D.C. is a very happening scene for a successful date – day or night! The options are endless…countless restaurants, entertainment, museums, and parks are just a few of the go-to options in the area. For those who would really like to treat their date, there are plenty of date opportunities to do so. However, there are also plenty of free, or almost free, date options – read on to see what some of our favorites are!
Explore DC by Bike
Wandering through the District is a great experience, but with Capital Bikeshare you will have the capability to see much more, and it adds a little flare to your date. A 24-hour rental costs $7, and you can return the bikes to any of their 440+ stations, not just the one you rented from. Bike around and explore the memorials and monuments, see the various museums throughout the district, and make pit stops anywhere you’d like! A sunset bike ride can make for a more romantic experience, especially around the Tidal Basin.
Take On The Billy Goat Trail
The Billy Goat Trail, located along the C&O Canal and the Potomac River, is a great date idea for the adventurous type. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a vigorous hike, both options are available to you along the 4.7-mile trail. The views are beautiful any day of the year and access to the trail is completely free. There are several online resources that break down the trail into levels of difficulty, so be sure to plan ahead depending on how hard you and your date want to work!
Visit Washington’s National Zoo
The National Zoo makes for a unique and fun date option. The zoo is a great daytime or early evening option, and admission is always free. Wander through the zoo and check out over 1,500 animals and 300 different species, while enjoying the company of your date. There are also events that take place at the Zoo, such as Zoo Uncorked, ZooFiesta, Boo At The Zoo, and ZooLights. While these aren’t free, they are always a good time and often a good value. There is so much to admire at the National Zoo, making this a true crowd pleaser!
Check Out A Washington Nationals Game
For the sports fanatics, Washington Nationals games are a ball – and very affordable! Tickets go for as low as $6, depending on the game. The Navy Yard Metro Station is a block from the park, so transportation to the game is equally affordable. There are weekday, weekend, daytime, and evening games, making scheduling this date a breeze. Cheering on your home team with a hot dog and a cold beer is a surefire way to have a fun and carefree date experience. Pro Tip: Attendees are allowed to bring sealed water bottles into the stadium and you can always find vendors with ice-cold water for $1 outside the park – buy before you go in to save a few bucks!
Enjoy a Free Show at John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Attending a show at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a must for anyone in D.C. It is a phenomenal experience, especially for a date night. Lucky for us, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage offers free shows every evening at 6:00PM. The shows are ever-changing and include a wide variety of acts. Ticket discounts for the other shows are available as well – including discounts for specific age groups as well as members of the armed services. The space, the various acts, and the fact that the tickets are free will blow you and your date away.