You’ve moved to the big city, hormones and everything. Maybe
you’re in class, at the new job or at the gym and you meet a girl or guy that
you really like. You score the date, and begin your scheming. You desperately
need a date idea that screams “I’m thoughtful, but not in a creepy
way”, and yet your mind is completely devoid of any rational and
innovative ideas. You freak out, hyperventilate, consider calling (texting,
Snapchating, tweeting) to cancel, rinse and repeat. Instead, why don’t you take
my advice: go on a daytime date.

  
Here are 5 perfect daytime DC dates on a student’s/young professionals budget.

1.  The
National Zoo. The zoo may
seem like a weird idea, but honestly, it provides the perfect balance. Cute
animals to break up any awkward moment – check. Not too loud so you can
actually hear each other – check. Being outdoors – check. The opportunity to
extend the date if all goes well with an invitation to dinner – check. It’s
completely free to visit, open year-round and is metro accessible if that’s
your thing.

Panda love at the National Zoo

Tudor Place Gardens

2. Baked and
Wired, Tudor Place Gardens and Kayaking on the Potomac. First, check out Baked
and Wired, the gem of all DC cupcakeries (get the Dirty Chai Tea Latte cupcake).
It’s not the home of the longest line ever, aka Georgetown Cupcakes, and not a
national chain like Sprinkles, but what it is, is better. So go there. Then, walk
a few blocks to the Tudor Place Gardens.
Stroll through the empty grounds and pick a bench to sit on and enjoy the
sights and sounds. Take some photos. It’s the perfect conversation spot.
Finally, walk down to the Key Bridge Boathouse (or Jack’s Boathouse as you
probably know it by) for some kayaking or paddle boarding on the Potomac. Just
don’t fall into that water.

3. Rock
climbing. Visit SportRock Climbing Center for some rock climbing. They have 2
locations, the closest one 20 minutes out of DC in Alexandria, VA. Not only do
you get to do a fun activity, you’ll also get bonus points for being innovative
and can see if your date can hang.

4. Coffee
date. Meet up at Tryst in the heart of Adams Morgan for a coffee. Hang out on
the couches, listen to some live music, people watch and get to know each
other. From artists and entrepreneurs, to local hipsters and ambitious tourists
trying to pinpoint their next destination, no other place in DC brings together
such a variety of individuals. As a bonus, until the end of September, Tryst is
celebrating their 15 year anniversary with great coffee prices and some menu
favorites from the past.

California Bonzai at the US National Arboretum

5. US National
Arboretum. This is a great place to
take a date on a sunny afternoon. It is impossible to miss the massive Corinthian
behemoths, the National Capitol Columns which until 1958 supported part of the
US Capitol. The bonzai exhibit features an informational area describing the
art of bonzai (yes, there is such a thing) and the intricacy involved in making
a tree into a bonzai. If this sounds boring to you please realize that I was in
the same boat until I actually went and checked it out myself. It’s actually
pretty awesome. The rest of the exhibit features examples of bonzai’s from
across the world, some dating back to the 1500’s.

You’re
welcome.

 – Alex F.
 
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