There are few stages quite like the ‘dating’ stage.
You know, that period where you most likely have dating profiles on a few websites (Happn, OkCupid, Tinder, etc.) and are casually-no-big-deal-whatever-sort-of looking for a person to fall in love with and one day rent a beautiful brownstone with?
It’s easy to let yourself get a little overwhelmed when you’re dating around and testing out the waters with a few interesting strangers who (you hope) are not total wackjobs.
On top of everything else you have to do to get by on a daily basis, there is little time to get hung-up on the pressure of thinking of new date ideas that are both exciting (but not too exciting, nothing life-threatening) and won’t break the bank.
Especially since you haven’t quite gotten around to figuring out who will be paying yet.
These dates are cool, cultured, and chill. Whatever it is that you and your date are into, you can always find something worthwhile without shelling out a lot of money for a date that, could, well, be a bust.
But even if your date is a more terrifying version of the high school ex you dumped on prom night, you can still get some fun out of these perfectly free date ideas. Now check these 9 ideas out.
1. BRIC House (647 Fulton Street - Brooklyn)
The old Strand Theater in Brooklyn's cultural district has been repurposed and opened as a contemporary art studio and gallery that displays all types of different media.
Presenting spaces for and showing the work of newly emerging artists of all sorts of mediums as well as more established names, BRIC has a little bit of everything.
Made for easy public use and access, BRIC House always has free admission to their facility.
With an ever-changing array of television, installation, studios, performance spaces, and The Stoop which features drop-in programming (that’s free!) there is something for everyone. Your date is sure to be intrigued by this one of a kind artistic offering.
2. The Bronx Museum of the Arts (1040 Grand Concourse)
m.dethomas Spent some time today @TheBronxMuseumoftheArts. A place where contemporary works of artist living within the Bronx get to be represented. Thanks to the Shelly and Donald Rubin Foundation for sponsoring. Here are a few of my favorite. #didierwilliam #glenfischer #timclifford #catherinetelfordkeogh #edenmorris #friederickreveman #eleenlin #tashalewis #raphaelmontañezortiz #jorgesoto #michaelabramson #bronxmuseum #bronxmuseumofthearts #sdrubin #shellyanddonaldrubinfoundation
One of the few city museums that is always free of charge to its patrons, The Bronx Museum is more than worth investigating. With exhibits that range from social exploration, presentations of local history, and some killer pieces from emerging local artists, this museum is exciting and refreshing.
Seeing new work from artists that are alive and working right now in our city is definitely worth a trip. A lot of the work housed here is inspired by the New York experience and will challenge you to take a look at our city with new eyes.
With work from artists of all kinds, and essentially absent of pretension, The Bronx Museum of the Arts will definitely give you guys plenty to talk about, and help you both appreciate, and be inspired by, the wonderful city that you live in.
3. Brooklyn Heights Promenade (Pierrepont Place)
The Promenade is pretty damn romantic. It’s is perfect if you’re looking to impress, and shows that you can be thoughtful without putting down a lot of cash.
A sunrise jog, a sunset walk, a ton of benches with some sick views, there are so many options that you can enjoy the view that best suits what you and your date enjoy.
It’s a great way to appreciate New York City and have some good conversation without having to feel the pressure siting down face-to-face. It’s the best way to sneak in some hand-holding without having to be that couple that sits on the same side of the restaurant booth.
4. The Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd)
Ok, we know. It says free in the title, but this date isn’t free, strictly speaking. But it almost is, and that's good enough for us.
Every Wednesday, the public is able to go to the Bronx Zoo for a suggested donation (so you get to decide how much you pay-- which could be even nothing).
It sounds pretty fair for an iconic place like the zoo.
Not to mention that everyone knows a surefire way to woo people is to show them how much you appreciate particularly adorable animals. Cooing over the hand-holding otters is more than worth donating just a couple bucks.
5. Museum of Modern Art (11 West 53rd Street)
You can tell a lot about someone based off of how the react to modern art. Luckily, the MoMA is free on Fridays between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., so you can check it out without spending a bunch of money.
There is so much going on at the MoMA that some interesting conversations are bound to occur. The photography, structures, installations, paintings, and prints can be challenging as well as fascinating.
Figuring out what exactly you’re looking at, or comparing notes on what strikes a chord with you and what, well...doesn’t, is always entertaining.
You can learn a lot about each other, share some thoughts that probably don’t typically see the light of day, and challenge yourself to be a patron, and even critic, of contemporary art. If nothing else, this museum date will be completely free and completely memorable.
,6. Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the New York Botanical Garden (the Bronx)
lilicastanhony Drops of New York 🇺🇸🗽☀️🌳🌲🌴🌵🌺🌻🐝🌿🐛🍄🐞🌸📷 #springdays #NewYorkBotanicGarden #bronx #newyork #NewYorkers #nature #sunshineday #flowers #bluesky #feelingblessed #DropsOfLiliCastanho #photographyismynorthstar #storyteller
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is free from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, and every weekday, November through February.
It’s perfect for a weekday date where you can escape the crowds and stress of the city and take in some natural beauty.
The New York Botanical Garden is also free every Wednesday, so just in case you are choosy with your gardens, you can go to both! A nice relaxed atmosphere with plenty to walk around and look at it makes a perfect date.
You can get to know each other in a serene environment without interruption, and even if your date is a dud, it is impossible to feel stressed out in places this beautiful.
7. Brooklyn Brewery (79 North 11th Street)
Every Saturday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., there is a tour that starts every half hour, which definitely makes the brewery worth a trip for anyone who wants to take a peek at the inner workings of some of the city’s best beer.
A fun and laid-back tour in this Williamsburg oasis is a great way to generate some conversation topics for later on and learn a few things on top of it. Whether or not you’re an avid mixologist or beer snob, it’s always interesting to see into the makings of a beverage we all love to drink.
Plus, it’s free so that later on you will have enough money to spring for a drink or two at one of the fantastic neighboring pubs.
8. Battery Park
denocheennewyork New York City. Photo by @denocheennewyork #nuevayork #manhattan #newyork #nyc #adventure #amazing #downtown #water #architecture #art #batterypark #brooklyn #ferry #watertaxi www.facebook.com/denocheennewyork
If you’re looking for something active and engaging, then look no further than Battery Park. It has gorgeous river views and a scenic view of Lady Liberty, along with a ton of free activities.
You and your date can catch a yoga class, bike, picnic, go to a free concert, check out the eclectic shops, and walk along the esplanade.
It’s the perfect getaway, and you don’t even have to leave the city. The wide expanse of greenery and bustling location offer all types of entertainment that will give you some fresh air and keep your blood flowing.
You can feel out what types of activities your date likes to do and take note for the future- and best of all you won’t spend a dime.
9. New York Hall of Science (47-01 11th Street - Queens)
amygmaddox #NewYorkHallOfScience #NYC #science #cool #me #tagsforlikes #instagood #insta #tag #instadaily #cute
The New York Hall of Science opens its doors free of admission from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., from September through June, making it a great stop for a quirky date.
You can motivate yours and your date’s curiosity and learn a few things along the way. Even if you don’t consider yourself a huge science geek, there are plenty of exhibits and activities to entertain and bond with your date here.
They’ll be impressed with your originality, and you’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other while you’re traversing through the myriad demonstrations, exhibits, workshops, and participatory activities.
You can do things together, learn together, and watch all of the people with small children and be collectively grateful that you don’t have to deal with all that noise.
Need more ideas? Check out 7 Unique Date Ideas That Don't Suck.
[Feature Image Courtesy: Instagram]