20 Cheap Summer Dates Around Louisville That Aren't Bars Or Restaurants

The Kentucky State Fair

937 Phillips Lane
Dates at carnivals and state fairs are classic TV and movie tropes, and for good reason. Here's some of the date-y stuff you can do at this year's Kentucky State Fair: go to the Happy Together Tour on Tuesday, August 23, at 8 p.m. and sing the namesake song together; kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel; do a Lady-and-the-Tramp moment with a churro; learn how to cook from local chefs; challenge each other to conquer the "Thrill Ville" rides; hold hands and walk around the midway at night.
Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair

A Louisville Bats game

401 E. Main St.
Baseball is as much of a classic summer pastime as dating itself. Share some popcorn and relax as you watch the game and cheer on the home team; if possible, impress your date by catching a fly ball. And if the date goes well, you and your date can also get to the bases later. (Sorry.)
Photo via facebook.com/louisvillebats

The Putt-Putt Fun Center

5720 Bardstown Road
Mini-golf: it’s fun, it’s cheap, and it’s easy until it isn’t. At the Putt-Putt Fun Center, you can play three games for $9 apiece. The mini golf range’s animal statues and plastic rock formations are a little run-down, but that’s part of their charm. Inside the building, you’ll find a collection of arcade games. Why not challenge your date to a friendly competition — best two out of three, and the winner gets a kiss?
Photo via facebook.com/puttputtfuncenterlouisville

Waterfront Wednesday

1001 River Road
There’s plenty of space to sit and enjoy food truck fare while you and your date listen to the sweet sounds of free music. You can also walk by the river and enjoy the sunset between acts.
Photo by Nik Vechery

Meet the giants at Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

2075 Clermont Rd, Clermont
Take a quick trip to Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest to search for Danish artist Thomas Dambo's wooden giants, some of the coolest public art in the area. Of the giants, Dambo told LEO in 2019: “I think it’s really important to do something that pulls people out into nature so they can see how beautiful and stunning nature is, because once they see it, they’ll want to take care of it. It’s a part of my sustainable, recycling message.” Now you have a couple facts to tell your date.
Photo provided by Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Waterfront Botanical Gardens

1435 Frankfort Avenue
You and your date can savor the Garden's gorgeous flowers and other plant life, plus some nice water features, with the downtown skyline in the distance to add to the view. Plus, there’ll be a Japanese garden here come September.
Photo via Facebook.com/WaterfrontBotanicalGardens

Awesome Lazy River

165 Dawson Dr., Shepherdsville
There are countless flea markets in the region, but there’s only one that we know of that has a lazy river. At the Awesome Flea Market in Shepherdsville, you can float in a tube down the Awesome Lazy River, a two-hour trip that costs between $13-$16 for a single tube and between $25-$30 for a double tube. Some of the most memorable dates are quirky and off-the-beaten path — this certainly qualifies.
Photo via Facebook.com/awesomelazyriver

Walk along the waterfront or on the Big Four Bridge

1101 River Road
A list of cheap dates in Louisville obviously wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Waterfront Park or the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge. The vast lawns at the park that look over the Ohio River are perfect for picnics, while the walking bridge takes you on a quick trip to Jeffersonville, Indiana, where a slew of businesses wait on the other side. Sometimes you don’t have to overcomplicate things.
Photo via Louisville Tourism

An OVW event

4400 Shepherdsville Road
Split some concessions with your date as you watch, cheer on, and boo the high-flying performers at an indoor or outdoor OVW event. Plus, given that OVW has helped train names like John Cena, The Miz, Batista, Randy Orton, and CM Punk, you and your date might be seeing the superstars of tomorrow. If the date leads to something long-term, you can tell your future kids/pets/plants that you once went on a date where you saw a celebrity.
Photo by Nik Vechery

21c Museum Hotel

700 W Main Street
Jack Harlow has a track named, in part, after this hotel and contemporary art museum. Take a date, take a selfie with the much-beloved “Text Rain” installation, and take a gander at the David statue outside. There’s definitely plenty at 21c to talk about.
Photo by Carolyn Brown

Hiking

Locations vary
As the summer heat begins to break, now’s the time to take your date outside while the good weather lasts. You could always go with a classic like Cherokee Park, but why not venture a little farther to Pope Lick Park for a scenic walk that follows a large creek through forests and farmland? The path is paved, so it’s accessible to anyone.
Photo by Carolyn Brown

A LouCity or Racing Louisville game

350 Adams Street
Of course, this one’s best suited to soccer fans, but it’s fun for anyone. You and your date can deck yourselves out in purple — try to outdo each other with fun fan outfits!
Photo via LouCity FC

Go to a drive-in movie

3210 D.W. Griffith Lane, La Grange
Go on a drive-in date, just like your grandparents used to do.
Photo via Sauerbeck Family Drive-In

Muhammad Ali Center

144 North 6th Street
Why the Ali Center? Well, Muhammad Ali’s story is forever tied to his upbringing in Louisville, so think of this date as a look back into Louisville’s past. The other good thing is that its location is perfect for post-date walks along the waterfront or a quick bite at your favorite downtown spot.
Photo via Louisville Tourism

Cave Hill Cemetery

701 Baxter Avenue
Taking your date to a cemetery might sound a little goth at first, but trust us, Cave Hill Cemetery is known for its beautiful landscaping. The peaceful surroundings are perfect for getting to know someone a little better, and the cemetery is home to a number of famous Kentuckians, including Muhammad Ali.
Photo by Kathryn Harrington

The Speed Art Museum

2035 South 3rd Street
How to make a Speed visit cute and date-y: take selfies with your date imitating the art; share a meal together in the on-site café after you walk around; take a psychedelic silhouette photo together in the Art Sparks exhibit; sit on a bench and talk about a favorite piece; tell your date that they're even more museum-worthy than any of the art.
Photo via Louisville Tourism

Idlewild Butterfly Farm

1100 Logan Street
This urban butterfly farm, insectarium, educational destination and retail store is perfect for nature and insect lovers. You can swing by and visit during operating hours, no appointment necessary, to visit the flight house and gardens. Or you can book an Insectarium Tour ($10) for a guided, informational, up-close experience.
Photo via idlewildbutterflyfarm/Instagram

Disc Golf At Iroquois Park

Iroquois Disc Golf Course, 2120 Rundill Road
Try your hand at disc golf, a simple, accessible sport that only requires you to invest in a few frisbees. Iroquois Park has a free course that winds through the woods. There are signposts to guide you.
Photo via facebook.com/loukyparks

The Louisville Zoo

1100 Trevilian Way
If you love seeing exotic animals, or your date does, then the Zoo is a great spot to spend an afternoon. Pro tip: keep an eye out for one of the Zoo's many adult-only events like Brew At The Zoo for a chance to have a bit more grown-up fun.
Photo via Facebook.com/Louisvillezoo

Get ice cream

Locations vary
We had to save this one for last. Of course ice cream is a wonderful complement to a summer date — or is a date unto itself. Check out our slideshow "27 Essential Ice Cream Spots In Louisville And Southern Indiana" for a guide to the chillest local places to eat frozen treats.
Photo via Instagram.com/dairykastle/