Going out and having fun with someone you like is sure to be a good time, but only at the right place.

Almost everyone who has gone out in the past with their potential love interests has experienced at least one disastrous date.

You know that date. The one where you stare at your watch, counting down the minutes until your escape, where you are so bored you lie about getting a text from your parents, saying you must go home early.

Your date may be a catch, but the venue you are at could easily make the date become a drag.

To avoid this, the best thing to do is to go somewhere fun and worth your time.

No matter who you are with, going to the right place can ensure a good time.

Another great place to go on a date is an ice rink, specifically Crystal Fieldhouse.

Many people are starting to get into the Christmas spirit, so what better way than to start off the season by going ice skating?

At Crystal Fieldhouse you can ice skate, eat at the café, or even play hockey.

After the rink, it may even be fun to go watch movies at you or your date’s house.

Snuggling by a fire while drinking hot cocoa and watching a Christmas movie would be a great way to top off the night.

For a more casual date, go to the movies.

Sometimes it is nice to sit with your partner watching a movie and snacking on popcorn.

This date is sure to be relaxing and easy to plan.

Junior Samantha Ross enjoys going to the movies for a date.

“I think that the theater is a great place to go to,” Ross said. “It is always nice to just relax and watch a movie with someone.”

I do not advise going to the movies if you want to go to a place where you can easily talk, though.

For those who are social butterflies and would rather talk than sit through a movie, I advise going to a restaurant.

Almost any place is acceptable to take you partner out to.

Ranging from Coney Islands to more fancy venues, like The Cheesecake Factory, there are many places to choose from.

Do not go on a date to a fast food restaurant, though, especially as a first date.

Once you have been dating for a while it is fine, but at first it will make whoever asked the other person out, and who is paying, seem to be cheap.

If you want something a little more exciting, check out what is going on in your area.

There could be concerts, festivals, or plays coming up that may interest both you and your partner.

Some of these events can be expensive, but they do not have to be.

No one says you have to buy tickets with the closest seating to the stage that have the highest price or buy everything you see at a festival.

Just going for the experience can be fun, so do not feel like you have to empty your wallet for special events like these.

Always try to mix up what you do and where you go. Not everyone likes doing the same thing or going to the same place over and over.

Junior Steven Struck believes that doing different activities keeps things interesting.

“I hate doing the same stuff repetitively,” Struck said. “It is always best to do different things and activities in my opinion.”

Try to be creative when planning for a date.

Check out the Sea Life Aquarium, a local park, arcade, or even go shopping at the mall or the Davison or Flint farmers’ markets for the day.

If none of these ideas interest you, another fun activity to consider is going to AirTime or Sky Zone, which features trampolines all over the buildings.

Also, do not be afraid to check out ideas on Google.

The Internet can be a great tool to find possible activities near you.

Always remember, dating does not have to cost you an arm and a leg, it can be made affordable and still allow for great memories and a great time.