50 Cheap Date Night Ideas for Thrifty Couples

If you and your significant other love spending time in the great outdoors, these date night ideas are for you! Whether you are avid adventurers or just like taking a stroll to enjoy the scenery, you'll find a free date night activity that will fit your lifestyle. Try venturing outside of your comfort zone with these great outdoor date ideas.

1. Take a Walk or Go for a Hike - It can be a summer stroll in the park or a climb up a local mountain!
2. Have a Picnic - Make sure to be equipped with a DIY picnic blanket!
3. Take a Scenic Drive - Night drives with the windows down and music blaring are ideal!
4. Have a Photoshoot - You don't have to be a professional photographer to take great photos!
5. Visit a Botanical Garden - Enjoy the bounty of nature while learning a thing or two!
6. Go to the Beach - Relax in the water or enjoy the warmth of the sun in the sand!
7. Go Stargazing - Brush up on your constellations with this late-night date!
8. Go to the Apple Orchard - Make sure to have a cup of warm cider and some donuts while you're there!
9. Go Camping -  State park permits are inexpensive or you can camp for free in your backyard!
10. Be a Tourist in Your City - Walk around your city and see the famous sites!
11. Go to the Playground - Swingsets aren't just for the kids!
12. Go for a Bike Ride - Tandem bikes work too!
13. Go Swimming - Many community pools have adult only nights!
14. Hammock - Swing from the trees and enjoy the breeze!
15. Canoe or Kayak - Paddle together or row side-by-side!
16. Geocaching - Go treasure hunting in your own neighborhood!

Who says you have to go anywhere to enjoy a great date? You already have all of the items necessary for a spontaneous night in! Whether you are game night greats or the next Chopped champions, you'll love these fun indoor activities.

17. Work on a Puzzle - See who can put the most pieces together!
18. Color or Paint Together - Try painting each other!
19. Play a Game Together - There are plenty of two-player games that are perfect for date night!
20. Binge Watch TV/ Movie Marathon -  Spend your night cuddled up on the couch with your new favorite Netflix show!
21. Cook or Bake Together - Try a new recipe and see if you can make it taste amazing!
22. DIY Together - Create some fun projects for the house!
23. Book Club for Two - Read a chapter separately and then discuss it together!
24. Spa Night for Two - Pamper each other with massages!
25. Pretend There’s a Blackout - Turn off all the lights and tell stories by candlelight!

You don't have to spend money for a night on the town! These activities get you out of the house without costing you a fortune... or anything at all. 

26. Drive Down Memory Lane - Drive by all the locations of your past dates!
27. Go Thrifting Together - Tell stories about antiques and find fun items for your home!
28. Play Tennis - Most parks have a few free courts!
29. Go to the Gym - You'll be going there anyway; why not go together?
30. Volunteer Together - Serve at a soup kitchen or help out at an animal shelter!
31. Sing Karaoke - Many bars have karaoke nights where you and your significant other can duet together!
32. Attend a Book or Poetry Reading -  Find an author who's sharing a new selection in your area!
33. Go to Trivia - Bar trivia is a great way to impress your S.O. with your breadth of knowledge!
34. People Watch -  Sit in a populated area and tell stories about those who walk by!
35. Go to the Farmer’s Market - Pick up some fresh produce and stroll through the open market!

Spending money on a date doesn't have to mean dinner and a movie. If you're looking to spend a little on someone special, try one of these date ideas that will cost you less than $20. Some of these activities can also be free depending on your area or the time of the week that you go. 

36. Go Bowling - This date is sure to be a strike!
37. Go to a Cheap Sporting Event - Root, root, root for the home team!
38. Find a Carnival - Walk around the midway and end the night on the Ferris wheel!
39. Drive-in Movie -  Drive-ins are normally cheaper than a standard theater and much more intimate!
40. Go to the Zoo or Aquarium -  Find off-days that save you money!
41. Go Mini Golfing - A little friendly competition is good... just don't think about how the course was designed for children.
42. Go to a Museum - Many museums offer free or discounted days so you can take in culture!
43. Get Coffee or Dessert Instead of Dinner - Make the dinner at home and opt for another course out!
44. Go Dancing - Swing dancing and ballroom dancing classes will make you and your partner closer!
45. Go to the Arcade - Grab a roll of quarters and relive your childhood!
46. Go to an Improv or Comedy Show - Have a few laughs at the local comedy club!
47. Go to a Community Play - High school and college performances are often discounted or really cheap!
48. Go Skating - Whether on ice skates or rollerblades, it's fun to hold hands while taking laps around the rink!
49. Attend an Orchestra Concert - Add sophistication to your next outing!
50. Attend Happy Hour - Half-off drinks and appetizers make an inexpensive meal!