Five Great Dates that Don’t Cost a Fortune

Sarah Danielson is a writer for PUA where you can find great tips and advice about the art of seducing your partner.

Dating can present a host of difficulties for those who still frequent the scene.  Getting to know a new person, learning what makes them tick, and trying not to mess up a good thing by being too, well…YOU…can be a frustrating and disheartening experience.  You’re going to meet a lot of Mr. or Mrs. Wrongs before you find THE ONE, and the dates you choose have the potential to make or break a prospective relationship.  If you knew the person better, you could definitely come up with something to impress, at least you could if you had the cash on hand for a 5-star restaurant, roses, and a limo.  Unfortunately, you may have found yourself a little lighter in the wallet since the onset of the recession (when will it end?!).  If this is the case, do not despair.  You can still have a great time getting to know your date without breaking the bank.  Here are just a few amazing ideas that are sure to make an impact at a fraction of the cost.

1.     Visit a public museum. You can ogle a dinosaur’s skeleton at a natural history museum, take in the work of impressionists at a museum of the arts, or see the latest in cartoon creations at an anime exhibit.  Whatever your leanings (or those of your date), you can likely find something suitably interesting to view.  Best of all you’ll have a built-in conversation starter.

2.     Support the arts: see a local play or concert.  If you’re into the performing arts, why not attend a show at the college or high school?  You’ll see a great program for a pittance and you’ll be supporting young actors or musicians in your area.  And like most intellectual pursuits, it offers you something to talk about over coffee and pie afterwards.

3.     Take a hike. If you and your date are outdoorsy types, pack a nice picnic (don’t forget the wine to loosen up) and check out some hiking trails adjacent to your city or town.  It’s totally free (except for the food) and you can impress your date with your knowledge of local flora and fauna (as long as they aren’t some kind of nature expert).

4.     Make a Zen garden. Make a trek to the beach to wet your toes in the surf.  Take a couple of rakes and a collection of river rocks to erect a piece of public art.  Section off an area by drawing a line in the sand, then get to work stacking up rocks and running your rakes around them in patterns of your choosing until you begin to feel enlightenment creeping in.  Like Andy Goldsworthy, take a photo to remember your nature art since it will be gone the next time you return.

5.     Play truth or dare. If your date seems hesitant to open up, or if you are particularly shy, try this game to learn a lot about your partner in a short amount of time.  If you endeavor to be totally honest, maybe your date will be, too.  Then you’ll have a real shot at making that elusive love connection.