Couples in the City: Date Ideas to Make Your Summer In (Or Near) 7 Major Cities Even Hotter

Manage to conveniently land a job or pick up a few summer classes in the same city as a special someone? Or maybe you’re itching to leave the school year behind, and the intern you’ve been eyeing in the sandwich line is just the way to do it.

You’re likely working hard at your job, or, perhaps, you’re hardly working on much but your love life and your tan. Either way, this is summer vacation. So, whether you’re rekindling a steady thing or embarking on a summer fling, you two should be enjoying yourselves. To aid in the process, here’s a guide to some date ideas that’ll help ensure a good time in seven popular U.S. cities — without breaking the bank or getting you fired in the process.
 
NEW YORK CITY
LOS ANGELES
WASHINGTON, D.C.
CHICAGO
BOSTON
SAN FRANCISCO
PHILADELPHIA
 
NEW YORK CITY
To generalize, this cluster usually includes those working in finance, consulting, PR, fashion, marketing, media, publishing, real estate, law, nonprofits or anything else corporate. And, like most things in New York, the workplace can be an intense one. Perhaps the world’s most popular and crowded place to intern, there’s a reason why the future yuppies of the universe flood the Big Apple each summer, sweating it out in NYU dorms and cringing at the $5 froyo (plus extra for toppings.) There is more going on than you can conceivably take in — particularly when you’re poor and/or overworked. But, from up-and-coming Brooklyn to traditional Broadway, there are plenty of worthwhile romantic adventures.
 
Save: Ice Cream and A Cruise
Strange and tacky as this may sound, you can enjoy a free water taxi ride [http://www.nywatertaxi.com/Rides/ikea/] from Manhattan to Brooklyn on the weekends, via the blue and yellow IKEA shuttle.  While it’s not exactly the most romantic, it’s guaranteed to be much cheaper and novel than any taxi ride. So line up at Pier 11, head to IKEA, and enjoy one (or several) $1 ice cream cones. 
 
Live: Browse Brooklyn
You may not have time or funds to start a tab at the Empire Hotel or sneak off to the Hamptons for the weekend in true Gossip Girl style. But BK (not to be confused with Burger King) is quickly becoming a hangout hot spot. Hop on the subway and cross the bridge, where there’s plenty more to do than stare at hipsters and go to IKEA.

• Spend an afternoon treasure hunting at Brooklyn Flea: Open Saturdays (in Fort Greene) and Sundays (in Williamsburg,) the outdoor flea market is full of an acre’s worth of antiques, vintage clothes, crafts, jewelry and some of the city’s best grub.
• Picnic at Prospect Park, and people watch on Bedford Avenue.
• Check out the Botanic Garden—you’ll get in for free on Saturdays from 10 to noon.
• Click here for more insider’s tips and creative ideas.

Splurge: Rooftop Hop
What Manhattan lacks in backyards, it attempts to make up for in rooftop terraces. So head to hotels, bars, or the apartment of your lucky NYC friend with a terrace, and take in the sun, the view and some food or drinks. You generally don’t have to spend a lot to hang out up there, and you can feel important while people watching the swanky folk (and likely some celebrities) who do spend a lot. If you’re not 21, some places will only let you up there during the day, but it’s still worth it for the view, the sunset and the pleasure in feeling like you’re finally on top of your boss for once. Click here for some of the city’s coolest spots.
Also, find a guide to eating well as an intern here.