It can be hard to squeeze in date night, especially in this economy. Childcare can be expensive, but we’re not including that cost for these ideas. If you have a relative, close friend, or trusted neighbor that offers to watch the kids for a couple of hours, that’s a great date night opportunity.
You can also try a date night swap with close friends where you watch all the kids one night, and then they watch all the kids the next time.
Manifest a free babysitter, and try one of these 10 cheap date ideas in McKinney under $80.
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1. Hop the Square
Downtown McKinney is bustling with shops and unique restaurants. Pick three restaurants to go appetizer-hopping! Stop in to three different restaurants for appetizers, check out the menus, and pick which one you want to come back to.
Walk around the square and window shop. Search for the tiny bird murals and fairy doors hidden around the storefronts. Document the rare occasion with “ussies” at the many picturesque vistas. May we recommend the fountain in the center of the square?
2. New or Vintage? Trade Days or Thrifting
McKinney Trade Days is a market with dozens of vendors. Window shop together and sample a new food or ingredient. Pick a budget together and enjoy shopping!
Or head to Inn Style Resale or Plaza Thrift. Shop for things you need, or set a budget to buy fun things for each other that you might not usually wear or read.
3. A Sweet Escape
Four words: North Texas Escape Rooms. These are NOT scary adventures, but they are suspenseful. I appreciated knowing there was always a way out, if I needed it. After your heroic escape, walk to Braums or Olive Garden right next door for dessert. Tiramisu, anyone?
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4. Adults Only
There are several kid-oriented places that have adult-only nights. At The Heard, date nights often include a thrilling activity like zip lining or late night hiking, and they only cost $14 per adult! It also has food trucks and special treats available for purchase on those evenings. You can find its schedule here.
The Dallas Zoo Happy Hour and The Perot Museum’s Thursdays on Tap are also monthly, affordable kid-free events.
5. Comedy Night & Arcade Showdown
A night out laughing together is a gift! The Comedy Arena in McKinney has shows that range from $10 – $25. Below the arena is Arcade 92. Put your sportsmanship to the test with a duel on the vintage video games. For one $12 entry fee, you can play as many games as you want. Best news? You’ll have cheddar left over for dinner in the same spot.
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6. Caffeinated Walk
Walk and talk together on the beautiful 10 mile-trail that goes from Bonnie Wenk Park to Towne Lake Park. The parking lots are nearby plenty of coffee shops to fuel up. Try the kama’aina (local) favorite, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii. These parks are beautiful, not busy, and have wide walking paths. Take note of the different playgrounds, too, for future outings with the kids.
If you want a shorter walk, take a shorter hike around the lakes and fountains. These are the perfect parks to hold hands and walk or sit and have an uninterrupted conversation, all while breathing in the fresh air and whiffs of a coffee brewed just for you.
7. Lunch in Adriatica
Visit Croatia without leaving McKinney at The Adriatica Village. Based on a Croatian village, this town is filled with shops and eateries. Grab a drink from a coffee shop and explore like tourists.
For lunch, stop in to Zin Zen Wine Bistro for the $10 specials, or create your own (affordable) pizza at Cavalli’s.
Insider tip: Order tacos and handmade ice cream to-go from NomNoms, and bring it back to eat and take pictures by the chapel or fountain.
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8. Morning at the Movies
Movie tickets are so expensive right now, but they’re cheaper if you see a morning show or matinee. Cinemark is the theater to check out in McKinney. McKinney North, Allen, and CUT locations are all within an easy driving distance, and CUT is a dine-in theater. To save even more, snack beforehand and make buttery movie theater popcorn the main course — nothing beats it!
9. Trivia Night
- Hub 121 is reminiscent of Waco’s silos with several dining options surrounding a grassy area with picnic tables. It has free concerts and movie and character meet nights, too. Check its calendar for upcoming events.
- Stix Icehouse is an outdoor space with music bingo every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy the yard games and loaded fries!
- Or let your hair down at the Cocktail Creamery with boozy ice cream and karaoke.
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10. Free Date Night at Home
What about when $80 dates are unattainable? Time to get creative. We love making date night at home:
- Collaborative board games for two players
- Themed cooking
- Watching a movie together
These have been some of my favorite dates, ever.
What are your favorite spots in McKinney for a night out?
