Over the years, the idea of a “date” has dwindled from courting your love while she stands on her balcony to the classic dinner and a movie to the hopelessly awkward Netflix and Chill. While there’s nothing wrong with bottomless Olive Garden breadsticks or a Making a Murderer binge session, there is something wrong with retiring the same old dates over and over. Here are several ways to spice up your next date night—without breaking the bank!
Boulevard Brewery Tour. This tour is a great date idea for beer lovers! For no cost (except the price of waiting in the cold), you and your boo can sample several different beers for free and get several more for only a few dollars! Every Saturday at 9 a.m., the brewery gift shop opens and hands out tickets for several tour times available throughout the day. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances at getting your desired tour time. After 45 minutes of touring the brewery, learning its history, and taste-testing free beer, you have the opportunity to sample more for $1-$2 a pop. Pro tip: Try the Early Riser. It’s essentially a coffee-flavored beer—perfect for getting drunk before noon!
Rooftop view of the Kansas City Skyline. While Crown Center has about a thousand date ideas available between its stores, restaurants and ice skating rink, its best date spot is the sports deck of the hotel attached to the mall. This deck is almost always empty in the colder months and provides you with the best view of the KC skyline. Pro tip: Take your bae here for gift exchanges, whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Christmas or even just because it’s Sunday. The gorgeous backdrop will make any occasion that much more magical.
First Fridays. The first Friday of each month, the Crossroads Art District in KC thrives with art, vendors, food and drinks. If you prefer trying new things and having new experiences, First Fridays are the perfect date nights for you. Taste test a new wine or buy from local artists—or just enjoy the sights and smells while you roam the streets of KC! There’s always new stuff to check out, so these Friday nights will never be boring. Pro tip: Try to go on the night of a concert happening at Crossroads—you can enjoy the music without paying for the ticket or being stuck in your seat all night!
The Kauffman Memorial Garden. Why break open your piggy bank to buy overpriced roses when you could see thousands for free at a gorgeous garden? This garden is open every day from 8 a.m. until dusk and provides guided tours. However, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can roam the garden on your own time. Pro tip: Take the time to, literally, stop and smell the roses.
The Kansas City Public Library. Does your SO love books as much as they love you? Surprise them with a trip to the legendary library in downtown KC. This library holds more than just books—it holds a rich history of its prior days as a bank, and visitors can enjoy movies, exhibits and a café as well as the thousands of books there are to check out. Pro tip: Grab a cute Instagram-worthy picture together in front of the one-of-a-kind bookshelf wall!
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Museums have something for everyone, so whether your bae prefers post-war over Picasso or woodworking over painting, they will find something to fall in love with. Spend a day dressed to the nines and take your time discovering what each hall has to offer. When you’re done exploring, take a stroll around the outside of the museum to view the famous shuttlecock statues. Pro tip: To spice things up, don your fanciest attire and pick a pair of roleplay personas—maybe you’re a jewel thief and a cop who’s hot on your trail, or perhaps you’re royalty searching for the next painting to hang above your marble fireplace.