Good place for a girl and guy to hang out as friends without it being awkward and date-like?

I think places that would be a great place to meet up would be somewhere like the park, bowling alley, ice cream parlor, sweet shop, gift shop, coffee bar - even amusement arcades or toy store. If you got a bit of cash or time (and he likes music), maybe places like a concert, a restaurant/diner, a baseball game, performance show, the beach, aquarium, petshop or bookshop.

If you have the same close friends a barbeque, birthday party or hamper picnic would be a good point also. As would doing sports ie. badminton, swimming, tennis, pool, squash etc. It depends really what you wanna do.

The most fun I think for couples is the fun fair or circus. Because most of them also have the big wheel, they can be really great places that don't seem datey to get to know your partner. :)

"before I have any chance of being with him, I've gotta be his friend first, right"

Right. The ability to be friends prevents you two from tearing each other apart when you are outside the bedroom, which is where you will be spending most of your time.

Don't worry about physical attraction. That is the easy part. It usually is very direct. If you find someone physically attractive, you can say on the spot, "oh, handsome guy", right? That bit won't change in a few months.

So, be direct, no games. If he likes you (both as a friend and as a girlfriend), he would say yes. Trust your gut feelings about him too if you two get to go out alone.

oh, wait. play a game. like, rock band, or something. :P.

at your house? or go play a sport together. :). like, soccer.