Like so many things in life, dating can require a person in recovery to develop new habits. What you used to think of as a fun date may not fit with your new, sober lifestyle. Fortunately, meeting up for drinks isn’t the only way to get to know a prospective significant other.
10 Sober Date Ideas
Ten alternatives are listed below:
1. Dinner and a movie – While this option can feel a bit cliché, it works. Dinner gives you the opportunity to talk and get to know one another a bit and verify that the person has basic table manners. If the mood is right, a movie can give you the opportunity to extend your time and enjoy some physical closeness in a safe environment. If you want to change things up, you could try an outdoor movie or a theater that serves meals while you enjoy the show.
2. Visit a museum – Many large cities have museums that are always free or which have free events. Museums don’t have to be stuffy and boring. Many are quirky and fun. There might even be one that is exactly in line with both you and your date’s interests and hobbies. There are dozens of museums in the Sacramento area, including:
- The Aerospace Museum of California
- The California Pharmacy Museum
- The Powerhouse Science Center
- The State Indian Museum
- Sutter’s Fort
- California Automobile Museum Fargo Museum – Downtown
3. Enjoy a zoo or aquarium – Looking at fish and animals together can be a fun and lighthearted way to spend time, and Sacramento offers two such options.
4. People-watch together – Parks, malls and other places where you can find people, such as this board game shop, are great places to observe your fellow human beings. Grab a snack, have a seat, and take in the shenanigans happening around you.
5. Take a city tour – Even if you’ve lived in the area your entire life, you might learn something or at least get the chance to share a funny story of something that happened to you near one of the sites. If you or your date don’t know the area, a tour can familiarize you with the city and help you learn more about one another’s interests. You might even get ideas for future dates.
6. Learn something new together – Classes are a nice way to bond and learn a new skill at the same time. There are all kinds of classes couples can take, including:
7. Visit an amusement or water park – One of the nice things about living in an area with a warmer climate is a longer period of each year to enjoy visiting water parks and outdoor amusement parks. This can be an opportunity to connect with your inner child and have some fun together.
8. Coffee and/or dessert – If it’s a first date and you’re not sure how the chemistry is going to be, this is a shorter time commitment than some other options on this list. It’s also a good option for people who are short on cash.
9. Take in nature – Sacramento has several options nearby for white water rafting, hiking, bicycling, fishing, tubing and more.
10. Seasonal activities – Christmas lights, Independence Day firework displays, festivals, carnivals, haunted houses, and many other events that are only offered at certain times of the year can make for unique and memorable dates.
At Fair Oaks Recovery Center, we recognize that each of our guests is a whole person, not simply a diagnosis to be treated. We strive to build recovery plans with our guests that will allow them to live full, happy lives on their own terms, while maintaining long-term sobriety.
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