This weekend, my friend asked me “What’s a good first date?”
That got me thinking. My last first date was more than a decade ago. It seems I hear “we’re going to Des Moines,” more and more often.
How would I plan a first date right here in Creston? What about a girls’ day? A day for the guys? How can you live locally through these events? I hope to give you some ideas.
The first date
The most important piece of a first date is conversation topics. Go somewhere that will naturally have things to talk about if conversation gets stale. Start with this - not the meal. The meal should be last, so you have something to talk about while waiting for food. The last thing you want is to both be bored.
My good weather option would start with Hot Air Brewing. I love the options for flights of beer or soda to keep it age-friendly. Taste-testing provides natural conversation and healthy debate about each person’s favorite and least favorite drinks. There are also games and puzzles available to keep the fun flowing.
After the brewery, I would look for an outdoor activity like disc golf at McKinley Park or the college campus. You can pick up discs from Walmart for $20. If you’re not feeling that, take a walk around the lake.
For dinner, I would head over to Willy’s Bar & Grill and opt for outdoor seating. I had their grilled cheese the other day, and it was to die for.
So what if the weather is bad? Let’s start by visiting one of our local coffee shops - there are so many options! Head to Java J’s, Brick & Bell or Adam’s Street Espresso. You don’t need to be a coffee lover. All of these locations offer fantastic alternatives like shakes, sodas and juice.
Now for some fun - pick up a game called “Unsolved Case Files.” I know Walmart has them for $20. Spread the files out on a table and work together to solve a cold case. This game is so much fun, and can take up a few hours. My husband and I got this for a date night during COVID, and we lost track of time playing.
Finally, head to dinner at one of our many local restaurants. Casa de Oro and Spencer’s are just a couple of my favorites to finish off the night.
A girls’ day
All of my favorite girls’ days start with the same thing - Starbucks!
The perfect accompaniment for Starbucks is obviously shopping, and we have amazing boutiques in town for people of every taste. You can find bold, colorful items at House of Pain. My favorite business chic looks come from The Paisley Rose Boutique - brand new to Creston. Lori’s Boutique and Hazel Marie’s both host a wide range of women’s clothing if you aren’t looking for something specific.
My favorite underrated lunch restaurant is Kelly’s Flowers. If the weather is nice, grab your lunch to-go, and head to McKinley Park for a picnic. Spread out a blanket, and enjoy the sunshine.
Next, let’s go to Create Creston where you can pick up custom watercolor coloring sheets and all your supplies. It’s like a cross between painting and a coloring book. It makes you feel like a real artist without the pressure of having to draw it yourself.
My girls’ day would end at A&G where we would each try a different of their dozen Moscow mule flavors and compare opinions.
A day for the guys:
I did my perfect girls’ day, so it’s only fitting I do what my husband would do for a guy’s day.
He would start with a trip to one of our Casey’s General Stores for an energy drink and some doughnuts to kick start his day.
Then, he’d head to Crestmoor Golf Club for 18 holes. This is a great activity for a group of guys to get together, enjoy the sunshine and have a couple beers.
Lunch would be at Jade Garden where he is practically a regular. Don’t forget to get egg rolls and fortune cookies.
After lunch, it’s off to Green Valley State Park for some fishing. You can get fancy bait and try to get big bass and monster catfish, or you can just pick up some worms at Bomgaars or Tractor Supply and go panfishing.
For dinner, it’s wings at Mario’s Sports Bar and Grill. If there’s a game on, grab a seat at the bar and stay awhile.
I know that Des Moines and Omaha have more options than we can ever hope to have here. At the end of the day, our neighbors, family and friends make their livelihoods here. As with anything, we get out of the community what we put into it.