From first dates to forever: date ideas for every stage of a relationship

Chris Baker and Katrina Tulloch know a thing or two about dating in Syracuse. The couple met as journalism students at Syracuse University and later fell in love while working together at The Post-Standard. Now, after 12 years together and six years of marriage, they say the best dates have one thing in common: shared experiences.

For a first date, Baker suggests skipping the movie theater, and adding some sort of activity.

“I think just dinner is kind of boring,” he said. “You need something to do. You get to know a lot about people from seeing how they participate in things.”

For couples looking to explore downtown, Becca Flint, community engagement and relations specialist for the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, recommends starting with a coffee shop date or desserts at Cake Bar in Salt City Market before exploring public art, browsing local shops or catching a show at the Landmark Theatre or Redhouse Arts Center. 

As relationships become more established, independent licensed marriage and family therapist Tracy Robinson said meaningful dates become less about making an impression and more about making intentional time for one another.

“I think date nights are important because it helps deepen emotional connections,” said Robinson. “When couples give undivided attention, it makes room for meaningful conversations without all the distractions.”

Robinson advises couples to put their phones away and choose experiences that strengthen teamwork and conversation. Local ideas include escape rooms, hiking, miniature golf at Big Don’s in Cicero, painting together at iSmash and even something as simple as taking a walk together while asking thoughtful questions.

For Tulloch, some of the most memorable dates go beyond dinner reservations. She proposes taking advantage of Syracuse’s seasonal offerings, like apple orchards, pumpkin patches and haunted hayrides in the fall. She and Baker also enjoy volunteering at community cleanups or walking through Syracuse’s historic cemeteries, as those experiences often reveal more about a person than a traditional dinner ever could.

As a married couple, Baker and Tulloch agree dating becomes less about impressing one another and more about making time for each other. Some of their favorite dates include trivia nights, concerts, spontaneous drives through the Finger Lakes and spa days in Skaneateles, where they can slow down and enjoy each other’s company.

Robinson said reconnecting doesn’t require elaborate date nights. She often encourages couples who feel disconnected to start small by watching a movie without their phones or planning a date night at home before working back toward bigger outings. She also suggests the “777 rule”: a date every seven days, a road trip every seven weeks and a vacation every seven months, adapting the timeline to fit each couple’s schedule and budget.

“When couples give undivided attention, it makes room for meaningful conversations without all the distractions,” Robinson said.