19 Cheap Date Ideas for the Budget-Conscious Couple

If you're trying to impress your significant other, you might want date night to include a dinner at a posh restaurant, box seats at the opera, or a horse-drawn carriage ride. But let's face it: we often can't afford such luxurious touches. Luckily, you can have a delightful evening and save a little money with these cheap date ideas.

For Foodie Couples

1. Sample lagers, ales, and more at a beer tasting.

With microbreweries popping up everywhere, your date will love a beer tasting as long as they like anything between a fruity radler and a potent imperial stout.

2. Tour a nearby winery or attend a local wine festival

Some say wine is an aphrodisiac, and while we couldn't find any scientific proof of that, there are few things more relaxing than savouring a robust glass of wine.

3. Try a little bit of everything by dining at a Spanish tapas bar.

If you've never tried Spanish tapas, go explore a new cuisine together. You're missing out on patatas bravas and chicken croquettes.

4. Go romantic, 1970s-style, and make it a fondue night.

One of many cute date ideas, fondue restaurants make dining feel more interactive and intimate. And finishing the evening with strawberries chocolate fondue seems especially romantic.

5. Learn how to make a scrumptious dish during a cooking class.

Tip: Find out your partner's favourite kind of dish—maybe it's French desserts or homemade pasta—and choose a class based around that.

For Sporty Couples

6. Rent a bike and ride to a nearby park for a picnic.

If you want go above and beyond, rent a tandem bicycle. But a normal bike ride followed up with a carefree meal in the park is one of life's best cheap date night ideas.

7. Stretch out and relax together—attend a yoga class.

If dates are invariable stressful for you or your loved one, try a yoga class. A recent blog post from the Mayo Clinic noted that yoga could "enhance your mood and overall sense of well-being."

8. If it's winter time, strap on some skates to hit the nearest ice rink.

Nothing says "I love you" like being willing to wipe out on a hard, icy surface right in front of your significant other. Or, alternatively, you could try the roller rink instead.

9. Saddle up and explore the countryside with a guided horseback ride.

For a lovely afternoon date, hop onto a horse and let them gallop you through an idyllic, scenic backdrop.

10. Explore the nearby open seas via kayak.

You and your date can escape the congestion of a city by paddling through some nearby scenic waterways.

11. So active that you're sore? Relax and rejuvenate with a couples' massage.

Maybe the best date for an active couple is... to be completely inactive, and let massage therapists knead out any sore muscles or joints.

For Music Lovers

12. Sing your heart out at the nearest karaoke bar.

As cheap date ideas go, this one could have a lot of sentimental value, if you and your loved one's favourite song is a duet like "Islands in the Stream" or "I Got You Babe." 

13. Swing the night away at the local jazz club.

This is an especially good for couples who enjoy spending late nights on the town together. And if the date goes sour, Groupon also sells deals for blues clubs.

14. Find out your partner's favourite music genre and pick up tickets to a local concert.

If you want to save extra money, go with a tribute band, who won't have any problem playing the hits. But maybe save moshing for the 2nd date.

For the Brainy Couple

15. Find a museum both of you have never been to.

You've probably been to your city's main art museum. But what about its planetarium, aquarium, or its charming local history museum?

16. Sharpen your logical acuities during a heart-pounding escape-room game.

Working together as a team can only make your relationship stronger, assuming you're able to escape.

17. Find out what makes your partner laugh with a night at the comedy club.

Studies show that people with a strong sense of humour have above-average intelligence. If they laugh a lot, they're a keeper.

18. Learn more about your city's history on a sightseeing tour.

A walking, bus, Segway, or boat tour is the ideal way to learn about your city's history, architecture, and more. To get your heart racing a little, choose a ghost tour.

19. The quintessential date night: catch a flick at the local cinema.

It's hard to top a dinner and a movie. But we recommend picking up a Groupon so you can save some cash for popcorn.

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