Cheap Date Ideas: 10 Free and Low-Cost Spots in Austin
Ten affordable date ideas in Austin, from a free Tuesday at the museum and sunset views to dance lessons and shelter dog walks.
Austin has gardens to wander, sunset views to take in, and activities to try together, with several options that are completely free. These ten spots range from free outdoor stops to a pickleball lesson.
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Blanton Museum of Art
Spend a Tuesday exploring art together at the Blanton Museum of Art, when admission is free for every visitor. Wander the galleries, compare what you see in a piece, and explore the Ellsworth Kelly exhibit and revamped grounds.
Adult tickets cost $15 on other days. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm, with Mondays closed.
Mount Bonnell
Watch the sunset together at Mount Bonnell, a free hilltop viewpoint in West Austin. Climb 102 steps for 360-degree views of the skyline and Lake Austin.
The viewpoint is in Covert Park, and the view costs nothing. Pair it with Tacodeli if you want dinner too.
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Barton Springs Pool
Take a low-cost swim together at Barton Springs Pool, a three-acre spring-fed pool in Zilker Metropolitan Park. The water stays between 68 and 70 degrees throughout the year.
Adult entry costs $5 for residents and $9 for non-residents. The pool is open daily from 5am to 10pm, with a Thursday cleaning closure from 9am to 7pm.
Tickets are sold online, at kiosks, or at the cashier window (cash)
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Zilker Botanical Garden
Wander among bonsai, koi ponds, and paths on a low-cost date at Zilker Botanical Garden. The grounds cover 28 acres. Monthly forest bathing and yoga offer another way to spend time together.
The garden is open from 9am to 5pm September through May, and from 8am to 4pm in summer. Check your date before heading over in October, when it closes for the first two ACL weekends.
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Broken Spoke
Make an evening of dinner, live music, and dancing at Broken Spoke, a dancehall open since 1964. A free live band plays Tuesday through Saturday from 6pm to 8pm, with chicken fried steak or BBQ to eat while you listen.
Two-step lessons run Wednesday through Saturday from 8pm to 9pm; arrive by 7:30pm to sign up. Bring cash, since cards are not accepted. The dancehall is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4pm to 12am and Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 1:30am.
Sign up for lessons by 7:30pm
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SFC Farmers' Market (Republic Square)
Browse and sample together for free on a Saturday morning at the SFC Farmers' Market in Republic Square downtown. Live music plays most weeks, and the grass gives you somewhere to eat afterward.
The market runs Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, rain or shine unless the weather is severe. Parking is complimentary during market hours.
Mayfield Park
Explore the gardens or bring a picnic to Mayfield Park, a free West Austin stop with peacocks roaming among lily and lotus ponds behind old rock walls.
Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven paths, and leave pets at home. The park is open daily from 5am to 10pm, while the walled gardens are accessible when they are not rented for an event.
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Austin Pickle Ranch
Learn pickleball together at Austin Pickle Ranch, where a $10 intro clinic includes a group lesson, court time, and a paddle to borrow.
There are 16 indoor and 2 outdoor courts, with free parking. Guests without a membership can reserve online, starting three days before.
Reserve online three days ahead
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Austin Animal Center
For a free outing with a dog to keep you company, head to Austin Animal Center. Shelter-ground walks are available daily from 11am to 7pm. Choose a dog with a green dot on its kennel and head out together.
No sign-up is needed, so you can drop in when you have an hour to spare. Adoption lines close at 6pm.
No sign-up needed
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The White Horse
Learn to two-step together at The White Horse, an East Austin honky-tonk where you can have a beer and dance. Free Texas two-step lessons run Thursday through Saturday from 7pm to 8pm, with dancing afterward.
Some events have a $5 cover, so check what is on before you go. Arrive at 7pm if you want the lesson before taking to the floor.
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