While a candlelight dinner for two may spark deep conversation, for some dinner may not be the best way to get to know your new friend. Awkward lulls in conversation. Uncomfortable silences. Nervous chatter. For the active types, rock wall climbing or the driving range might be the ticket to a successful date.

Who says you can't get to know someone as you both try to strut your stuff on the roller skating rink? Remember how much fun you had at middle school roller dances? Well, roller skating or ice skating is still fun if you are doing it alongside your new love.

Active is where it is at. Ditch the face-to-face conversation over a scrumptious meal.

There is no shortage of places to have fun in your area. Trust me. Google it!

•How about taking a hike. Choose a trail close by or venture a little further to find a national park. Strap on those boots. Grab a water bottle. Before walking, decide on how long a hike you can each manage. Allow for drink and rest breaks. Talk about nature, exercise, or just talk.

•If you are in D.C. or Allen, TX, or Chicago or Dallas stop by Top Golf. Top Golf is a driving range and then some. Each golf ball is programmed with a computer chip. You drive the ball as usual. When your ball lands in one of the holes on the course, the ball's location is sent back to the computer screen beside each tee. It's like bowling!

• How about bowling at an upscale lane. Do not picture the bowling alleys of your childhood with the greasy pizza and too snug shoes. No! Lucky Strike has the ambiance, the lighting, and the food to make you forget that you have bowled before. With locations in 13 states and Canada, Lucky Strike is making is changing bowling one strike at a time. Check out 300 Bowling as well.

•Get tickets to a game. Is your honey sports mad? Chances are you'll learn lots about him at a game. His language may be a little...how shall I put it...colorful...but you will definitely know what he is passionate about!

•You could choose an activity that neither of you are experts in like scaling a rock climbing wall...sky diving...parasailing...or even skateboarding. You'll never know until you try...so go out and find something different to do.

You and your date may find that you both drive the ball out of the park. Or the date may be a dud, if your bowling score COMBINED is not good. You can get to know each other on a personal as well as an active level.