I am a relatively social person. Maybe it’s my Leo sun and moon placements, or my ambivert personality, but I experience a lot of joy from hanging out with friends on a regular basis. Whether it’s attending an art exhibit or a workout class with a companion, I’ve been known to try new things when I have a close friend in tow. But I’m much more likely to bow out of going to the newest restaurant or must-see movie if I have to go alone.
“I started to feel like I was missing out on life experiences just because my calendar wasn’t synced up with a friend’s.”
While spending time with my social circle is important, I started to feel like I was missing out on life experiences just because my calendar wasn’t synced up with a friend’s. Enter solo dates. I started taking myself out for a few reasons — as a way to practice self-care, to connect more deeply to my interests, and as a means to access more self-love and independence.
“The best partner in my life is me, and my relationship to myself is a beautiful process that evolves over time.”
When I began this practice, I was single and delighted to be building a relationship with myself. I realized that the best partner in my life is me, and my relationship with myself is a beautiful process that evolves over time. I’m partnered now but I still make time for solo dates as a tool for my creativity and a means of building confidence.
I will admit that it’s not always easy to be intentional when spending time by myself. Sometimes it’s tempting to scroll through my phone instead of making plans, especially since doing things alone in public can sometimes leave us feeling exposed or judged. My commitment to solo dates has been a journey and in the end, I’ve found the benefits far outweigh the anxieties.
Below, you’ll find 99 ideas for solo dates to foster self-connection. As you read through the activities, consider which might allow you to engage with your most creative, relaxed, and desirous self. Share your solo date ideas with us in the comments! ⭐
1. Treat yourself to a massage.
2. Take a long walk or a nature hike. Plug in your favorite tunes or podcast and let the scenery unfold around you.
3. Sign up for a candlelight fitness class like yin yoga or mat pilates.
“Explore your neighborhood as if you’re a tourist.”
4. Go to a coffee shop, order a hot drink, and read a book.
5. Explore your neighborhood as if you’re a tourist. If you’re inspired to, take photographs like a tourist too.
6. Like the massage idea? Book a spa day or time at a bathhouse, and unwind in the sauna and steam room.
7. Plan a weekend trip away. Choose a place that inspires you whether that be in the city or the country.
8. Find a new-to-you bakery and try their signature dessert.
9. Buy yourself flowers and make an arrangement of your favorites.
10. Volunteer at an animal shelter or soup kitchen.
11. Take a private dance lesson.
12. Slide up to the bar and ask the bartender for a savory drink or mocktail.
13. Curious? Browse a sex toy shop and discover a product that’ll take self-pleasure to greater heights.
“Go outside and leave your phone at home.”
14. Rent a karaoke booth and sing your heart out.
15. Perform at an open mic.
16. Grab your towels and head to the beach.
17. Go outside and leave your phone at home.
18. Attend a lecture.
“Go to the movies. Buy your favorite snacks.”
19. Go to the movies. Buy your favorite snacks.
20. Take a cooking or baking class.
21. Spend the afternoon at a museum. Bring a sketchbook and draw when the inspiration strikes.
22. Go for a walk and record all the thoughts that arise during your stroll.
23. Sign up for rush tickets to a play or musical.
24. Road trip to a national park.
25. Wander through a nearby city on a historical walking tour.
“Visit an aquarium or animal sanctuary and marvel at wildlife.”
26. Visit an aquarium or animal sanctuary and marvel at wildlife.
27. Smell deeply. Sniff fragrances at a perfume counter or take a class and blend a signature scent.
28. Plan a visit to the library and borrow a book (or two) from the staff recommendation shelf.
29. Picnic in the park with all your favorite foods and drink.
30. Immerse yourself in a local concert or symphony.
31. Join a meditation circle.
32. Pick out fresh produce at the farmers market.
“Book a one-night stay in a hotel room in your city or one nearby.”
33. Book a one-night stay in a hotel room in your city or one nearby.
34. Dance all night at a club, party, or silent disco. (This one is for the brave!)
35. Learn the art of pottery.
36. Or, the art of poetry! Attend a reading or register for a workshop.
37. Lace up your skates and head over to the ice rink or roller rink.
38. Hit a strike with a round of bowling.
39. Stroll through a botanical garden or outdoor art installation.
40. Spend time observing and people-watching.
41. Dine solo at a restaurant.
“Attend an opening at an art gallery.”
42. Attend an opening at an art gallery.
43. Sports fan? Cheer on your team at a home game.
44. Buy a fancy iced tea, go to a comfy park bench, and do some box breathing.
45. Register for a self-development experience like The Artist’s Way.
46. What’s for breakfast? Go to the diner!
47. Laugh it up as an audience member at a comedy show.
48. Try your hand in a figure drawing class.
“Tap into your inner child — dance like no one is watching, make snow angels, color, build a fort.”
49. Tap into your inner child — dance like no one is watching, make snow angels, color, build a fort.
50. Collect seashells on a beach walk.
51. Or, try geocaching!
52. Bike on a trail and marvel at nature.
53. Or, go kayaking, tubing, or paddleboarding while taking in scenic views.
54. Beat winter blues and sign up for a cold-weather sport like snowboarding or skiing.
55. Learn a new craft like screenprinting, sewing, or knitting.
56. Go for a relaxing drive or ride in aboveground public transit.
57. See an opera or a ballet.
58. Aim for a hole-in-one at mini golf.
“Spend the night star gazing.”
59. Spend the night star gazing.
60. Disconnect from the outside world and experience a sensory deprivation tank.
61. Feel refreshed with a manicure and pedicure.
62. Or, get a blowout. The bliss of having your hair washed isn’t only for haircuts.
63. Go to an upcycle swap and help give objects a new life.
64. Go for a swim, indoors or out.
65. Watch the sunset.
“Find flea markets or estate sales and bring a treasure home.”
66. Or get up early to watch the sunrise.
67. Find flea markets or estate sales and bring a treasure home.
68. Relish the change of seasons and go leaf peeping.
69. Enjoy a leisurely brunch at your favorite eatery.
70. If you drink, take a break from booze and pick up a few alcohol-free spirits or NA drinks at a local shop.
71. Plan out a solo day with your favorite activities and film it for a video diary entry.
72. Travel solo to a new city.
73. Or, a new country!
74. Plan a fun outfit and spend the day — or evening — at a music festival.
“Empower your body and mind with an archery lesson.”
75. Empower your body and mind with an archery lesson.
76. Support indie bookstores and attend an event, add to your TBR pile, and discover emerging writers.
77. Make fresh lemonade, pack a blanket, and watch a summer movie in the park.
78. Challenge yourself. Try skydiving, bungee jumping, or zip lining.
79. Try rock climbing.
80. Plan and cook yourself a three-course meal. Add candles and music for ambiance!
“Plan and cook yourself a three-course meal. Add candles and music for ambiance!”
81. Sit by the water and let your thoughts wander.
82. Find hidden events in your city like intimate concerts with Sofar Sounds or candle light music shows at Fever.
83. Take a foreign language class.
84. Attend a wellness retreat.
85. Add adventure to your routine with a martial arts class.
86. Beat summer’s heat and learn a water sport like surfing.
87. Let yourself loose with unstructured free time. The only rule? You have fun by yourself.
88. Round up your camping gear and sleep under the stars for one night.
89. Pamper yourself — and your skin — with a facial.
90. Book a photographer and stage a mini-shoot.
“Join a local community garden.”
91. Join a local community garden.
92. Indulge in a solo wine-tasting experience at a local vineyard (or start by planning a trip to one).
93. Bird watch with binoculars.
94. Plant trees with a local community group or non-profit.
95. Got a favorite fruit or flower? Go to a farm and pick your own.
“Tap into your community history by visiting a long-established shop like a butcher, a cobbler, or a hardware store.”
96. Have an impromptu baking session with the ingredients in your cupboard.
97. Immerse yourself in fantasy at a Renaissance Faire.
98. Tap into your community history by visiting a long-established shop like a butcher, a cobbler, or a hardware store.
99. Practice grounding exercises or gentle body movement like t’ai chi outdoors.
Stephanie Valente is a copywriter and editor covering wellness, commerce, lifestyle — and more — for publications like Brooklyn Magazine and The Good Trade. Based in Brooklyn, she’s often writing poetry, getting lost in a book, or hanging out with her dog.
