19 Fun Cleveland Date Ideas for $10 or Less

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