Recently, my partner and I have entered “savings season” as we prioritize upcoming travel, future home-related furniture, and more. Not an easy task and have fun. For us, date night always feels like an adventure. So instead of making this time feel restricted or boring, we turned it into a fun challenge. Every time we go out together, we never spend more than $50. If you’ve tried it recently, it’s a little harder than it sounds. That’s why we’ve come up with some cheap date night ideas to keep the adventure (and romance) alive—just within your budget.
We’ve found that with a little out-of-the-box thinking, it’s more intentional and meaningful when we take charge of planning a day that we know each other will enjoy. Not to mention, I love the mystery and surprise of seeing what my partner chooses for us.
Featured image is from Michelle Nash’s interview with Claire Zinnecker.
12 Very Special Inexpensive Date Night Ideas
The list of options is truly endless and the most important thing is to have fun with it! Remember, in the end, what matters most is the time you spend together. Whether you’re also in the midst of saving season, or are just up for a challenge, discover my favorite cheap date night ideas to help you get started. What would you add to your under $50 list?
Visit a bookstore
When you arrive at the bookstore, each of you must pick a book that you think the other person will enjoy or that will inspire you. My partner is a voracious reader, so before I set off on a trip recently, I walked into a bookstore with no agenda other than to find something I thought he would like. i met Give birth to a dog Created by comedian Jamie Loftus. He loves hot dogs and comedy, so it was a perfect match.
go to a burlesque show
Last January, Dita Von Teese went to see a show at the Paramount Theater in Austin. It’s spicy, sexy, and just awesome. If your city has a theater, chances are you can catch a burlesque show.
Hiking and picnicking
If you’re in Austin, I would run to Burnet’s Foxtrot Market, pick up a bottle of wine (or not!) and snacks, and then head to Mount Bonnell. At sunset, you can climb the stairs and watch from the top. marvelous. Of course, you can do this on any natural area or trail in your area.
Coffee, walks, museums
Cheap date night ideas that can always transition into the wee hours. For those who prefer mornings and non-alcoholic drinks, grab a cup of coffee and walk to a nearby museum.
bowling or bingo
A true classic. If you’re lucky, both places usually have cheaper snacks and drinks, allowing you to at least get a good match and something to share.
volunteer
Find an organization that you both support, or better yet, each of you choose an organization that you want to support. Instead of spending the $50 on a date, donate it back to the organization.
cooking night
I like to choose a recipe that I know my partner will eat and let him take charge of the playlist while I cook. We all got a little surprise and hopefully he’ll add some romantic songs that we can dance to in the kitchen.
Dance/two step
Two of my favorite places to dance in Austin are The Broken Spoke and Donn’s Depot. Donn’s is right across the street from me, and for $50 we got: cover charge, a few drinks each, and a little extra for the band. I love being on the dance floor with people of all ages and I swear you won’t find anyone on the dance floor who doesn’t smile. Plus, dancing is a great way to bond with your partner.
Tie dye old t-shirt + movie night
This is completely backwards. If I chose this movie it would probably be teen wolf or beverly hills troop. He will choose without hesitation rad. But we might all agree Heathers It comes down to it. Anyway, pick up an old t-shirt, tie-dye it, watch a movie, order pizza, and spend the evening. It gives a chill, laid-back feel and adds an element of surprise because you never know what your shirt will turn out to be.
Learn a new game together
It really can be about “learning new things together.” I love trying new things for the first time and having the novelty of an element of discovery at the same time. There are a lot of games I haven’t played, but recently, my partner and his kids took their Nintendo Switch on vacation and I found myself playing until 2am almost every night. (And, to be clear, I’m having the time of my life.)
Visit the farmers market
You have $50 and have to come up with something to make for dinner without going over budget. While this can be stressful for some, for me it’s exciting to think about what my partner likes and how I can be creative for him.
Forward payment
This can go many ways. Spend $50 to cook or use a meal delivery service for a sick friend or new mom. Prepare care packages for kids in the hospital. My partner’s sister’s family recently found out that their 6-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia, and I can’t imagine how happy it would be to suddenly drop the toys.
More Cheap Date Night Ideas We Love
When it comes to dates on a budget, for little money you’re invited to get creative and have more fun as a result. Ahead, we’re sharing more of our favorite cheap date night ideas to keep you counting down the weeks until Thursday (or Friday, or Saturday…).
- Explore the plant shop. I can’t be the only one who gets lost in a plant store for hours! Pick up a cutie and get some hints from the Plant Whisperer.
- go out for breakfast. it is Way Cheaper than dinner, and honestly, what’s better than sharing hot coffee (or in my case, cold brew) and pancakes with your loved ones?
- Do things together. If your relationship with Target is anything like mine, you know how fun this can be.
- Go apple or pumpkin picking. Then make something sweet with what you picked.
- Go on a dive bar crawl. Prices are usually cheap and you don’t need to look for a special happy hour.
- Puzzle night. You can take it a step further and order a custom puzzle of your favorite pictures as a surprise.
- Watch the sunset together. When was the last time you consciously watched a sunrise or sunset? Bring a bottle of wine, a mini cheese board and a blanket. What could be more romantic than this?
- Rent a bike. Some places offer hourly bike rentals to make your $50 date feasible and active.
- Visit an art store. You can have a lot of fun with this. Purchase supplies to make a piece together or for each other.
- thrift shop. The goal: Each person takes $25 from a $50 pot and must assemble an outfit. have fun.
- Play an intimate card game. Relationship expert and therapist Esther Perel’s game Where Do We Begin is a great way to get to know your partner.
- A theme night at your home. This could go in many directions, but it was mainly inspired by a Christmas-themed bar in Austin called Lala’s. Whether you’re on vacation or enjoying a night out in the ’80s, there’s nothing like revamping your house to get you in the mood.
- Go play mini golf. A time-tested staple for any couple. Plus, it’s a perfect first date.
- Go see live music. Choose a place you’ve never been to and meet new people. It’s fun to add an element of novelty to your relationship.
- Drive in and watch a movie. Grab a blanket and BYOP (bring your own popcorn!).
- Trivia night. I know pop culture and my partner knows history and sports.
- Create a scavenger hunt for each other. You probably don’t even need to spend a dime on this unless you want to spend your money on prizes.
- Visit a record store. Buy a vinyl record you’ll both enjoy playing at home and spend your lazy Sundays with it.
- Go to a comedy show. Every now and then, you can pick up a pair of tickets for under $50. Who doesn’t love a night of laughter with your significant other?
- Host a dinner party for a few couples. this is the best all World: For $50 or less, have someone else bring a dish and you can spend time with friends.
- Surprise and delight. Bring your $50 and surprise a friend or family member. You’ll both feel great and more connected.
- Swimming and ice cream. There is no shortage of swimming pools and restaurants that offer day passes to the pool. Then grab an old-fashioned soft serve ice cream cone and your day is done.
- Try new physical activities. Rock climbing, pickleball, tennis, etc.
- Create a spa experience. Making your own massage oil is easy and cheap. If you and your loved one love massage, this is a great way to create your own experience at home.
- Take a mini road trip. There are so many cute little towns across the country, and the fall and winter months really add to the cheery atmosphere. Pack some road trip snacks, drive around, and have a great day.
- explore Kama Sutra. There’s no shame in wanting to explore the art of lovemaking and sex positions with your partner. have fun.
- Recreate your first date. This dress might be hard to spend $50 on, depending on where you go, but maybe you already have the same dress ready, or can add similar elements.
- Binge-watch TV series and order food. My partner and I have a lot of series we want to start. yellowstone parkanyone?
- Write down your goals. It may not cost you a penny, but it’s a great time to be intentional about setting big goals together and helping each other stay on track.
- Go roller skating A friend of mine recently had a birthday party at the rink and it was such a throwback, not to mention it cost less than $50 for two people.
- Look for the Concert in the Park Series. As temperatures cool down in Austin, some parks host “Jazz on the Green” or “Music in the Park,” and it’s often free!
- Host a book exchange night for two. Choose books from your collection that you haven’t read yet, swap them with each other, and spend the evening reading and discussing your choices over tea or wine.
- Explore open houses or dream communities. Visit the open house, have fun, and imagine your future home together. Bonus points if you bring snacks and have a car picnic between stops.
- Street food crawl. Skip formal dining and explore street vendors or food trucks. Share snacks and make each stop an adventure trying something new.
- Visit the botanical garden in the evening. Some botanical gardens offer discounted evening or off-season passes. Stroll through the grounds and enjoy the beauty of nature under the stars.
- Spin and stare at the stars. Find a quiet place away from the city lights, grab the zodiac sign app and see how many constellations you can identify together.
- Attend a local poetry or open mic night. Support local artists by attending a free or low-cost poetry reading or open mic night. It’s an intimate way to connect through shared experiences.
- Create a time capsule. Collect small items, photos, or handwritten notes that represent your relationship. Seal them in a container, choose a future date to open them, and bury or store them somewhere meaningful. It’s a romantic way to reflect on the present and look to the future together.
