Posted by: If you appreciate frugal fun, delighting your sweetie with a lovely inexpensive or free date is doable.
Plenty of entertaining events, attractions and interesting activities in Broward are free and perfect for date night. Other activities are relatively inexpensive. With extra dollars in your wallet, splurge on sparkling wine, a fancy dessert, or other romantic indulgence.
Ideas for Free and Inexpensive Dates
Adore Art
Downtown Hollywood Murals
Downtown Hollywood offers an interesting outdoor display of original artwork. Artists from different parts of the United States showcase their talents on sidewalks, buildings and other structures. About 30 paintings are featured in an easy walkable route. The route and information about the each mural is online. Parking fees apply.
Photo/Hollywood CRA
Other art venues include
- Studio 18 displays the work of featured local artists and if resident artists are in their studios, feel free to watch them work. The venue offers free entry, 954-961-6067 , 1101 Poinciana Drive, Pembroke Pines 33025.
- Free entry at ArtServe displaying and selling work of local artists. ArtServe, 954-462-8190, is at 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
- Free entry at Museum of Art in Coral Springs, 954-340-5000, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs 33065.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Peer into the night sky
Use telescopes for free at Fox Observatory at regional park in Sunrise. Representatives of South Florida Amateur Astronomy Association usually open the observatory Saturdays from about dusk until about 11 p.m, weather permitting. Parking and entry are free. For those who enter the park during the day, the fee is $3 per vehicle for up to 8 people weekends and holidays.
Markham Park is at 16001 W State Road 84, Sunrise.
Play Trivia
Various restaurants and pubs offer entertaining interactive Trivia nights, which are usually free to play, especially if you're ordering drinks or something to eat.
Leave the Driving to Someone Else
Tri-Rail Train
Step aboard and skip South Florida traffic. Tri-Rail runs to points in Dade, Broward and greater Palm Beach. It's relatively inexpensive & offers offers $5 fares on weekends and holidays.
Water Taxi
Water Taxi offers discounts after 5 p.m. Fees are a discounted rate of $25 for routes in Fort Lauderdale and to Hollywood. Some Water Taxi vessels offer drinks for purchase. With your ticket, nab discounts at local restaurants and businesses.
Go Roller Skating
- $10 Roller Skating in Davie Wednesdays, including skate rentals
- Roller Skating deals @ Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale, including Adult Skate Wednesdays and Sundays for $12.
Play Putt-putt Mini-Golf
AllGolf in Pembroke Pines offers two 18-hole mini golf course and a driving range. Fees for miniature golf are $13 Mondays to Fridays, $14 Saturdays and Sundays for 18 holes, $2 extra for 36 holes, free for ages 4 & younger.
Photo/Pixabay
The golf venue is at 950 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines 33028, 954-441-1333, website.
Deals include:
- 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, kids 12 and younger play free with adult paying regular price,
- 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays, play all you want for regular price of $13.
Photo/Hollywood CRA
Rock Out
Free live entertainment at Hollywood bandshell is usually 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays featuring regional bands. The bandshell is on the delightful Hollywood Broadwalk, an oceanside promenade ideal for a breezy romantic stroll. If you want to relax with a drink, lots of restaurants are along the route. Parking fees apply.
Street Festivals
Pompano Beach
Old Town Untapped is typically 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. first Fridays in Pompano Beach (except in summer). The events include entertainment, food trucks, and art displays. Entry is free. Events are at Northeast First Street and North Flagler Avenue, including Bailey Contemporary Arts, 41 NE First St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060.
Seasonal event — When Old Town Untapped is on break, Free Backyard Jams with live bands in Pompano Beach
Photo/Broward Parks & Recreation
Navigate nature
Stroll among shady trees, rippling streams and singing songbirds in South Florida parks & natural areas. Pick a path in a lush forest. Or perhaps you prefer salty air and surf. Pack a picnic. Entry for some parks and natural areas is always free, and often parking is free. For parks with fees, entry is usually relatively inexpensive.
Other interesting parks and outdoor events:
- 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 Nature Trails & Free Entry at Fern Forest in North Broward
- Deerfield Arboretum features dozens of trees from different regions of the world. Entry is free. The arboretum, which includes wetlands, tropical fruit trees, and bamboo, is within a public park, 2841 W. Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach 33442. Parking is free.
- Free birding gear on loan from Broward and Palm Beach libraries
- For a romantic evening excursion, register for a Night Hike, usually $5 per person. Events are listed on Broward Parks website.
Plenty of Parks
Other frugal date ideas and deals
- Bike routes in Broward
- Farmer's markets & flea markets in Greater Fort Lauderdale
- Free museum days & deals in Broward
- Food Trucks in Broward, Dade and greater Palm Beach
- Free films, live entertainment and workshops at Broward Libraries
- Free outdoor movies in Hollywood
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