12 Free and Cheap Date Ideas to Try in Washington, D.C.

The Phillips Collection is a wonderful art museum for a date because it’s one of the few museums that feels intimate. It’s the first museum of modern art in America, comprised of four adjacent buildings, one being the founder’s, Duncan Phillips, own Georgian Revival-style home. The museum also sits in a vibrant location, Dupont Circle. If you both aren’t that into art, this might give you a new appreciation for it, or you can just make fun of a van Gogh together.
The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 387 2151

The Phillips Collection | © NCinDC / Flickr

You can’t go wrong with a happy hour, especially one that has several locations, lasts all weekend from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and all day Monday and Tuesday. Chef Geoff’s offers not only $9.50 super mugs, $1 off pints, and discounted wines, but they also discount their appetizers, burgers ($8), and pizza ($10). As Carl’s Jr.® proved, nothing is sexier than your significant other stuffing their face with fattening goodness.
Chef Geoff’s, 3201 New Mexico Ave NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 237 7800

Beer | © Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr

The enchanting Luce Foundation Center for American Art hosts a free monthly concert series called Luce Unplugged, and the shows on Fridays see two bands perform. You can listen to local talent while getting to know the local distilleries and breweries that have free drink samples that night as well. There is also a cash bar if you do have a little money to spend now that you saved on the free concert. This locale is a perfect place to play at your special someone’s heartstrings while a professional musician plays their strings.
Luce Foundation Center for American Art, F St NW & 8th St NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 633 1000

Luce Foundation | © Peter Bjork / Flickr

You never know what type of entertainment you’ll find on the Millennium Stage, but one thing is certain: it’ll be entertaining. With the mission of making the performing arts accessible to everyone, The Kennedy Center hosts shows—dance, opera, poetry readings, choirs, comedy shows, and more—every evening at 6 p.m. So if your date can only meet on a specific day of the week or is getting back from a business trip a day later than planned, the good old reliable Kennedy Center has you covered.
The Kennedy Center, 2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 467 4600

Kennedy Center | © S Pakhrin / Flickr

And your date won’t be blue if you take them to see the roses and other flowers at the Enid A. Haupt Garden. This garden is one of the several Smithsonian Gardens, and it expands to an impressive four acres. If you happen to date a lot, or you and your partner just want a thing that’s “your thing,” go and visit the Parterre whenever you go. It changes in color and orientation, so it is something to visit continuously. It sits right across from the Smithsonian Castle, a Victorian-style red stone building that’s also worth a visit—if only to watch the 24-minute video on D.C. attractions.
Enid A. Haupt Garden, 12 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 633 2220

Enid A. Haupt Garden | © Robert Lyle Bolton / Flickr

What do hot tubs, bubble baths, and paddle boats all have in common? Water. And it is this very element that you can find when you visit Tidal Basin. Why this specific body of water might be better than others is simple. You can rent paddle boats for cheap; you get a fantastic view of the Jefferson Memorial, and if you go at the right time, you can see the famous Japanese cherry blossoms. It combines leisure with sightseeing and alone time, which makes it a perfect D.C. date.
Tidal Basin, Washington, D.C., USA

Tidal Basin | © terren in Virginia / Flickr

And D.C. is the most historic city in America, so you have a lot of options for date night. One of those options is to visit the National Mall at night. When the lights come on to create a glow around the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials, the crowd of tourists dwindles, and it’s the time when no one can admonish you for bringing a flask to share. Just don’t get too lit and climb on top of Lincoln, or you’ll be spending the night in a jail cell instead of your date’s apartment.
National Mall, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 426 6841

Lincoln Memorial | © Mark Fischer / Flickr

If eyes are the windows to the soul, then laughter must be the voice of it. Find out what’s in your lover’s heart at Dojo Comedy, a different kind of comedy with a rustic atmosphere and hearty character. With the ticket price under $10, it’s a hard bargain to pass up for some lively and witty entertainment. If you and your significant other ends up thinking you can do better than the comics you see that night, they also have workshops available.
Dojo Comedy, 3503 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 844 469 3656

Improv | © Marc Majcher / Flickr

This venue hosts a variety of music performances almost every night, with ticket prices usually around $12–15, and if you’re going on a weeknight, you can get there as early as 2:00 p.m. for happy hour. Their Bud and Bud Light are $2.50; Rail Cocktails are $3.00, and the Beer of the Week is $3.00. There’s a rooftop deck that’s free entry and serves food that’s as satisfying and eclectic as the performances, including gluten-free and vegetarian options.
DC9, 1940 9th St NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 483 5000

Beer | © amiera06 / Pixabay

Nothing is more fun than returning to the indulgences of your youth. At Lyman’s Tavern, you can do exactly that. Spend the day in this retro dive bar playing pinball and chowing on some cheap eats. A draft beer can be as low as $3; a pair of hot dogs will only be $6, and their popcorn is free. They’re also pet-friendly, so be sure to bring your dog if you have one. After all, if your best friend likes your date, they must be the one for you.
Lyman’s Tavern, 3720 14th St NW, Washington, D.C., USA, +1 202 723 0502

Pinball | © el-toro / Flickr