As recent college graduates and newlyweds, we have mastered going on cheap dates. It might not sound like a lot of fun, but some of our best dating memories weren’t at fancy restaurants or sitting in excellent concert seats. In fact, all of our best dates probably didn’t even cost $20. Because a lot of the weddings we photograph are of young couples like us, we decided to share some of our favorite cheap date ideas. Going on a date with your significant other doesn’t have to be expensive, it’s more about having fun and getting to connect with the other person a little better.

Hiking

We are active people. We like to run and go on walks, and some of our favorite dates are going on hikes. There are dozens of hiking trails around where we live that aren’t too difficult. We get to enjoy each other’s company, work up a sweat, and also enjoy some beautiful nature trails, all at the same time. Even if you aren’t “fitness” people, going on a hike is a great date idea, and it costs almost nothing. If you don’t know of any hiking trails around where you live, trails.com can give you some ideas.

Picnic in the park

Maybe you don’t like to hike, but you probably like to eat, right? If you’re looking for something cheap to do, but something that is a lot of fun, pack yourselves a picnic and go to a local park or downtown. Nothing can beat eating a picnic and people-watching (our other favorite pass-time), or going to a park with a pond and feeding the ducks your sandwich crusts. If you want to, you can go on a hike AND enjoy a picnic!

Drive to a nearby town you’ve never been to

If you’re anything like us, you might enjoy seeing a new town and going to their coffee shops or bookstores. For our one-year anniversary, we went back to the town that we got married in and explored the town. Every town has something unique to offer and it’s always fun to see a new place. If you’re lucky, they might even have a free event or festival going on. If you’re feeling VERY adventurous, don’t pick a place before you leave and just drive until you come to one.

Go thrift store shopping

Who doesn’t need a new coffee table or VCR player?! Okay, maybe you don’t need either of those things. But going to a thrift store is a fun date idea, and you never know what you’re going to find! As a bonus, go to a thrift store and pick one of the CDs or DVDs that they have and you can spend the rest of your date watching/listening to your purchase. If you’re feeling really wacky, buy a sweater to wear while you watch that $1 movie you bought!

Matinee

If you don’t want to take out a personal loan to go to the movies and see the latest blockbuster hit staring some actor you’ve never heard of, you can go around noon on a Saturday. Normally tickets are half price, and you might even be able to afford buying candy or a drink. Plus, we always hate it when you get done watching a movie and it’s 11 o’clock at night, but with a matinee, that isn’t a problem.