Frugal Fun Close to Home
Sites such as LivingSocial.com and Groupon.com frequently feature deals that can save you big bucks on dinner, even at some of the most upscale restaurants. Subscribe to their daily deals and frequently check out local restaurants' Facebook pages, as they sometimes offer specials to their social media followers.
Spending time with loved ones boosts levels of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that counteracts mood imbalance.
Even the strongest relationships need a good "date night" every now and then, but sometimes
your wallet can't afford fine wining and dining. We found some affordable (and even free!) ways to take make sure you can get some one-on-one time with your significant other—regardless of what your wallet thinks!
First Saturday Art Crawl—What is better than art,
wine and hors d'oeuvres—for free? On the first Saturday of each month, downtown art galleries open their doors from 6 to 9 p.m. and free shuttles take you from gallery to gallery. » FOR MORE INFORMATION: NashvilleDowntown.com
Dyer Observatory—Starlight, star bright, this is the ultimate romantic date night. On the second Friday of each month, from March through November (excluding June), you can go stargazing and searching deep into the universe for free at the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. Reservations are required. » FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dyer.Vanderbilt.edu
Montgomery Bell State Park—Visit this Dickson
County park for any number of outdoor activities, from boating and picnicking to mountain biking, hiking and canoe floats. » FOR MORE INFORMATION: TN.gov/environment/ parks/MontgomeryBell/
Concerts in the Park—Enjoy weekly live music at this Bowling Green, Ken., event. Catch a show in Fountain Square Park every Wednesday in June at noon, and in July and August, in both Fountain Square and Circus Square parks every Friday evening. » FOR MORE INFORMATION: Downtownbg.org
The Station Inn—Each Sunday at The Station Inn,
you can kick back and listen to bluegrass artists have a jam session for free. If you need a snack between dancing, popcorn is only $1. » FOR MORE INFORMATION: StationInn.com
Jazz on the Lawn—Beachaven Winery offers the perfect place for a picnic and wine each Saturday through October. For years, lovebirds have bought a bottle of Beachhaven's wine and enjoyed their picnic dinner on a blanket followed up with swing dancing to the jazz notes for dessert. » FOR MORE INFORMATION: BeachavenWinery.com
Radnor Lake—Get outdoorsy with your date at Radnor Lake. This State Natural Area offers free moonlight hikes and canoe floats. » FOR MORE
INFORMATION: RadnorLake.org
