Ideas for free & inexpensive dates

Even if you’re focused on frugal fun, delighting your sweetie with a lovely inexpensive or free date is doable.

Some interesting events and activities in South Florida are free or relatively inexpensive. With extra dollars in your wallet, splurge on sparkling wine or other romantic indulgence.

Play Trivia

A variety of restaurants and pubs offer entertaining interactive Trivia nights, which are usually free to play, especially if you’re ordering drinks or something to eat. Read our feature to see which establishments offer Trivia.

Photo/Broward Parks

Admire nature

Stroll among shady trees, rippling streams and singing songbirds. Pick a path in a lush forest. Or perhaps you prefer salty air and surf. Pack a picnic. Entry for some parks is always free. Lots feature free parking. Others feature fees — however, many are waiving fees until further notice. Use Broward Parks’ website & Florida State Parks website for information about different venues

Parks with inviting nature paths or scenic routes include these & others

Secret Woods, includes a boardwalk overlooking the New River, and assorted other nature walks, 2701 W. State Road 84, Dania Beach 33312, 954-357-8884
Fern Forest, features several nature paths, including its elevated boardwalk into cypress/maple swamp, 201 Lyons Road South, Coconut Creek 33063, 954-357-5198, read our feature Nature Trails & Free Entry at Fern Forest in North Broward
TY Park in Hollywood, read our feature TY Park in Hollywood is lovely venue for outdoor exercise & relaxation
Quiet Waters Park, includes a butterfly garden & nature path, 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach 33442, 954-357-5100
TY Park in Hollywood, includes tennis, picnic tables & a 2-mile paved path — primarily around a lake — for walking, running, biking & skateboarding, 3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood 33021, 954-357-8811,
Hollywood Beach Broadwalk — lovely 2.5-mile length between waves rolling ashore and shops, hotels & restaurants
Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk — delightful stretch along the New River from about Southwest Fifth Street east toward Federal Highway, incorporating Esplanade Park, read our feature Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale offers scenic setting for walks & outdoor recreation
Deerfield Beach Arboretum, Features native and exotic trees and plants from around the world. Includes flowering tropical trees, palms, wetlands and others, 2841 W. Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach 33442, 954-480-4494, free entry

Free Water Trolley

Rivewalk Water Trolley ferries riders to 8 points along scenic New River in Fort Lauderdale. It’s free. Read feature

Free & inexpensive live entertainment

Live music @ Sistrunk Marketplace, food hall and events venue with assorted food & beverage vendors, 115 NW 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale 33311, live music is usually 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Thursdays, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, and 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sundays, Register for free tickets online
Holy Mackerel in Wilton Manors, live entertainment usually 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, 1414 NE 26th Street, Wilton Manors 33305, 954-306-3690, website, free entry, indoor event, RSVP online
Friday Night Sound Waves events at Las Olas Oceanside Park, March 19 & other dates, register online for free tickets, read our feature

Shop

Some farmer’s markets feature extra amenities, including yoga, bon fires and petting zoos. Farmers markets & flea markets in Broward
Unique Shopping Venues, Shopping Events & Artisan Fairs

Ride The Rails

Tri-Rail is relatively inexpensive & offers $5 all-day fares on weekends. Tri-Rail offers $5 fares on weekends

Relax with Online entertainment

Pop popcorn, snuggle on the sofa and download a film for free. Or immerse yourself in opera. Or a virtual art tour. Or a local performing artist. Or a webcam of adorable animals. Opportunities for online entertainment are plentiful.

Redbox offers free movies and TV shows
From home, download movies from Broward Library
Friday Night Sound Waves playlist of performances from South Florida artists
Florida Grand Opera on YouTube
Online Art Activities & Virtual Art Tours from South Florida
Broward beaches featured on live webcams
ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale showcases visual and performing artists on Facebook , Facebook Live, Zoom and Instagram @artservefla

Art exhibits & Art events

Art Walk in Wilton Manors, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. February 20 & other third Saturdays,Wilton Drive around Northeast Sixth Avenue, website
Coral Springs Museum of Art, free entry Mondays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, Fridays & Saturdays, 2855A Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs 33065, 954-340-5000, website
For daytime or evening dates, Downtown Hollywood Murals exhibit works nicely. About 30 murals are within in easy walkable route. It’s free. Download Florida’s Hollywood app for a self-guided tour. Fees for parking in downtown Hollywood apply. Read our feature
FAT Village Arts District Open House & Art Walk events, usually fourth or fifth Saturdays, 521 NW 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 33301, 954-760-5900, read our feature, verify if event is on online or 754-800-1640
Fort Lauderdale Art Walk 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., usually fourth or fifth Saturdays, 844 NE Fourth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale 33304, verify event is on online or 754-800-1640

Drive-ins

Swap Shop drive-in theater, 3291 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Lauderhill 33311
- Prices are $7 for ages 12 and older, $2 for ages 5 to 11 and free for 4 and younger
- outdoor screens
- Tune into sound via FM radio
- information online or 954-791-7927
Other drive-in movies

Putt-putt & pitches

AllGolf @ CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines
- includes 2 18-hole mini golf course & a driving range, fees for miniature golf are $9 Mondays to Fridays, $10 Saturdays and Sundays for 18 holes, $2 extra for 36 holes, free for ages 4 & younger
- $10 & $13 for driving range
- batting cages $2 for 25 pitches, $8 for 100 pitches
- 950 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines 33028, 954-441-1333, website