A lot of people suggest just going out for dinner and a drink, although I dont think thats really that effective, says Marisa T. Cohen, PhD , relationship scientist and coach. If youre in a noisy, crowded place, youre not going to be able to have these deep conversations that allow you to suss out whether or not you like this person.

Instead, Cohen recommends planning a date where you can show off your amazing personality. For me, that might be lending my know-how during a pottery workshop, a new hobby I picked up where I can flex a different creative muscle.

After all, the point is to stick out in the pool of potential suitors, right? Just like you might be queuing all up the Hinge hotties, the person on the other side is doing the same. You want to be able to do something thats not the same cookie cutter experience that everyone else is having over a meal, Cohen says.

Since the anxiety that comes with planning a memorable date is very real, here's a prepared a list of not-so-boring first date ideas to get the fling off to an exciting starteven if it ends there. And as the saying goes, its either a great experience or a great story. Lets go date:

1. Catch a performance in the park

Im a big proponent of experience-based dates, Cohen says. Imagine a warm summer night listening to a jazz quartet over a shared bottle of wine. Live music is always a good move, but this strips away the pressure of committing to a concert together. This way, the more casual atmosphere allows you to see your date, chat, and leave when you want.

2. Go axe throwing

Howdy, partner. Don your favorite plaid shirt and show off your badass sideand that you wont be messed with. A boost of adrenaline also bodes well for your budding connection. Research shows if youre able to get your physiological arousal level up, you wind up attributing it to the person youre with, Cohen says. You feel like youre more into them. No wonder the Bachelorette dates are bungee-jumping bonkers.

3. Plan a progressive dinner

Heres a twist on the typical dinner date: Instead of grabbing a table at your go-to date spot, agree on a neighborhood and visit different places for drinks, appetizers, dinner, and dessert. Youll try out new restaurants and bars, but without the stiff interview feeling typical dinner dates bring. If all goes well, you can add a nightcap to the itinerary.

4. Get sporty (at a bar)

There are two types of people in this world: those who get heated over company softball league games, and those without an athletic bone in their body. Opt for a bar with ping pong tables, shuffleboard, and the like. Make a cheeky bet, and see what kind of competitive streak youre working with.

5. Take a trapeze class

Why not? Maybe dont waste this one on any old Hinge boy, but for someone youve casually hung out with already, says Meredith Golden , adating coach and expert. Take the pressure to talk off the table and just have some light fun enjoying an activity together.

6. Visit a botanical garden

Pop into a sauna of an indoor botanical garden, or wander outside at a Japanese garden to get in touch with your inner flora lover. Your Instagram Story will thank you.

7. Tour a brewery

Now this one's hip as heck. Day drink at a local brewery, and snag a spot on a tour of the facilities. Youll get to see each other in a vulnerable state: wearing science class-esque safety goggles.

8. Take a bike ride

Rent bikes on a sunny afternoon and take turns deciding where to stop off, like a pretty park or local coffee shop for a latte pick-me-up. As you pedal along, Cohen suggests checking in with yourself. Can you see yourself riding down the same path ~of life~ with this person?

9. Have a picnic

Now, a picnic might sound more romantic than it actually turns out. Have your way with the Whole Foods hot bar and grab a canned wine or two. Just dont forget the blanketno first date my butt is wet horror stories allowed.

10. Visit an arcade

Embrace your inner child and play some Skee-ball, laughing along the way. While youre waiting for the air hockey table to open up, its a perfect time to get to know one another. During that first date conversation, it's a lot about getting to understand one anothers [personalities], Cohen says.

11. Karaoke

Comfort zone? Dont know her. Instead of asking, Whats your go-to karaoke song? on a date, why not show it? Cohen says performing in front of other people can get your heart beating fast, an experience that will bring you closer to your date.

12. Go to a board game bar

Were making an exception for first dates that involve drinks for nostalgia's sake. Board game bars are typically cozy and low-key, so you can nurse a drink in between games of Connect Four. Share stories from your childhood, or recent game nights with friends. Youll fall into those intimate conversations Cohen says are so important.

13. Have a beach day

Like long walks on the beach? Same. Use your beach day to "let other person into your world, and hopefully you share some of these interests together, Cohen says. Regardless of how it ends, youll get a healthy dose of vitamin D.

14. Get your tarot cards read

Woo-woo or not, getting your cards read lets you into your date's mind. You cant help but breach those vulnerable topics like love, your place in life, and everything in between that helps you understand one another on a deeper level, Cohen says.

15. Go to a cabaret or drag show

Its impossible not to have a good time at a cabaret or drag show. Drinks are flowing, good vibes are in the air, you're cheering on the performer, and you can let loose with your date. Its all about feeding off of each other's energy. What more could you want?

16. Go on a boat

Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream of love. Too much? Okay, so you might not feel comfortable enough to hop in a kayak with a first date (understandable). In that case, a sightseeing boat tour is the moveas long as no one gets seasick.

17. Go to the zoo

First date talk can be exhausting even for the biggest chatter of them all, says Golden. Date fatigue is real. So if things get stale? Focus instead on that lioness that's giving you the eyes.

18. Visit a bookstore

You can tell a lot about a person based on the books they readand if they comfortably navigate a bookstore. Trade recommendations and get a peek into your dates interests bookcase by bookcase. And if youre lucky? Youll catch a poetry reading.

19. Go rock climbing

Belay, baby! Test your sense of trust right out of the gate, and take your attraction to new heights. Youll come away from it like, My hearts beating so fast, it must be that this person is so wonderful, Cohen says.

20. Take a walk

Just like a casual beach date, strut your outdoorsy self with a hike or stroll through your favorite park in the city. We often have deeper, more substantive conversations when were side-by-side rather than face-to-face, dating expert Bela Gandhi previously told Womens Health . Bonus: maybe youll stumble upon a new ice cream shop (a real love language).

21. Do improv

Stick with me here. Sure, it sounds like a company outing gone wrong, but it can actually be a fun way to get outside your comfort zone. Youre sharing a new experience with this person, so youre creating a common bond and a memory for the two of you to have, Cohen says. Now swallow your nervousness (and pride) and add Yes, and to your dating vocabulary.

22. Go to a comedy show

Still not into the idea of embracing your inner Ali Wong? Hit up a local open mic night or comedy show. Cohen says sharing a small laugh togethereven at a joke that fell completely flatis a joint experience that communicates interest. Besides, you can figure out your dates sense of humor and if the vibe is right, post-show drinks keep the evening going.

23. Visit a speakeasy

While grabbing a vodka soda at a random watering hole take a first date to snooze town, walking into a speakeasy gives the evening an exclusive air. And face it: secret(ish) spots are sexy.

24. Make dinner together

Teamwork makes the dream work. Say you and a friend decide to give your flirtation a real shottest your compatibility over taco or pizza night. (Maybe think twice about inviting a random app date to your digs). And if they cant handle the heat? They gotta get out of the kitchen.

25. Go for brunch

Flip the script and go for a day date, preferably where cinnamon rolls are involved. The ambiance will be more low-key and you can chat without needing to yell about your lifes greatest passion from across the table. Then its up to you if you want to extend the date or just bounce. You dont want to get stuck on a first date in an escape room or at a concert if you realize twenty minutes in that you arent interested, Golden says.

26. Browse a record shop

As with a bookstore date, music taste reveals a lot. And its an easy way to weed out those annoying music snobs (if someone knocks my Harry Styles love, Ill ghost). Flipping through records is also a great conversation starter: you can talk about your dads favorite tunes, what you grew up listening to, your first concert...you get the idea.

27. Take a cooking class

This could be the difference between locking down a gourmand or a person whos idea of cheffing it up is making grilled cheese. Cohen says cooking classes can get you out of your comfort zone. Even better? No need to make dinner reservations (as long as nothing goes terribly wrong).

28. Go golfing

Working on your stroke? Get that green on the mini golf course where a little flirty competition will keep things exciting.

29. Visit a museum

So many options. Pondering hidden messages in modern art? Gallery time. Into exploring the seas? See you at the aquarium. Time traveling type? Meet up at the natural history museum. Youll come away with an understanding of how your date sees the world and what theyre drawn to.

30. Go bowling

Hold the blue ball jokesand we hope your date does, too. Bust out your best moonwalk-in-bowling-shoes dance moves, drink some watery beer, and heckle your date. The bowling alley keeps the mood light, so you can simply enjoy the night. Have a ball, as they say.