25 Cute Date Ideas in Greater Cincinnati You Can Do for $30

Have a Picnic at Washington Park Before Exploring the Brewing Heritage Trail

Free
Washington Park, with its large greenspace and view of the beautiful Music Hall, offers a great setting to relax and enjoy some pre-packed snacks with your date. And when the weather is nice, the park’s bar, The Porch, opens for business so you can enjoy an after-lunch drink from their variety of beer, wine, seltzer and liquor. And if you want to explore more, hop on the streetcar and head toward Findlay Market where you can start your journey on the city’s Brewing Heritage Trail, which celebrates the city's storied past as a beer-producing capital with a series of guided tours and a free walking trail. The trail stretches about three-fourths of a mile between Findlay Market and Grant Park. You can start at either end; just follow embedded medallions in the sidewalk to discover historic buildings, brewing sites, public art and more. Washington Park: 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine; Brewing Heritage Trail: 1801 Race St. to 73 E. McMillan Ave., Over-the-Rhine.

Take a Romantic Walk at Smale Riverfront Park and Ride Carol Ann’s Carousel

$2 per person
Nestled between Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium, Smale Riverfront Park is dotted with fountains, gardens, an event lawn, a labyrinth, a playground and Carol Ann’s glass-enclosed, year-round carousel. Open select days and hours depending on the season, it features 44 whimsical, Cincinnati-centric creatures for you to ride. If spinning around in circles works up your appetite, Condado Tacos at The Banks nearby has affordable tacos and margaritas. 8 E. Mehring Way, Downtown.

Spend a Romantic Night Under the Stars at the Cincinnati Observatory

$5-$15
Founded in 1842, the Cincinnati Observatory houses the oldest fully operational telescope in the nation. On many Friday nights — and some Saturday nights — it hosts public viewings where anyone and everyone (who RSVPs) is welcome to come explore the cosmos with a local astronomer. Listen to a presentation and then partake in a guided stargaze with your sweetie through “a 16-foot long wood and brass refractor first used in 1845.” Weather permitting, you’ll see the moon, planets and stars. If it’s cloudy, you’ll get a tour of the cool historical building. And on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, you can also take part in a daytime history tour, which includes the observatory’s two buildings and two main telescopes, as well as a stop at their out-of-this-world gift shop.3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout.

Try Your Hand at Duckpin Bowling or Pinball at Pins Mechanical Co.

$6 a game
This multi-level OTR entertainment bar features duckpin bowling, vintage pinball machines, ping pong, foosball and a rooftop patio with bocce ball and firepits. Duckpin bowling uses smaller bowling balls (without holes), smaller pins and smaller lanes than traditional bowling alleys. Games are first-come, first-serve and are only $6 per person per game; no special shoes required. If there’s a line for a lane, happy hour runs until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and features $2 off signature cocktails, drafts and wine, so grab a drink while you wait for your name to be called. Giant Jenga is free, pinball games are $1 each and foosball only costs 50 cents a game. 1124 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.

Do a Scavenger Hunt of All of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine’s Murals

Free
Downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine are covered in free artwork, and the adventurous can go on a journey to find all of it. Download a PDF of downtown and Over-the-Rhine murals at artworkscincinnati.org. 20 E. Central Parkway, Downtown.

Breakfast at Bowtie Cafe Followed by a Visit to the Cincinnati Art Museum

Bowtie Cafe: Price varies; Cincinnati Art Museum: Free
Bowtie Cafe in Mt. Adams offers affordable and delicious breakfast options, from the bagel (plain, blueberry or everything) with cream cheese or peanut butter for just $3.50 to the quinoa bowl, served with your choice of sausage or bacon, for $8.50. Their coffee and tea menu also has drinks, all of which are $5 or less. Following breakfast, if the weather is nice, you can take a walk up the hill – or take the Art Climb – to the Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park where you can view the museum’s “diverse, encyclopedic art collection” of more than 67,000 works spanning the ancient world to modern times – all for free. Bowtie Cafe, 1101 St. Gregory St., Mt. Adams; Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side at the Krohn Conservatory

$10 per person
Located in historic Eden Park, the Krohn Conservatory is an aluminum-and-glass Art Deco destination (in the shape of an upside-down heart) filled with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world. Permanent displays include a rare orchid house, a steamy tropical room, a succulent-filled desert space and a fun walk-through rainforest rock waterfall. 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams.

Catch a Free Show at MOTR Pub

Free admission
MOTR has free shows — featuring both local and national artists — DJs or other events almost every night of the week. There is no cover charge for any of these performances. Just simply show up and get ready to rock. 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.

Have a ‘Grain to Glass’ Experience at Boone County Distilling Co.

$14 per person
A member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Northern Kentucky B-Line, Boone County Distilling Co. offers you and your date the chance to see what goes into crafting their bourbon and rye whiskeys. The Grain to Glass Tour shows you how grains are ground, cooked, mashed and then double-distilled in a 500-gallon copper pot, nicknamed “The Bear.” Following the tour, you’ll get the chance to sample products. 10601 Toebben Drive, Florence..

Dance Your Hearts Out at Alice

Free to get in
This charming, colorful cocktail lounge is a great place to just “chill + boogie” with your date. Alice hosts discotheques and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights , as well as other unique pop-up events throughout the week. It also stands apart from the other bar options in the area with colorful industrial vibes and clever cocktails like the Smoke and Mirrors (tequila, house sour, lime and pepper tincture) or the Dinner Party (vodka, green tea, ginger, orange, lemon and bitters). 1432 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.

Sip, Bite and Stroll Your Way Through Findlay Market

Free to wander
While Findlay Market is free to wander, they do offer a free 30-minute guided tour bi-monthly to introduce you to special market vendors and recount tales of the market's 160-year history. Grab a bite to eat — or groceries to make dinner later — and stop by Market Wines 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for the famous wine tasting. 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.

Spice Up the Romance with Candles Made at the Candle Lab

Price varies
Nothing says “romance” like candles, especially if you made them by hand with your partner in mind. The Candle Lab offers pour-your-own candle-making where you can create a custom candle and scent from over 100 fragrance oil options. You can choose from a variety of sizes, many of which are under $25, or create custom-scented aromatic mists, reed diffusers or wax tarts instead. 1325 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine; 7454 Beechmont Ave. #308, Anderson Township.

Fuel Up With Burgers and Beer at Fifty West’s Burger Bar

Price varies
With its chill, West Coast vibe and delicious menu of burgers, shakes and beers, the Fifty West Burger Bar is the spot for a laid-back date or a perfect starting point if you want to add outdoor activities, like kayaking, hiking or biking, to your date. The menu embodies the idea of the great American roadtrip where you can add “styles,” which are named after states, to your burger. Single burgers start at just $7 and styles can add 50 cents to $2 to the price, or you can get the Classic style (fry sauce, American cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato and pickle) for free. Indulge in a few beers and enjoy the day or pack up after your meal and head to the Little Miami Scenic Trail nearby at Avoca Park for some walking or biking, California Nature Preserve for hiking or Scenic River Canoe Excursions to rent a kayak or canoe. Fifty West Burger Bar: 7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township.

Visit the Foodie Amusement Park That is Jungle Jim’s International Market

Free to wander
Jungle Jim’s is an amusement park for foodies, and not just because of its kitschy statues and animatronics. Here, your date may get hot…because it sells nearly 1,000 different kinds of hot sauce. Stop by the bar to grab a glass of wine or a beer while you wander and indulge in several cheese samples, or grab ingredients to make a meal together. 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield.

Cuddle with Some Cats at the Purrfect Day Cafe

$15 purr person
Reserve a 50-minute session to cuddle with kitties in Purrfect Day Cafe’s cat lounge room. Roughly 15-20 adoptable cats hang out in the lounge room, and all can be interacted with. You may also purchase a variety of beverages, including beer, wine, bourbon, tea, coffee and soda. 25 W. Eighth St., Covington.

Hike to the Top of Bender Mountain and Enjoy the Views

Free
The Bender Mountain trail system spans about 3 miles over 50 acres of wooded hillsides and is a great place for a couple’s hike to see some spectacular views of ravines, wildflowers and the Ohio River. There’s also many benches along the trails where you can stop and take in the views. 6320-6468 Bender Road, Delhi Township.

Sing Your Heart Out at Tokyo Kitty

Free at the main bar
This Tokyo-inspired bar features free karaoke in the main bar and seven private rooms (hourly rates start at $50) that come with a drink delivery robot. They serve loads of specialty cocktails from $8-$14, as well as fun mocktails and $6-$8 shots. 575 Race St., Downtown.

Double Your Date-Night Money at Hard Rock Casino

Price varies
Win big during date night: With over 1,600 slots at this Downtown casino, you have neverending chances to hit the jackpot. Hard Rock also has all the classic table games like roulette, blackjack and poker. Just know when to hold ’em and when to fold ‘em. 1000 Broadway, Downtown.

Explore the Loveland Bike Trail

Free
Ride for miles on a flat-paved trail next to the Little Miami River. Enjoy the cool shade of the trees along the trail and stop at the many locations scattered throughout the trail, including the Loveland Sweets shop that sells ice cream and candies. Loveland, Ohio.

Find Bargains and Hidden Gems at Valley Thrift

Cost varies
Turn your date into the ultimate treasure hunt as you search for great finds at Valley Thrift and connect over your love of vintage clothes and good deals, or have a friendly competition to see who can find the coolest item under $15. If you’re more into antiquing, you can check out Riverside Centre Antique Mall in the East End or Ohio Antique Mall in Fairfield. Over-the-Rhine and Northside are home to a slew of vintage shops, as well. Valley Thrift: 9840 Reading Road, Evendale & 4301 Dixie Highway, Fairfield.