15 Cheap Date Ideas (Free Ones Too!)

Confession time; I’m in the dating world right now. It’s scary out here! Aside from that, I went on a date the other evening and it got me thinking. We went ice-skating at an indoor rink. No cost whatsoever, except the gas money to drive there of course. So, I thought, because I’m on a budget (and I don’t want him paying for every date either of course), what are some cheap date ideas that we can do together? So I decided to come up with a list and share it with you all too!

1. Roller or Ice Skating.  Obviously, I had to put this one on the list. I had a great time on this date and because I was rusty, I held onto him the entire time. So you see, it brings you closer to your date. Win-win. Head to an indoor or outdoor rink, or where I live, we have a river trail that is beautiful to ice-skate on in the winter months. Afterwards, you could even go for a hot chocolate somewhere. Perfect inexpensive date night!
2. Bike Ride or Walk.  Do you have a scenic park, bike trail or forest area close by? This makes my list of cheap date ideas because I’ve also been on a date like this too. It makes for a great first date with someone if you are in a very public area (of course) because you can take in the scenery while getting to know each other on a beautiful day (make sure the forecast doesn’t call for rain or anything!). The best part – it’s free!
3. Museum or Other Historic Site.  I actually thought of this one yesterday because I have been wanting to go to my local museum that I haven’t been to in years and just read about all of the history. So, I texted my ice-skating date from the other night and asked him if he’d be interested in going with me there sometime on a date, and he said yes. So, I looked online at the admission rates and the cost was low so…perfect!
4. Comedy Club.  We have a well known comedy club where I live that has special admission rates on certain days of the week. Do you? How can you have a bad date night at a comedy club, right? This is one of those cheap date ideas that will guarantee laughter…assuming the comedian(s) is funny of course.
5. Festival.  A festival is great free entertainment for a date.  There are all kinds of different festivals on at certain times of the year you can attend.
6. Miniature Golf.  This is a classic for a cheap date idea, so I had to add it to my list. I actually went on a first date doing mini golf before and it was fun. We poked fun at each other’s horrible golfing skills and got jokingly competitive. Great way to break the ice.
7. Local Band.  Like music? Check out a local band in your area over a drink or coffee.
8. Art Gallery.  If you are the artsy types, heading out to an art gallery would be a great cheap date idea! Picture hand-holding, conversation, and you both trying to determine the meaning behind each art piece. You could make a game of it.
9. Picnic.  Obviously, this one is for nicer weather days. Enjoy an outing at a beautiful park or scenic place. Romantic and inexpensive!
10. Rent a Canoe/Kayak or Go on a Boat Tour.  This is another one for a nicer day. If you like to be active, renting a canoe or kayak would be the way to go, and if you are not active, the boat tour would be a great alternative and both make for a great cheap date idea!
11. Cook a New Recipe Together.  Pick out a recipe together, go to the store to pick up the groceries needed, together and then cook the recipe, yep you guessed it…together. See the common theme there. Together. It’s a fun way to create and share a meal with each other. Afterwards, a movie at home completes this inexpensive date!
12. Games Night.  Have a games night at home together, or with friends…or where I live, we have board game cafes which are fun if you want to get out, and you have these in your area.
13. Take a Class Together.  This is a fun and creative way to spend your evening. There are classes for many different things such as dance, cooking, creating something crafty, yoga, learning a new skill, etc. Many classes are very inexpensive…Groupon is a great way to find classes for super cheap.
14. Cheap Movie.  Where I live, we have movies that play outdoors in a big public park…for free! So, if you have that type of thing in your area, it makes for a great cheap date idea. Or, many theatres have cheaper movie nights so taking advantage of those is always good too.
15. Coupon Site.  Check out a coupon site for any deals in your area where you can enjoy a nice evening out together. A lot of coupons have 2-for-1 deals and things like that.

So, there you have it. A list of some nice cheap date ideas for you and your significant other to still be able to get out together and not feel some “empty wallet syndrome” afterwards.

Do you have any others to add to this list? Please feel free to share!