An Evening of High-Class (and Low Prices)

High-class date nights don't always require high price tags. Try one of these classy dates for less.

Symphony and style: Dress up in your most elegant attire and attend the symphony. Tickets are generally a little pricy, but there may be some discounts you are entitled to. Students and seniors often get tickets for a significantly discounted price. Ask about matinees, special performances, or other promotions that may get you a cheaper ticket.

Classy cuisine: Take a mock cooking class. Invite a friend who loves to cook to host/teach a cooking demonstration in your kitchen. Make sure to invite other couples to your “class.” Learn to prepare a gourmet dish together and then enjoy your new skills by eating your culinary masterpiece.

Couples book club: Ask around your group of friends, ward, and through e-mail to gather an eclectic group of people to join a couples book club. Book clubs have generally been a solo activity, but hosting and attending monthly book discussions as a couple might become your new favorite evening of the month.

Art appreciation: Visit a local gallery or museum - many of which are free - to experience the beautiful, the strange, and the modern forms of art. You can even stroll the streets of your downtown area and visit a whole slew of galleries in one evening.

Poetry night: Attend a poetry or book reading at a local bookstore for free. Snacks are occasionally provided. Get in touch with a bookstore near you for a calendar of events.

Theater for less: Local universities put on a number of fantastic plays and musicals every semester for cheap, cheap, cheap. It's a perfect date: dinner and then to the theater – very classy. The university’s theater department should have a list of productions on their website.