February is the month of love and while you may have spent a decent amount to celebrate Valentine’s Day, there are still other ways to plan date nights on a budget. While Denver is filled with a variety of fun restaurants, bars and outdoor activities—you can still get a little creative! Take these activities, make them your own and surprise your family or loved one with a unique experience
Take a trip to Golden on a budget
A trip to Golden is a great way to get out of the city and not have to spend a whole day driving. Golden has a variety of free activities for you to enjoy. Take a tour of the Coors Brewery and taste a variety of their free beers, then take a walk into town to Clear Creek History Park. After, visit the Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum where you can check out all the gemstones, fossils, and the Miss Colorado’s crown.
Visit a Planetarium
Take a trip through the solar system faster than the speed of light, experience the creation of the Milky Way Galaxy, zip through wormholes, witness the death of the star while after the birth of a black hole all in one trip! You can visit the Gates Planetarium at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science for around $10-$22.
Swing Dance the Night Away
Visit Mercury Café and take beginner classes on Sunday and Thursday nights for only $10. You can learn classic dances like the Lindy Hop or Charleston. Take this opportunity to learn a new way to get groovy on the dance floor and really see how in sync you are!
Experience Denver’s Craft Beer Culture
Denver has one of the best craft beer cultures in the country with home to over 50 breweries. You can learn how they create their craft beers and also try different samples. Coors Brewery , Wynkoop Brewing Company offer free tours and Prost Brewing Company and Renegade Brewing Company only cost $7-$8 a person.
Get a Little Nerdy in LoDo and North Capitol Hill
Get your game on with cheap drinks at one of The 1up’stwo arcade locations. They have over 90 class arcade games from Donkey Kong to Asteroids, 42 pinball machines, 6 lanes of classic Skee-Ball, and multiple sets of Giant Jenga. It’s the largest arcade bar in the nation!
Take a Scenic Winter Hike
You can still experience the beautiful outdoors in the winter. This is a great way to spend time together and enjoy a free date (free or $7 park entrance fee)! Visit theRoxborough State Park where you will see massive red rock formations against the soft, white snow. Or, go for a winter hike at Green Mountain Trail in Lakewood where you can see the mountains to prairies, and fascinating geology. Another easy way to make a day out of it are the multiple day hike options that Denver offers.
Friday Art Walk
If you are interested in exploring some of Denver’s local art, take your date to the. First Friday Art Walk runs their First Fridays from 6-9 pm on the first Friday of every month. With free entry into 30 participating galleries and artist studios, you will definitely learn a lot! The River North Arts District also hosts First Fridays where they have special events and live music.
Listen to Some Jazz Music
Head on over to Bull & Bush Brewery every Sunday from 6-9 pm for a free jazz show. Grab a couple beers and relax to some smooth jazz!
Get a Little Classy!
Bar Helix is an excellent way to get classy on a budget! They offer a modern and sexy bar and lounge concept and the menu is filled with food and drinks that have a unique sex appeal. Try some drinks with names such as the Safe Word and An Interesting Single Man to get a laugh and clink your glasses to a great night! Also, try some caviar and champagne for only $20 by ordering their Bump + Bubbles for $20 Bar Helix was voted the Best New Bar in 2018 and Eater Denver’s Bar of the Year.
These days we are all busy but taking time for each other and planning a fun night is important. All too often planning a night together is put off because it’s assumed the night has to be a fancy affair. But with these ideas, it doesn’t have to be!
