By Jessica Walker

The best date I ever had was with a guy who had absolutely no plans for the night.  He picked me up and we just started driving and figured it out as the night went along.  It was a blast!  We looked at furniture for his new apartment, ate dinner when we felt hungry, walked around the city, got coffee and donuts, drove to the beach to check out the stars, attempted to play bingo but got there too late so he decided to teach me how to drive his 5-speed stick shift in the bingo parking lot.  Of all the dates I’ve been on, that’s the one that stands out the most.  We were fortunate that it worked out so well.

Now if “winging” a date sounds like a nightmare, then check out this article “50 Cheap Date Ideas”. You are bound to find a great idea for your next night out.  I was so inspired by this article that I had to add 25 more ideas.  And with the holidays right around the corner, you can certainly add a few more of your own through family traditions that you experienced as a kid, mine is driving around looking at Christmas lights.  Since the seasons are changing, I included ideas for both cold and warm weather.

Warmer Weather Ideas

• Rollerblade in the park.
• Meet at the dog park.
• Take advantage of the free local tennis & basketball courts.
• Check out a local dirt or asphalt stock car race.
• Attend a local drag race.
• Hit golf balls at a driving range.
• Miniature golf or a round of golf

Colder Weather Ideas

• Build a snowman followed by hot chocolate in front of a warm fire or heater.
• Ice fishing for those folks in Minnesota or Alaska.
• Drive around and look at Christmas lights.
• Help decorate each other’s place for the next holiday.

Any Weather Ideas

• Wing it - Drive around and figure it out as you go.
• Rent a movie for a $1 from those movie rental boxes now found in grocery stores.
• Indoor surfing
• Indoor skydiving
• Watch a roller derby match.
• Learn country line dancing - Most country bars offer free lessons early in the night. Then you can spend the rest of the night practicing.
• Get a manicure and/or pedicure together.
• Paint Pottery
• Bingo - You could win money for another night out.
• Karaoke
• Shop for furniture - It’s always nice to get a second opinion.
• Game night - Break out a favorite board game and challenge another couple.
• Visit a pumpkin patch and then have a carving contest.
• Hayride or a haunted hayride

Until next time, here’s to keeping you Safer in the City!

- Jessica