No Partner? No Problem! Celebrate Platonic Love with These 5 Friendship Date Ideas

By Phoebe Pineda
LinkedIn
Instagram

Who said dates needed to be romantic? Take your friends out for a good time with these 5 friendship date ideas!

Hit the road

Roll down the windows and turn up that road trip playlist, ‘cause we’re kicking off our list with a classic! Going for a drive is a time-honored friendship ritual, one with endless possibilities. Explore a new city, uncover hidden gems in your hometown—or, if you’re still learning, you can even do practice laps in an empty parking lot behind the wheel of your friend’s two-seater. Take your out-of-town friends on a tour of your local landmarks, or find a spot to pull over and watch the sunset.

If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly hangout, you can also take public transit, ride bikes, or go for a walk!

See a show

Concerts can be a lot easier—and more fun!—with a friend. Teaming up to buy tickets, mapping out transportation routes, and even coordinating outfits takes a lot of the stress out of planning. You’ll have no problem entertaining yourselves in the entrance line, and when the show’s over, you’ll have twice as many photos and videos to share for when you need a pick-me-up to get through the week.

Of course, live entertainment doesn’t have to break the bank. From small indie bands to community theater troupes, supporting your local performers is an equally fun way to make some memories.

Grab a bite

Who doesn’t love catching up over a good meal? Eating out with a friend can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Meet up at a coffee shop, or try that new Thai restaurant near the train station. If the weather’s right, have a picnic in the park. And if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, throw a potluck!

Run some errands

Adulting doesn’t have to be boring! Invite a friend on a grocery run, or take a trip to the car wash. Ask them if they have any errands to take care of—maybe they need to stop by the post office, or drop off a library book. Or maybe the week of nonstop rain has finally let up, and your dogs are itching for a playdate. Don’t let chores take away a good time—make them a good time!

Stay in!

Let’s be honest: sometimes you don’t have the time or energy to go out.

Between school, work, and other obligations, life can be—well, a lot. It’s important to make space to decompress, and even if we’re not up for going out, we might still crave the company of our friends.

Here’s a secret I learned in college: sometimes the best friendship date isn’t the one you plan. Sometimes it’s inviting someone over to your dorm room to study, and then staying up past midnight just talking—about life, about love, about anything but homework. Sometimes it’s taking turns trying out your new tarot decks, or collaborating on a paint-by-numbers.

Sometimes it’s putting on the kettle, making quesadillas, and crowding around the TV (or a laptop) to binge Vox Machina. Or maybe it’s projecting K-pop music videos on your friend’s bedroom wall and throwing stuffed animals at all the idols for being too attractive. Or maybe it’s stress-baking scones during dead week while you stream the latest Paramore album.

In the end, a date is about spending time with the people you love. These ideas are just a handful of ways for you and your friends to make the most of that time—and make some lasting memories!