15 Cheap And Fun Date Ideas Near Ole Miss
Are you stuck wondering where to take your date? Are you worried about spending too much when you’re on a college budget? Don’t worry! There are plenty of cheap and fun options for you and your date. From live shows, to picnics in the park, you’ll never be bored. Keep reading for 15 cheap and fun date ideas near Ole Miss!
1. Picnic in the Grove!
This is a basic option for any Ole Miss students since it is within walking distance. Bring our favorite on campus meal or ingredients for some easy to make sandwiches and sit at one of the many picnic tables to enjoy time with your significant other. Since there is usually something happening at the union, it is easy to stop by for markets and tables set up to catch up with the Ole Miss community.
2. Take on the Rebel Challenge Course!
Go to the Campus Rec site to sign up for the Rebel Challenge Course for all those couples that enjoy outdoor activities and an opportunity to get moving and challenge yourself. This course includes activities like rock-climbing and zip-lines and takes about two hours to compete. The best day to go is Friday when you can complete the course free. Below is the schedule for Free Friday.
3. Activities at the Turner Center.
The Turner Center is Open to all Ole Miss students to use the facilities at scheduled times, however if a you and your partner pay $10 each you can join any fitness class for the entire year.
4. Live Shows at Proud Larry’s.
One of the many local establishments in Oxford, Proud Larry’s has many live performers throughout the year. As fun night for any couple seeking a night out, they offer the coziness of a small venue and tickets are sold at a relatively cheap price. Most of their shows are 18 years and older with $10 tickets available online. I would recommend this to any couple that enjoys live music and want a night time date more diverse or exciting than going out to dinner.
5. Any Ole Miss Athletic Event!
For any Ole Miss student, athletic events are well publicized across campus and almost everyone attends them. This is an opportunity to spend a day or night with your significant other. You can take your partner to the Grove on the football teams game day and tailgate with the rest of the school or go to one of the many free athletic events on campus and support the Rebels year-round. Either way it provides a chance to cozy up to your date and show your school spirit all at once!
6. Join a club!
Ole Miss offers a range of clubs that you and your date can join or participate in! Don’t be afraid to try something new and look into all the clubs on campus, ranging from athletic clubs to intellectual or activity clubs.
7. Holiday activities around Oxford.
Being in a town like Oxford, Mississippi can have its advantages, including the seemingly endless holiday activities, especially Christmas events. This includes the Gingerbread Village (free to Ole Miss students), the Holiday Marketplace and Art Market, Miracle on 34th Street (at the Ford Center), the Christmas Parade and the Night of Lights and Deck the Halls: An Oxford Tour of Homes. All of these events are a great way to celebrate the holidays in a romantic fashion!
8. Attend the Oxford Film Festival.
In 2017, from February 15th to the 19th, you can attend the Oxford Film Festival. As one of the closest film festivals that last five days, this attracts filmmakers from across the world to show their films. Single tickets for one film are $12 and this entertainment varies from animated movies to documentaries and music videos.
9. Afternoon in Lamar Park.
While this may be one of the simplest options on this list, it is still worth the visit. Open to everyone, this park is maybe five minutes off campus and is good for running, picnicking, walking the trail, or just sitting on the dock and hanging out. With a small amount of foot traffic, this can make for an intimate moment between you and your date. Bring a snack or two and a blanket, and wait for the sun to set to watch the stars.
10. Spend the day at Sardis Lake.
Well-known to upperclassman and native to Oxford, this 30 minute drive off campus is a popular destination when the spring and summer come around. It is easy to either join the crowd or find a secluded spot with you and your significant other. Bring some music and set the stage for a perfect date where you can sit back and relax at the lake.
11. Get fresh produce at The Oxford City Farmers Market.
This is a place where residents of this city sell their food, products, or crafts to the community. Go with your date and get a sense for just who the people of Oxford are.
12. Go to Double Decker.
This year, Double Decker weekend is from April 28-29. Offering food, music, and art it is an Oxford staple. It’s sure to be one of the most memorable date ideas near Ole Miss! People crowd the streets day and night to hear the music, taste the food, and look at the art for an event that is a highlight of the year for many residents and students in Oxford. Couples can spend the day together without a dull moment as the festival provides something to do, see, or eat throughout the day.
13. Destination Unknown Trip!
This is a more challenging this to arrange but worth the trip. The University offers a trip called Destination Unknown to its students (but only the first to sign up). The trip is completely free and takes you away for the day. If you can get a spot on this trip with your date spend an exciting date off campus with a planned activity!
14. Dinner at one of the many restaurants in The Square.
One of the many advantages to going to school in Oxford, Mississippi is the great local food. The square is one of the most popular tourist destinations around here and has options ranging from cheap to expensive. Whether you want to go to Yaya’s for frozen yogurt and take a seat on a bench outside or get late night pizza this can be a very romantic date spot.
15. The vintage classic, Taylor Grocery.
Another local food idea on this list is Taylor Grocery with the motto “Eat or We Both Starve”. A short drive off campus, this old restaurant is filled with Ole Miss character. Only open from 5 pm to 9 pm Thursday through Sunday, this dive known for its catfish has live music and great service. It is worth it for a date night in true Oxford, Mississippi.
