Spending time with the person you care about is very important. Sometimes it may seem that we want to give the world to a significant other and have special experiences, but we feel in order to do that, we need to have a ton of cash. However, some of the most special and intimate experiences do not have to be sacrificed at the altar of high costs. Here are 6 date night ideas that won’t break the bank and will be just as special of an experience. 

1. HAVE A BONFIRE/CAMPFIRE

A unique date idea that definitely falls on the less costly side is turning a campfire into your next date night. A campfire can be the perfect opportunity to share a cozy night with your significant other. You could roast some marshmallows, even lie down and look up at the sky and try stargazing. This unique and sweet date night idea is one that would definitely make for a very romantic night. The beauty of this date idea is also that it could be as simple as having a small campfire in a conservation area or camping site to get the full outdoors experience. 

2. ICE CREAM AND AN EVENING WALK

It definitely can be the smallest of things that make for a romantic evening,  so why not indulge in an ice cream cone and go for a stroll? There are plenty of places in and around Mississauga that are perfect for this kind of evening, like Murphy’s Ice Cream parlour in Streetsville, Dairy Cream in the south end of the city, plus many others. 

3. RIDE BIKES AROUND THE CITY

Bike riding is a fun alternative date night that is both cheap and exciting. It’s a good way to see different things, explore, and stay active. There are a variety of places to rent bikes in Mississauga, including GEARS Bike Shop (Lakeshore Road), UTM Bikeshare (Mississauga Road), and Skiis & Biikes Mississauga (Dundas Street East). Enjoy the buzz and excitement of the city or ride along the harbourfront from any of these locations. Bike riding doesn’t have to be limited to only renting of course - if you’re able to, bring your own bikes to any destination you so choose and enjoy the night.  

4. HAVE A PICNIC AT A LOCAL PARK

The classic picnic date idea is sure to be a romantic and intimate experience. Put together some homemade dishes, pack some lemonade and blanket, and you’ll be set. The good thing about this date idea is the simplicity of it, rather than spending lots of money at  fancy restaurant surrounded by many other people, seclude yourselves in a conservation park under a nice tree or by a pond and enjoy each other’s company. There are plenty of possible locations to host your picnic date in and around Mississauga as well. Among the many options within Mississauga, some could be Kariya Park, Lakefront Promenade Park, Meadowvale Conservation Area, or J.C Saddington Park. 

5. SEE A DRIVE-IN MOVIE

Going to the drive-in is always a fun thing to experience, and it definitely will not take a major toll on you financially. There are various locations in and around Mississauga that you should check out and consider for your next date night. A good location is the 5 Drive-In, located on 2332 Ninth Line, Oakville Ontario. General admission is $12.00 and includes an evening of two movies. Enjoy a nice summer evening under the stars and share a bag of popcorn with your date!

6. GO ROLLERBLADING/ROLLER SKATING

Rollerblading can be a lot of fun! This is something that can be done at a park, on a walkway, around a scenic environment, and can be both romantic and lots of fun! You could also choose to go to an actual roller rink to enjoy a night of rollerblading. One Mississauga staple is Scooter's Roller Palace: speaking from personal experience, I can say that it’s definitely a very exciting, hip, fun, and creative environment. You’ll be sure to have a memorable experience if you take your date here, and the prices are very reasonable.

You don’t need to have all the money in the world to enjoy a night out with that special someone. These recommendations were simple and charming ideas that will be just as enjoyable as going out to a fancy restaurant. Keep these in mind the next time you’d like a momentous date night, without the burden of digging deeper and deeper into your wallet.