Date night on a budget: Planetarium | Lecture | Tennis | plus more

Looking for an inexpensive date night? You’ve come to the right place, where every week we bring you frugal and fun date ideas. The goal is to give you date night options for $40 or less. So, whether you’re a married couple celebrating love, or singles getting to know each other, you should find ideas that will spice up your dating life. Be sure to check out past date blogs, that will be linked at the bottom.

1. Visit a local Farmers’ Market

There’s mall shopping and there’s dining out. Somewhere in between there’s a farmers’ market, where you can get lost in the aroma of fresh fruit, indulge in mouth-watering homemade candies and breads and enjoy all of the wonderful aspects of an open-air market. There are numerous markets in metro Atlanta, each unique and special. Every Sunday, The Green Door Market in Castleberry Hill is a favorite for local shoppers. It’s even better when the produce is provided by local farmers, and when the products are organically grown, as they are on Saturday mornings at Morningside Farmers’ Market. Of course, it costs you nothing to get in. You can buy as much or as little as you would like, and spend quality time together as a couple while you’re at it.

2. Match Point

The current U.S. Open in New York has me thinking about tennis. It just so happens to be a really inexpensive date option, too. If you don’t mind a little — Ok, a lot — of sweat, and wouldn’t be too shy to look silly in front of your partner while chasing down a baseline shot, then this is an ideal outing. Atlanta is one of the most popular tennis cities in the nation, so there should be no problem finding a court. At the DeKalb Tennis Center, for instance, rates are $2.50 per person before 6 p.m., and $3 each after 6 p.m., for an hour of tennis. Reservations are recommended here and everywhere else. That’s what I call a fun, cheap date!

3. Food For Thought

Some of the best dates, in my opinion, stimulate conversations (not arguments). What better way to get to know the man behind the suit than hearing their opinions on a thought-provoking lecture? The Atlanta History Center, among others, regularly has guest speakers and authors come through. Coming up Oct. 13 is The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History With The President. Author Taylor Branch worked with President Bill Clinton to present an account based on 78 diary sessions between 1993 and 2001 of Clinton’s confidential diary project “aimed at preserving the fullest record of this pivotal president. The Atlanta History Center’s next event is An Evening With Linda Anderson on Sept. 10. All the lectures are $10 each for nonmembers.

4. Starry Eyed

Sure, you can hold hands and gaze at the stars. It’s romantic and sweet. But if you want to next-level that experience, why not visit a planetarium. There are a couple around town, including at the Fernabank Museum which I’ve mentioned before on cheap dates. This one isn’t quite as low-budget: The Tellus Science Museum is $12 per person for museum admission, plus $3 more for each person for the planetarium. But you can get free general admission! How? National Museum Day is Sept. 26. Fill out this form on the website to get your free entry card. It promises to take you to the edge of the galaxy and beyond, and many of those who’ve attended would agree. Located in Cartersville, it has only been open since January. There are also mineral and fossil galleries.

5. Bar-B-Que Throwdown

Billing itself as the only barbecue cook-off inside the perimeter, the Atlanta Bar-B-Que Festival Sept. 12 can’t be anything but a blast. Plus, it’s FREE. The throwdown is in the Green lot at Turner Field, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The Atlanta Braves won’t be there, but will you really care? Your mind will be on brisket, ribs and chicken. There will be live music, as well.

Week 7: Frugal and Fun Date Ideas

Week 6: Frugal and Fun Date Ideas

Week 5: 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

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