Planning a date involves its fair share of pressure, as you seek to cultivate romance, affordability, and a shared connection. For socially conscious couples, outings that promote community awareness or support eco-friendly businesses are essential. Planning an event that embraces all these aspects may be easier than you think. Consider the following creative first date ideas (or second, third, or ninety-sixth) to combine excitement with ethics:
Go Stargazing
Stargazing is an eco-friendly, unique, and affordable date idea that taps into romance. Several locations near Denver offer an out-of-this-world experience, including Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Flagstaff Mountain, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Echo Lake Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Horsetooth Reservoir.
Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
Volunteering at an animal shelter is a perfect way to bond over a shared passion, especially if you’re both animal lovers, while also giving back to the community. Many animal shelters are often in need of regular volunteers as well as one-time volunteers for specific events, such as adoption fairs.
Go for a Hike
With Mother Nature’s playground all around us, Colorado serves as the mothership of hiking. You can find trails near almost any major city. In Denver alone, there are 43 hiking trails, 84 walking trails, and 79 running trails.
Take a Cooking Class
While the kitchen may not be everyone’s forte, cooking is a skill that is useful in all stages of life. This makes a couple’s cooking class a practical idea; focusing on sustainable sources and farm-to-table ingredients also makes a cooking class purposeful.
Have a Picnic
Colorado is home to 41 state parks, most of which provide a perfect spot for a mid-afternoon lunch or an early evening bite. If you’re not near a state park, consider visiting a local one; you can even make do in a grassy field.
Go to a Farmer’s Market
Most of the large and medium-sized cities along the Front Range offer seasonal farmers’ markets, including Denver, Lafayette, Louisville, Boulder, Longmont, Brighton, and Fort Collins. These markets are vibrant and productive venues for enjoying a mid-morning niche dating experience, providing an opportunity to support local farmers, stock up on groceries, and learn about sustainability practices.
Go for a Bike Ride
Like walking and hiking trails, biking trails are also plentiful in the Centennial State. Of course, you can bike around town, stopping at a brewery or ice cream shop along the way.
Visit a Botanical Garden
Visiting a botanical garden not only exposes you to the beauty and majesty of plant life, but also provides an opportunity to support conservation efforts and biodiversity. Colorado boasts several botanical gardens throughout the state.
Support a Local Business
While grabbing a cup of joe at Starbucks or dining at Panera might be more convenient, supporting local businesses is far more socially rewarding. Therefore, focus on patronizing mom-and-pop cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, bakeries, and boutiques.
Create a Work of Art
Connecting with your inner Monet or channeling Picasso is a wonderful way to explore each other’s talents. Don’t worry about staying within the lines or perfecting your work; just focus on having a good time! Then, your date will become a masterpiece.
Dating in the digital age doesn’t mean ignoring the great outdoors. Connecting with Mother Nature and supporting local businesses is an excellent way for socially conscious couples to do good while having fun.
TruuBlue is an AI-powered dating app for socially progressive singles. Its focus on issues ranging from pro-choice to climate change, gun control, immigration laws, and LGBTQ protections enables people to find partners who share their values and passions.
