It’s time to break out of your old Netflix and Chill date night standby. Here are 19 creative and wallet-saving things to do throughout Cleveland with someone who you like, love, or maybe want to get to know a little bit better. It’s time to fall in love … with Cleveland.

Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios 1300 W. 78th St., (330) 819-7280 It’s easy to get overwhelmed by 78th Street Studios, home to over 60 creative businesses. But every Third Friday, from 5-9 p.m. you and a hot date can walk (indoors) through a maze of breathtaking local art. As long as you’re getting to know each other, it will be ok to get lost a little and take your time. Photo via joe__elmore/Instagram
The Cleveland Flea AsiaTown neighborhoods Dates should be casual, especially in the beginning. Walk around the booths and food trucks at Cleveland Flea market, which run monthly April-October, with your date and get to know their styles and interests. Even if the date doesn’t work out, you might still find a diamond in the rough. Caitlin Summers Photo
Cleveland Museum of Art 11150 East Blvd., (216) 421-7350 Don’t be fooled by its free ticket price, the Cleveland Museum of Art was named the second best museum in the U.S. by Business Insider magazine last year. And as for a perfect cheap date destination, the space allows for ample whispering and even hand holding while walking through the storied halls. Photo via clevelandmuseumofart/Instagram
Bargain Mondays at Cleveland Cinemas Various locations Movies aren’t the best places for talking, but if that was never your intention, it’s cheap and right to take your date to one of the Cleveland Cinemas locations (theaters at Cedar Lee, Shaker Square, Tower City, Chagrin and the Capitol) for a $5 movie on a Monday. After saving all that dough, you may even splurge on some popcorn. Photo via ashgrams/Instagram
Stand & Deliver Comedy East End Bistro and Pub, 11922 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216) 521-9740 For those looking to bring out the funny on a date, Bill Squire and Cody Cooper host a free comedy show every Thursday at 8 p.m. The setup features comedians (local and tourings) going head to head as they write jokes, suggested by the audience, on the spot. You and your date are sure to laugh at least once. Photo via itslizblanc/Instagram
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 3900 Wildlife Way, (216) 661-6500 Free Mondays at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are quite popular. But for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township, it’s worth having to contend with a bunch of people for that price tag. With all the money you just saved, you can buy your date a cute stuffed animal at the gift shop. Photo via Metroparkszoo/Instagram
Terminal Tower Observation Deck 50 Public Square, (216) 661-6500 Now open, tours run every half hour on Saturday 12:30-5 p.m. and Sundays 12-4 p.m, and offer a perspective unlike any other in Cleveland — it may also give you a little perspective on your love life. Not recommended for those with significant others who despise heights. Cost is $5. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Coville Photography
Hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park 1550 W. Boston Mills Rd., Peninsula, (330) 657-2752 Unlike most other national parks, entry to Cuyahoga Valley National Park is free every day. And with more than 125 miles of hiking trails to conquer amongst these hills and woods, there’s no shortage of beauty to discover along with your date. Theodore Roosevelt would approve! Photo via travissailing/Instagram
Edgewater Park Edgewater Park Beach, 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, (216) 635-3200 What a fantastic place to bring a date, along with a lawn chair and picnic basket, for free on a beautiful day. Photo via misterdelfuego/Instagram
Mitchell’s Ice Cream Various locations With eight locations around the Cleveland area, there’s got to be a local Mitchell’s Ice Cream spot near you. And while other people meet up for drinks or coffee, why not go on a date over ice cream? For about $10, you and a date can get a scoop of locally-made heaven. Hopefully, the talking will follow. Photo via mitchellsicecream/Instagram
Keep Talking: A Storytelling Show The Happy Dog, 5801 Detroit Ave, 216-651-9474 Every first Wednesday of the month, people get together to talk and eat hot dogs. At Keep Talking: A Storytelling Show, a bevy of local folks get up and share their life stories. The event is $5 and allows you and your date to have things to talk about well after the speeches are finished. Do arrive early as it fills up fast. Photo via Facebook
Lakeview Cemetery 12316 Euclid Ave., (216) 421-2665 No, taking a date to a place full of dead people isn’t exactly normal, but the Lakeview Cemetery isn’t normal. Throughout the year, experience various events like the daffodil weekend and the lighting of the Christmas tree, all for free. Plus, there’s always the tomb of President James A. Garfield to explore. Photo via emilierinehart/Instagram
Near West Theater Productions 6702 Detroit Ave., (216) 961-9750 General admission to most shows at Near West Theater is $10, and for live, local theater that’s pretty much unbeatable. Expect to see musicals like Mary Poppins and Carrie: The Musical on stage in the near future, just perfect for a date. Photo via colin_bigley/Instagram
Bad Boys of Blues Jam Night The Happy Dog, 5801 Detroit Ave, 216-651-9474 Free every Thursday night at 9 p.m., the Bad Boys of Blues Jam Night has been entertaining Cleveland (and giving couples a reason to dance) with its bluesy rhythms for more than 17 years now. Formerly showing at Brothers Lounge, the crew have now moved to the Happy Dog, Photo via Facebook
Wade Oval Wednesdays 10820 E. Blvd.,(216) 791-3900 Wade Oval is the historic green space that runs between two major museums in the University District. In the winter there’s ice skating, and in the summer there are free outdoor concerts to take in. On other days, it’s a special spot to walk around with a loved one and drink in that fresh Cleveland air. Photo via allinthemusic/Instagram
Lake County Captains Baseball Game 35300 Vine St, Willowick, (440) 975-8085 Once baseball season is up and running, you don’t always want to deal with the parking of downtown. That’s where the Lake County Captains, an Indians Single-A affiliate, step in. Even if your date isn’t into baseball, at least there’s always cheap beer and a hot dog (the ball park offers special date night packages from time to time) and free parking. Tickets for adults are $9. Photo via alifurlong/Instagram
Brews + Prose at Market Garden Brewery 1947 W. 25th St., (216) 621-4000 Northeast Ohio is brimming with literary talent, and at Brews + Prose you and a date can show up and listed to local masterpieces by local authors while you sip local microbrews. The event happens the first Tuesday of every month and is free and open to all. Photo via Brews + Prose/Instagram
Free First Saturdays at MOCA 11400 Euclid Ave, (216) 961-9750 Currently, admission to Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland is free on the first Saturday of each month and you need to take advantage of it all now. Stop by from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to take in a bunch of strange and incredible art. The spot will leave you and your date thinking: “what is art, anyway?” Photo via john_and_dani/Instagram

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