4 Inexpensive But Fun Date Ideas For Your Next Romantic Outing

But dates are expensive! Especially if your definition of “date” is a fancy candlelit dinner and a show. But there are tons of really fun ways to go on a date with your partner that don’t cost much at all. Here are a few ideas:

Picnic in the Park

There’s just something romantic about eating a meal outdoors. Maybe it’s the fresh air, the change of scene, or the fact that there are fewer things to distract you from each other than there might be at home. Whatever it is, heading to the park is a fun and inexpensive way to spend time together. A picnic in the park can be as simple as picking up a couple of sandwiches and some water bottles at a local deli and finding a shady bench, or as elaborate as a lovingly packed picnic basket complete with cutlery and a red-checked blanket.

If you’re into sports, bring along a frisbee or a ball to toss around. If relaxing is more your thing, bring books, or a crossword puzzle to do together. Once you’ve had your meal, take a leisurely walk, or grab an ice cream cone. Make an afternoon of it!

Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour

Going for a walk is always a nice way to spend time with your partner, but how do you elevate a walk to the level of a date? Try a self-guided walking tour! Regardless of how long you’ve lived where you live, there are probably still things you don’t know about your hometown. Pick up a book of walking tours (like this one, or this one) and try one out together. The book will lead you on a route that stops at interesting landmarks.

Regardless of how long you’ve lived where you live, there are probably still things you don’t know about your hometown.

The information the book will tell you about each stop should spark a fun conversation and working together to follow the route and find each location is a great bonding exercise. If you and your partner share particular interests, you can find walking tours that cater to them — like architecture, famous people, or history. And, since the tour is self-guided, you can always stop for coffee, or linger over something that interests you.

Head to a Flea Market or Estate Sale

I’m not suggesting you actually buy something at the flea market or estate sale — unless you want to — the fun is in the looking. People sell some really odd and interesting things at sales like these, and you and your partner will have fun combing through the odds and ends. Try on a funny hat, or make up stories about the people in old photos, pretend you’re going to furnish your home with antique furniture, or speculate about the doors that random bucket full of keys might open. If you approach the sale as an adventure in imagination — rather than a place to buy a strange trinket you don’t need — you’ll find yourself wiling away the afternoon in conversation and laughter.

Take Advantage of Museum Free/Reduced Price Days

Museums are a great date idea because the things you see there will spark some great discussions. But museums can be really expensive. Luckily, most museums offer certain days of the week (or month) where the entry fee is waived or significantly reduced. Check the FAQ sections of the websites of local museums that seem interesting, or just do a Google search for free or reduced price museum admissions in your area.

Check the FAQ sections of the websites of local museums that seem interesting, or just do a Google search for free or reduced price museum admissions in your area.

If standing around staring at art isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are lots of other kinds of museums you can check out: science museums, natural history museums, museums on local history, or historic houses. You don’t even have to like what you’re looking at! You and your partner can have just as much fun laughing about how odd the artwork looks as you can marveling over a masterpiece. The idea here is just to get out of the house, take in something new and spark a conversation.

Closing Thoughts

A date doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive to be romantic and fun. Try something new together, get outside, let your imagination roam free! You might even find that this kind of date makes you feel closer and more bonded to your partner that something more generic. So get out there and have some fun!