While many couples always want to spend time together, sometimes money can be a concern, considering many college students do not have the disposable income for extravagant date nights.
I’ve compiled a list of college student-friendly date ideas, from free to slightly more expensive!
Free dates
Stargazing
Set out a blanket, bundle up, and prepare to be awestruck by the beauty of the night sky.
Many people stargaze from the lawn, but it works just as well from your lawn. If you’re more of a scientific star person, you can also go to the McCormick Observatory for a closer view of the stars!
Hiking
There are so many great hikes or trails around Charlottesville, especially if you have a car. If you don’t have a car, there are still lots of options for getting outside, from the Ohill trails to the Rivanna River Trails. I found a great list of local hikes right here!
Go see a performance
UVA has many great programs, but one of the best just might be the UVA Arts program! They have free student tickets for eligible performances, from symphonies to musicals.
Make sure to reserve your tickets in advance, and enjoy the beauty of UVA Arts!
Study date
When you’re in the middle of studying for exams or just loaded with coursework, a little study date can make a stressful time better.
Find a cute place to study, bring a snack, and study away! I’ve found that this can either make me the most productive I’ve ever been, or it can be a little distracting, so choose your time wisely!
$
make dinner together
For students who already cook at home, it isn’t a significant added cost to make a little more one night. You can pick out a meal together, play some music, and whip up a delicious dinner.
dessert and a movie
Perfect for chilly winter evenings! Make some cookies, or buy some from the store, grab your favorite blankets, and curl up with a movie.
This is great for those days when you really don’t want to go out, or it isn’t nice enough for other activities on this list.
bodo’s and boba
One of my personal favorites, stop by Bodo’s and get your usual, and then head over to one of the many places near Grounds (like Got Dumpling or Moge Tee) that have boba! You can relax on the lawn, in your apartment, at the restaurants, or you can turn this into a walking date if it’s lovely outside!
downtown mall/Farmer’s market
The Downtown Mall is a quick bus ride away on the trolley, and there are so many cute shops and restaurants. As the bus ride is fare-free (shout-out to public transportation!), this could be a free date, and there are many restaurants that sound too good to pass up!