While Charleston, South Carolina, is a beautiful, vibrant city with a rich culinary culture, dining at the swanky downtown restaurants can get pricey. If you’re looking for the perfect date that won’t break the bank, there are plenty of free and cheap date ideas, from weekly events to food specials.
The only comedy theater in Charleston, Theatre 99 offers hilarious improv shows for just $5 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. With tickets that cheap, a trip to this theater is your best bet for an affordable date in Charleston. The rotating cast, made up of local comedians and actors, uses suggestions and responses from the audience to pull together impromptu performances. The show usually lasts anywhere from one and a half to two hours with a short intermission.
Theatre 99, 280 Meeting Street #B, Charleston, SC, USA +1 843 853 6687
Active couples should head to the James Island County Park, just over the bridge from downtown Charleston, to test out the climbing wall. Designed for all skills levels, this 50-foot wall is one of the area’s tallest outdoor climbing facilities. Whether you’re an expert climber or you’ve never tried rock climbing before, the wall offers an exciting challenge for everyone. An all-day pass is $14 plus an additional $3 for harness rental, making it a relatively cheap date idea in Charleston. After you’ve conquered the wall, spend some time in the park strolling through the wooded trails or around the lake.
James Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC, USA +1 843 406 6990
King Street runs through the heart of downtown Charleston and is the center for bars, restaurants and shopping. On every second Sunday of the month, lower King is closed to traffic, and shops take their business to the street. The festivities begin where King and Calhoun streets intersect, then continues to Queen Street from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Pedestrians wander down the middle of the road enjoying street performers and sidewalk sales. Dine at one of the many restaurants that set up outdoor tables, or just grab your sweetheart tasty treats from King of Pops, which serves crazy, seasonal flavors such as banana caramel and blueberry cobbler.
Corner of King and Calhoun Streets, Charleston, SC, USA +1 843 303 1113