15 Free Date Ideas for the Broke San Antonian

Browse the exhibitions at Artpace
445 N. Main Ave., (210) 212-4900, artpace.org
There's always something to see at the contemporary arts institution, including works by international artist-in-residence, as well as artists from San Antonio and all over Texas. It's a great place to check for first dates or for a romantic evening with your long-time S.O.
Artpace is open to the public Wed.-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Photo via Instagram, artpace

Stroll through the Missions National Park 6701 San Jose Drive, visitsanantonio.com Take your date on a history lesson and walk through National Park and World Heritage Site.
Photo by @aaronbates for @bigbendnps via Instagram, missionsnps

Hike the trails at Eisenhower Park
19399 NW Military Hwy., (210) 207-7275
Take a short hike around Eisenhower Park or get lost for a couple hours. Bring your dog along for the date and breathe in that fresh, free air.
Photo via Instagram, wendisimson

Explore Barney Smith's Toilet Seat Art Museum
Check out Barney Smith's extensive collection of toilet seat art and spend a couple hours exploring the museums' many offerings.
Photo via Instagram, bryanrindfuss

Head to the McNay for Second Thursdays
6000 N. New Braunfels St., (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org
Enjoy free admission to the McNay each second Thursday of the month and catch a docent-led tour, courtesy of the museum.
Photo via Instagram, mcnayart

Dig through albums at Friends of Sound
700 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 971-8044, friendsofsound.com
Sifting through records at Friends of Sound might make or break your relationship and can ultimately decide if another date is in the cards for you. Though it's free to look, listen and chill at FOS, we can't guarantee you won't be tempted to spend some dough.
Photo via Instagram, friendsofsoundsa

See what's happening at Brick
108 Blue Star, brickatbluestar.com
There's always something fun and free going on at Blue Star, from Latin dance classes to show and movie screenings, to market pop-ups. For relationships both new and old, a night at Brick promises a good time.
Photo via Instagram, seepygirl

Bike the Greenway Trails
Take your date outdoors and bike through the Pearl Brewery, King William or Mission Trail routes. Will approximately 23 miles of developed trail, you can make your date an all-day excursion, or a casual ride around some of the coolest parts of town.
Photo via Instagram, benjam_in2007

Find Zen at the Japanese Tea Gardens
3853 N. St. Mary's St., (210) 559-3148, saparksfoundation.org
Walk around the gardens and spend a peaceful afternoon with your date weaving in the stony walkways of Japanese Tea Garden – or Sunken Gardens – in Brackenridge Park. Photo via Instagram, laurynnn_volk15

Check out what Slab Cinema is playing
Slab Cinema creates a whole different movie-viewing experience by taking the big screen outdoors. With multiple movie screenings a month, sit back, relax and enjoy a night out with your date.
Photo via Instagram, slabcinema

Catch a free show at Paper Tiger
2410 N. St. Mary's St., papertigersa.com
Now and then the Paper Tiger offers free shows and events so hop on over to papertigersa.com and see what's coming up. Get your drinks in before you hit the Strip and you'll be set for the night.
Photo by Jaime Monzon

Visit the San Antonio Museum of Art during free hours
200 W. Jones Ave., (210) 978-8100, samuseum.org
Visit the San Antonio Museum of Art for free — yes, free. SAMA offers free admission during 4-9 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. noon Sundays, so plan accordingly.
Photo via Instagram, sama_art

Attend a free lecture at a university
You already knew that San Antonio is home to several schools — UTSA, Incarnate Word, A&M San Antonio, Trinity, St. Mary's, OLLU — so do some digging and see which guest speakers are paying a visit to San Antonio soon. You'll be surprised at some of the big names you'll be able to see for free.
Photo via Instagram, sandra_moss_grg

Explore First Friday
Explore galleries and studios through the King William Historic District and the Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum on the first Friday of each month. Get in touch with your artsy side and see what San Antonio's local artists are creating.
Photo by Taylor Goldstien

Release your inner child at the Yanaguana Gardens
Hemisphere Park, 434 S. Alamo St. Visit the playground and public art display at Hemisfair Park, pack a picnic or people-watch in the center of town.
Photo via Instagram, lovelulavida