for the third date.
2. A Stroll Through The Gardens
A gentle walk takes the pressure off, because you are side by side instead of staring at each other over the ketchup. The New York Botanical Garden, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, the Missouri Botanical Garden or simply the park down the street all make a lovely setting. Go early before the heat, wear a good hat and bring water. Finish with an iced tea, and if the conversation stalls, the squirrels will provide the entertainment.
3. Be A Tourist In Your Own Town
When did you last visit a museum in your own city? Most of us never go, because it was always there. A trolley or hop on hop off bus tour lets you see the sights without hunting for parking, and the guides are full of stories. Smaller towns have their gems too, from a historical society museum to a presidential library. Many attractions offer a senior discount, so it never hurts to ask at the ticket desk.
4. A Matinee And A Coffee
A movie is a perfect first date, because for two hours nobody has to think of something clever to say. Pick a matinee: it is quieter, often cheaper, and you are home before dark. Afterwards, find a coffee shop and have a friendly debate about whether the ending made any sense. A community theater show or a concert in the park works just as well.
5. Out On The Water
There is something about the water that gets the conversation flowing. Depending on where you live, that might be a riverboat on the Mississippi, a harbor cruise in Boston or San Diego, a ferry ride across Puget Sound or a pontoon boat on the lake. Bring a sweater, as it is always cooler on the water than you expect, and hold on to your hat.
6. A Trip To The Garden Center
It may not be rock and roll, but a good garden center with a cafe is a winner. Wander through the perennials, compare notes on what the deer or the drought did to your roses, and finish with coffee and a slice of pie. If you both love gardening you will never run out of things to say, and if your date can name every plant in the place, you may well have found a keeper.
Wherever you go, meet somewhere public, let a friend or family member know where you will be, and get yourself there and home again. Most of all, have fun.
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