Frugal and Fun: Cheap date ideas

If you’re bored in metro Atlanta, there’s a problem. I’m here to help. There’s lots to do here, and it doesn’t have to cost very much. That’s the inspiration for the weekly Frugal and Fun date ideas. These suggestions for couples are all around $40 or less. In most cases, it’s well below $40. So, have fun!

Adult skating can be a fun and cheap date. These two practice moves at Sparkles Roller Rink in Smyrna. Credit: Renee Brock

Skating: Don’t worry; it’s like riding a bike. Once you tie on your wheels, you’ll soon shake off the rust from the ’80s and roll right into a great time. There are numerous rinks around the area. Perhaps the most popular is Cascade Family Skating, but the rink is temporarily closed after a flooding mishap in June. But you have other options, including All American Skating Center in Stone Mountain. A disc jockey, cool lighting and a funky atmosphere make this place a hit with the adult crowd. Sunday night adult skate is $5 per person, plus $2 for skate rental. For true night owls, Friday night sessions from 11:30 p.m.-3 a.m. are $3 per person and the standard $2 skate rental. Adult night is also the first Saturday of each month. Labor Day weekend is unique and promises a good time for the 11:30 p.m.-5 a.m. Skate-A-Thon. It’s a bit more, about $15, but attracted 1,400 people last year. There’s no Friday night session that weekend. Look for other rinks in your area here.

That was funny: Laughter is good — always. That’s why Whole World Improv is a good inexpensive date night recommendation. Here’s the deal: Walk up on Thursday nights, and pay what you can. It’s that simple. The deal runs through August. Thursday nights are also Ladies’ Night at this spot, with free admission from 7-7:30 p.m. Still need another reason to go? How about a buy one, get one free offer this weekend, Aug. 7-9, using the promotional code ‘promo’. Whole World Improv is located at 1216 Spring St., in Atlanta.

Photography exhibit: I just received word about a special exhibition at the Emory Visual Arts Gallery, Aug. 27-Sept. 5. It’s still a few weeks away, but this is a date idea you should consider. “The Lucid Eye: Photographs from the Collection of Arnall Golden Gregory,” will be on display. Twentieth-century masterworks featured are works by Zeke Berman, Margaret Bourke-White, Harry Callahan, William Christenberry, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Mario Giacomelli, André Kertész, David Levinthal, Helen Levitt, Danny Lyon, Irving Penn, Toshio Shibata, Paul Strand and others. For more information, click here. Admission is free.

Whether you're riding or watching, hot air balloon festivals are great fun. Credit: Tiger Town

Hot air balloons: No word on whether this festival rivals the one of national acclaim held in New Mexico, but the West Georgia Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday is a lovely candidate for the Frugal and Fun date ideas. From 10 a.m.-10 p.m., this free festival at the Villa Rica Civic Center and Sports Complex will have everything from live music in the evening to balloon rides throughout the day.

Check out past Frugal and Fun date ideas:

Week 4: Frugal and Fun Date Ideas

Week 3: Frugal and Fun Date Ideas

Week 2: Frugal and Fun Date Ideas

Week 1: Frugal and Fun Date Ideas

Have a cheap date idea? Tell us about it.