As college students, most of us don’t have a large spending limit (hello, tuition!). But that shouldn’t stop us from having a great Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re going out on a date or just looking for something fun to do with your gals, here are some fun ideas on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Richmond area when you’re strapped for cash.
- Visit a Museum or an Art Gallery
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One of the best parts about living in Richmond is the numerous museums, a lot of which have free or low admission costs. Richmond also has a vibrant art scene, which leaves us with countless art galleries to visit, most have free admission. Some places you could visit include the VMFA (Free Admission), Institute for Contemporary Art (Free Admission), Branch Museum ($5 admission) and the Crossroads Art Center (Free Admission).
- Catch Some Live Music/Theatre
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As surprising as it sounds, It’s completely possible to catch a live music/theatre show without spending a ton of money. Richmond has many music venues and theatres. Check out Groupon or Eventbrite to find cheap and sometimes even free tickets to music and theatre shows all over Richmond. The Camel is a good option that frequently has free music shows. Here are some shows you can check out on February 14th: Tripple B Blues Band at The Camel (Free Admission), Performance of “Stupid Kid” at the Firehouse Theatre ($15 tickets for students) and a Performance of “The Wolves” at University of Richmond (Free Admission).
- Walk Around Carytown
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Carytown is a scenic shopping district about three miles from VCU. There’s plenty of local boutiques in all price ranges, scenic murals, cute little dessert shops and plenty of reasonably priced restaurants. If you’re lucky, there are usually street musicians playing music too, which makes it a great place to visit and walk around. These are some reasonably priced places to eat in Carytown: Galaxy Diner, Greek on Cary, Les Crepes. Don’t forget to check out one of the various dessert places: Carytown Cupcakes, Sugar&Twine and Shyndigz (not technically Carytown, but close enough).
- Try Out a New Recipe at Home
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Let’s be honest, no one wants to deal with the crowded restaurants and long wait times on Valentine’s Day. Trying out a new recipe is a cost-effective and fun activity you can do instead! Here are a few ideas of low-cost yet gourmet recipes you could try out: Lemon Risotto with Roasted Cauliflower, Chicken Piccata and Roast Chicken.
- Watch a Movie
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The Byrd Theatre is a good option for cheap movie tickets, tickets are usually $4 a person. If you are willing to make the drive, The Henrico Theatre plays $1 movies on select days. If going to the movie theatre is not your thing, there’s nothing better than ordering some takeout and watching a movie at home.