Great Cheap Date Ideas

With the recent economy, everyone is looking for ways to save money.  Dating shouldn’t break the bank - getting together doesn’t have to be an elaborate outing.  A cheap date doesn’t mean second rate. Sometime something simpler can better if it’s thoughtful and comfortable.  Try some of these affordable date ideas and you’ll be sure to impress for less!

• Pack a picnic and take your sweetie for a bike ride to a beach, lake or even a secluded location for a special date.
• Check out a local winery or brewery.  Take a tour and try the local flavors.  Often times these tours are free or cost a small amount and they offer free samples.  Maybe you will discover a love for the same kind of wine or beer that you can share together for years to come
• Attend a book or poetry reading in your local area.  Most of these events are free and you’ll have something to talk about later over coffee or glass of wine.
• Spend the day together at the beach or lake.  Go for a long walk, play in the waves, bring a float and just relax in the water.  See who can build the better sand castle or who can collect the most sea shells.
• On a hot, humid summer night, plan a date to your local ice cream shop.  Share your favorites while people watching and sharing stories
• Take a ballroom dancing class together.  Some studios will offer your first class for free or a reduced rate.  See who has the best moves!  And on your next date, you can test your new moves and go out dancing!
• Watch the sunset together!  Find the highest spot in your area, pack a picnic snack and some wine and enjoy the sun going down together.
• Pick some fruit!  Depending on the season, spend the afternoon picking apples, strawberries or blueberries.  Take the fruit you’ve picked together home and make some yummy pies and treats!
• Plan a “theme” dinner night just the two of you.  Whether it is pizza, tacos or another one of your favorites, get all of the ingredients and make dinner together.  Light candles, put on your favorite music and just enjoy each other’s company over the meal you created together.
• Go out for breakfast.  This is a great idea when you are first getting to know each other.  It gets you to your favorite restaurants but the bill will be much less when ordering breakfast.  Plus, you’ll get to know what each other’s favorites are for breakfast... maybe the next date you can make each other breakfast!
• Visit a local farmer’s market.  You can peruse what the locals are growing and selling and make a few purchases to use on dinner later.
• Go to see a drive-in movie.  These are typically cheaper than the regular movies and most drive-in theaters show two movies back to back!  Park the car, bring snacks from home and get cozy together to watch the movie.
• In the winter months, bundle up and go sledding!  Act like a kid and race down the hills together. Fill a thermos with hot chocolate or coffee to warm up after you are done!
• Museums!  Where ever you live, there are probably numerous museums in your area.  Check out the ones that interest you most.  Spend the day holding hands while you view the exhibits.  Remember to check online for discount coupons. 
• Go for a drive.  Around the holidays, go look at Christmas light while listening to carols.  View the springtime flowers with the windows down.  Take a trip to a town you’ve never been to and take a walk around their downtown.
• Be a stargazer.  Throw a blanket on the grass and bring your favorite beverage and music.  Spend the evening lying together watching the stars.  If you have a map of the constellations, see how many you can identify.
• Rediscover the fun of a playground.  The evening is the best time to do this as most of the children are gone. See who can swing the highest, play on the monkey bars and even take turns down the slide.  You are guaranteed to have some laughs and make some memories.
• Check out local festivals and fairs.  Often times, you can find discount tickets at the local library or town hall.  Spend time together at the exhibits and people watching