When romance buds, it doesn’t always happen when you’re flush with cash.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things to do for cheap or free in and around San Antonio so you don’t have to go broke showing your sweetheart how much you care. These low-cost options aren’t just appropriate around Valentine’s Day, though. Most are good year-round. 

Take a bike ride together Sometimes the most fun can be had on the move. Between city parks, natural areas, green belts and nearby state parks, there’s an abundance of green spaces to explore. It’s easy to find a perfect trail near you. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Petar Milošević
Visit the Japanese Tea Garden 3853 N St Mary’s St., sanantonio.gov It’s hard to imagine a more romantic setting. The historic Japanese Tea Garden was built in a former quarry and features elaborate pathways and carefully cultivated landscaping, stone bridges and waterways filled with koi. The garden is also starting to host unforgettable concerts in its breathtaking setting. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Corey Leopold
See a movie at the drive-in 1178 Kroescher Ln., New Braunfels, (830) 620-7469, driveinusa.com/nb Cozy up with your sweetheart at Stars & Stripes Drive-In in New Braunfels and enjoy a movie on the big screen from the privacy of your own vehicle. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Stars and Stripes Drive-In Theater
Have a picnic at Brackenridge Park
3700 N St Mary’s St, (210) 207-7275, brackenridgepark.org
Brackenridge Park is the perfect spot for a picnic. Bring a bottle of wine, some charcuterie, and a portable speaker for some romantic tunes. Admission to the park is free, but the ambiance is priceless.
Credit: Courtesy Photo / Brackenridge Park Conservancy
Stroll the Historic Pearl 303 Pearl Pkwy., atpearl.com The Pearl is a great starting point for so many date ideas. You can either grab dinner there or bring your own for a picnic on the lawn. If you want a cheaper food option than the sit down restaurants, you can get something to-go in the Bottling Department or the grocery portion of Pullman Market. From there, stroll the Pearl’s park and enter the River Walk, to enjoy one of its nicer sections. Credit: Photo by Nick Simonite
Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, (830) 438-2656, tpwd.texas.gov
On certain sections of the 13 miles of trails at Guadalupe River State Park, located west of 281 in Spring Branch, you can even ride your horse! If you want a rougher terrain, try the lesser-traveled Bauer Unit.
Credit: Shutterstock / Richard A McMillin
Catch a free movie screening courtesy of Slab Cinema Multiple locations, slabcinema.com Put a spin on a classic movie date by taking your partner to an outdoor movie showing. While you can catch a free movie from various venues and organizations, the traveling outdoor screen from Slab Cinema has outdoor movie showings down to a science with their giant inflatable movie screen that they set up at various venues around town. Slab Cinema screens everything from recent blockbusters to arthouse classics, so no matter your tastes you’re bound to find a showing that’s up you and your date’s alley. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and picnic blankets, and make sure to pack some extra layers as the weather starts getting colder. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Slab Cinema
Luckenbach About a 1 hour drive north of San Antonio Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas — as Waylon and Willie and the boys would say. This Hill Country town near Fredericksburg, made famous by the 1977 country song of the same name, is for those looking for a quiet weekend getaway. Travelers can visit the old community trading post and two-step at the town’s famous music hall or try an array of Texas wines at one of the many vineyards in the area. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Martina Birnbaum
13. Our River Walk is prettier and less crowded than Austin parks. There’s something to be said for having a little elbow room. Credit: Shutterstock / Willowtreehouse
Go to a farmers market
Farmers markets have a wide range of freshly-harvested seasonal fruits and veggies to spruce up your next homemade meal. They’re also a great spot for a romantic stroll with that someone special. If you’re down to battle the crowds, Pearl’s weekend market is as popular as it is for good reason.
Credit: Photo via Instagram / pearlfarmersmarket
Check out the art at Clamp Light Gallery
1704 Blanco Rd Ste. 104, clamplightstudios.com
Checking out art is always a classy and inexpensive date idea. San Antonio has a number of cool galleries to choose from. Routinely, Clamp Light seems to be on the cutting edge. Clamp Light Gallery has operated in the Alamo City for over a decade, providing a gallery space for artists such as Cassie Gnehm, whose work is pictured here. Credit: Instagram / Clamp Light Gallery
Thrift while you sip at La Segunda Bartique & Gallery 1302 S. St. Mary’s St., (210) 314-2740, facebook.com/people/La-Segunda-Bartique-Gallery/100073228684341 Shop a well-curated thrift and record store while sipping on a beverage at this unique “bartique.” Owned and operated by local musician and Lighthouse Lounge partner Eduardo Hernandez, La Segunda Bartique & Gallery offers an entire house stocked antique mall-style with vintage wares while serving up beer and wine to grease visitors’ shopping wheels. La Segunda offers vintage clothing, decor, furniture, music gear from multiple vendors and records. Credit: Photo via Instagram / la_segunda_bartiqueandgallery
Laugh together at a stand-up show San Antonio’s Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club regularly hosts big-name comics, and sometimes has Sunday evening shows for $10-$15. Those more interested in homegrown talent should check out the literally underground shows at Blind Tiger Comedy Club, which is located in the basement of the Magic Time Machine Restaurant. Credit: Chase Otero
Score some deals at a Flea Market multiple locations You never know what you’re going to find at a flea market, and San Antonio has several to choose from. No doubt you’ll find something special, strange, or fun to surprise your date with. Better yet, take them with you and have a ball bartering with the stall owners, exploring hidden treasures and scoring a deal. Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Courtesy Photo / McNay Art Museum
Concerts under the Echo Bridge 2617 TX-536 Spur, instagram.com/echobridgeappreciationsocietyFor an unforgettable experience, attend a concert at the Echo Bridge. During concerts, listeners picnic on one side of the river while an artist performs on the other side. The acoustics of the bridge serve as the only amplification. Watch the sun set and the bats come out, seeming to dance in the air to the music. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Justin Parr
Visit the Cave Without a Name 325 Kreutzberg Road, Boerne, (830) 537-4212, cavewithoutaname.com Take your date on an adventure! Just up the road you’ll discover a mysterious cave right in our backyard: Cave Without a Name. This limestone solutional cave is a national natural landmark, of course for its spectacular formations of stalactites, stalagmites, cave drapery, flowstones, rimstone dams and more. Oh, and the cave is 66-degrees year-round so you can visit whenever you please. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Carol M. Highsmith
Credit: Francisco Cortes, courtesy of Artpace
Take in the sights at Phil Hardberger Park 13203 Blanco Road, (210) 492-7472, philhardbergerpark.org Divided into East and West sections, Phil Hardberger park has over 7 miles of trails for bikers and pedestrians alike. You can also leave the ground behind and traverse the park’s skywalk, or cross over Wurzbach Parkway on foot using the park’s land bridge. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Irid Escent
Take them to the San Antonio Zoo
3903 N St Mary’s St, (210) 734-7184, sazoo.org
Sometimes it’s best not to overthink it. We all know a zoo is a slam dunk for visiting family members, particularly of different age groups. From young to old, everyone will enjoy observing meerkat antics and the prowl of the majestic lions. Credit: Courtest Photo / San Antonio Zoo
Browse the vinyl at Hogwild Records 1824 N Main Ave, (210) 733-5354, facebook.com/hogwildrecords Though this is only a “cheap date” depending on your self-control, there are few things sexier than sharing a musical connection with someone. Standing side by side and digging the crates while digging each other — what could be better? Credit: Courtesy photo
Comanche Lookout Park 15551 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov Comanche Lookout Park is known for having one of the highest elevation points in the city, which offers amazing and expansive views. Throughout the park’s 96 acres, it also features artwork honoring its indigenous history. Credit: Photo courtesy of City of San Antonio
Browse books while enjoying a cold one at Nowhere Bookshop 5154 Broadway Alamo Heights’ independently owned Nowhere Bookshop provides a cool place to browse the stacks with that someone special. Order wine, beer or a snack at the in-store cafe to make the experience even more enjoyable. Credit: Shutterstock / Peter Kniez
Cool Crest Mini Golf1402 Fredericksburg Road, 210-732-0222, coolcrestgolf.comCool Crest is a retro mini-golf course that’s operated for nearly a century. Opened in 1929, it was finally designated a historically significant property by the city in 2009. Adding to the charm, it now features its own bar. Credit: Instagram / coolcrestgolf
Check out the art at Contemporary at Blue Star
116 Blue Star, (210) 227-6960.
Enjoy the revolving talent at the Contemporary at Blue Star. A house for innovative contemporary art, this nonprofit’s galleries are open to anyone for free, and on top of their range of rotating exhibitions, they also offer a variety of family-friendly art events. Credit: Francisco Cortés, courtesy of Contemporary at Blue Star