The 10 Cheapest First Dates for Under $25 (Combined)
By Nick Durante
This is a list of the cheapest (but somewhat thoughtful) dates a couple can go on.
10. Free Museum Days
If your significant other is really into the arts, he or she may love to go to a museum. Those places can be pretty expensive; the Philadelphia Museum of Art goes for $16 a ticket! However, on the first Sunday of every month at this popular museum (Rocky!) the rate is “pay what you wish all day.” This is what I like to call a loophole. Check local listings for similar deals.
9. Minor League Baseball Game
Are you a couple who are into sports? Try out a minor league baseball game! What can be better than watching young ballplayers who may or may not eventually be in the big leagues one day struggle through their development? You can do it at a Lakewood BlueClaws game for $10 a person. What a deal!
8. Boardwalk
If you love the boardwalk, going there is the best place for you. Everyone loves putt-putt: go mini-golfing. You can then restrict your girl to one piece of plain pizza, no more. Refuse to let her get a dessert (tell her funnel cake is bad for her). If she asks to play games like the horse race or darts, pretend to not hear her so you don’t burn a hole in your pocket.
7. Bar
Is your date so ugly that you can’t look at her, bring her to a dimly lit place so you don’t have to! Sona Thirteen in Morristown, NJ has Happy Hour every Thursday and Friday. You may think that’s not special, but they offer a free buffet from 5-7 both days. It’s great to get some munchies and get tipsy.
6. That Day’s Groupon
Say you forgot that you have a date this evening, and you totally forgot about it until right now. What do you do? You can’t make reservations at an expensive restaurant. How about that day’s Groupon for your area? It works perfectly- it is cheap and does not require a lot of thought. Do it.
5. $1 Wii Bowling
On Monday nights at the Manalapan Lanes, the alley offers $1 games. But then you also have to factor in the price of shoes, and once you are there, your girl will want to get some snacks. Avoid this problem altogether by going Wii Bowling. It is free (!!) and your date will not want anything that you don’t already have in the house anyway. It’s a great time waiting to happen.
4. Wine and a Movie
This is the epitome of classiness. You have always wanted to break out your wine glasses in your cabinet. Buy some boxed wine (Franzia is my choice of boxed wines) to set the mood. This settles the wine part of the date, but what about the movie? Well, Netflix offers a neat 30 day trial. You can order the trial in time for date night, and once your lady leaves (the next morning if everything goes smoothly), you cancel the order. The total cost of the night to you: the price of the Franzia.
3. Park
If the nearest state park to you has fireworks, you can go watch them with your date. Pack a picnic basket and a blanket and drive down to the park. Make sure you don’t tell your date what you bought. Once there, break out the Saltine crackers, American cheese, and cheap champagne. Your lady will be amazed and tell all her friends about the fantastic date, making all her girlfriends want you. Job well done, sir.
2. Home Cooked Meal
Show your date how domesticated you are by making her a home-cooked meal. Buy a pound of pasta at your local supermarket. Get a jar of Ragu. Voila! If you are feeling adventurous, make some frozen meatballs. If you are feeling really adventurous, buy some inexpensive red wine. It’ll make for a night your date will never forget.
1. Chili’s
1A. Applebee’s
These two national chains that offer a 2 for $20 deal are a toss-up for the number 1 spot. You get an appetizer to split and two entreees. It depends on what your girl is in the mood for that night. If she is feeling spicy 
go for Chili’s, but if she wants to be more down to earth, Applebee’s is the route to go. Either way, it’s a winning situation or your wallet.
