Date Ideas at/near UMD

I asked a ton of people for date ideas in/around UMD. I asked both singles and couples, and here's what they told me:

#8 - Swedish Meatballs at Ikea

Food:

1. Restaurants on Rt. 1 - Jason's Deli and Blaze Pizza aren't too expensive. TenRen's is a fun one that's a bit more expensive but still doable for a college student. 
2. Frozen Yogurt at Tutti Frutti - also near Lot 1
3. Ice cream at the Dairy
4. Bring your own picnic, eat at McKeldin mall
5. Adele's - especially at the end of the semester when you have extra dining points
6. For a night in, order Insomnia Cookies and watch Netflix together
7. Go to the diner together - I asked a bunch of single people for date ideas, and this is by far their most popular answer. Maybe that's why they're still single? :) In their defense, it is economical though.
8. Swedish meatballs at IKEA - Bus 137 goes from STAMP to IKEA on Saturdays. Schedule here. It's about a 30 minute ride. Try out the furniture while you're there.
9. For a fancy meal that's still close to campus - the Marriott. There's a nice restaurant there, and it'd be a good place for an anniversary dinner when you're too busy to go into DC. (The flatbreads are yummy there.)

Entertainment

1. Concerts and shows at CSPAC. Check the calendar for upcoming events. Students can sometimes get into not-free events for free. More on that here.
2. Go to an art exhibit. There are art galleries right on campus. There's one in the Art/Sociology building, another at STAMP, and a third at the David C. Driskell Center (in Cole Field House).
3. PG Plaza - movie theater there and only one metro stop away
4. Free movies at Hoff Theater - held by SEE
5. Athletic games

Activities: 

1. Rock climbing/ropes course
2. Crazy weird fitness class like SUPYO (Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga) <-- Heard the lines for this was long though.
3. Go to the farm to look at animals
4. Go to the Chapel Garden and read the secret book of stories under the bench
5. Stargazing (McKeldin mall might be too bright; I've had better luck near Cole Field House in the late night.)
6. Swimming at Eppley - outdoor pool is open until early October
7. Bowling/Billiards at TerpZone
8. Walking around Lake Artemesia. You can bring a picnic too.
9. Ice Skating
10. Ballroom dancing - learn the waltz, tango, jive and more. No experience necessary!
11. For a low key date, hang out on the rooftop garden on top of South Campus Diner
12. Biking/walking around campus - especially in the Fall
13. A bit of a stretch, but convince a tight rope walker on the mall to teach you two
14. Go swimming in the fountain on McKeldin mall at night (it's less crowded then)

DC:

1. Take the metro to D.C. and go to a museum or two. Paid tickets are required for the Newseum and Spy Museum, but the Smithsonian ones are free. Save money by getting food from a food truck or splurge at a nice restaurant. 
2. In the winter: ice skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
3. Near Christmas time: DC Christmas Market! (The real name is Downtown Holiday Market.) Do some Christmas shopping here, buy some trinkets, and eat some mini donuts. If you get cold, duck into the National Portrait Gallery for warmth.
4. Also in the winter: ZooLights, at the National Zoo
5. Year-round: the National Zoo 
6. In the Spring - Cherry Blossom Festival at the Tidal Basin
7. Concerts - 9:30 Club, U Street Music Hall, Lincoln Theater, Echostage, and Verizon Center
8. See a play at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. They offer discounted tickets ($25 each) to those under 35.

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Thanks to Sophia, David, Tiffany, Devin, Maron, and a bunch of other people I'm forgetting for their help on this.