The Best Cheap Date Ideas in Atlanta

Pack takeout for a picnic by Lake Clara Meer at Piedmont Park, then walk the shaded trails with skyline views.

Parking may cost money, but getting into the Midtown park costs nothing.

Wander the quiet paths and gardens of Oakland Cemetery in Grant Park, a Victorian garden cemetery with historic architecture and glimpses of the skyline.

Visit any day of the year between dawn and dusk, with no admission charge. Daytime visits make for peaceful conversation, and spring and fall bring the most atmosphere.

Catch a double feature at Starlight Drive-In, where one ticket covers both movies. Bring your own snacks or buy them there, and lawn chairs are allowed.

The drive-in is open seven nights a week, with showtimes posted on Wednesdays.

Catch a rock show at The Earl in East Atlanta Village, a dive bar and live-music venue where smaller local acts help keep ticket prices low. Food and drinks are available at the bar.

The venue is 21 and over at all times.

Walk through Centennial Olympic Park after dark for the Fountain of Rings, city lights, lawns and gardens. The downtown park is free, with plenty of other stops within walking distance before or after.

Parks like this one host summer outdoor movie nights that are free or low-cost. Bring a blanket and snacks.

Visit the free Atlanta Monetary Museum in Midtown for interactive Federal Reserve exhibits on the history of money. You can also look into the automated vault and cash-processing areas.

Visits are self-guided, Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm, and individuals and groups under 10 do not need to book. Entry goes through a metal detector, and there is no museum parking on site, but the MARTA Midtown station is across on 10th Street.

Build a Buford Highway food crawl around banh mi at Lee's Bakery, then finish with dessert at Mango Mango Dessert or Matcha Cafe Maiko.

More than 20 international communities and cultures sit along Buford Highway, which runs almost nine miles.

Spend an afternoon at Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Sweet Auburn, where landmarks include King's childhood home, Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center. The grounds also hold a reflecting pool and tomb.

Admission is free, as are ranger-led activities, and free visitor parking is at 423 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE. The temporary visitor center, Ebenezer Baptist Church and Freedom Hall are open daily from 9am to 5pm.

Spend a few hours at the High Museum of Art in Midtown, where the galleries run from classical work to contemporary pieces and the architecture is part of the visit.

Admission is free on October 21, 2026, from 10am to 5pm, during the Access for All adult day, which makes that visit a no-cost one.

Head to Jackson Street Bridge in Old Fourth Ward around sunset or blue hour for a clear view of the Atlanta skyline as the light changes.

The bridge is free and open around the clock, and it makes a low-key walk after dinner in Inman Park or Old Fourth Ward.