Thanks to everyone who submitted inexpensive date ideas. The expert panel of judges have made their decision. The top five ideas and the winner of the $50 gift card were announced at the end of worship (Jan. 21-22) and are posted below, along with some other creative submissions. 

According to the 5,000+ local people who participated in our Love Survey, 71% of married couples who are intimate at least twice weekly also go on at least one date every month. We hope the date submissions below spark some ideas for future creative, inexpensive date planning.

Click on the ideas below for details about each date:

1. 1st place - Watch the Sun Set from an Urban Oasis

   Cosentino's grocery store at Power & Light has a roof top park above it that not many people know about. I think it would be fun to plan a picnic there once it warms up for my boyfriend and I. Grab a blanket and a basket, hit the store for some wine and food and then head up to the park to enjoy a nice romantic dinner together while watching sun set over downtown Kansas City. Picnics are always a great opportunity to connect on a date because they are all about conversation.

   –Alison

2. 2nd place - Go on a Scavenger Hunt

   I think a scavenger hunt-style date would be fun, incorporating significant destinations from past 'date nights' and then a surprise dinner awaiting at home. First, the man needs to come up with the locations (4 is pretty good)--he can even get 'ideas' from his partner (a couple weeks in advance so she won't know) by asking (stealth-like) what she thinks some of their best dates were. Then, he needs to prepare written 'clues' for her to open, giving clues to next 'destination.' One or two of the locations will most likely be something like a museum, etc., but others might be a coffee house, or location where an inexpensive appetizer can be shared. After time is spent at each location, homeward bound for a romatic candle-lite dinner. If you want to go overboard, you could even arrange to have 'friends' serve the dinner.

   –Duffy

3. 3rd place - Explore the "City of Fountains"

   Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains. Download a fountain map from the internet [http://www.kcfountains.com/]and make a day of touring them. Take pictures along the way, stop for an ice cream, lunch at Aixios (French restaurant) or a glass of wine. You can then print some photos (in black and white) of your special day, frame them and hang them in the house for a timeless memory.

4. 4th place - Take a Vineyard Vacation - Close to Home

   In the fall: go to the wineries up in Weston for wine tasting, enjoy the beautiful countryside and feel like you are in a whole different city, the brewery there is good too.

5. 5th place - Open the film vault

   This little unknown jewel of a location is a great spot to talk and unwind, surprisingly it happens to be the Kansas City Public Library! Parking is FREE on the weekends! This date spot will be open early Spring.
   
   Arrive Sat. afternoon for a movie in the ‘film vault’ @ 1:30. FREE!! This room used to be the location where the money for the bank was stored. To enter into the film vault you have to walk through the vault door!
   
   After the movie head up to the rooftop with your picnic basket of wine (don’t forget glasses and a corkscrew!), sandwiches and of course dessert to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of downtown while you challenge your date to a game on the life size chess board! If you don’t want to pack a picnic The Library Café:Nine-Muses is and is open until 5pm. (but they don’t sell wine!)

   —Kara
   
   

6. Nuzzle Up at the Nelson-Atkins

   My idea of a romantic date would center around the Nelson Adkins Art Museum and the Kaufman Gardens. Both locations are free of charge. Only the special events at the Nelson charge. You can park on the side street for free or pay a small fee for the garage. At the Nelson you can explore all types of art including my favorite religious art. With nice weather the grounds are great for exploring nature and just across the street is Kaufman Gardens. Year round the garden is updated to feature seasonal plants. The only cost would be dinner. For $25 a piece you could venture over to the plaza and find a wide variety of tastes. --Jeffrey

7. Dance the Night Away

   On a Friday evening, go to Applebee's for the "2 for $20.00". Then, go to the Camelot Ballroom at 7:00 for 1 hour of dance lessons ($10.00 per person). Stay for the 2-3 hour dance in the ballroom, which is free for those who attend the dance lessons. It's very romantic to dance, lots of exercise, & very entertaining to watch the more advanced dancers. Go home, have a glass of wine, & enjoy the rest of the evening. --Sharon

8. Bike to Breakfast

   Bike Ride for Breakfast: The guy arrives at the girl's home with his bike. He brings fresh orange juice to toast to the ride. He can also bring a single flower to attached to the lady's bike. The couple spends the morning riding around town on their bikes and ends up at Einstein Bagels for breakfast. The couple then spends time enjoying breakfast and talking with each other. Then the couple heads back home and plans another fun day together. --Alyce

9. Party with the Animals

   Spontaneously - wake me up on a Saturday morning, hand me a cup of coffee and announce it will be a day of fun. Then after a leisurely morning - get in the car and go to the zoo - ride the train, watch the animal shows, laugh at the animal antics, hold hands and enjoy being together. On the way home, stop off at Mi Ranchitos and enjoy dinner together. --Dianna

10. Set up a Staycation

    My wife is from coastal South Carolina and for her 30 birthday she just wanted a day at the beach. With air fare being to expensive I went to the hardware store, purchased a tarp and several bags of sand. I laid the tarp out and dumped the bags of sand on the tarp and voila... A beach birthday. That evening I packed a picnic dinner with a bottle of wine and we sat with our feet in the sand and shared memories of beach sunrises and sunsets of the years past! --Michael

11. Promenade around the Plaza

    A perfect date would include traveling to the Plaza in the afternoon. We would stroll along the sidewalk, hand in hand, stop to listen (and dance if the mood strikes) to the different musical groups (many in the summer). Catch a late lunch (after the crowd and before dinner prices begin). In the summer you can sit streetside and people watch. Do some window shopping or novelty shopping at some of the unique stores. Later in the day stop for some ice cream (if it's warm) or for a hot tea if it's cold. Lunch would run about $30; ice cream or tea would be another $10. Spend good quality time listening and talking. We've done this in all seasons and it's one of my favorites. --Jan

12. Sweep Her Off Her Feet

    Clean the entire first floor of your home while your wife is gone- Priceless! In the basement load the fireplace for a roaring fire. Set up 2 tables decorated with candles. One table wine, hors d'oeuvers, and family photos through the years. On the second table candlelight dinner- chicken marsales with tuscan salad. Music on your ipod including What a wonderful world, unchained melody, Must of done something right by Reliant k. Load your favorite romantic movie in the DVD. When your wife arrives home she is speechlees from the clean house! Wisk her to the basement, where a gift box contains a Hallmark card on Love and new flannel pajamas. Let the evening of enchantment begin. Priceless. --Steve

13. Create Your Own Drive-In

    Rent a Redbox you'd never watch with your kids around, pop 2 bags of microwave popcorn, bring 2 cans of soda, get a sitter for 2 hours, and go on a "Movie Date Night" in your minivan with DVD player to any parking lot nearby, parking at the far end away from others. Since it's dark so early, choose 6-8pm, and tell the sitter the kids should be in bed when you get home (then you don't pay the sitter for your kids to sleep). Snuggle up with your honey under a blanket in the backseat and enjoy your Movie Date Night. We've done it and it's great! Also, you're home with some evening remaining and the kids are in bed!! --Lynn

14. Meet Somewhere Between "Messy" and "Classy"

    My Fiance and I love to go Sol Cantina or Nick & Jakes and share a plate of Nacho's for dinner. The compromise is that we do something "Classy" to go with the Nachos. Anything from going to see an Artsy movie that was released, going to the Nelson-Atkins Museum or even just ordering a glass of wine with the Nachos.
    
    It's a fun night for both of us, and we get to be silly and also feel like we're doing something "sophisticated". We are a more laid back couple so the "classy" part is usually the fun new thing we do, but I'm sure there are a lot of couples who would benefit more from the "Messy" part. --James

15. Pamper Her with a Pedicure

    I would love it if my husband would go to the Beauty Supply Store buy some foot scrub, foot cream and a bright red bottle of nail polish and give me his best effort at a pedicure. I get them done professionally and regularly, but would love to have him spend an hour papering me.
    It would be fun because he would be at such a loss as to how to do this and we would both have a good laugh (and it would most likely lead to other things). It would be romantic just because it would be so sweet of him and I would have his undivided attention for a bit and it would be less than $50 (you could even through in a bottle of wine if it’s to your liking).

16. Pick a Theme for Dinner and a Movie

    Have a theme night. "Schedule a theme dinner and movie night at home." Create a menu based on the movie you're watching (i.e., spaghetti for a Francis Ford Coppola flick) and make it together before watching. --Ashlee

17. Take a Test Drive

    We enjoy every once in a while going to dealerships and test driving vehicles. One year we found one we would have never tried if seriously looking, and later purchased when the time was right. It keeps our eye on the ball when it comes to finances during the year remembering to save, save, save. It plus gives us a great quiet time to talk!
    
    But really, the date didn't stop there. We went to a nearby restaurant and shared an appetizer, rather than a full meal, and ended with a walk through the dog park. --Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Klopper

18. Renew Your Vows

    Powell Gardens (Lone Jack, MO) in the spring or summer: Eat at the Cafe Thyme, then tour the gardens, ending up in the glass walled chapel, where a couple may informally renew vows, speak words of love or just enjoy each other and God in the quiet beauty of the chapel. Admission is $11 for 2; lunch for 2 averages around $20 , that leaves $19 for gas (drive moderately!). Or bring your own basket for a free picnic before you enter the garden area, and have more money for gas! --Sharon

19. Cozy up by the Fire

    If you have access to a fire pit or even a wood burning fireplace; create a casual dinner that can be cooked over the open fire. Simple like hot dogs or elegant like foil packs of herbed fish. The best part is desert. S'mores and a warm drink. Who doesn't love smores? They are so much fun and oh so good. Place lots of pillows around the pit or fireplace for comfort. Perfect setting for conversation, relaxation and laughter. --Roberta

20. Start a Private Book Club

    Go to your nearest bookstore. Each person gets $10 and 20 minutes to buy a book they think the other will like. Could be based on interests, hobbies, etc. Might want to avoid self-help! Once purchased, head to a comfy coffeehouse together, select a good spot, grab a drink (some places have free or discounted refills) and read the book. Over lunch or dinner, discuss why you chose the book you chose. If you've finished the book, share what you liked about it, storyline , characters, etc. Then swap books and plan to read and discuss on your next date. See if your reactions and observations are similar or not. --Michelle

21. Say "Cheese"

    My favorite cheap date is the ritzy Better Cheddar cheese store. It's some serious upscale French cheeses! And all available for free sample. It's fun going around and sampling them all before finally splurging on a favorite Camembert, Blue, etc. Best inexpensive date EVER! Though really you have to take a bottle of water to get through them all--the salt in the cheese is dehydrating.

    --Amanda
    
    

22. Buy Her Flowers

    $5 for flowers from Dutch Flowers (a stem or two that are similar to our wedding flowers or whatever you think I will like) and have them sitting on the passenger seat when I get in as little romantic surprise.
    
    Free admission to any of the Kemper galleries (including the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art).
    
    Church at 5pm on Saturday in Leawood (nice to just walk in and sit down without getting the kids to KiDS COR).
    
    $40 for Dinner at Bonefish--where we can walk right after church.
    
    $1.25 Redbox movie to enjoy when we return home (in our pjs) after the sitter (who is free, I guess!) has our 3 children sleeping soundly in their beds.
    
    Flowers + art + spirituality + nourishment + time together = PRICELESS!

    –Brooke

23. Pack a Picnic Basket

    Pack a picnic basket lunch with french bread, smoked ham, and gruyere cheese with sliced fresh apples and grapes with chilled sparkling apple juice and get in your car with your date and head out to the Overland Park Arboretum on 179th Street. Take a walk together down the Marder Woodland trail, hand-in-hand (no kids) and talk about your hopes and dreams. Be sure to spend time in the Monet garden with all the bright flowers. Then enjoy your lunch on the sun-drenched grassy slopes overlooking the lake. You might get lucky and see the turtles mating in the lake.

    –David

24. Serve Together

    I'm newly dating a guy I met online. He attended some of COR's studies [and] I asked if he'd like to work with me on a Christmas in October ... We ended up going together, I made a nice lunch for us to share during the event and we both worked so hard that we were really exhausted, but now have a great memory we shared. I found he was a committed Christian and he had a very hard work ethic. For Christmas I managed to track down some photos that were taken of him/us and gave one specific one to him framed with a good inspirational message for his desk.

    —Patty

25. Take a Class

    I like the idea of taking some sort of class together, even if it is just one time. A dance class can be fun and silly and really take the pressure off of a first date. A cooking class is a great way to talk and also cook a wonderful meal together. An art class could be a great date for those that are wanting something a little different.
    
    --Cathy

26. Indulge in Sushi and Skating

    RA Sushi offers half price appetizers from 3-7pm , which include amazing Sushi rolls and other items and select half price drinks. We can order 3 or 4 appetizers, which is way more food than we can eat for under $30 including tip. Right across the street, we can walk to the Park Place Ice Skating rink. There we can grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at Ingredients and either set and watch the patrons ice skate or stand by the open fire, this cost another $10 or less. It is a short walk to our car, which has been in FREE covered parking. For dessert, head down the road to Take 5 coffee, grab a warm tea and a amazing dessert ($10 spent) While setting in some great comfortable chairs it allows us time to catch up on what is going on in our busy lives.

    —Kris

27. Fly a Kite

    Grab some kites, a bucket of chicken, a couple of 5-pound bags of carrots and head for the Jackson County Park next to Lake Jacomo/Old Missouri Town. You can hand feed the carrots to the buffalo and elk through the fence, eat the chicken at the provided picnic benches, fly the kites, and walk the nature trails. No telephones, no TV, no noise except for the crunch of carrots, and the sound of wind through the trees. What could be more romantic than that?

    —Dinah