15 Cheap And Fun Date Ideas Near University Of Pittsburgh

College students are known for being broke, which can make dating in college a little tricky. Going on dates shouldn’t have to break the bank, and luckily there are plenty of inexpensive ways to have fun with your S.O. Here’s a list of 15 cheap and fun date ideas near University of Pittsburgh!

1. Have a picnic in Schenley Park

Nice days at the University of Pittsburgh are few and far between, so when we are graced with good weather, we need to take advantage. This is the perfect time to pack a lunch for you and your S.O, find a quiet, shady spot in Schenley Park, and just enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and each other’s company. Definitely one of the best date ideas near University of Pittsburgh.

2. Grab a coffee (and a cat) at Colony Cafe

If you’re looking for a low-key type of date, then visit the Colony Cafe coffee shop, located at 1125 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh. This isn’t just your typical coffee shop, however, as it also doubles as a cat adoption center! Don’t worry if you’re not ready to adopt a cat though, you can still make a reservation to play with the cats! If you’re a cat person, then this is definitely one of the best date ideas near University of Pittsburgh for you!

3. Soak up culture at the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History

Exploring the vast wealth of knowledge and history within the museum with your S.O. can be a refreshing change from the typical dinner date. Plus, if you’re a University of Pittsburgh student, then you can get into the museum for free, and who doesn’t like taking advantage of free stuff?

4. Ride the Duquesne/Monongahela Incline to the Mount Washington Overlook

The view of the city of Pittsburgh and the feeling of being on top of the world are both made even better when you experience it with your S.O. Once again, being a University of Pittsburgh student, you can ride the incline for free with your student I.D! Although the view is always amazing at any time of the day, visiting during sunrise/sunset makes it 10x better.

5. Explore the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning

If you’re a student at the University of Pittsburgh, then there is an extremely low chance that you don’t already know about the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning. However, there’s probably a higher chance that some of you have never gone in one. If this is the case, then I highly suggest either taking your S.O. and exploring them on your own, or taking a tour to learn more about the history of each room. It can make for a unique and interesting date!

6. Visit Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Stop and smell the roses with your S.O. at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Explore this oasis within Oakland and get lost among the flowers. This cheap date is perfect for those rainy days when you just need to get out and have fun, all while remaining dry!

7. Tour the Frick Art and Historical Center

In case you didn’t know, Pittsburgh is known as the “Steel City”, and one of the men who contributed to that nickname was Henry Clay Frick. Being chairman of the Carnegie Steel Company, he played a big role in building Pittsburgh up as the steelmaking capital of the world. The Frick Art and Historical Center, which includes the Historic Clayton Mansion, the Frick Art Museum, and many other exciting places to explore, makes for a fun day trip with your S.O. Learn about the history of the Steel City we call home.

8. Plan a movie date at SouthSide Works Cinema

Ah, yes, the cliché movie date. Who can forget about that? Despite being cliché, movie dates are still a fun and inexpensive way to spend time with your S.O. Check out the SouthSide Works Cinema for showtimes, and plan a weekend movie date!

9. Visit the Andy Warhol Museum

It’s practically illegal to ignore the Andy Warhol Museum when Pittsburgh is the birthplace of Andy Warhol! You owe it to yourself to visit this museum, which contains the most extensive collection of Andy Warhol paintings in the world. Spend the day exploring the seven floors that make up the museum with your S.O. and enjoying the pop art which made Andy Warhol so famous.

10. Go on a shopping spree at Thriftsburgh

Thriftsburgh is a student-run thrift shop on campus at the University of Pittsburgh. The store stands for sustainability, and is composed mostly of thrifted clothes from other students! Supporting a good cause has never been so fun, and it makes for a great cheap date idea!

11. Experience the psychedelic wonders of Randyland

Seeing this Pittsburgh neighborhood for the first time, you might wonder if you traveled back in time to the 60s. The bright neon colors and wild designs are created by artist Randy Gilson, who owns Randyland. His goal in creating Randyland was to spread happiness and cheer, and the neighborhood has since become a popular destination. Get a picture taken with your S.O. in front of the many murals within Randyland, and enjoy the artistry.

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12. Brunch it up at Pamela’s Diner

It’s impossible to not love brunch, and going to brunch with your S.O. makes it even better. Pamela’s Diner is famous for its hotcakes. So famous, in fact, that President Obama paid a visit to this diner in 2009 to try the hotcakes for himself. If the former President couldn’t miss out on these hotcakes, then you can’t either!

13. Take a day trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

If you and your S.O. are looking for a date where you can be outside and get some exercise in, then the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium are perfect for you! Plus, you get to look at cute animals, which is a bonus!

14. Lock up your love on the Schenley Bridge

Inspired by the Bridge of Love in Paris, Schenley Bridge in Oakland has become a place where couples add a lock to the bridge, symbolizing their love. Stroll on over to the bridge, add a lock with you and your S.O.’s initials, and lock your love up. There are some truly unique date ideas near University of Pittsburgh.

15. Catch a sports game in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is home to 3 major sports teams: the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. It is completely unacceptable to live in/near Pittsburgh and to have never gone to a single sports game, so grab your S.O, find a game to go to, and experience sports the Pittsburgh way.

I hope these 15 cheap and fun date ideas near University of Pittsburgh gave you new ideas on how to spend the day/night with your S.O.