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The pandemic really put a damper on our dating lives. Whether you are in a relationship or single and ready to mingle, our romantic lives have been put on hold. I mean, nothing says romance like being scared to contract a virus. Now that New York is slowly opening up and we are doing pretty well in terms of controlling COVID (knock on wood), I think it’s safe to say that we can step back into our dating lives.
If you are married or in a committed relationship, I am sure you are jumping at the bit for a much-needed date night and change of scenery. If you are single, you are still on your journey to find the one and would like to talk to a human besides your mom and the baristas at Starbucks. No, I do not think you should be going on a date with every single guy you match with on Bumble. But if you two have been chatting for a while, have a connection, and want to take things to the next level, then I see nothing wrong with going on a date. As long as you are both taking the right steps to safely social distance and haven’t been all over God’s green earth, then go on a date.
Before you officially go on a date it is best to have an open and honest conversation with your partner about their feelings of stepping out into the real world. Are they comfortable with being around other people? Are they comfortable going to a restaurant or perhaps taking the subway? If the two of you are not on the same page, it is best to go with the person who feels the most uncomfortable right now and find a date that suits both of you. It’s never a good idea to force someone to a date they are not comfortable with, adding to the already pressures of dating. There are plenty of fun, safe, social distancing date ideas you can do this summer and well into the fall here in New York.
The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers: In the famous Chelsea Piers sits a driving range. Hit golf balls while taking in the views of the Hudson River. This is something that has been on my NYC bucket list for many years. You do have to make a reservation prior or you will be waiting a very long time. I think The Golf Club would make a fun 2nd or 3rd date. You two have already had the “first impression” drinks, playing a fun game will break the ice, loosen you up, and give you two a shared memory. Hit a few golf balls like you are Tiger Woods then head into Chelsea to one of the many outdoor bars and restaurants for a drink. I do not know their protocol for safety, but I am sure they are taken all the precautions one can for their customers. It’s partly outside and you are already social distancing since you have your own little section at the driving range.
Picnic in the Park: This date idea might be more for established couples or perhaps a 4th or 5th date idea. You do not have to go all out with a charcuterie board, although it would score you more points fellas. You can throw down a blanket, have a container of blueberries or grapes, maybe a bottle of wine or champagne if you are up for it, or simply get take-out from a nearby deli or restaurant. Having a picnic is relaxing. A great chance to get to know the other person some more or to just be in the moment, enjoying nature with your favorite human. It’s outside so there is no need to worry about getting too close to other people or safety precautions.
Drive-in Movie: Whoever thought that drive-in movies would become popular again? I think this could make for a really great date and a chance for you two to get out of your NYC bubble. You can simply rent a car for the night, grab-take out and a few bottles of wine or a cooler of drinks, and enjoy a film. It’s would be just like what our grandparents did back in the day. I really love this idea and think it would make for a great date night! Here is a list of the best drive-in movie theaters in NYC.
Outdoor Dining and Rooftop Drinks: If you have been walking around the city then you know streets are being blocked off for outdoor dining. With the reopening of NYC, many restaurants and bars are open for you to enjoy. This is something you can do at any stage of your relationship. I will say the restaurant scene might be the toughest to social distance. I have yet to go to a restaurant or bar (been dying to go to the new Dante’s in West Village) but walk past daily and some are too crowded to truly be social distancing. I think a rooftop bar might be more ideal if you are still uncomfortable being out and about as a rooftop bar you are in the open air with lots of space.
Take a Walk: This might sound like a lame idea for a date but hear me out. We have barely graced other humans in 6 months, taking a walk around the city will be a welcomed change. And honestly, if you really like the person it does not matter what you do as long as you are with them. If you both live downtown then take the subway to the Upper West Side or head to Brooklyn. Go anywhere you two haven’t been since February. You can also lace up your sneakers and take an active walk on the West Side River Park. You can sit on one of the many lawns or park benches and chat. It will be a nice change of scenery, a chance to get to know each other. Plus there are a lot of benefits to walking.
Board Games or Movie Night: You are probably tired of staying indoors, and winter is coming, which means we will once again be cooped up in our tiny NYC apartments. However, a fun date night idea would be to cook dinner together or order takeout, then get competitive with a board game. Another idea would be to take an entire day for a movie marathon- from Harry Potter to Marvel movies to Star Wars there are plenty of sagas to choose from. Or you can each write a different movie on little scraps of paper, fold them up, and put into a bowl. Then blindly pick from the bowl and that will be the movie you two will watch next. A movie or game night is a sure way to social distance from other people, have a relaxing no-pressure date, and a chance to get to know each other. I suggest maybe not the best 1st date idea as that might be too much pressure to entertain a stranger or to go to a stranger’s house.
Take a Day Trip: Another item on my NYC bucket list is to take a day trip somewhere outside of the city. You can rent a car or take the train to a destination of your choice. Most of us are not going on vacation this year and this is a great opportunity to get out of the city and explore somewhere new. You can hike around beautiful landscapes or walk through cute small towns. This might be best for established couples or a 3rd or 4th date. Here are a few great day trip ideas:
Governors Island
Storm King
Breakneck Ridge
Fire Island
Delaware River
Connecticut
Hudson, NY
The Adirondacks
Helicopter Ride: Another bucket list item of mine is taking a helicopter ride around the city. Right now FlyNYON is offering 50% off (for the next 3 days), which means this is a great time to finally take a trip around the Big Apple. You can choose to do the ride with doors off or on. I love this idea but I am not that much of a risk-taker, so I feel much more comfortable with the doors on. Anyway, after you survive the ride and take gorgeous pictures of the NYC skyline, grab a drink or dinner somewhere afterward.
The Greens Pier 17: Seaport’s Pier 17 reopened their rooftop this summer, but instead of concerts, they created The Greens. With social distancing in mind, The Greens have mini lawns you can rent that include 2 chairs, a YETI cooler, and an umbrella. Only 8 people are allowed on your selected lawn and you must make reservations– which are going fast! You can grab drinks or food while relaxing on your lawn chair and taking in the views of the East River. If you can’t snag a mini lawn you can always go to one of the 4 gaming lawns that have bocce ball, corn hole, Jenga, and more. At night The Greens host an outdoor screening of movies and there are talks of them showing NBA games and the US Open! I think this is a great idea for any stage of your relationship.
The Bronx Zoo: Who doesn’t want to stare at cute animals all afternoon? The Bronx Zoo is officially reopened! I am not sure if all of their exhibits are open to the public, but there should still be plenty of things to do there. You do have to reserve a ticket, which ensures that there will be a space for social distancing. Better get your ticket in advance as I am sure you will be competing for a ticket with every family in all 5 boroughs that have children. This is a date idea for any stage of your relationship except for maybe the 1st date (unless you have been chatting for a while).
Head to the Beach: Manhattan may not have its own beach but you can easily take a trip to one of the many beaches close by. You have Rockaway, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, Fire Island, Shelter Island, Long Beach, to name a few. You could take a day trip to the Hamptons or out to Connecticut if you are willing to travel a little longer. It’s hot, hot, hot outside and a trip to the beach will cool you both off while having fun in the sun. You can easily social distance, spend time together, play in the water, or sit in silence while listening to music or reading a book. Do not forget SPF! This is a great idea for more established relationships or if you are a few dates in.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: I am starting to think this is my bucket list turned into date idea, ha! Another one on my NYC bucket list is to visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. It’s no surprise that I love flowers and have a newfound obsession for gardening, so this date idea is right up my alley! Walk around all of the beautiful flowers or look at the unique art collections while getting to know each other. My date will have to have a lot of patients as I will most definitely be taking a thousand pictures of the flowers. Anyway, this is a great date idea for any stage of your relationship except the 1st date.