If you're feeling the penny-pinch in your budget, but still want something romantic, check out our collection of cheap dates. All it takes it a little creativity to come up with a long list of affordable dates. In fact, you can have just as much fun dreaming up your cheap dates as you will on the date itself! For those who need some inspiration, look no further.
If you have a romantic date idea, submit it to be featured on our site!
For high culture at low-costs, head to your local museum of art or history. Be sure to check online for coupons or discounts (may offer discounts on their websites). You may want to call ahead as some mueseums offer 'free' days or additional discounts (i.e. students, seniors, etc).
Coffee and Dessert
Skip the expensive dinner out and instead head to your favortie restaurant for dessert and coffee. Depending on the restaurant, you can expect to spend between $5-$15 per person for dessert and coffee. Up the romance factor while saving even more by sharing a dessert.
Poetry Readings
Call your local bookstores for upcoming events, such as poetry readings or lectures. Poetry readings, in particular, are surprisingly romantic. Enjoy a cup of coffee together along with words of romance and inspiration.
Local Theater
While Broadway and touring shows can cost anywhere from $50-$100 (or in some cases even more!) per ticket, it may seem out of reach. If you have a local community theater, check out the performance dates as tickets are usually less than $20. If you have a nearby college or high school, check our their drama schedules as well. It may not be broadway, but it's sure to be entertaining!
Ice Cream Social
Taking your date to the local ice cream parlor is surprisingly romantic -- and cheap! Up the romance by sharing a malt (two straws!) or split a banana split!
Local Festivals
Check out your local papers' events section. You'll find everything from mustic festivals to food festivals to flower and garden festivals. Spend an afternoon of fun together without spending much money. The majority of these festivals feature free entertainment, including live music, fun activities, cheap food, and lots of booth browsing.
Volunteer Together
Spend quality timne together giving back to your community. Volunteer at a seniors home, your local soup kitchen, or some other local charity.
Window Shopping
Head to an upscale mall, flea market, antique store, or any other place you normally wouldn't shop and spend the afternoon browsing the wares together.
Garage Sale Hopping
Get up early on Saturday morning, grab the classifieds and some coffee, and spend the morning garage sale hopping. You'll have fun browsing through the tables. Remember, one man's junk is another man's treasure. Plan to each make a purchase for the other (set a price limit, such as $5 or less) and then surprise each other at the end.
Outdoor Games
Spend the afternoon at a local park playing frisbee together or flying a kite. Both are inexpensive to purchase and can provide hours o fun!
Picnic for Two
The classic picnic is big on romance and very easy on the wallet. Pack a blanket and a lunch: sandwiches, fruits, and drinks (maybe a bottle of wine?). Head to your local park or take a drive and stop at any scenic overlook.
Home-cooked Meal
Plan a home-cooked meal for your date, complete with candles and romance. Try making their favorite meal or check out our suggestions for romantic recipes for two.
Movie Night at Home
Pick up a couple movie's at your local video store and plan a romantic movie night at home. Pop some popcorn, cuddle up under a blanket, and settle in for a night of fun together. Check our ultimate list of romantic movies for ideas!
Star-gazing Love
Settle in for a night under the stars. Bring out a sleeping bag or other blanket and a bottle of wine and spend the evening hours gazing at the stars and enjoying one another's company. Pick up a star and constellation guide at your local bookstore and try to identify them together in the night sky.
Board Games
Have fun and challenge your brains with an old-fashioned game of scrabble, chess, checkers, or monopoly. Check your local thrift store for a variety of other board games. If you're without any board games, get a deck of cards and challenge each other to a game of Rummy or Hearts.
Mini Golf
For fun and excitement without spending big bucks, head out for a rousing round of mini-golf. With one-round tickets averaging less than $10 around the country, you'll have a fun date that's easy on the wallet. Have a mini-competition with the winer picking the prize!
Hiking
It's completely free, great exercise, and incredibly romantic with beautiful scenery. Our favorites are any trails that lead to majestic waterfalls. Check out trails.com for beautiful hiking trails near you.
Biking
Head out on the trails for an afternoon of biking together. Bring along a picnic lunch for a mid-day break. For something different, rent a bicycle built for two and ride around the city together.
Beach Bums
Spend the afternoon lounging in the sand, taking walks along the water, and frolicking in the tides. If you don't live near the shore, head to a lake, a river, or even your local pool.
Historic Sites
Many historic sites are either free to the public or offer discounted admission (just look online or call ahead). Spend the afternoon enriching your brain and your relationship!
Cheap Movies
Skip the expensive theater and instead look up the showings at your local dollar theater. You'll save a bundle while still 'going out'.
Go for a walk
Walking is both free and romantic. A brisk walk is good for the heart and soul. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy mother nature hand-in-hand.
Flirting
