A small, typical college student budget and a lack of creativity may lead to Friday night dates with a few Blockbuster rentals. However, local couples can give the couch a vacation and explore inexpensive and refreshing options for outings around the Triangle.
The Sarah P. Duke Gardenshttp://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/
Couples can stroll through the gardens free of charge because they are funded by the University and private donors. With 55 acres of spectacular flowers to enjoy, couples should set aside a good amount of time so they can take it all in. The garden showcases a variety of flowers ranging from those native to America to Asian flowers. This wont just be a date — it will be an experience.
Carmike Blue Ridge 14 Cinemahttp://movies.raleighlist.org/Carmike-Blue-Ridge-14-Cinema.htm
For those who enjoy seeing movies on the big screen but can’t take the $7 blow to the wallet, the Blue Ridge Cinema is a great alternative. For only $1.50, moviegoers can experience the surround sound and larger-than-life entertainment. Going to this theater costs less than renting a movie at home, and it’s an excuse to get out of cramped living quarters. This theatre is clean and has a selection of 14 movies at the time. The only thing cheap about it is the ticket prices.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Centerhttp://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/
Nothing is more romantic than an evening under the stars. At the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in Chapel Hill tickets are only $5.25 for adults, and members get in free. Visitors can view a variety of shows such as Extreme Weather, Carolina Skies and Science 360. Guests can sit back and enjoy the virtual tour through space as a guide points out consolations and answers audience questions. Couples can enjoy a view of the stars they don’t often get in the big city — and inclement weather is never an issue.
Lake Johnson http://www.raleigh-nc.org/ Search “Lake Johnson”
From the crack of dawn until sunset couples can spend hours boating and walking around the nature trails. The main trail is around three miles long, but the best part is off the path. Visitors can rent kayaks, paddle boats or even go sailing. Couples can also find the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic — there are tables down by the lake, complete with yellow feathered friends. The best way to spend a sunny day hanging out by the water.
“The most romantic date I’ve ever been on was when [my boyfriend] and I took some KFC to the park,” Selena Lane, a senior in biological sciences, said. “We just spent the day walking around, and I loved it. It didn’t cost anything more than the KFC we ate for lunch.”
Museum of Natural Sciences and Museum of Historyhttp://www.naturalsciences.org/, http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/
Neighboring each other in downtown Raleigh, these museums do not charge admission fees.
The Museum of Natural Sciences exhibits North Carolina’s nature, including a great whale skeleton and dinosaur fossils. The museum’s Web site claims it is “a window to the world.”
The Museum of History allows visitors to look into North Carolina’s past. The history begins with American Indian history and brings visitors into 20th-century North Carolina. There are hot dog stands outside providing a quick meal before visitors explore the museum. Couples can get to know about the world around them as they get to know each other.
