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Music festivals, block parties and a ton of other stuff is going on in Chicago and every other major city in the US. None of it costs a penny, unless you want to buy a beer or something to eat (both of which you can backpack before you leave the house), Ive taken plenty of dates to these types of festivals and it was always an awesome time, packed with may hours of free entertainment. For example, Chicago BLues Festival kicks off in a few days on the lakefront. Ive gone to it for 20 consecutive years and never paid anything to see live performances by Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, the Howling Wolf, Buddy Guy and hundreds of others. How can you beat that?
Weather permitting, I've had cheap/free dates at the following:
- "music in the park" (free concert series)
- shakespeare in the park (self explanatory,right?)
- breakfast and then a flea market/antique market (this one was actually really fun. The guy knew a lot about furniture, and I learned a lot)
- art galleries
- museums
- greek festival (run by local Greek Orthodox church)-- the food was so good!
- historic sites
- aquarium/zoo
One of my favorite tips is if you have any neat local museums, find out what it takes to join one of the lower levels as a patron. Often, you can join for less than $100/year, and you get stuff like free admission, discount in gift shop/cafe, plus invitations to special events. I've been able to attend lectures, "meet the artist" talks, and pre-opening night viewings for new exhibits. (I realize this one isn't exactly free, but I'm an art lover and love this kind of thing, so it's not really an extra expense for me, I'd be spending money going to some of these events anyway.)
I'm also a fan of the happy hour special menus at some of the nice restaurants in town. Those work out well for first dates, because there's a clear end-time.
I was listing some of these elsewhere and thought it would make a good thread .
What do you like to do that doesn't cost money, or costs a negligible amount?
Go watch a local band at a local bar. We have the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. They've had everything from Surprise Rolling Stones gig to Billy Talent have played there.
Go swimming, if you know they like swimming.
My husband showed me his old neighbourhood on foot. Told me stories and had me laughing at the stuff they got up to.
Walk along the waterfront. If you have one locally that is attractive.
Ice skating if you two already have own ice skates
Ride bicycles on a trail
Rollerblading
Tennis
Frisbee
Some zoo's and museums are free
I've done all of the above.
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