You don’t have to spend a fortune to show your sweetheart that you love him or her on Valentine’s Day. With some careful planning, it’s possible to find fun activities that are either free or don’t break the bank. Here are a few suggestions for keeping your Valentine’s Day expenses below $100.
Museums
Taking in an art exhibition is a romantic way to spend Valentine’s Day, and some museums have free general admission (though high-profile, limited-run exhibits may be restricted to paying members). A good example is the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA, which has an extensive collection ranging from ancient to modern times.
There are also special events for Valentine’s Day at museums which can be surprisingly inexpensive. The University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology starts its Valentine’s Day event with a champagne reception, followed by a screening of the film Three Coins in the Fountain (1954) and roses for all women in attendance. The cost is $15 for individuals and $25 per couple, with reduced prices for museum members.
The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia charges $40 per couple for their Valentine’s Day event. It includes drawing instruction, cancan lessons, and musical performances from classical guitarist Myles Brown and cabaret singer Marsha Dupree.
The show at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana runs a bit more at $30 per person, but can still fit within a relatively tight budget. It’s called Sentimental Journey and features the Victory Big Band, performing a variety of big band classics from the 1940’s.
Parks
If you and your Valentine prefer an outdoor experience, parks offer a variety of Valentine’s Day events. In Chicago, Illinois, the Haines School Park has free events including ice skating, dancing, and musical performances. The Chicago Park District offers similar events at different locations in the days leading up to the 14th, though some of these are geared towards children and teenagers rather than adults.
Bryan Park in New York City debuts the Citi Pond Winter Film Festival in 2011. While films such as Ice Age and Blades of Glory might not make for the most romantic Valentine’s Day outing, they are in keeping with the winter season, and admission to the festival is free.
Perhaps the most unusual Valentine’s Day park event is the Zombiewalk at Pantoja Park in San Diego, California. The idea is that participants dress up as zombies – the organizers suggest being creative with Valentine’s-themed zombie outfits – and walk a brief one-to-two-mile route from the park (the route isn’t planned in advance). If your ideal Valentine’s Day date is a scene out of a George Romero film, this is the event for you.
Community Events
There are also numerous community events that are either free or cost little to attend. In Lincoln Park, Michigan, Ikaros Hall has a Valentine’s Day Tea Fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011 at a cost of $10 per person. It includes tea and scones, tea sandwiches, and various desserts.
Also in Michigan, a group called TEAM (Tolerance, Equality, and Awareness Movement) is holding a community event on the 13th at The Network of West Michigan. As the organization’s name suggests, this is as much a political activist event as it is a romantic one, with a focus on “taking positive measures to prevent bullying and suicide.” The group requests a $5 minimum donation per person.
These options should help you keep your Valentine’s Day budget within reasonable limits, and there are many more free and low-cost events all around the country. So if you’re working with limited resources, there are still plenty of ways to show your Valentine that you care.
Paul Brown - Paul Ferrell Brown graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1994 with a B.A. in English literature, and completed his M.A. in ...
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