Taking yourself on a date might feel a little strange at first, especially if you’re used to doing things with your spouse, family, or friends.

If you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip but aren’t quite ready to book that flight, taking yourself on a few solo dates is a great place to start. It’s an easy way to get more comfortable going places and doing things on your own.

And you don’t have to start with dinner alone at a crowded restaurant. A coffee shop, museum, bookstore, or afternoon outing counts. Start with something that feels comfortable and fun, and build from there.

Why Solo Dates Are Great Practice for Solo Travel

It’s normal to feel apprehensive about traveling solo, especially if you are not used to doing things on your own. Solo dates are a great way to practice.

You will get more comfortable with your own company and may even learn more about yourself and discover new things you enjoy. Have fun exploring!

You are practicing:

• Making plans based entirely on what you want to do
• Walking into unfamiliar places alone
• Eating or sitting somewhere by yourself
• Navigating without relying on another person
• Talking to strangers or asking for help when you need it
• Becoming comfortable with quiet moments
• Noticing that people aren’t paying as much attention to you as you think
• Learning that being alone and being lonely aren’t the same thing

Practice doesn’t need to make perfect. It just needs to help you build confidence and work your way up to that trip you’ve been dreaming about.

Make Your Solo Date Feel Special

Sometimes you may want to be spontaneous and simply head out for a solo date. Other times, it can be fun to make an occasion out of it. This is completely optional, but think about what would make the date feel special to you. What would you love to wear? Where would you be excited to go? This is your date, so you get to decide!

Get Ready

Wear an outfit you like. Do your hair or makeup if that’s something you enjoy. Put on jewelry. Wear the shoes you’ve been saving. Or don’t! The point is that you get to decide what makes the experience feel special.

Make a Plan

Instead of saying, “Maybe I’ll do something tonight,” make an actual plan.

Choose:

• Where you are going
• What time you want to leave
• Whether you need a reservation or ticket
• How you’re getting there
• One thing you’re especially looking forward to

That’s excellent travel practice!

Practice Taking Photos of Yourself

When you travel with family and friends, you make sure you get photos for the memory book, or at least to remember the fun you had. The same goes for solo travel! Take those selfies and have fun practicing!

Practice:

• Taking selfies without feeling awkward
• Using your phone timer
• Propping your phone somewhere safely
• Using a small tripod
• Asking someone to take your picture
• Taking photos of what you’re doing instead of only photographing yourself

You’ll be glad you practiced when you’re standing somewhere incredible on your first solo trip and actually want to be in the picture.

40 Fun Solo Date Night Ideas

Here are 40 fun solo date night ideas to get you started! Try the ones that sound interesting to you, and you may even discover activities you never knew you would enjoy.

Easy Solo Dates to Try First

1. Go to a coffee shop you’ve never tried.
2. Browse a bookstore and buy yourself a new book.
3. Get ice cream or dessert.
4. Wander around a farmers market.
5. Have lunch at a casual café.
6. Go on a scenic walk.
7. Visit a local garden or park.
8. Take yourself shopping and browse without rushing.

Solo Food Date Ideas

9. Take yourself out for breakfast.
10. Sit at the bar or counter at a restaurant.
11. Try a new cuisine.
12. Go out for appetizers and a mocktail or cocktail.
13. Have a dessert-only date.
14. Visit a food hall and try something new.
15. Go to afternoon tea.
16. Take yourself out for a nice dinner.

Creative Solo Date Night Ideas

17. Take a pottery class.
18. Attend a paint-and-sip class.
19. Go to a craft workshop.
20. Take a photography walk.
21. Visit an art museum.
22. Go to a cooking class.
23. Make something at a pottery-painting studio.
24. Bring a journal somewhere beautiful and spend some time writing.

Entertainment Solo Dates

25. Go to the movies alone.
26. See a play or musical.
27. Attend a concert.
28. See a comedy show.
29. Go to a local festival.
30. Listen to live music.
31. Attend a lecture or author event.
32. Go to a trivia night.

Adventure Solo Dates

Ready to stretch yourself a little more? These solo dates can help you start building that solo travel muscle by getting you out exploring on your own.

33. Explore a neighborhood you’ve never visited.
34. Visit a nearby town for the afternoon.
35. Take yourself on a scenic drive.
36. Visit a museum you’ve always wanted to see.
37. Take a walking tour in your own city.
38. Visit a tourist attraction you’ve never taken the time to see.
39. Go hiking on an easy, familiar trail.
40. Take yourself on a solo day trip.

Turn Your Solo Dates Into a Confidence Challenge

Not sure where to start? Here is one way to turn your solo dates into a fun confidence challenge. Start with something easy and gradually work your way up to that solo trip!

Solo Date #1: Do something familiar alone.

Solo Date #2: Eat somewhere alone.

Solo Date #3: Go somewhere you’ve never been.

Solo Date #4: Attend an activity, tour, or event alone.

Solo Date #5: Explore another town or area alone.

Next Challenge: Plan your first solo day trip!

By the time you’ve completed five solo dates, going somewhere alone may not feel nearly as unusual as it did the first time. Each time you do something on your own, you’re building a little more confidence for whatever adventure comes next.

What If You Feel Awkward Going Out Alone?

Feeling awkward about the thought of going out alone? This is normal when you start solo travel, but it gets easier the more you do it. I get nervous sometimes before travel, but I am committed to still taking each trip because it is worth it. Knowing I have options to make myself feel more confident gives me courage!

Such as:

• Start somewhere easy.
• Bring a book if that makes you more comfortable.
• Sit at the bar/counter rather than asking for a table.
• Choose daytime for your first few outings.
• Remember that you don’t have to stay long.
• Put your phone away for at least part of the date and actually experience it.
• Don’t judge the entire concept based on one awkward outing.

You aren’t trying to prove that you love doing everything alone. You are learning that you can do these things!

Final Thoughts on Solo Date Night Ideas

What starts as a simple challenge to yourself can grow into a solo date night, a day trip, or eventually even a solo vacation.

Maybe tonight it’s dinner by yourself. Next month it’s a day trip. And someday you may realize you’re ready to book the trip you’ve been waiting for someone else to take with you.

These solo date ideas are a reminder that you don’t have to start with an overseas trip or a complicated itinerary. You can start small, stay close to home, and choose things that genuinely excite you.

Have fun planning your solo dates! There’s no pressure to try them all, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Pick something that sounds fun, give it a try, and see where it takes you.