Free Date Ideas

There are cheap dates, and then there are free dates. Sometimes when you start dating, you realize that you really like the other person, but your budget doesn’t like your itinerary. The solution is to find ways to hang out and get to know each other even better while not spending much money. While you work on replenishing your bank account, here are some free dates you can go on.

Game Night – As long as you already have the games, this date is free! Make a date out of a board game, cards, or even a puzzle. Just be careful about the game you choose and try to keep it more fun than competitive. A game of Monopoly can be very long and very awkward if one of the players is a sore loser. Twister can sound like you’re suggesting something raunchy (even if you meant innocent, sober, fully clothed Twister, like when you were young).

Flea Markets and Yard Sales – Walking around a flea market can spark some interesting conversation. Even dates who say they don’t like shopping will probably enjoy looking at odd items and the strange things you can only find at yard sales.

Play 20 Questions – Settle in with a glass of wine and a bowl full of questions written on strips of paper. You’ll get to know each other and the only cost is the one sheet of paper and the bottle of wine.

Go to a Local Art Show – Many galleries charge admission, but sometimes you can find a free one, especially at libraries, schools, or community centers.

Take a Hike – Go for a walk through a park. You’ll get exercise and plenty of opportunity to talk.

Museum Special Events – Many museums have a day when admission fees are waived. Some have a few hours on a weeknight, others have full days where entry is free. Many museums around the country participate in Museum Day by offering free admission; it is September 29^th this year. To take advantage of Museum Day, you’ll have to preregister here to have a ticket emailed to you.

Borrow a DVD – It’s getting hard to rent DVDs these days with the popularity of streaming content, but you can always go to the library and take out a movie for free. Many libraries have a surprising number of current movies, though you may need to put a hold on popular ones in advance.

Open Houses – Marie Claire recommends putting on professional attire and going to open houses and pretending to be interested in real estate. It’s always kind of fun to see into other people’s houses, but I would be too afraid to come off as creepy to admit that to a new partner.

Go Ride a Bike – If you both already have bikes, this is free! You can ride through a park, follow bike trails, or make your own bike tour of your city.

Self-Guided Tour – If you still live in the city you grew up in, give each other a tour of the neighborhood where you grew up. If not, act like tourists in your own city and go for a walk. You won’t even have to pay for gas!

Take a Test Drive – Test-driving some fancy new cars at a dealership can be a fun way to spend some time. You’ll have to pretend that you’re in the market for a new car, and it pains me to suggest that you lead a sales person on, but if you’re stumped for ideas and your date is into cars, it will do the trick. Just be nice to the sales person.

Outdoor Concerts – While most probably took place during the summer, many cities and towns host free concerts. Bring a blanket and get comfy to watch the performance.