Date Ideas that are High on Romance, Low on Price

Boston is well-known for its sky-scraping restaurants and the variety of theater and other entertainment it provides, making it the perfect place for a date. But for those who are worried about the high price that a little romance might impose, Boston also provides countless opportunities to let love blossom without spending a lot of money. From museums to cafes to out-of-the-way places, Boston has inexpensive and romantic ideas for dates, ranging from the traditionally romantic to the truly unique. Here are The Boston Insider's top suggestions for sharing a special experience with your sweetie without busting your budget.

Boston Common Ice Skating
It is hard to imagine anything more romantic than ice skating on the Boston Common, a light snow falling around you, and the person you love standing by to help you up after the inevitable fall. The Boston Common Park One Skating Facility is an outdoor rink and is open seven days a week, weather-permitting. For those with little skating experience, the facility also offers lessons. For information, call (617) 635-2197.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Can't afford a romantic getaway to the tropics to escape Boston's brutal winter months? Then head to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, which offers a beautiful place for you and your loved one to warm up and think of spring. Enjoy exploring the wonderful interior garden and the fabulous art collection together. If you can, time your visit to coincide with one of the Museum's weekend concerts.

Mike's Pastry
"Sweets for your sweet," as they say and Mike's Pastry in the North End is the perfect place to find them. The Italian shop offers everything from marzipan to pizza to cappuccino at relatively low prices. The shop can become very crowded with people ordering and the few small tables are often filled, but Mike's Pastry is the perfect take-out to share after a romantic dinner. Finding the shop can be difficult but provides the opportunity to roam the narrow streets and quaint storefronts of the North End. To get to Mike's Pastry: follow the Freedom Trail from Quincy Market. Cross over Cross St. and go up Salem Street for one block. Take a right onto Parmenter St. and follow for one block. Take a left on Hanover Street. Mike's Pastry is a block and a half up on the left, at No. 300. For information call (617) 742-3050.

South Street Diner
Whether you were part of the 1950s or just wish you were, the South Street Diner provides the perfect combination of rock-n-roll, frappes, and nostalgia. Open twenty-four hours a day, the small diner offers everything from breakfast hot off the grill to the raspberry-lime rickies of yesterday to its signature chocolate mousse cake. The five booths offer cozy seating or sit at the counter for a real blast from the past. Music of the era provided by a jukebox and the life size James Dean adorning the bathroom door lend to the fifties feeling. If you are longing for the days of sock hops and milkshakes for two, take a date to the South St. Diner, located on the corner of Kneeland and South Streets. To get there, follow Atlantic Ave. from South Station to South Street. Take a right and follow it a block. The South St. Diner is on the right, painted blue with the classic diner design.

Coolidge Corner Theatre
Taking a date to one of the stadium-sized, chain movie theaters that have saturated the Boston area is hardly a romantic gesture. Taking someone to the Coolidge Corner Theatre, on the other hand, shows that you care enough to put some thought into planning a special evening. The building was converted from a church to a movie house in 1933 and the original art deco ornamentation still remains, making for a romantic atmosphere. The Theatre shows many foreign, independent, and art films so it is not the place to go for the latest release, but it is perfect if you are looking for something original to do. The Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation also sponsors many film series and events, so be sure to call for a schedule. To get to the theater, take the Green C line to the Coolidge Corner stop in Brookline. Walk down Harvard St. and the theater will be on the left, at No. 290. Be aware that the upstairs theater, originally the balcony for the church is not handicap accessible. For movie times and information call (617) 734-2500.

Haymarket
Feeling creative? Visit the Haymarket on Blackstone St. on Fridays and Saturdays for the provisions necessary to prepare the perfect romantic meal. The Market opens at dawn on Friday and runs until dusk Saturday. A variety of fruits, vegetables, and seafood are offered and the prices beat any supermarket. Even if you can't cook, the Market is fun to visit for the lively atmosphere and frivolity of the vendors. Pushing through the crowd and haggling is part of the fun and the delicious foods you take home will be well worth the hassle. To get there, follow the Freedom Trail from Quincy Market, it takes you right to the Haymarket. Bon appetit!

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