First Date Ideas Should Include the Zoo. Here’s 5 Reasons!

First Date Ideas

By: Couples Counseling Staff

If you are looking for a first date ideas, you have come to the right place. Let’s be honest – trying to figure out where to go on that all important first date can be nerve racking. Make the right choice and you have the beginnings of something special. Make the wrong choice however and you run the risk of scaring a potential suitor away.

Here at Couples Counseling Center in Chicago, the topic of first date ideas comes up often. In fact, it’s a common theme among our single clients who are looking for guidance on relationship issues.

First Date Ideas

We won’t bore you with a ridiculous list of first date ideas that offer tips on where to take your respective woman or man. Almost all of the websites list the same material over and over again. Blah – boring.

Instead, we would like to give you 5 solid reasons why you should toss those suggestions out the window and take your date to the zoo – well, at least for your first outing.

Here’s why:

1) No stress

It’s true – a first date is supposed to be time where you get to know the other person in a meaningful way. The problem with going out to a restaurant or coffee shop is that one or both of you have to keep finding topics to talk about in order to keep things flowing.

If you decide to go to the zoo however, many of the topics will present themselves organically. For example, if you both see a cute goat and decide to go pet it, you instantly have something super cute to chat about. It’s similar to a beach date – the scenery becomes the focal point.

This leads us to our next point.

2) You’ll learn something about your date

One of the main reasons going to the zoo makes for one of those great first date ideas the hidden benefit. Specifically, we’re talking about learning new things about your date that you might not otherwise.

You see when you go to the zoo, the animals provide a conduit to the person’s past. Let’s say you notice the guy you are with seems attracted to primates. If you play your cards right, you’ll be able to ask him some questions like: You seem to like the monkeys – did you have one of those cute Curious George stuffed toys as a kid?

Here’s another example. Let’s say the girl you are with gravitates towards the sea life exhibit. Is there something about them worth asking about? For example, does she have fish at home? Did she have them as a child?

See the benefits with this one?

3) Discover dislikes

A third benefit of this first date idea is finding out what your guy or gal doesn’t like. This happens in two ways. One is food and drink. The second is dislikes.

On the food/drink front, there aren’t tons of selections at the zoo for eating. The ones that are available will allow you to get a general idea of what your date is into food-wise. Examples: Does she like Diet-Coke or does she avoid sodas of all types? Does he like hot-dogs or is he into the healthier fare, opting for something like a chicken breast sandwich?

The second “dislike” you will discover goes back to the animals. If the person you are with has a snake phobia, you will find out fast! If she is allergic to cats, it will come up right away. If he is terrified of crocodiles, you’ll know it almost immediately.

And did you notice under this point that you both have just found out new information about one another and thus, have something unique to talk-about?

4) Super casual

Another reason you should put a check mark for the zoo in the first date ideas column is because of how super casual it is. There’s no need to get decked out or buy expensive clothing to make an impression. Think about it – how many women do you see at the zoo looking all fashionista? How many guys are dressed like they’re covering GQ?

The zoo is just the place to wear a well-worn pair of jeans that fit in all the right places. For men, a clean t-shirt will work just fine. For women, just put on a cute sweater. And since the both of you will be walking, you won’t need to worry about glammed out shoes. A pair of sneakers or comfortable boots will do just fine!

5) It’s Free (or Real Cheap)

Our final reason to consider the zoo for a first date is because it’s easy on the pocketbook. Most zoos are either free or charge a nominal admission price. For couples going out on a first date, it makes sense to minimize the financial effects until you know if the two of you are truly a match.

When you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money, you are less anxious and more available to be yourself. It’s kind of a win-win when you think about it.

First Date Ideas Final Thoughts

Going to the zoo on a first date is really nice way to get to know someone. If you bring this up as a suggestion, you won’t have to worry about it seeming “weird” or “odd”. The reason is that most people love animals!

In fact – if you make this a suggestion and your date craps on this idea, you will be learning something right there, won’t you?

And do you really want to date someone who doesn’t like animals?