Free and Cheap Date Ideas in Richmond, Virginia

If you are looking to connect to someone special or give your sweetie some love and attention, on the cheap, any time of the year, there are plenty of activities and destinations in Richmond that are low cost and really can make that special someone feel loved and won’t break the bank. These FREE and cheap date ideas around Richmond, Virginia are active and can appeal to those that dig culture, food, history, nature, food or civic life. Happy trails.

Bicycling around Richmond’s bike-friendly streets, lanes and parks is a great way to pass a date on the cheap. Photo credit: Re-cycle bike shop / Facebook.

•Go to a drive in movie in Goochland, Ashland, Innsbrook, West Broad Village or The Diamond.

•Visit the Ginter Botanical Garden to soak in a stunning setting or a do it yourself photo session.

•Embrace the warm weather and go for a swim at one of the public or YMCA pools around Richmond.

•Buy fresh produce at one of Richmond’s many outdoor farmers’ markets. You may be able to score a delicious nibble from one of Richmond’s many food trucks at the market.

•Pick your own pumpkins, find your way through a corn mazes or visit a fun farm in the area.

•Enjoy apple picking, apple donuts, apple pie, apple cider, and wine at a local orchard.

•Enjoy a seasonal drink at one of Richmond’s many apple cideries.

•Browse through one of Richmond’s many bookstores.

•Enjoy an ice cream at a local ice cream shop or a cool drink and a treat from one of Richmond’s favorite local coffee shops or a drink at one of these restaurants with patio dining.

•Visit one of Richmond’s museums ,VCU’s Institute of Contemporary Art and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts are always FREE. Or go for a bike ride to see Richmond’s outdoor murals.

•Take in the history of the Richmond Slave Trail, or the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site

•Visit the grounds of the Maymont Park and Maymont House Museum which are always FREE.

•Check out the stunning nature at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden..

•Go outdoors, weather permitting. It costs nothing to go for a bike ride or walk in one of the numerous parks in Richmond with a date. Some of the more interesting natural spaces in Richmond are: Belle Isle and Brown’s Island, Hollywood Cemetery, James River Park, Floodwall Walking Tour, Monroe Park and Canal Walk and Cruises. There are nature walks and scenic hiking trails for all levels.

•Walk across one of the pedestrian bridges over The James River – Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge and the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge.

•Explore one of Richmond’s many neighborhoods like: Carytown, Church Hill: Where Richmond Began, Fan Historic District or Shockoe Slip. Check out the many outdoor murals in Richmond’s neighborhoods.

•Go for a change of scenery on a scenic drive.

•Make a stop before or after your outing at the Richmond City Hall Observation Deck (if it’s open) to get a 360 view of the city. Open until 5pm.

Hope you enjoy your special someone with these money saving ideas.

Room With A View: Richmonders Glen Jones, Jr. and Catia Jones enjoy the vantage point from the Richmond City Hall Observation Deck – together.

Catia Jones shared some of her top cheap Richmond date ideas:

•Do an inside or outside picnic.

•Work out together.

•Go roller skating.

•Go for a walk around your neighborhood.

•Go on a road trip on one tank of gas.

•Make a romantic dinner at home.

•Go camping.

•Play board games.

•Test drive an expensive (dream) car.

•Drive to the highest point in the city (Libby Hill, Jefferson Park or Chimborazo Park in Church Hill) spread out a blanket and gaze at the stars.

•Do volunteer work together.

•Make a pizza at home.

Thanks Catia! And wishing you and your family great end of summer!

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