15 Cheap And Fun Date Ideas Near SUNY Binghamton
Whether you’re looking to spend the entire afternoon out or just a few hours, this list needs to be your go to when it comes to planning dates. Here are date ideas near SUNY Binghamton that won’t break the bank!
1. The Cider Mill
Fall is for fire pits, pumpkin spice lattes, and of course, apples. A great way to bring in the trendiest season of all is to break out those brown boots and blanket scarfs and take your significant other to go apple picking. Whether this is your first or tenth time here with your person, Cider Mill will definitely not disappoint!
2. The Forum Theatre
Want a fun night out on the town? Look no further than the Forum, which regularly hosts concerts and touring companies of shows that have been/ still are on Broadway! You’ll get all the glitz and glam of the theatre without breaking the bank. It’s the perfect place for a perfect date!
3. Robot City Games
Time travel back to when arcades were the place to be on date night! At Robot city, you can take a trip down memory lane all the way to your childhood to relive some of your greatest moments as a kid. What better way to learn about your partner and, you’ll only need a few quarters!
4. The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park
If you’re a guy who’s girl loves animals (or vise versa), take them to the zoo! Let’s just admit we’re all suckers for baby cheetahs and penguins and get to the zoo! Whether you go in the spring or the fall, the zoo is the perfect date spot, especially if you follow it with dinner downtown!
5. Dining Downtown
Townies and university students alike all know that downtown Binghamton is known for its amazing restaurants. In University Plaza, there’s CoreLife and Copper Top and downtown, Citrea and Number 5. If you’re on a date for Valentine’s Day or just a regular day, you can never go wrong with all of the hopping and up and coming restaurants that Binghamton has to offer.
6. NYSEG Stadium
Home of the former Mets now the Rumble Ponies, this minor league baseball stadium is a sure fire way to win the heart of your sports-loving significant other. You can enjoy the excitement of baseball (while not paying an arm and a leg) while sharing a churro and a hot dog! Sounds like the perfect Saturday afternoon to me!
7. The Kopernik Observatory
If you really want to impress your date with some beautiful astronomy, look no further than the Kopernik Observatory where you and your date can stargaze on a Sunday afternoon.
8. Wegman’s
You’re probably asking yourself why is a supermarket on this list? Well, roaming the aisles of Binghamton’s fanciest and most fun supermarket for ingredients to cook dinner with your boyfriend or girlfriend is more fun than you may think. And, to keep things spicy, have a shopping cart race or two while you nosh on their delicious bagels.
9. Tri-Cities Opera
Date night in Binghamton isn’t truly an adventure until you’ve ventured to the opera. A world in and of itself, going to the opera can be one of the most culturally exhilarating experiences of your life. Share this special moment with your special person and your date night will be a success!
10. Pumpkin Farms
There are three farms in the Southern Tier that have unique events perfect for that autumn afternoon date. Whether you end up at Jackson’s Farm, Stoughton Farm, or Iron Kettle Farm, you’ll have a blast picking out the cutest pumpkins to decorate when you get back to campus.
11. The Carousels
Binghamton is known as the Carousel Capital of the world- you can impress your date with that fact, by the way! Jump back all the way to the 20’s at the Ross Park Carousel or choose any of the others: Highland Park Carousel, Rec Park Carousel, and so many more! Your date will love feeling like a kid again- especially if you get them ice cream too!
12. Hiking
Binghamton’s campus is known for having one of the best views in all of Binghamton. The nature preserve is one of the most beautiful hidden gems where you can find people with cute dogs and take a leisurely walk to the top. The preserve is free and just absolutely stunning. What better way to get to know your date than to spend a few hours walking through some of upstate New York’s most beautiful nature.
13. Mini Golf
A classic first date, mini golf is a great way to break the ice. At Chuckster’s, you can flirtatiously challenge your date to see who can get a hole-in-one in the “World’s Longest Mini Golf Hole”.
14. Cutler Botanical Garden
Because the New York Botanical Garden is not so easy to get to from campus (it’s four hours away), Cutler Botanical Garden is an absolutely beautiful (and free) alternative.
15. Ice cream and a show
The University’s performing arts and music programs have shows throughout each semester that your wallet can handle and your date will enjoy. After seeing the mainstage musical or play, get some ice cream at Sugar Lips or Skinny Licks- a hidden gem of Binghamton’s dessert scene.
