Flowers bloom in the spring, but romance blossoms in the summer when the days are long and you get more time to spend with your significant other. In a city like Toronto, date nights are easy to plan since there’s always so much to do. And you don’t have to break the bank to impress your lover, either. Here are 10 cheap and fun date ideas for this summer.
Bike around downtown
For something a little more active, why not tour around the city on trusty metal steeds? Toronto is full of great trails and Instagrammable places to tour, just pack some snacks and drinks, and you’ve got yourself a lovely (and inexpensive) little date. Don’t have a bike? Take advantage of the Bikeshare services in Toronto – every Wednesday for the month of July, Bikeshare rentals are free!
Catch a live comedy show
Those who laugh together, stay together. And if you don’t have any jokes of your own, you’re sure to find some at revered establishments like Comedy Bar or the Social Capital Theatre. Best part yet, both of the aforementioned spots offer select show admittance for $10 less – sometimes even free.
See a stunning planetarium show at UofT
While the stars are usually sparse in the city night sky, you can still have a romantic stargazing session at the UofT planetarium. On the first Thursday of most months, there are free AstroTours open to the public, which includes a special lecture, planetarium shows and telescope observing. Or, you can buy tickets to their planetarium show here.
Have a coffee shop hop
There are so many wonderful cafes in Toronto that you have to visit several of them on your date in order to get the full cafe experience. The relaxed and cozy atmosphere at these shops are the perfect breeding grounds for romance. Check out our list of the most Instagrammable coffee shops here for some of the most notable stops in the city.
Pack a picnic and head to one of the city’s fine parks
Toronto is full of picnic perfect parks for your next romantic date. All you need to do is grab a blanket, pick your destination and pack a bag full of delicious snacks. We suggest checking out High Park, which is full of trails, a petting zoo, and more; Trinity Bellwoods, home to the best people watching and Farmers’ Markets every Tuesday; or the newly opened Rouge Park where you can swim, bike, hike and more.
Visit the many galleries and museums
Toronto is a city rich with history and culture, and there’s no better way to explore that than visiting the many galleries and museums. For a more sophisticated date idea, take your significant other to the AGO where permanent collections are free to browse 6-9pm on Wednesdays, or to the ROM where entry is free on Tuesdays for students and discounted on Fridays after 5:30pm until September 22. Of course, Toronto has many more smaller galleries that are free and open to the public on a daily basis. If your date’s an art buff, a gallery hop is a good way to their heart!
Pedestrian Sundays at Kensington Market
There’s always something to see at the eclectic Kensington Market. Take advantage of Pedestrian Sundays this summer and stroll along the traffic-free roads hand-in-hand with your lover while entertained by performers and enticed by the different sights and smells of the market. Just be sure to save a little pocket cash yummy treats.
Catch a free outdoor flick
What could be more romantic than watching a movie under the stars cuddled in a blanket together? This summer, there are free outdoor movies all over the city almost every day of the week. Notable locations include Harbourfront, Regent Park and the Beaches. In addition to movies, some locations also offer music, food, and even yoga. For all the outdoor movies playing in Toronto, click here.
Check out summer food festivals
Nothing brings two people together like food. Toronto is notorious for their many summer food festivals, and they make for fun dates. You can walk around the booths together, listen to live music, do cool activities and even feed each other. Many of these festivals offer free admittance, you just need to front the cash for extra bits and bites.
Featured Image: Instagram/@bearvswhale
Have any other suggestions for cheap and cheerful dates? Share them in the comment section.
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