[guitarguy90]

I second Rockshowhost. If there are any fire towers nearby, they make good date spots Hiking in state parks or on National Forest land is always good, although I guess that depends on if you like hiking or not. . .

[tigerfan88]

Originally Posted by jthomas1600

I concur with those that suggested museum free days. Also, most zoos will have a free day. Often time city recreation centers will have free/discount days, so if you and your date like racquetball, or tennis etc.

Some colleges have rec centers that are free to their students, so that may be an option for you. My friend and I once did a date where we played basketball and that was fun. There's also the possibility of playing golf or hitting an indoor driving range, if either of you are golfers and the weather where you live is nice.

[acrossthesirion]

Disc golf (frisbee-golf)! My fiance and I play a lot (well, when we're not studying abroad like now...). Even if neither has played before it's a nice way to get outside and walk and bond about how bad you are together... Although depending where you live it might be to cold or there my not be any courses around (two discs would run you about $15 to buy, but then it's free).

Other ideas:
Parks, local-artist concerts, museums, farmers/outdoor market, etc

[TravisR]

Weather permitting, I think a simple walk in the park would be a great way to just relax and talk. Simple and sweet, I think. Might be nice to have a few dollars for ice cream or drinks or something, too.

[relient nelson]

I know this is a little late, but it's pretty darn relevant.

I found this from some website...

Anyways, if you go to restaurant.com, you find that they sell "Gift Certificates" for fancy restaurants around the US. What they actually are, is "X amount of money off your total when you spend Z amount of money" coupons. They normally charge $10 bucks for a $25 off coupon.

Well, if you go to their website right now to place an order and enter the promo code "SHARE" when given the option, you can get a $25 off coupon for two bucks.

These work at a bunch of restaurants around the US and you can search for some near you before you decide to buy. They're mostly nicer, romantic restaurants, so this isn't a bad idea for a pretty cheap date.

So for example let's say you buy a $25 certificate. Then you pick the restaurant you want to print the coupon for and they say you have to spend $35 to use it. So you go and spend around $35, then $25 off with the coupon and it ends up being pretty affordable.

Some restaurants are nice and only ask you to spend a little bit more than the coupon takes off, but others make you spend double the worth of the coupon to use them. Its up to you which restaurants you decide to print the coupons for.

I know this might look like spam, but I figure I'm a respected enough member to get away with it. I'm not getting anything out of you buying these coupons, but this thread popped into my head when I found out about it, so I thought I'd share.

Anyways, if you have any questions, PM me. I know that post was long and probably kinda confusing.

...wurd.

[jengoesup]

Thanks for sharing! No worries. I've actually done quite a bit of research on restaurant.com myself, though, and I find what they offer to be a bit dodgy (found lots of bad user experiences).

[relient nelson]

I see.. well when I start using the coupons I have, I'll let everyone know how they worked out.

[bobthecockroach]

My experience with restaurant.com is about 90% success. You'll have better luck with more mainstream, larger places than smaller places.

[relient nelson]

eh, for two bucks, 90% isn't bad. I just went ahead and checked the local restaurants I'm planning on using the coupons for.

[marc11]

This is a guitar site right? Give her a private concert. However, the best would be (if you play the piano), find someplace on campus that you two can sneak into late at night, and play something to her with her sitting on the bench next to you. Teach her a song....Then, you might as well go buy a ring...

[Skifree0813]

Originally Posted by marc11

Then, you might as well go buy a ring...

Dates for the poor college student

[TheRealAriel]

Being a poor college student I feel qualified to answer this I'll give price estimates too!

-Go for a walk. Facilitates great conversation and is good for you. $0
-Zoo $5
-Go swimming or relax at the pool or on a beach $0
-Explore a (safe) area you've never been to. $0
-Stargaze $0
-Fly kites/kite wars $2
-Find something local and crazy to do! We have a ropes course for college students where you tightrope walk and zipline and stuff for like $5. There's also a tunnel that goes under our campus and I decided to get flashlights and explore that with a good friend at 2am one night. Both kind of scary but local tailored and fun. You bond a lot when you're afraid! $0-$10
-Sardines. Ok, bear with me. I know this sounds totally lame and kiddish but it's a blast. We go to one of the buildings on campus at night when nobody is there and play in pairs with the lights off. Pair with your boyfriend and you get to walk around looking playing this cooperative game and having really fun conversation. $0

That's all I have for now. Generally I find the more silly the idea the more fun it can be! Be creative and don't count anything out because it sounds dumb! Good luck!