Dates are exciting and add a breath of fresh air to a seasoned relationship or a brand new one just kicking off. If emptying your pockets for date night every time is getting quite old, get creative and save some money while still having fun and impressing your date.

Let's Save

Below are some money-saving tips for a successful, budget-friendly rendezvous with your special someone.

• Bigger isn't always better. Although you want to make an impression in a grand way, the date itself doesn't have to be over the top. Some of the best dates stem from thinking outside of the box and spending time together in good conversation. A simple walk through a park can often be more intimate than an expensive candlelit dinner.
• Show your range of interests. One of the biggest reasons for dating is to get to know each other better. Share your interests in a date setting by going on an art walk and discussing each piece, attending a free high school sporting event and talking athletics, or teaching the other person how to play your favorite card game.
• Keep up with local events. Many cities host seasonal festivals or concerts at no cost. Keep an eye out for these local events and plan an outing for your next date. It might be the best time you've spent together yet.
• Show your culinary skills. Have a date night in and show your special someone how well you can make your way around the kitchen. The ability to cook is one of the most attractive qualities in a partner.

Let's Date

Dating is about getting to know who you are with, not necessarily about dishing out tons of dough to have a fun time. Thankfully around Boston, there are plenty of ways to spend an afternoon or evening throughout the area for free. From taking an informational tour to sipping beers, you are sure to have a fun date at one of these five spots.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace
4 S. Market Building
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 523-1300
www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

A visit to Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a great way to spend time with your date. Window shop around the larger stores and weave around the carts filled with Boston goodies and other innovative products. Street performers are an entertaining and exciting part of a visit to this area, from musicians, magicians, comedians and dancers, to a variety of other acts. There are also events that occur throughout the year including the light and sound show Blink! where the trees come alive with twinkly lights, set to music, so there is always something to look forward to here.

Samuel Adams Brewery
30 Germania St.
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 368-5080
www.samueladams.com

Monday through Saturday, Samuel Adams offers up tours of the brewery, tastings and a gift shop filled with Samuel Adams gear to shop around. Tours run all day long, every 45 minutes, and last for about one hour. The tours are free but the brewery does accept donations for local charities. Find out the history of the beer and brewery, how the beer is made, the new kinds of beer in the mix and even sample some of the best beers offered in the tasting room to conclude the tour.

Free Tours by Foot
119 Berkeley St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 299-0764
www.freetoursbyfoot.com

Explore the neighborhoods of Boston with Free Tours by Foot, along with your date. There are no upfront costs associated with the tours and you can check out the North End, Back Bay and other areas of Boston. If you do have extra cash, tips are of course appreciated, but the company doesn't require anything except for you to show up ready to learn, walk and have fun around town. It even offers a food tour, so save some room for snacks and samples from local businesses.

The Boston Public Library
700 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-5400
www.bpl.org

The Boston Public Library City-Wide Friends and other area groups have created an amazing program perfect for exploring area museums and attractions at little to no cost. As long as you have a library card, passes can be booked for a day trip online, by phone or even in person for a visit to many Boston-area spots. The program allows visitors to take advantage of the program as often as once a month. Participating places you can obtain free or discounted passes to include the New England Aquarium, Boston Children's Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston Harbor Islands and more.

The Charles River
Storrow Drive
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 227-0365
www.esplanadeassociation.org

Walk, jog, bike or rollerblade with your date upon the 17-mile stretch of gorgeous paths and parks along the water at the Charles. It is the perfect place to picnic, people watch, relax and watch sailboats float by, and spend time outdoors in Boston with your beau, with no fees and a strong focus on the company you are with. Take in a band at the Hatch Memorial Shell on a warmer evening or watch the sun rise or set from one of the many benches or docks in the area.

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Michelle Levine is a creative energetic, young professional that is passionate about everything Boston has to offer. She loves to attend local events, dine out, and cook and wants to share her findings with you. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.