27 Great Dates Under $30
Lazy evenings in front of the television can be a great way to unwind with the one you love, but research shows that healthy relationships need novelty as well. Keeping things fresh and taking new adventures together can bring back the butterflies we’ve all had on the first few dates, while flooding the brain with the feel-good hormone dopamine.
We’ve put together a list of nearly 30 of our favorite fun and affordable date ideas that can help you spice up your next date night. So get ready to ditch the sweatpants and remote control and go have some fun!
Great Outdoors
1. Star Gazing
Cost: $0
If you’re new to astronomy there’s a great guide to get you started at the following website: http://stardate.org/nightsky/bguide Then simply head out to a park or open space and see who can pick out the North star and the big dipper first. As an alternative, find out what’s available in your area as many observatories, parks, and local colleges also offer public viewings, guided tours, and discussions.
2. Apple picking
Cost: $10-$20
Perfect for a crisp fall day, take a trip to a local apple orchard and pick your own bundle of this antioxidant-rich superfood. You’ll have fun being outdoors and returning home with snacks or the ingredients to whip up your own healthy and tasty desserts.
3. Disposable camera day
Cost: $10-$15
Take a break from your smart phone and Instagram an instead purchase a disposable camera. It’s a great way to unplug and still capture fun and memorable moments. If you are a little ambitions and crafty, you can turn the pics into a scrapbook or calendar to give as a holiday or anniversary present.
4. Farmers’ market
Cost: $10-$30
You can scout out seasonal produce, support local farmers, take advantage of fresh and healthy food, and get to know the people who grow it with a visit to the local farmers’ market. I suggest either arriving early for the biggest selection, or coming by an hour before close to get the best deals. Afterward, use what you bought to make healthy snacks or a romantic meal.
5. Flea market
Cost: $0-$30
A visit to the local flea market can lead to some great deals on things you need like clothing and home décor. Even better, you will likely find a few laughs at the sight of some of the random oddities vendors have available at most flea markets.
Active Activities
6. Go kayaking
Cost: $20-$30
Many parks have cheap rentals to let you spend a day paddling away on the nearest river or lake. This is a great way to relax, enjoy beautiful sites together, and get some exercise.
7. Train for a race
Cost: $0
Running together and training for a fun run or marathon is beneficial in so many ways. Aside from quality time together, you can hold each other accountable on the training and improve your health and fitness. Plus one survey found couples that run together have a more active love life as well!
8. Use a bike share
Cost: $20-30
Originally started in Portland, Oregon, bike shares have been growing in popularity. You can cheaply rent a couple of bikes and spend a few hours exploring local scenery together.
9. Take a hike
Cost: $0
A day of hiking is a great bonding experience for couples. Unlike running and biking, you can chat as you walk while enjoying beautiful trails and landscapes. Hiking is healthy as well, not only do you burn calories, studies show a couple of hours enjoying nature can boost creativity and decrease cortisol levels.
10. Learn a new dance
Cost: $10-$20
This offers nearly endless options for you. Dance studios, fitness centers, and even gyms have a range of dance classes available. Test the tango, sample some salsa, heck, y’all can even learn line dancin’!
11. Take a fitness class
Cost: $10-$20
Checking out a new fitness class together is a fun and cheap way to experiment with things you have always wanted to try but were too shy. Take your partner to a studio and take a kickboxing lesson or maybe try some tai chi; either way you can cheer each other on and inspire each other to push your limits. Lots of studios offer free or discounted intro lessons.
Food and Drink
12. Coffee shop hop
Cost: $10-$20
We love a good pub crawl, but why not change it up and spend a weekend morning sampling coffee around town? You can map out a mix of favorite and untested coffee shops in the area and do a taste testing of their most popular picks. I’d advise sharing the drinks so neither of you gets jittery from caffeine. And unlike a pub crawl you’ll be drinking to your health! Research shows coffee can help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Check out more great date ideas on the next page
