Fall quarter marks a time for new beginnings. For some, that means new opportunities for love. Here are NBN’s first date ideas for when you meet that special someone.

For the outdoor enthusiast

Head just south of the Segal Visitors Center to find yourselves on a trail that goes through Centennial Park and continues through other lakeside green spaces. When you arrive at Dawes Park, bring out a blanket and picnic basket with your favorite snacks, drinks and outdoor activities. 

Soak up the last few moments of (somewhat) warm Evanston weather by playing card games, tossing a frisbee or people-watching dog walkers. Lake Michigan will make for a lovely backdrop as you get to know your date among the flora and fauna. If things are going well, end the day by meandering to the beach for a highly romantic sunset.

For the chef

Rock-paper-scissors to decide who gets to choose a drink, appetizer, the main course and dessert. Then, after you’ve decided on your recipes, buy the ingredients from a grocery store and begin your journey to becoming Gordon Ramsay. 

Cooking the meal together will allow you and your date to get to know each other’s tastes, have easy conversation over a shared activity, and potentially burn an ingredient or two. By the end, you’ll have a three-course meal fit for royalty. Even if the date goes badly, at least you’ll have meal prep for the week.

For the art lover

Take the purple and red CTA lines to the Art Institute of Chicago, where Northwestern students get free admission – so remember your Wildcard. Spend the day observing your favorite artists like Monet and Picasso, and discover new pieces through temporary exhibitions constantly rotating in the museum, like Mary Cassatt’s “After Impressionism.” 

Once you and your date have explored the museum, return to Evanston and gather supplies to make artworks of your own. Namely, portraits of each other! You don’t have to be an artist yourself to have fun depicting each other on a canvas. Even if there’s no second date, you’ll leave with some very personalized room decor. Or something to burn.

For the coffee connoisseur

If you and your date are coffee fanatics, spend the morning doing a “coffee crawl.” Explore cafes in Evanston, and taste-test your coffee order at each one. Potential locations include Cupitol Coffee & Eatery, Windfree Solar Cafe, Mr. Cachito Bakery Coffee Inc., Pâtisserie Coralie and of course, Colectivo. 

Although some cafes may have longer walks in between them, the promenade will be another great opportunity to get to know your date and finish off your latte.

For the fashionista

Again, using the CTA purple and red lines, make your way to Andersonville, a Chicago neighborhood full of vintage and thrift stores to help elevate any outfit. Start at The Brown Elephant and select your own pieces, or style each other. Get to know your date’s style and don’t be afraid to let yours shine. 

Afterwards, sift through the clothes at Buffalo Exchange or other nearby thrift stores to let your style vision come to life. You’ll end the date with a better idea of your date’s style, and hopefully a fun new outfit to wear on your next date (with or without them).

For the film critic

Although Evanston’s AMC is closed for renovations, movie lovers can still incorporate their adoration for the silver screen into a first date. Pick your favorite movie or a movie that you’ve been wanting to watch. Buy snacks that coordinate with some aspect of your selected film to enjoy during it. For example, if your favorite movie is The Matrix, bring red and blue foods. If you love E.T., bring Reese’s Pieces. Afterwards, you can compare thoughts on each and review the movies on Letterboxd. 

If you and your fellow movie lover or coffee expert hit it off, perhaps a second date will ensue. If not, don’t worry too much. That special picnic partner or talented chef is bound to be out there, waiting for your arrival.