Let’s face it, many of us could use a little more childhood playfulness in our life routines. But, how many of you are actually going the extra mile to execute play into your love relationships? For anyone who is willing to put forth the effort into creating a different date night experience, this feature is for you. Whether it’s a first date or a one-hundredth date, setting up a playful scavenger hunt date night for that special person in your life is a great way to introduce much-needed laughter, smiles, and disconnect from everyday stresses.
On second thought, many of us can also use a break from the traditional date night. Dinner and a movie. Cocktails and dinner. Yada Yada Yada. And on top of that, being single and dating in Asheville is difficult enough without having to brave boring date nights. Especially a first date. First dates can often seem like a job interview. Excruciating, frightening, and many times unsettling. Here’s a chance to let play be the ice breaker. The flirtatious excitement of it will battle any nervousness that come with meeting for the first time. And you know what? Asheville makes it easy to be imaginative.
First Date Scavenger Hunt
Yes, I am in the dating pool of Asheville and it has been uneventful, to say the least. But one thing that remains the same every time I have a first date, it’s the same ole song and dance humdrum date. First drinks then we eat. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with this, especially here in Asheville where our dining scene is exciting and vibrant. Sometimes it feels as if it lacks creativity and it certainly can take away from your ability to shine for that first encounter.
Well, I recently had the most amazing first date. One that was off-the-charts fun and should be written about in the dating history books. This person upgraded the effort into planning a unique first date for us because; A) they were taking out a person who writes about Asheville Date Nights and B) They are a creative, romantic person who truly wanted to impress. Are you kidding me? Where has this person been my whole life?
They planned a scavenger hunt so that I had to use my Asheville city skills to follow the clues eventually leading me to their location. A hide-and-seek way of kicking off a first date. Genius! It was so clever, thoughtful, and felt like such a refreshing way to experience fun in our city.
Here’s What You Do
Keep it simple. The fact that you’re even doing this at all says a lot about a person so don’t overthink it. Take the time to pick four to five downtown establishments to leave hand-written clues with giving instructions on where to go next. Obviously you need a starting point whether it’s a park, a bar/restaurant, or parking garage then move on from there. Maybe have the person collect items along the way compiling one memorable gift giving you brownie points in their heart.
We all have smartphones. One idea is you instruct them to film a five-second video or take photos of their journey then reminisce once you’ve landed together. Ice breaker!
What did this person create for me? Enveloped notes left at five different stops beginning at a central parking garage with a cute pocket compass to assist me in my travels. Not that I knew how to use the darn thing. I didn’t need it anyway. Confusing North, South, East, and West is not something I do.
Each envelope was left with a bartender or employee giving me the clues to my next stop. Naturally, I made new friends along the way which made it even more fun for me. At Foggy Mountain Brew Pub, an Asheville locals favorite, I had a shot of Tequilla with four strangers who were blown away with the idea of a scavenger hunt first date. They happily sent me off to my next stop wishing me luck. Off to the Green Mansion.
Easy to find and I love Green Man beer. So, a win,win! I would have stayed for a pint but I was too eager to find this person. Green Man’s sweet clues sent me to Asheville’s sugar empire aka French Broad Chocolates Cookie & Creamery South Slope location on Buxton Avenue. Waiting for me there were three tasty rewards matching the clues from my notes. Wanting to be on my best behavior, I was in need of an antidote for all this euphoria.
I took some photos with the kind chocolate maker then it was off to the final destination which was, you guessed it, Antidote Cocktail Lounge, Asheville’s mysterious craft cocktail bar also known as Chemist Gin Distillery. Who was sitting rooftop waiting for me? My clever, handsome first date. And the rest is history.
Outsource Help
Are you interested in recreating this out-of-the-ordinary adventure for a date night? It’s easier than you think and you’ll be doting about it with friends and co-workers for days. If it’s for a first date, you will with no doubt impress. Even if you’re not a creative person, it’s 100% possible to do. Asheville has wonderful resources right at your fingertips. Asheville Detours, for example, will plan the perfect scavenger hunt for you and your date to experience together taking over the planning process where all you have to do is show up.
There are also many online websites that will help you facilitate your scavenger hunt date night. Goosechase.com and Pinterest are both excellent resources to help you plan your playful outing. So what are you waiting for? Think outside the ‘date night’ box and formulate that unique experience you and your date will never forget!
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