10 of the Best Low-Cost Date Ideas for the Summer

I think it is safe to say that most people love summer! Especially us mid-west folks. We hibernate all winter eager to get back out when the weather is perfect and the sun is beaming. My husbands favorite season is summer so we are always looking for ways to get out and do something new and exciting. Here are a list of dates that we have done and some that we have yet to do this summer. I hope these ideas will bring you and your sweetie pie closer together as you try something that maybe you just haven’t done yet. Whatever date you decide to choose make it your own and take lots of pictures to remember!

1. Pinterest a new Dinner Idea and Watch a Movie that you Both Have not Seen Before

Summer is great but on those really hot days, escape the heat and have the perfect date inside! Head over to Pinterest and pick an easy low cost meal, screen shot the recipe, and make it together! Music on and teamwork. I love cooking dinners together because that means you can grocery shop together which is always a fun adventure in itself! The only hard part to this date is picking a movie that we both have never seen before. But we are always up for the challenge! You and your loved one will LOVE this date idea!

Cost: $30-40, depending on the recipe and ingredients

2. Spend a Day at Your Local Water Park

If you are in the Southeastern Michigan area, there are a couple water parks to go and explore! Rolling Hills and Turtle Cove. If you have the day freed up to travel a little further, there is also Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio close to Cedar Point! They also have a lots more to do than just the water park. We have enjoyed the restaurant, pizza parlor, glow in the dark mini gold, and arcade! Grab your bathing suits, sunscreen, and go be kids again and have a great time!

Cost: Day ticket to Kalahari $89/person, Local water park day paces range $10-25/person

3. Make a summer bucket list with Activities that you and you lover enjoy specifically

Joshua and I did this our first summer married! We were a little too ambitious and put way too many things on the list, BUT it was so fun to free up a weekend to cross off an activity on the list. We put things like,

• try a new restaurant
• go to the zoo
• go to cedar point
• watch the sunset under the stars
• attend a festival/carnival
• complete an adventure date challenge
• go to the beach
• go to frankenmuth
• attend a concert
• see a movie opening night
• go on a bike ride
• go for a run

Have fun creating a special board for this! We grabbed a bright colored poster board, markers, and made it our own!

Cost: $10

4. Slurpee/Gas Station Run and Watch the Sunset in the Trunk of Your Car

I used to do this all time with my siblings and when Joshua and I started dating this was on of the first dates I requested in the summer. Head over to the gas station get the largest Slurpee cup and fill up on your favorite flavors! Grab snacks and find a peaceful spot to park your car and open the trunk and enjoy one another. If you don’t have a big enough trunk, feel free to make this a picnic. Grab a blanket and set up on a lawn in a park nearby!

Cost: $15-$25

5. Visit Your Local Fest or Carnival

Joshua and I have already attended one this year! We went to a small carnival close by and enjoyed holding hands, people watching, and all the fun carnival food! It was free admission so it was a very affordable date! Google festivals in your area, this could be art, music, crafts, cultural, jazz, etc. I am sure you will be surprised at what is offered in your area! Same with carnivals, research, go, enjoy!

Cost: Carnivals and festivals are usually free admission leaving you needing to pay for ride wristbands if you choose (typically $20-25) and food/drinks for two (typically $35-30). Joshua and I didn’t ride rides so we spent about $30 to get a chicken tender basket, fresh lemonade, and an elephant ear.

6. Enjoy an Evening at a Food Truck Park

I recently looked up “food truck parks near me” and was surprised that there is one daily in the downtown Plymouth area! Picnic tables, twinkle lights, savory and sweet trucks in every direction, sounds like a great time if you ask me! I hope you can find one close to you to go to when you need an easy night out without having to make reservations for!

Cost: $25-35

7. Drive-In Movie

This is a classic, romantic date! I went to my first drive in with my husband actually. We live in Dearborn Heights, MI so we have gone to the USA Hockey Arena Drive-in and the Ford Wyoming Drive-In. Both were amazing with accessible bathrooms and a fully stocked snack bar! We opened the back of my trunk let down the seats, laid down blankets, and enjoyed just being together watching a new movie under the stars.

Cost: $15-$25 for cheap tickets and concessions

8. Go to the Farmers Market

Summers are PERFECT for this activity! Joshua and I have been so busy on the weekends so we haven’t been able to go down to the Eastern Market in Detroit, MI. I am hoping that we can make it on an early Saturday morning soon. Farmers markets are perfect for slow strolling, holding hands, meeting new people, and trying endless amounts of samples. Did I mention the fresh produce!? I hear it is amazing! Who knows, you could purchase enough food items do go back home and try a new dinner idea or dessert with!

Cost: Up to you and what you spend. $0 if you are there to stroll and soak in the atmosphere, $25-$40 if you plan to purchase items

9. Take a Bike Ride to your Favorite Fast Food Joint

What is your favorite quick service food joint by your house? Gear up and get on your bikes to get there! What a fun way to go grab food!? You both get fresh air, a nice exercise, and can enjoy a burger with fries meal, and conversation before heading back!

I’d love for Joshua and I to bike to a local diner and share a milkshake like couples do in the movies! How fun and romantic.

Cost: $20-$30 for Food

10. Visit a Nearby Small Town and Explore

Our favorite spot to visit is Frankenmuth! It is a small little town or should I say village that has endless local restaurants, a huge cheese store, eclectic store fronts, and a gigantic shopping center that sells ONLY Christmas items all year long. We are also only a few hours from Grand Rapids and Downtown Chicago. What is close to you? Head there in the morning and explore all day! It is the best day date for you and your loved one.

Cost: Completely up to you! We window shop and only take about $60-$80 for food for the whole day.