A date doesn't have to empty your wallet in order to be considered a good one. There are plenty of less expensive and fun dates to have in any city.

Parks

Every city has at least one park and parks are free! Meet up with your date and plan a picnic with homemade sandwiches. Or, if you both enjoy rollerblading or walking, make a date of it. For Baltimore singles, there are plenty of trails not only on the outskirts of the city, but in the metro area, as well. Try the Baltimore Inner Harbor-Waterfront Promenade Trails or Druid Hill Park Lake Loop Trail. For date ideas in New York, there's always Central Park, which even has a small zoo that costs only a few dollars.

Lunch

Eating in cities is great because you have so many choices of cuisine. Also, many eateries cater to business people and offer great lunch deals. If you and your date are adventurous, going out to lunch in the city is a perfect way to try a new cuisine. Indian food is great for those who love spicy, flavorful foods. Many Indian restaurants offer lunch buffets, which are not only great for the wallet, but also for those that may be a little nervous about sampling new foods.

Window Shopping

Cities are famous for their shopping. So if you and your date are low on cash, window shopping is a great date. It allows you the chance to talk while you walk from store to store, and also get to know a little bit more about each other. Almost every city has an arts area where there are funky, trendy stores which make for perfect window shopping.

Cities are known for having a vibrant, exciting nightlife. For people who consider themselves night owls, or just want to sample a different kind of atmosphere, dating at night is perfect. There are few standard things to do at night in a city:

• Go out to dinner
• Go to a bar or nightclub
• Attend a late-night comedy show

It's guaranteed that any city will have all of these choices, but choosing one can be a big decision.

If you plan to go out to dinner with your date, try something unique. Pick a fancier restaurant so the two of you can dress up, or select one that has live music. Restaurants with live music allow your date to continue until the wee hours of the morning. The two of you may even go out on the dance floor.

Bar hopping and nightclubs can be really fun or really lame. If a bar or club is too crowded you're not going to be able to talk to your date. Find one that offers a lounge, this way you and your date can enjoy a few drinks while snuggling up close. Like restaurants, some bars may even have live music. For Baltimore singles, The Havana Club located near the Inner Harbor is great for trying a new style of dancing while enjoying the comfort of a sophisticated lounge. Maybe you're looking for a little jazz? Date ideas in Boston might include a visit to Scullers Jazz Club.

Comedy shows are tricky. If the comedian isn't good, his bad jokes will rub off on your date. You may want to hold off on this date until you've gotten to know the person a little better.

It's not impossible to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a romantic date. Need romantic date ideas in any city? A romantic date is easy to have in any metro area, from Seattle to Miami. You just need the elements that make any date romantic:

Organize and Plan

A romantic date needs to be planned. While a date can turn into a romantic date, it doesn't always happen. A romantic date needs organization and therefore planning, especially in a city. If you want to go to that trendy new restaurant, reservations are a must. You'll also want to investigate some other activities. Is your date's favorite jazz artist playing that night? Maybe that special flavor of cheesecake is being served at your date's favorite dessert bar. Whatever it is, you'll need to organize and plan.

Get Creative

Think of something your city has to offer that is new and exciting. Maybe make plans to attend a dance lesson or take a harbor cruise. New York City even offers yacht tours which go out at sunset and usually include a delicious meal. Just try to pick something that breaks away from the routine of movies and a dinner at a chain restaurant or the same place you go every Friday.

Surprise

The most important element of a romantic date is to surprise your date. Throw in surprises by popping open a bottle of wine or giving them a small gift. City parks and waterfronts are perfect places to reveal surprises.