The first date— usually with someone you’ve met at the grocery store, bar, or coffee line and, given the tiny nature of this island, likely all within the same twenty-four-hour span. But, should you choose to take these minor run-ins to the next level, complete with name exchanges and laundry lists of mutual acquaintances to six-degrees-of-Kevin-Bacon yourselves to each other, take one of these suggestions out for a spin.

While catching a flick on the first date may be predictable, this is no ordinary dinner and movie. Instead, the Town of Duck’s Movies on the Green is a fun family event that makes for the perfect wholesome and unique first date. The lush lawn provides the ideal blanket upon which to make first impressions. In addition, the G-rated nature of the movies allows for lighthearted fun (and a movie to talk through, if we’re being honest). So make a production of it— stop by Mom’s Sweet Shop on the way and pick up some exciting new candy to try, bring a blanket and some pillows, and set up camp. 

It can be surprisingly refreshing to revisit all the places and activities you explored on family vacations or may have never taken the time to try at all. The date leaves room for tons of spontaneity and an easy change-up if places are a little too crowded or a bit less fun than you remembered at age ten. The best part? Many location changes make it easy to conclude a lousy date early or stretch an ideal date to the edges of the night.

Now that your first date went swimmingly, it’s time to change things up and maybe dig a little deeper (read: you’re pretty sure they’re not a murderer, and perhaps all of your dates don’t have to be in crowded places now). Time to put your new bond to the test—make ‘em sweat!

Want to know if this other person cuts the mustard? Put them in hot water. Be a little adventurous and put yourselves outside of your comfort zones by leaping from a plane above this terrifyingly narrow island. This date provides all kinds of fun perks: you bond over conquering fears, you might get to find out who’s in their will, and if the date goes south, at least you got to be strapped to someone else (a potential new first date!) on the way down. Plus, if the relationship doesn’t end well down the road, at least the video you buy at the end only has you in it. 

So you’ve been dating for a while now; maybe you’re married. Though our island is beautiful, your going out options can begin to feel as tired as a line cook in August. Finding a romantic getaway can be as simple as turning off the bypass and parking for the sunset on Bay Drive, taking your loved one on a complete tour of all the places you’ve rented down here, or carving out a couple days to take a camping trip down south to outrun the lights of French Fry Alley. Revisiting places with fresh eyes or discovering someplace you never knew existed down here might be all it takes to fall in love with each other and your home all over again.

It’s amazing when you talk to locals about how few people have been up to Jockey’s Ridge recently or, occasionally, ever. The dunes offer 360-degree views around the island and make for the perfect spot from which to watch the sunset over the sound while still snagging views of the last daylight on the ocean. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket and enjoy any number of dates. People watching and kite dodging on the main area of the dunes across from Kitty Hawk Kites or tromp around a little and find a shady spot beneath some of the scrubby trees on the outskirts of the park. Pack a speaker and a bottle of wine and let the sunset do the talking.

Laugh all you want, but we all know that on occasion, these dates happen. Sometimes you’re un-lucky enough to know it’s not gonna be a great date going into it, but you’ve accepted your fate and maybe a free meal. No judgment here. Here’s an idea for a seemingly fun date that comes expertly recommended as an activity only to do with someone you don’t wish to continue seeing.

Seems pretty innocuous, right? Wrong. According to our bike rental specialist, tandem bikes are the number one cause of two-wheeled couple quarrels. There’s something about forced synchronicity and deeply engrained gender roles that causes this two-person-one-bike cocktail to go sour. But by all means, try it with someone you really want to test or don’t care to continue pursuing. If arguing is right up your alley or you have inflated confidence in your ability to pull the weight of two sweaty lovebirds, get yourself a tandie. To your pleasant surprise, it might just work out. What bet-ter story to tell the grandkids than one in which the two of you overcame and defied the magazine-prescribed odds to conquer the double bike date?

Emily Moliken lives on the Outer Banks and has little to no dating experience on this island. She thought a tandem bike was a good idea. Thus, she is single.