145. FREE Long Beach Harbor Cruise

Free harbor cruise = Classy day date idea!
Enjoy a free 90-minute cruise around Long Beach Harbor in May to September. Free online reservations may be made one month in advance starting on the first work day at 8 AM. For example, tickets for the May cruises will be available on April 1st. Even though I lived in LB, I've never heard about this until now. The Port of Long Beach offers these free harbor tours every year!

Long Beach
Originally uploaded by KM&G-Morris

Parking is conveniently located at Dock 9 at Shoreline Village in Downtown Long Beach. The first 2 hours of parking is validated for $1 with every additional 20 minutes at $2. When you get back to shore, hang out at the Shoreline Village for drinks and apps. Parker's Lighthouse restaurant has an awesome view, very romantic but it's not a cheap date. The Yard House is always a hot spot, especially for happy hour, but reservations are highly recommended.

For more fun on a boat, check out these other date ideas:

• A weekend getaway in San Diego (Cheap Date Idea #71)
• Whale watching in Dana Point (Cheap Date Idea #66)
• Sunday Champagne Brunch in Marina Del Rey (Cheap Date Idea #85).

UPDATE 04/01/10: Tickets for Saturday, May 1st, at 10 AM are already sold out, but you can sign up for stand by online. The capacity is 110-120 per boat. Tuesdays at 2 PM on 5/11 and 5/25 are open. The website says there is a limit of 6 tickets per tour, but only 5 tickets may be selected per reservation online (you can also call 562-590-4121). Click HERE to get your free tickets.

UPDATE 04/22/10: A new cruise date has been added to the schedule for Wednesday, May 19th. Click HERE to get your free tickets NOW.

UPDATE 04/27/10: Cruise tickets become available on the first work day of the month. For June, that will be Monday, May 3rd, at 8 AM sharp! Also, only one group reservation may be made by an individual each year, meaning you can only go once per year. That is unless, your date signs up for it next time and drags you!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $1 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $46 Total (when compared to other cruises).
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @EverythingLB

144. Free South Park Screenings - 4/3

Watch South Park on a big screen for FREE with friends!
If you've got a crazy sense of humor or simply enjoy "free" things to do, then don't miss the FREE screenings of the South Park (yes, the cartoon) at the Going Green Film Festival on Saturday night 4/3. The festival runs all Easter weekend, April 2-4, at WGA Theatre in Beverly Hills in case you want buy tickets online to partake in the rest of the activities. For the free screenings of South Park, click HERE to reserve your tickets online.

eric cartman-south park
Originally uploaded by
gabriel_michael

By the way, this is a great idea for a group date, so get free tickets for your friends too. This is absolutely free, no processing fee. Laugh together while watching back-to-back episodes of South Park on a 33-inch x 16'inch full-size screen with 540 other folks. Sure you can be a couch potato and watch this at home, but then it wouldn't be a cheap date idea, would it?

The show time is 8:45-10 PM but get there early since it's first come, first serve on the seats. Make sure to carpool, not only to be environmentally friendly, but also to save money on parking: $3-5 at the parking garages. Some street parking is available around Writers Guild Theatre.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free + $3-5 Parking.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @TheLAScene

143. Mad Hatter Tea Party

It's like being Alice in Wonderland at The London WeHo!

What a wonderful idea! Mad Hatter Tea Party is such a classy yet fun date idea in the Boxwood Cafe at The London Hotel in West Hollywood. Due to overwhelming popularity, this special menu will be extended through the month of April. Enjoy scrumptious desserts and tea (see photo on right by @TheLondonWeho) at 3-5 PM daily (yes, even on weekends!).

LWH Mad Hatter Tea Time
Originally uploaded by
365 Cheap Dates

On weekdays, stay for the "After Five" Happy Hour at 5-7 PM. Enjoy $5 champagne or sake, $5 bites and even $5 valet parking with validation. This is a great deal especially for a high-class hotel lounge in West Hollywood. The Mad Hatter Tea Party and the After Five Happy Hour make for good group date ideas too!

I've been to The London Hotel for a friend's birthday and a networking event, but definitely want to come back for the Mad Hatter Tea Party. I wonder if people dress up like in the movie... My fiance and I were Mad Hatter and Alice for last Halloween (see our photo), hmm...

UPDATE 03/31/10: Just found out the cost is $28 per person. Not quite cheap, but it is a unique experience. Call 310.358.7788 for reservations.

UPDATE 05/31/10: There's a new Happy Hour at The London, see Cheap Date Idea #187.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $5 Valet Parking + Food & Drink.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @TheLAScene & @TheLondonWeho