The 10 Coolest First Date Spots in Phoenix

The hard work is already over. You’ve convinced that lovely girl you’ve been flirting with for weeks to finally go out with you. You’ve probably heard the old Woody Allen quote, “80 percent of success is showing up.” This may be more true in dating than any other situation in life. Unfortunately, with dating, you have the added pressure of picking where to show up to. Those of you who aren’t big into decision making or research, don’t worry. If you’re in the Phoenix area, we’ve got you covered.

Anyone in any city can look up the best Italian restaurant on Yelp, make sure to grab a reservation on a night when a violin player is on call, and brush up on the best wines to order to make you look like you know what you’re talking about. You can do better than that. There are many places in the Phoenix area that can leave a lasting impression on your date and help keep you in the front of her mind. We can’t make her like you, but we can help you make sure she likes where you take her. Here are the 10 Coolest First Date Spots in Phoenix.

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Address: Various
Website: balletaz.org

You’ll have to wait until the fall to take advantage of this unique Phoenix offering, but that gives you a little while longer to get up the courage to act on that intra-office sexual tension. Throughout the month of September, Ballet Arizona takes their show on the road, performing evening dates in parks around the Valley. Though each performance costs approximately $50,000 to mount, Ballet Under the Stars is offered for free. September seems like a long time to wait for first date, but we all know you’ll be dumped several times by then. When you find yourself lonely once again next fall, keep Ballet Under the Stars in mind.

Address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy
Website: dbg.org

In their Vision Statement, the Desert Botanical Garden announces their goal to “be the premier center in the world for the display, study and understanding of desert plants and their environments.” Though the plant life at the Botanical Garden is breathtaking, the park offers more than just a place to look at cacti and desert flowers. During the holiday season you can check out Las Noches De Las Luminarias, an illuminated night time holiday event. Outside of the holiday season, you might run into musicians, pet-friendly days, and art installations in this carefully curated and meticulously maintained garden.

Address: Tonto National Forest
Website: usda.gov

Choosing the best place to hike in the Phoenix area is a difficult proposition. There is so much natural beauty to choose from that it’s hard to make a bad pick. One of the best areas to take your outdoorsy lady is the Hieroglyphic Canyon in Tonto National Forest. Natural beauty and historical artifacts are on display in the Hieroglyphic Canyon; the canyon is marked by Native American petroglyphs that are as much as 2,000 years old. Though the area has been the victim of some vandalism, and suburban sprawl creeps closer with each passing year, the Hieroglyphic Canyon is still a sight to behold.

Address: Cave Creek Rd.
Website: cavecreek.org

Historic Cave Creek and the surrounding art galleries are always great to take in, but if you and your date can catch them on a Friday “Art Night,” you’re in for a treat. On Art Nights, the prominent galleries in Cave Creek offer the opportunity to leisurely take in their art and discuss the work with the artists themselves. Each of the galleries featured at Cave Creek offers something different, so Art Night should appeal to any aesthetic palette. Whether you’re into abstract sculpture or desert landscapes, you’ll find work to appreciate at Cave Creek Art Night. The galleries close at 9, so you’ll still have some time for drinks and conversation aimed at wooing a lady back to your place.

Address: 9119 E Indian Bend Rd.
Website: octaneraceway.com

We admit that not every girl you date is going to be game for some go kart racing. If you find yourself lucky enough to be on a date with a lady who would be down for such activities, consider yourself blessed, and take her to Octane Raceway. Octane boasts the only full time indoor/outdoor go kart track in all of America, built for those with an insatiable need for speed. The races are scored, so be prepared to be shown up by your lady if she knows how to handle. Win or lose, you’ll be able to enjoy the other attractions at their newly opened location as well, including a 24-game arcade and a Segway course. Some of you might not think this is first date material. We say, if your girl can’t enjoy this, why bother with any more dates?

Address: 9200 N Bush Hwy
Website: saltrivertubing.com

Most people native to warmer climates will tell you that tubing is one of the best, laziest ways to beat the heat. If your idea of getting to know someone is boozing while you float down a river, then look no further than Salt River Tubing. The two-hour trips last about as long as a slow dinner or a night of drinks, and offer far better scenery. You also won’t have to worry about the constant interruption of waiters and the obnoxious conversations of fellow patrons either; any unwelcome company will float on by in short order. Of course, two hours can be a long time, so don’t be afraid to make this a group floating booze cruise to insure consistent conversation.

Address: 11420 N 19th Ave.
Website: castlesportsclub.com

Believe it or not, there are three different roller derby leagues in the Phoenix area. Take your pick between the Derby Dames, the Desert Dolls, and AZ Roller Derby, and prepare to redefine your concept of girl-on-girl action. Regardless of which league you choose to follow, you probably won’t spend much more than $10-$15 on tickets. If sparks don’t fly, you can use your time to scout out the Derby Dame of your dreams for next week’s date.

Address: 960 W University Dr., Tempe
Address: 1941 W Guadalupe Rd., Mesa
Address: 3800 N Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale
Website: cornishpastyco.com

You expect to see some of the country’s best fry bread and Mexican food throughout Arizona; perhaps you weren’t expecting to see a flourishing restaurant chain hocking British wares. This is exactly what you’ll find at the Cornish Pasty Co. The delicious pasties have been described as “gourmet hot pockets.” If you imagine your old favorite after-school treat, substitute in high-end dough and fill it with Portobello mushrooms and steak, you should be able to see the appeal. Since Cornish Pasty Co. opened up in 2006, they’ve expanded to three locations, so you won’t have to drive to far to get your pasty fix, no matter where in the Valley you lay your head. Rumor has it they’ll soon be expanding to Las Vegas, so you can get your pasty fix on your weekend benders.

Address: 1003 E Indian School Rd.

Recently, Cecilia Miller moved the Fry Bread House into a larger location to keep up with the accolades that have been heaped on her restaurant. When she opened the Fry Bread House in 1992 with an eye towards funding her children’s education, she had no idea how popular her restaurant would become. Last year, the Fry Bread House was awarded the distinction of being named one of five “America’s Classics” by the James Beard Foundation, meaning that this restaurant is recognized as a national treasure. An all-Native American staff is responsible for preparing the delicious fry bread and topping it with toppings from red chile stew to chorizo to chocolate (they don’t recommend using them all at once). It’s hard to find a restaurant that will impress food-centric ladies in the age of Yelp, but for the uninitiated, the Fry Bread House will be a unique experience.

Website: vvwinetrail.com

Be warned: this isn’t the ideal date for complete strangers since it is a couple hours away from Phoenix. If you’ve been “just friends” with a lady for a while and you are looking for a way to transition that friendship into something more, this might be the ideal date for you. If you can convince your date that you aren’t taking her out into the desert to kill her, then the rest of your journey should be smooth sailing. Beautiful views and cooler temperatures await you during your wine tasting date. You and your lady will be treated to a flight of wines at Verde Valley, and if you aren’t a burgeoning sommelier, don’t worry, the staff would be happy to help you pick out your wines. Unlike so many things in this word, the winery is open 365 days a year. And though they don’t exactly keep bar hours, you can hang out until 9 p.m. on the weekends.