Cheap Date Ideas in the Triangle
One of the most popular date activities is the movie theatre, but these days the movies can be expensive. So, plan to start your date a little early and head to the movies first. The Carmike Park Place 16 on Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville has 16 screens and a nice selection of movies. Shows before 6 pm are only $5.50. There is also the Blue Ridge 14 on Blue Ridge Road. The movies shown there have already been run in other theatres and many are out on video or soon to be, but you can’t beat the $1.50 price. Just be prepared for the long lines.
Another great choice is Raleighwood Cinema Grill which combines dinner and a movie. The movie costs just $4.50. The food is standard American food with normal restaurant pricing. If your planning a typical dinner-and-movie date this is a slightly cheaper way to do it, just because you get a movie at night at a low price. Just know that the movies are second-run movies and it’s advisable to arrive at least 30 minutes early as shows often sell-out. The box office opens an hour before movie time and the doors open 30 minutes before.
If you choose to eat separately try El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant at Brightleaf Square in downtown Durham. The food is delicious, the prices can’t be beat, and the service is prompt and friendly. Offering free nachos and salsa, you then have 32 combo choices, 15 vegetarian options and more to choose from.
For the art lovers out there, The North Carolina Museum of Art located on Blue Ridge Road showcases a variety of artwork from Baroque to Renaissance to World Art to American Art. The museum is free and the hours are Wed-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm, and the third Friday of every month 9am-9pm.
Another option is the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on W. Jones St. in downtown Raleigh is also free. The hours for the museum are Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm, and the first Friday of each month the museum stays open till 9pm. The museum boasts 4 floors with exhibits ranging from whale skeletons, a re-creation of 5 NC habitats, re-creations of six ancient habitats, living conservatory, arthropod zoo, and the world’s only Acrocanthosaurus skeleton chasing it’s prey, a model of a sauropod with pterosaurs flying overhead.
For the astronomers out there check out Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, located at E. Franklin St in Chapel Hill. The price is only $4.75 and shows and times vary so check on it ahead of time.
Bring out the kid in you by visiting Adventure Landing on Capital Blvd in Raleigh. This can get a little expensive, but careful planning or choosing only a couple activities can keep the evening pretty cheap. Hours are M-Th 9 am-11pm, Fri and Sat 9 am-1 am, and Sun 10am-11pm. Mini-golf is a great date idea with lots of potential for fun and plenty of time to flirt. There are three courses to choose from and one game is only $6.00. Or choose to Go-Kart, challenging each other to a race (loser owes the winner a kiss!) with a single seat ride costing $6.00 or cozy up in a double seat ride for $7.50. Try your hand at Laser Tag, where one game will set you back $6.00. Check out the arcade with over 100 games and 50 tokens run $10.00. Or go to one of the nine batting cages ranging from slow pitch softball to 60 mph cages. A half-hour costs $20 or $30 for an hour. There are also specials: $2 for 25 pitches, $5 for 75 pitches, $10 for 175 pitches and $20 for 350 pitches.
Last but not least go and party it up at Fat Daddy’s in Raleigh. There is no cover charge, plenty of pool tables, and live music with a small but generally uncrowded dance floor.
Hopefully this will give you plenty of ideas for a great night out that won’t break the bank.
