These days simply going out to dinner can just be budget breaking quite frankly. Additionally, for all of my other small-town dwellers out there you often run out of new places to eat rather quickly or have even sampled your way through the menu. So, for all of my couples wanting to be more budget conscious or looking for a new or unique experience, here are 20 free or budget-friendly date night ideas.

1. Go for a hike

2. Explore a new neighborhood or area of town

3. Game night

4. Volunteer together

5. Have a picnic in your own backyard

6. Shoots some hoops, have a crossbar challenge, play tennis, kick a ball around or whatever sports suits you.

7. Hit up a brewery or winery offering free tastings.

8. Got to the library and pick out books for each other, then have a cozy reading date.

9. Go to the free festivals or events in your area. Think art fairs, farmers market, etc.

10. Go to an art gallery or museum in your area. Plenty are free to the public or have certain days of the month which are free.

11. Host a bonfire! Bonus if you have s’mores.

12. Amateur masseuse night aka give each other massages.

13. Get creative with paint, watercolors, embroidery or any other artsy ventures you may have supplies for at home.

14. Antique or vintage browsing/shopping.

15. Movie marathon.

16. Work out and/or train for a race/marathon together.

17. Design the floor plan of your dream house.

18. Cook dinner together from scratch.

19. Teach yourselves to dance, especially a good slow dance.

20. Simply go for a walk, chat, and dream.

I hope this gave you the perfect idea for your next date night. Just remember the most important thing is simply to spend quality time together and hopefully make lasting memories even if they are simple in nature. Some of my favorite memories with my husband are back from our early dating years where we would go to the park together, have a movie night in, or cooking a meal together. While I love dinners out, there is something so cozy and romantic about a simple unique date like any of the ones I’ve mentioned above.

I’m always looking for new fun date ideas, so please share any of your favorites down below. I would especially love to hear what your favorite date was! Thank you for reading and as always, I hope you have a happy and wholesome day!

~ Madison Eran ~