# Need cheap/free 2nd date ideas **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 17, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093 "2009-06-17T17:39:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/1 "2009-06-17T17:39:37Z")
I’ve got a few dates lined up through OKCupid. I’m hoping, of course, that at least one of these will progress to a second date. Now, I’ve got a place I always use for meeting internet strangers, a cafe where I know the owner. It’s a good safe place for me. But what I want are ideas for once they’ve passed the freaky-deeky-crazy-pants test. Once I’m a bit more comfortable with them, what can we do that will allow us to get to know each other (movies are out for this, that’s for later) and have a good time. One of the guys knows how to sail, so if things go well I’d suggest renting a boat from my school and going sailing. This won’t work with the others, of course. What do you think of board games? Dorky but fun… or lame? ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/2 "2009-06-17T17:44:26Z")
I’m going to strongly suggest against board games on the second date. There is something not right about it, to me. Now I await the 10+ people who all will say they’re now married to a person that played board games with them on the second date. More seriously, does the second date _have_ to be cheap or free? Because you are seriously limiting your opportunities. Unless your idea of cheap is different than mine. And since you’re considering renting a boat, I think it is. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/3 "2009-06-17T17:48:08Z")
Nature hike. Sawgrass Lake Park Trail is in your neck of the woods. Then a cheap lunch. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/4 "2009-06-17T17:48:13Z")
I think playing pool is a fun way to get to know someone. You can talk but are still _doing_ something else. Usually I find that when I play pool with a guy we either both suck, and laugh about it. Or one of us is better than the other but we still laugh about it. Also, if you’re a chick and you wear the right kind of shirt and your “my ass looks awesome in these jeans” jeans, you can really make a guy drool while playing pool 🙂 Oh, and it’s easier/more fun to go to a pool hall than a bar, because you won’t have to vie for a table at a pool hall. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/5 "2009-06-17T17:50:12Z")
> [@RedRosesForMe](#): > > But what I want are ideas for once they’ve passed the freaky-deeky-crazy-pants test. Once I’m a bit more comfortable with them, what can we do that will allow us to get to know each other (movies are out for this, that’s for later) and have a good time. I recently had a second date where we went and just kinda hung out at a large local park. Fed the koi, ended up getting fairly kissy and cuddly in a lovely wooded area along the edge of a big lake, almost fairy tale beautiful. Third date is tonight, if I don’t post tomorrow morning, send paramedics 🆒 😃 ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/6 "2009-06-17T17:54:28Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > I’m going to strongly suggest against board games on the second date. There is something not right about it, to me. I tend to agree with this. Board games on a second date is only really appropriate if you are screening for over-competitive types or sore losers. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/7 "2009-06-17T17:54:33Z")
I have to agree board games sound really terrible, but I’m not a board game person anyway. –pack a lunch and go on a hike or bicycle ride together –visit a museum or botanical garden (I realize this may not be free but you can often find places with cheap admission rates) –check with you local parks and recreation dept for free concerts, films or theatrical performances. Take along a picnic dinner or bottle of wine. –check out some used bookstores together (if you’re the literary types) –Get ice cream cones and take a stroll in the park or downtown shops ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/8 "2009-06-17T17:58:20Z")
One more thing about board games: The few times I’ve been invited over to a girl’s house to “play board games” or “solve a jigsaw puzzle” what she usually meant was “bring condoms”. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/9 "2009-06-17T18:00:04Z")
Cheap is like $20 or less. Renting a boat from my school is free for students… Oh well, I’ll save the board games for later, I guess. 😃 A nature hike sounds fun, but whoa is it hot outside. Sunken Gardens on the other hand might be cool, I haven’t been there since I was a little kid. I just didn’t want to stick to restaurants and cafes. Pool would be fun, too bad my favorite pool hall moved to a place with terrazzo floors, it gets super loud in there. ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/10 "2009-06-17T18:07:20Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > One more thing about board games: The few times I’ve been invited over to a girl’s house to “play board games” or “solve a jigsaw puzzle” what she usually meant was “bring condoms”. > > Just sayin’. That’s a problem. I’ll keep that in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/11 "2009-06-17T18:08:23Z")
$20 or less? Hmmm…museum/botanical garden might be your best bet. A zoo trip could be fun, but might go over the $20 with admission and food/drinks. Same for bowling or skating. Battlefield tour, maybe…if any are nearby. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/12 "2009-06-17T18:08:53Z")
> [@RedRosesForMe](#): > > That’s a problem. I’ll keep that in mind. It was kind of like the day time version of “Wanna come inside for coffee?” ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/13 "2009-06-17T18:10:43Z")
Unless you’re very confident in your crazy-filter, a hike in the deep, dark woods seems a bit risky on a 2nd date. A lot of us guys know about the first date crazy test and plan accordingly. :eek: Taking a stroll in a more public area, maybe stopping for coffee or an ice cream cone and talking seems like fun to me. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/14 "2009-06-17T20:01:35Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Also, if you’re a chick and you wear the right kind of shirt and your “my ass looks awesome in these jeans” jeans, you can really make a guy drool while playing pool 🙂 That’s exactly what my (now) wife did on one of our earlier dates! ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/15 "2009-06-17T20:18:18Z")
Sex. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/16 "2009-06-17T20:40:02Z")
I’ve got a similar situation coming up, and I suggested a walk in a park. It’s public so it’s a great place to build trust. It’s quiet enough so you can talk. If the weather is nice and the park is beautiful, then the setting will engender good feelings. If there are cafes nearby, that gives you someplace to go sit down. The last time I took a walk in that particular park, it sparked an amazing relationship. ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/17 "2009-06-17T21:14:20Z")
I like the park…it’s cooler at night and you can star gaze. In my area, there are a lot of free concerts in the park and farmer’s markets around town. I don’t like board games much. Maybe your potential will, though. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/18 "2009-06-17T21:29:32Z")
I’d go with a farmer’s market. That way there are plenty of things to talk about and things to do but its still quite enough that you can hear each other talk. It used to be my standby first date but the Farmer’s market here is on Saturday morning. Cheap second dates are harder because you need them to last longer. Typically I go with a dinner and something else, but that is way out of the $20 range. ---
**Author:** ![firstname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ab992/32.png) [@firstname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/firstname)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/19 "2009-06-18T09:12:34Z")
Well what about a cheap cinema. I’m really not sure what there is around you though, but around here there is a nice old style cinema (~$6-8 a ticket) which we went to, then after the movie shared a pizza from the cafe. Original plan was to go sit near the lake, but we sat inside ‘cos it was freakin’ cold. A very fun cheap date… ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093/20 "2009-06-18T11:44:36Z")
In the Twin Cities a traditional cheap early date is to go for a walk around the lakes - usually Lake of the Isles. Its heavily populated with walkers and joggers (safe), slightly romantic (you are pretty sure you are on a date), and gives ample opportunity for getting to know you talk. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-cheap-free-2nd-date-ideas/500093.md?page=2)