Love on a Budget: 27 of the Best Cheap Date Ideas

They say the best things in life are free. And, when it comes to dating, cheap date ideas are certainly no exception to this rule! Coming up with affordable date ideas means stripping things back to their core. It’s you and your date, sharing romantic experiences while getting to know each other on a deeper level.

So, what are some good cheap date ideas? Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there when it comes to organizing an inexpensive date that still sparks real romance! You might just have to be spontaneous and get a little creative. To help get you inspired, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites below!

Cheap Date Ideas: 27 Suggestions for Fostering Real Connections

Coming up with the best cheap date ideas isn’t always easy. After all, where do you start when it comes to finding an affordable activity that’ll still offer an opportunity for you to meaningfully connect with someone new?

To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite inexpensive date ideas that are sure to put you on the path toward finding love after 50! Check out our selection below.

1. Go Stargazing

When it comes to affordable date ideas, it doesn’t get much better than spending a night under the stars. If you live in the city, drive to a spot with less light pollution, bring a couple of blankets, a thermos, and two deck chairs, and sit out under the stars. Perfection.

2. Explore an Art Gallery

Lots of galleries offer discounted entry for people over a certain age. This means hallways and chambers filled with beautiful art can be enjoyed for a minimal fee. For an extra special twist to your visit, bring a notepad each and write down the names of any paintings that particularly moved you. You can compare lists at the end to see where your tastes overlap.

3. Attend a Book Launch

Authors regularly hold events to launch new titles. At such events — which are often free — you can expect to hear them read a section of their work, followed by an often insightful Q&A session. To make the date even more interesting, buy and read the book beforehand and ask a few questions of your own.

4. Enjoy a Meal at a Food Hall

If there’s a food hall within driving distance, it can make for an excellent cheap date idea. To make the date extra special, take time to explore every stall, reading the menus and asking questions about how the food’s made to work up an appetite.

5. Take a Dance Class

If you’re feeling those first date nerves, this can be a great — and cheap — way to break the ice. Sure, dance classes can feel a little intimidating at first. But they’re also a huge amount of fun!

Choose a class that offers a free taster session to start with, or find one specifically tailored toward your age group. What could be a better bonding experience than learning to salsa together?

6. Try Volunteering

Volunteering lets you see your date in a new light and is a great way of fostering a meaningful connection. But also gives something back to the area you live. From animal shelters to soup kitchens and goodwill stores, there’s a huge amount you can do to help.

7. Visit a Pop-up Exhibition

Many towns and cities regularly have new and exciting pop-up exhibitions which make for fun cheap date ideas. Maybe an artist is debuting their work in town, or perhaps there’s a cultural display on for one weekend only. Either way, you’re bound to have a unique experience.

8. Head Out for a Picnic

One of the oldest and best low-budget date ideas on this list. Spend the morning preparing some lunch and head out to a scenic spot together. Spend the afternoon eating your snacks and watching the world go by. Bliss.

9. Explore a Museum

Whether it’s history, science, or anything else, museums make for a perfect dating spot. One of the perks of being 50+ is that several museums across the US offer discounts and savings, so it’s worth checking the ticket prices before you go. It might even be free!

10. Wine and Cheese

If you’d rather relax somewhere familiar, cheap date night ideas at home are a great way to go. Head to a shop together and buy a selection of wines and cheeses. Don’t just play it safe — experiment with flavors you might not have tried before. When the wine starts flowing and the cheese spread is ready to go, romance is right around the corner!

11. Go Hiking

Being amongst nature and out in the fresh air is the perfect backdrop for sparking real romance! So, the next time you’re planning a date, strap on a sturdy pair of boots, pack some sandwiches, and head out on a leisurely walk to take in the sights. Conversation flows much more naturally out on a hike.

12. Go to a Movie Matinee

Whether you’re looking for cheap first date ideas, or ideas for a partner you’ve been dating for a while, a movie matinee is always a winner. Many movie theaters offer discounted rates for people over a certain age. Head out and catch a classic flick with your date, then regroup in a café after to chat about the movie.

13. Take a Cooking Class

Cooking together can be a fun and flirtatious activity. A cooking class offers the bonus of teaching you something new which you can recreate later. Perhaps, dare we say it, on a second date?

14. Go Camping

If you already have the supplies, camping can be an unforgettable and inexpensive date idea. Head out somewhere rural and scenic, put up your tent, fill it with cushions and blankets to make it extra cozy, and set up a romantic campfire.

15. Go Berry Picking

This is one of our favorite cute cheap date ideas. If it’s the right season, spend a beautiful afternoon going berry picking. Bring some containers or a bag, and chat about your lives as you seek out berries among the bushes. Even better — use the berries you picked to bake a delicious pie for you both to enjoy when you get home!

16. Try Bird Watching

If you’re a pair of bird lovers, head out on a bird watching day. Buy a field guide to different species of bird (you’ll be able to find good options online), then take a pair of binoculars and see what you can find.

Bird spotting is not only a great hobby for adults but it’s also a fun and relaxed way to break the ice with someone new and start fostering a deeper connection.

17. Cook Dinner Together

Cooking a meal together is always a standout choice when it comes to cheap romantic date ideas. Pick a cuisine you both love, go shopping for ingredients, and whip up something delicious together. Alternatively, you could cook for your partner, leaving them to enjoy a glass of wine and some music while you display your culinary skills.

18. Listen to Records in a Music Store

Share your music taste with your date by visiting a music store. Browse the CDs and vinyl records, and pick out one’s that you like, sharing stories about what the music means to you. You’ll be surprised how much you learn about one another while enjoying this fun cheap date idea.

19. Get Lost in a Bookstore

Similarly, visiting a bookstore is a great way to get to know someone more intimately, without having to spend a cent. Compare your favorite novels and authors and recommend a book for one another to try.

20. Compare Yearbooks

With a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, take out your old yearbooks and compare them. The hours will flash by as you tell stories and laugh about your high school years.

21. Take a Bike Ride

If it’s nice out, head out for a cycle and explore the city or the countryside. There are many well-maintained, cycle paths out there, meaning you can focus entirely on good conversation as the world whizzes by.

22. Bake Together

Is there a more wholesome activity than baking? Whether you’re making sourdough bread, baking a cake, or whipping up a batch of cookies, it’s one of the best cheap date ideas and a great bonding experience.

23. Listen to Live Music

From New York City to San Francisco, you’re sure to find live music on offer, regardless of which city you’re dating in. And, if you both share the same music taste, even better! Head out to a jazz bar or music café and enjoy live performances from local musicians.

24. Show Off Your Hometown

If it’s within driving distance, take your date around the place you grew up. Buy ice cream at your favorite spot, tell stories about your time growing up, point out key spots from your childhood, and tell funny stories. A genuinely sweet way to get to know somebody on a deeper level and one of our favorite cheap date ideas!

25. Browse a Flea Market

Flea markets are brilliant for a little wholesome afternoon fun. Find one in your local area, and head down to enjoy a relaxed day of browsing the trinkets and oddities. Try to find a gift to buy your date, to really sweeten the atmosphere. 

26. Host a Games Night

If you’re looking for more cheap date night ideas at home, this is a popular choice. Whether it’s chess, board games, jigsaws, or puzzles, a games night is a great way to connect with someone new. Arrange a night where you play several games in succession and see who comes out on top. Just make sure things don’t get too competitive!

27. Test Your Knowledge at a Trivia Night

Many bars and pubs host regular trivia nights, and heading out to one together is a fun, wallet-friendly way to spend a few hours. It’ll be fun to see where each of your strengths lie – and even better if you win the top prize.

Cheap Date Ideas: Spark Real Romance!

Dating over 50 can be truly special. When it comes to cheap date ideas, there are tons of opportunities to enjoy an affordable activity that still has the potential to spark real romance!

Looking to meet senior singles and try out some of the above cheap date ideas? Sign up on SilverSingles today to start making real, meaningful connections with like-minded 50+ singles!

Seize the opportunity now! Join the SilverSingles senior dating app today and uncover the connection of a lifetime.