50 First Dates in Columbus, Ohio

The Kitchen

Are you running low on ideas for date night? As one half of a married couple, getting out of the house and going on a date makes me the happiest. I love trying to new experiences or food with my husband.

Since planning a date can be hard, here’s a list of 50 first dates in Columbus to fit every relationship/dating type. These date ideas are perfect for creatives, adventurers, foodies, sports fans, and for those looking to save money.

Impress the person you are getting to know or the person you love by planning the date. It doesn't have to be perfect, but avoid them asking the question, "So, where do you want to eat tonight?" or "What do you want to do?" Come prepared and surprise them. Feel free to be creative and mix and match any of the ideas listed.

Columbus is the perfect place to get to know that person you like, so start scrolling, and go!

  1. Walk around Schiller Park in German Village and grab coal fired pizza from Harvest Pizzeria

  2. Take a cooking class at Savoir Cooking and Wine or The Kitchen

  3. Grab pizza at Mikey’s Late Night Slice (457 N. High St.) and then head downstairs to a hidden tiki bar, Sacred Palm

  4. Grab cocktails at Goodale Station Rooftop Bar and then have dinner at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

  5. Get a taste of Spain at Barcelona in German Village

  6. Grab Sunday brunch at Tasi Cafe, Forno, or Del Mar SoCal Kitchen in Short North

  7. Grab tapas and drink cocktails in an igloo with a view of downtown Dublin at Vaso (only in the winter)

  8. Try a yoga class at Replenish: The Co-op Spa or a CycleBar class then grab fresh juices from Zest

  9. Enjoy the Columbus Museum of Art for free on Sundays

  10. Experience the Short North Gallery Hop

  11. Get up and close and personal with the gorillas at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

  12. Go on an African safari at The Wilds

  13. Grab Hot Chicken Takeover and Jeni's Splendid Ice-Cream at the North Market

  14. Go zip lining at Zip Zone in Worthington, Ohio

  15. Take a nature walk at Indian Run Falls or chase waterfalls at Hayden Falls Park

  16. Smell the roses at the Whetstone Park of Roses and grab sushi at Fusian in Clintonville, Ohio

  17. Go kayaking with Olentangy Paddle

  18. Get experimental at COSI

  19. Attend a concert at Express Live

  20. Go bike riding on a CoGo Bike Downtown Columbus

  21. Go rock climbing at Vertical Adventures

  22. Get your strike on at Star Lanes Bowling or duck pin bowling at Pins Mechanical Co.

  23. Attend a culinary food experience with Columbus Food Adventures

  24. Grab a hot dog and peanuts at a Columbus Clippers Game at Huntington Park

  25. Get theatrical at a show performance at Shadowbox Live

  26. Try multiple wines in the Short North at Tastings

  27. Get wet and wild at Zoombezi Bay Water Park

  28. Yell forte at Top Golf at Polaris

  29. Grab a wine and steak flight at El Lugar in German Village

  30. Walk along the Hoover Reservoir Park in Westerville, Ohio

  31. Get old school and attend a Drive-In Movie

  32. Step into the underground world of the Olentangy Indian Caverns

  33. Catch butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory

  34. Walk along the Scioto Mile and then grab food at Milestone 229

  35. Rock climb the largest free outdoor climbing wall in the country at Scioto Audubon

  36. Grab brunch at Katalina's Cafe and take a walk at Goodale Park

  37. Become one with nature and explore Alum Creek State Park or Inniswood Park

  38. Attend a comedy show at the Funny Bone

  39. Take in the city views and get cozy by outdoor fire at Lincoln Social Rooftop Bar

  40. Take a pottery class at Bareclay

  41. Walk among life-size garden figures at Topiary Park

  42. Paint and drink at Studio 614 in Italian Village

  43. Go back in time at the Ohio Historical Society

  44. Grab a local beer at Land Grant Brewing and a stack of ribs from Ray Ray’s BBQ food truck

  45. Attend a Columbus Crew Game

  46. Create a D-I-Y project at AR Workshop in Worthington

  47. Try axe throwing at Dueling Axes

  48. Share a mead flight at Brother’s Drake, while listening to the tunes of a local band

  49. Create your own candle at The Candle Lab

  50. Immerse yourself in a work of art at the Otherworld

ExperiencesMorgan Pelt