Cheap Romantic Getaways: How to Spice It Up for the Weekend

Posted by Rebecca Brody

Have you lost the romance in your life? In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you may find it difficult to take time out for romance. Many couples forget that their relationships, like gardens, need tending, and if you allow the weeds to overgrow, you lose sight of the beautiful flowers. It has become even more difficult to tend the garden of love, as families struggle with job loss, lower incomes, unfathomable medical bills and the stress that encompasses a spiraling economy. These are the issues that test the bonds of love and commitment. In this time of uncertainty, it is even more important to focus on your relationship and strengthen the connections between you and the one who stands beside you. Here are some cheap romantic getaway ideas to keep the love and romance alive in your relationship.

Romance, fun and exciting adventures can be found close to home and for a good price. Find out how to "getaway" without leaving getting on a plane with our Staycation Guide.


Tour The City:
If you live in a metropolitan city like Chicago, NYC, or Atlanta you've probably have seen plenty of tour buses in your time. Ever consider becoming a tourist in your own city? Why travel to another state when there are adventures left to be discovered in your own town. Hop on a bus or a ferry and take in the city. It will make you appreciate what your hometown has to offer.

Day Spa:
Whether it's a ladies day out or some QT with the boo; day spas are a great way to get out and relax. A typical body massage could range from $30 to $120 depending on how long you choose to be pampered. A pedicure and manicure are inexpensive and can be just as relaxing.

Bed & Breakfast:
If you don't have time for a vacation we're sure you'll have time for a weekend get-away. You and your significant other can take a rendezvous to a local bed & breakfast. Getting away from home for a few days even in the same city can be refreshing to the mind and body.

Host a cocktail Party:
Cocktail parties can be a fun way to entertain guests ranging from neighbors to business associates. With the holidays around the corner this is a great way to practice. Pull out the drink glasses and make sure to stock up on plenty of ice and you should be good to go. To save money, ask your friends to chip in by bringing a bottle of their choice. Don't forget to stock up on plenty of mixers like orange juice and cranberry and you should be good to go.


Local Family Reunion:
Traveling across the country to visit family may be difficult considering gas prices and air fare, but getting family members together in your hometown is definitely cost friendly. Round up everyone for a barbecue, a family outing or a birthday party. Family members who live minutes away can often get consumed in their busy lives but creating family functions can keep family ties tight.

Movie Night:
Taking the whole family to the movies can be quite costly these days. A family of four could spend over $50 at the theater after tickets, popcorn and drinks! Renting a movie is much easier on your pockets. Head to the grocery store for some popcorn, round the kiddies up in the living room and enjoy a low cost evening of entertainment.

Museum or Historical Buildings:
Museums and historical sites can be educational and fun for the whole family. The great thing about most museums is that they're free to get into which is always a good thing. Get the family together and spend the day learning more about your city or your country while spending quality time with your family.


Restaurant Tour:
Have you dined out at every restaurant in your city? Probably not, so why not take a tour of a few restaurants in your area? Discover new places to dine while staying on a budget. Make a game out of it and try to find the best tasting restaurants for less with your family.



Or do something not so close to home.......

Take a weekend for a romantic city getaway.
Drive, take the train or hop on a bus to cut back on transportation costs. There are amazing hotel deals in cities across the country. Check out museums, galleries, comedy clubs, theater shows and other local sites. Pack your lunches, and for dinner, find an inexpensive but amazing little restaurant off the beaten path. It's all about the adventure.

Find the closest body of water and spend some time canoodling on the beach.
If you can't splurge on a room, then reach out to family and friends who have beach condos and time-shares, a cabin in the woods or a house on the lake. Quality time in nature will recharge your batteries and let you focus on the one you love.

Take a ski weekend with friends and split the cost of a cabin.
You can cook great dinners while sipping on vino and sharing the evening with quality friends. Group dates are just as fun as single ones, and traversing the trails with your love is quality time well spent.

Take a tour of the local markets.
If you and your partner appreciate fine wine, this is the time to take a drive through wine country for a tasting tour. If you prefer apple picking, this is the season to hit the orchards and whip up a homemade apple pie. Buy local farm produce from roadside markets, and make an affordable and fun dinner just for two.

Restaurant hopping is a fun way to try different cuisines without breaking the bank.
Pick three restaurants you have always wanted to try and take a trip to each one in the course of an evening. Sit at the bar and try an appetizer at one, a main course at another and dessert at the last. You'll get to enjoy the ambiance of each place while in the company of the one you love. Keeping the romance alive in your relationship takes a little work and some creativity, but it is a welcome relief from the stress of everyday life. Use this time to strengthen the bonds of your relationship and to truly celebrate the person who is most important to you.