Planning the perfect date doesn’t need you to drop your entire paycheck on a meal. Some of the best dates are often those that get you to experience something new and memorable — and they don’t have to cost a thing! 

Are you planning a perfect, romantic date but don’t have the funds to go all out? Here are 20 romantic and fun date ideas that are free while still guaranteeing you a date to remember!

Be a Tourist in Your Own City

Break out your fanny pack and pretend to be a tourist in your own city. Explore new eateries, hidden monuments, and must-see sites. It’s a great way to have a fun, relaxed date while making special memories. Make sure you only go to places that don’t charge an admission price, or you’ll rack up the bills sky-high.

Pick Out Books For Each Other

If you and your partner enjoy reading, the library will be the perfect setting for an eccentric date! Go on a library treasure hunt to select books for each other to read. You can even compare your reading lists or bond over shared favorites — it’ll make for a riveting date conversation!

Compete in Trivia Night

Channel your inner nerd and enter a local trivia night as a dream team! You can even have a friendly competition against each other to see who can impress the other the most. It’ll be a fun way to learn more about what your date is interested in, so it’s a win-win even if you lose! 

Do Good, Together (Volunteer) 

Participate in a local park cleaning drive, volunteer to play with puppies at an animal shelter, or sign up to help out at a soup kitchen. It’s tremendously rewarding since you can make a difference in your community while making beautiful memories with your date.

Eat Samples at a Food Market/Farmer's Market

Head over to a food market or a local farmer’s market with your date for a fun food-fuelled date. It’s a fantastic way to try delicious samples or fresh produce to expand your palate without spending any money. You can also go to Costco to enjoy a full meal made entirely of samples.

Explore A Local Museum That Offers Free Admission

To some, going to a museum may seem like a snooze. But, if you and your significant other are admirers of art, check out local museums that offer free admission and have a park/garden where you can roam around with your date. You’ll experience new, local talents and understand each others’ art interests.

Find and Attend a Free Concert

Take your date to a free concert to bond over music — the universal love language. You can groove to some new tunes and maybe fall more in love with each other along the way. 

Give Each Other Massages 

Set the ambiance with dim candles and give each other massages to bring you even closer to each other. But, you should be sure that your partner actually likes massages and that you two are comfortable enough with each other. Or you can even consider giving each other facials, manicures and pedicures or chilling in the jacuzzi.

Go Camping

Build a campfire in your backyard for an adventurous yet romantic date. Spend the night cuddling under the stars, wrapped up in blankets and making s’mores around the campfire. Can it get any better than this?

Go Ghost Hunting

If you love a good ghost story, it’s time to make one for yourself! Visit abandoned houses to get a taste of the actual thrill of ghost hunting, but make sure your date agrees to the idea. Because, let’s face it, this isn’t for the faint of heart.

Go On A Free Brewery Tour

Sample some beer and cider at a free brewery tour. You’ll be learning about the history and flavor profiles of your favorite drinks in a killer ambiance. 

Go On A Hike

Put on your hiking shoes and head to the nearest trail or walking route to explore nature in all its glory! Hiking through difficult terrains will release the feel-good chemical dopamine and bring you and your date closer together and provide stunning sunset/sunrise views that will make the experience unforgettable.

Have A Karaoke Night

Host a karaoke night at your house and sing your heart out, trying to follow along to your favorite songs, even if your singing may be lacking. Karaoke nights are all about having fun and being silly, so let loose!

Have A Movie Marathon

Plan a movie marathon around a special theme. Do you two love sci-fi or thrillers? Pop some popcorn and have a few exciting movies lined up to make the most of “Netflix and chill!” 

Hit The Beach

Hit the beach to swim in the gorgeous waters for a relaxing experience that will wash your weariness away. Or simply sunbathe with your date and get tanned while watching the beautiful sunset and listening to the sounds of the crashing waves.

Play Board Games

Play board games with your date to spend quality time together without leaving the house. You can even add a wager to make the games more competitive!

Play Truth Or Dare

Channel your inner teen and play truth or dare with your date to learn about their likes and dislikes and bring out their adventurous side. 

Test Drive Your Dream Cars 

Even if you and your date don’t have enough money saved up to buy your dream car, some dealerships will allow you to test drive their cars for free so you can get a sense of how it feels. Maybe that’ll give you more inspiration to save; maybe it’ll give you a new dream car to love, who knows?

Visit A Dog Park 

What’s better than spending time with your significant other? Bonding with your significant other and their dog(s)! You can enjoy the outdoors with your date while giving their four-legged pal a good time. You can even do this activity even if neither of you has a dog — just go check out cute doggos at the park! 

Wander Through A New Neighborhood

Take the bus or subway and get off at a random stop, preferably one that you’ve never visited, to explore a new neighborhood in your city. Walk around the new streets and lanes, spin stories about the people living in the houses that line the street, or picture yourself living in one!

Elevate Your Date With 786 Cosmetics

Just because you’re going on a free date doesn’t mean you can’t look your best. Why not complement your look with stunning nails that add to your charm? 

Browse our extensive collection of vegan and cruelty-free nail paints to choose one that suits your style, and check out our Instagram page for cute and romantic nail art inspiration to make your date night special! 

 Author: Keren Dinkin