Top 5 Date Ideas

Have you ever had a smart and creative friend with the dates that they come up with for their significant other? My college roommate, Tyler, is an absolute genius when it comes to date ideas, so of course, my first thought was to have him write this blog. But sadly, Tyler is too busy with grad school, a full-time job, and a girlfriend to help me out. I would be doing him an injustice if I didn’t shout him out for giving me his list of top 5 dates. So thanks, Ty! 

Anyways, I’m hoping to help some of you out with date ideas. Nothing fancy, but maybe a little more meaningful than an expensive dinner at a restaurant that you don’t know. So here it goes. 

Rooftop dinner under the stars

Starting at number one on our list is the “Rooftop dinner under the Stars” date. While this might seem cliche as it is in every Rom-Com movie ever, it works. 

You have either the option of cooking the dinner yourself or, if you don’t trust your skills in the kitchen, grabbing food from your favorite restaurant. 

While this date is a great idea, it might not be the best thing for winter, so keep it in your back pocket for when summer rolls around so you can enjoy the beautiful weather and even better company. 

Notes: You can substitute a rooftop with a truck’s bed or on the trunk of a car.

Bike ride or walk through charming neighborhoods or parks

Coming in at number two on our list is taking a bike ride or going on a walk through charming neighborhoods or parks. This is another decent-weather date. No one is trying to ride a bike in 20-degree weather. 

Walking around is an enjoyable way to spend some one-on-one time with your partner. I like this one because you don’t have to talk all that much, sometimes it’s just nice to enjoy each other’s company.  

Notes: Bring some food. Food always makes things better, especially dates. 

Food truck crawl

At number 3, and my personal favorite is a food truck crawl. Thanks to the internet, it’s not hard to find out where the best food trucks like to congregate. Look it up, and go out there for dinner one night. 

Nothing beats a meal consisting of food from 5 different places. Plus, this solves the issue of you wanting tacos for dinner and your partner craving a hamburger. You both can get what you want and then some. And when all is said and done, and all the food is gone, pull out your phone and leave some collective yelp reviews for your favorite trucks. Let your inner foodie come out. 

Notes: BYOW – Bring your own wine. 

Scavenger hunt

Number 4 on the list is a sentimental scavenger hunt. Who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt? They can be pretty tricky to set up; coming up with clues is easier said than done. Using special hints that encourage your significant other to revisit locations that you both hold dear around town will only make the night memorable. Lead them on a path down memory lane. Stopping to reminisce can create a charming time. Plus, it lets you hit up all of your favorite spots, and what could be better than that? 

Cooking a meal together 

Cooking a meal together comes in at number 5 on our list. And by meal, I don’t mean what you would typically have, like Taco Tuesday. Think of a dish from a restaurant you both love and try to recreate it. It will most likely be terrible, but as long as you had fun making it, then it was worth it. What’s the worst thing that can happen? You make a terrible meal and laugh along the way with someone you love? 

These dates are supposed to maximize your time together while also leaving room to enjoy each other’s company. But what good is spending time together if you have to break the bank to do it? Most of the dates on the list are budget-friendly, excluding the bikes; all it takes is some forethought and a little planning but isn’t that the best date, the one that holds meaning. 

So get to planning and have fun. If you don’t, I blame Tyler; this is his list after all.  

What other budget-friendly date ideas do you have for us broke people?