Cheap Date Night-Aquarium Edition

On Friday the Aquarium of the Pacific had free admission to the Shark Lagoon from 6:00-9:00. Boyfriend saw this advertised online, so we decided to check it out.

To save money on parking, we walked about a mile on the beach path to get there. The shark lagoon has an area to touch baby sharks and and also to view grown sharks in the tank. There was a live band (which was a little cheesy, but fun). We probably stayed for 45 minutes or so. Then we walked back and stopped at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on the way. We each got a caramel apple and ate them on the harbor, watching the boats. Then we walked home. :)

Obviously this is a specific location and time, but most museums and aquariums have events like this with free admission. You can find out about these events by joining email lists or checking their websites.

We spent a total of $13 on the fancy apples, and had a great night. Anyone else have any luck with free museum nights?

Cheap Date Night: Stroll & Savor

This is probably my favorite date night ever...Stroll & Savor in Belmont Shore. Twice a month during the summer, a stretch of local restuarants (at least 20, if not more) participate in Stroll & Savor. You buy tickets ($10 for 12 tickets) and each eatery has a table outside where you can buy food using your tickets.

So, for $10 last night I had: a mini cupcake, three pieces of sushi, an Indian vegetable dish with some garlic nan, some chow mein, and a chocolate covered pretzel for dinner. YUM. Boyfriend had three pieces of pizza, a Tahi combo plate, a chocolate covered cupcake, and a mini-cupcake.

We spent about an hour and half walking around and trying different things. He also tried to give me a bite of his Pad Thai and accidentally threw noodles at me, which was comical. I can't wait to go again next month!

Total damage=$20 for the two of us*

*Full disclosure: BF wanted to stop and get a beer before we went, so we hit up a happy hour, which made our date night more expensive. But he paid for that part. :)

Cheap Date Night: Griffith Observatory

View...looked cooler in person.

The other night BF and I were bored with our usual hangout spots and decided to venture into LA for an event. Our initial plan didn't pan out as we had hoped, but we not only salvaged the night, we ended up with a fun and frugal date night!

First, we stopped by Taco Bell, because only the most gourmet delicacies can please our palates. Then, we drove up to Griffith Observatory, which is completely free, parking included. We missed sunset, but sat on the patio and ate our food, enjoying the views of the city.

Then, we walked around looking at the exhibits in the Observatory. We saw how much we would weigh on different planets, looked at a piece of moon rock, and learned other sciencey things. Also, I posed with this statue of Einstein.

Einstein and I are both pretty gangsta'

We had a great night together, did something different, and only spent money on a fast food meal. It satisified our craving for something different, a date night, and for Taco Bell. Man, that burrito hit the spot.


Do you have any fun, cheap date ideas to share?