Dating is hard as it is and if you’re looking for different ways to make an impression while staying on track with your budget than this article is for you!  Below we’ve compiled a list of 15 cool and different date ideas to try out.  Don’t worry you don’t have to tell your date that the event was free (that will be our little secret) AND you’ll be having so much fun your date will hardly know!  Other free items can include but are not limited to .. opening doors, holding hands, giving compliments, and even telling a joke or two.

1. Attend a Open Mic / poetry reading 

On Thursday August 24th Tea in Jersey City will be hosting The Jersey City slam. Tea is located at 262 Newark Ave and the live poetry show will feature local poets.  This event is completely free doors open up at 6:30 and show starts promptly at 7pm.

2. Take your date on a Mural Tour   

Thanks to our local artists, Jersey City is now BOOMING with murals. From storefronts to restaurants, to city blocks and more. Choose a neighborhood and just walk around appreciating all the art the city has to offer, or map out a route and visit as many murals as possible. Rent a bike or go by foot!

3. Attend a JC Fridays Studio Tour

JC Fridays has tons of events in which they present art work or studio art tours in the neighborhoods in Jersey City. All of the events are free. To see a schedule of events, visit JCfridays.com.

4. Have a picnic in Liberty State Park

LSP has plenty of seating and grassy areas. Pack up some food from home and have a picnic along the water with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan. Liberty State Park also has a bike-friendly path to ride. So if you own a bike or roller skates, this is the perfect place for you and your date.   

5. Escape for a night to Newport Beach

This Hidden Gem is the perfect place to challenge your date to a game of “Beach” Volleyball or just stroll at night. Have a seat and kick your shoes off in the sand pits, and enjoy some good conversation.

6. Stroll around the Farmers Market in Riverview Park 

This park is also known as Palisade Park in the heights. The park has amazing views of New York City and offers donation-based yoga on Sunday mornings. They also have a free 20-minute meditation session preceding the yoga class. They even offer Music in the Park on select Sundays. If none of this is for you, simply stroll through the farmers market, or take a stroll through the Riverview Community Garden!

7. Check out the ChicpeaJC calendar for free cultural events! There’s a bunch happening all the time!

 

 

8. Read some books together at Word Bookstore

If reading is you and your date’s thing, hang out at Word Bookstore and read each other books or go to a book reading! Word Bookstore hosts events similar to book clubs in which you and a group all read the same book and then come together to talk about it. Just check their calendar for events at wordbookstores.com.

9. Take a Dance Class at Pershing Field

Try something different with your date and attend a Zumba class in Pershing Field Park. Classes are offered Saturday mornings at 10 AM in the community center, or simply just head to the park for a casual stroll around the track. 

10. Take a walk through Berry Lane Park

This is one of the newest additions to Jersey City and features baseball diamonds, a skate park, a fitness course, a multipurpose field, basketball courts, and more. There’s nothing you practically can’t do at this park just get a little creative and the options are endless.

11. Free Kayaking

(Disclaimer – this is not in Jersey city but … still free!)

The downtown boathouse in New York City offers free kayaking on the Hudson River on multiple dates ranging from May – October. They have 2 locations – one at Pier 26 and another at Governors Island. Both locations are very easy to get to via public transportation in Jersey City! Just make sure you know how to swim and you’re good to go. For more information, visit www.downtownboathouse.org.

12. Visit a Free Museum

Mana Contemporary is located at 888 Newark Ave and holds donation-based exhibitions. The last one was held on July 15th, but you can always visit their website for future exhibitions. The museum is open to the public from 11AM to 3PM Monday through Friday. The MORA (Museum of Russian Art) also hosts donation-based exhibitions. The museum is located at 80 Grand Street in Jersey City. Just head to their website Moramuseum.org to find out what time the exhibitions will be displayed.

13. Attend a Jazz night

Every last Friday of the month, The Grind coffee shop hosts its Grind after Dark showcase. Grind After Dark features local artists and live jazz! Admission is free and the event is BYOB-friendly. The Grind is located at the cross section of Communipaw and Pacific Ave in the Bergen/Lafayette neighborhood of Jersey City.

14. View a play in Hamilton Park

Hamilton Park hosts a wide array of events from free Shakespeare plays like Romeo and Juliet, to Movies in the Park. Just bring a blanket and something to snack on! If sports are your thing, you could even stop and catch a good basketball game while the tournament is underway. For more information, visit www.hpnajc.org

15. When all else fails, rack up on free samples (we have no shame in our game)

What’s better than spending the day walking around and eating? Newport Mall and BJs have tons of free food to try, or stop by some of your favorite ice cream parlors around the city and request a sample or two. Farmers markets are great places to sample local flavors as well. Talk about what kinds of foods and flavors you like vs the ones that weren’t so great. It’s a great conversation starter!