10 Budget Summer Date Ideas To Do in Lexington, Kentucky (or Central Kentucky) For Under $20 - Updated for 2019

picnic table with food

Summer is in full swing! Summer is the perfect season to spend time outdoors, but the temperature can be brutal. Some people may be bored or have trouble with coming up with date activities that are out of the norm. Going on dates doesn’t have to be expensive, and there’s plenty of activities to do in Lexington for free and especially for under $20 for two people, instead of the stereotypical dinner and a movie.

All of these ideas are perfect to do with friends as well, and some of these are even kid friendly!

10 Budget Summer Date Ideas To Do in Lexington, Kentucky (or Central Kentucky) For Under $20:

1. Pedal Boats at Jacobson Park: Jacobson Park is one of the largest parks in Lexington and is located on 216 acres and in East Lexington. About ten years ago, I lived nearby, and it was my go to park for about four years. Anytime I wanted to take pictures, have a picnic, or spend time outdoors, I would go to Jacobson Park. Going out on a pedal boat is really fun, and super inexpensive too! You can check out the dock hours: HERE. (This is also kid friendly!)

Location: Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens Boonesboro Road, Lexington, Kentucky
Total Cost: 2 person pedal boats – $5.30 for 30 minutes, taxes included and for 4 person pedal boats – $7.50 for 30 minutes, taxes included.

2. Bible Mini Golf aka Jesus Golf: I know not everyone is a Christian, but this is almost an undiscovered treasure that many people may or may not know about. The first time that I heard about this place was in 2009 when I was taken on a date. It’s located at 560 Eureka Springs Drive and is next to the Lexington Ice Center. There are three eighteen hole Biblical courses; the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Miracles. Each hole is represented by a biblical verse that explains where the idea for each hole came fromThe first two course were built by the Christopher family in 1987 and the third course was built in 1991. Each hole has a sign that cites a Bible story or passage that correlates with the hole. Bible Mini Golf was on Travel Channel’s Top 10 Most Unique Miniature Golf courses. (This is also kid friendly!)

Location: Lexington Ice Center and Rec Center, 560 Eureka Springs Drive, Lexington, Kentucky
Total Cost: Depends on if you do one, two, or three courses!

Adults

1 Course – 18 Holes $7.50
2 Courses – 36 Holes $9.50
Unlimited Holes – $11.00

Children 10 and Under Pricing

1 Course – 18 Holes $6.50
2 Courses – 36 Holes $8.50
Children Unlimited Holes $10.00

3. Star gazing at Raven Run Sanctuary: Raven Run is a 734-acre nature sanctuary dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the Kentucky River Palisades and early Kentucky history. Ten miles of trails pass through meadows, woodlands and streams characteristic of the inner Bluegrass. Historic remnants of early 19th century settlers can also be found throughout the park. From July to October, you can star gaze at Raven Run Sanctuary for free on the designated nights. (This is also kid friendly!)

Dates: June 29th at 9pm, July 27th at 9pm, August at 8pm, September 28 at 7:30pm, and October 26th at 7pm
Location: 3885 Raven Run Way, Lexington, Kentucky
Total Cost: FREE

4. See the Stars at the Hummel Planetarium in Richmond, Kentucky: The Hummel Planetarium is located in Richmond, Kentucky, which is about thirty minutes from Lexington. This would be perfect if the weather outside wasn’t conducive to stargazing. In fact, this was the first real date that I had with my husband back in 2009. I had mentioned to him that I always wanted to see a meteor shower, but never had gotten the chance due to it always being cloudy. He ended up surprising me to a trip to Hummel Planetarium and said that he couldn’t make it happen, but this was the next best thing! See information about their shows: HERE and more details: HERE. (This is also kid friendly!)

Location: Hummel Planetarium Building, Richmond, Kentucky
Total Cost: For adults ages 18-61, it’s $6. Seniors (62+), students (4-17), and military are $5. EKU staff and students, it’s $5. For children, three and under, it’s free.
Directions: The Planetarium has been located on south side of Eastern Kentucky University’s campus since November of 1988. Be sure to plan ahead when traveling to the Planetarium, for it is NOT located at 521 Lancaster Avenue. You can find directions to Hummel: HERE.

*They will be closed for maintenance from May 28th to July 8th.

5. Have a movie night at The Bourbon Drive In: The Bourbon Drive-In is located in Paris, Kentucky, which is also about thirty-minutes from Lexington. It is family owned and operated, and has been since 1955. You’re able to see two movies each night they are open (Friday through Sunday)! To see the current movies and times, click HERE or HERE. They also have a concession stand you can order food from! Be sure you get the funnel cake! As a reminder, they are CASH ONLY! (This is also kid friendly!)

Location: Jackstown Road, Paris, Kentucky
Total Cost: $8.00 for Adults (11 and older), $3.00 for Kids (6-10), and Free for 5 and under (Remember that’s for two movies!)

6. Friday Night Flicks: You can enjoy recently released movies in the park right at Jacobson Park. Pre-movie activities include children’s games and a petting zoo. Celebrating 23 years, Friday Night Flicks offers a great evening of entertainment for all ages. You are allowed to bring your lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Food vendors will also be on-site. For safety, pets are not permitted. See dates and schedule: HERE (This is also kid friendly!)

Location: Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens Boonesboro Road, Lexington, Kentucky
Time: Pre-show activities start at 7pm; movie starts at dark
Total Cost: FREE; $2 for parking (new this year)

7. Fountain Films Friday: Starting at dusk, there will be a great movie shown on an inflatable screen in Triangle Park! Admission is free and guests can purchase food and beverages from the Big L’s Gourmet Dogs at the Triangle Park Café! The schedule hasn’t been announced yet, but you can keep checking HERE periodically (This is also kid friendly!)

Location: 400 West Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky
Time: Dusk
Total Cost: FREE

8. Visit Town Branch or one of the other many bourbon distilleries located in Central Kentucky: Kentucky is responsible for 95% of the world’s bourbon, so there are many opportunities to see how “America’s Native Spirit” is made. Quite a few distilleries are located within twenty-five miles of Lexington, such as; Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and many more! If bourbon isn’t your thing, there are also many breweries and wineries that you can visit too. Wise Bird Cider just opened up on June 7 in the Distillery District!

Location: Various locations
Total Cost: Various; but definitely under $20 per person

9. Take a walk downtown and see the many fabulous murals from PRHBTN: PRHBTN states: “It is an annual celebration of art forms that have been criminalized, marginalized, and under-appreciated in the mainstream, featuring public murals alongside an exhibition of street art works in a space that complements the raw, powerful nature of the message and artistry of each piece.” I took several hours of the over of several days putting together a “Street Art and Murals of Lexington, Kentucky” mural guide (along with their locations!) (This is also kid friendly!)

Location: Various
Total Cost: FREE

10. Summer Nights in Suburbia: Moondance Amphitheater will once again offer a summer concert series featuring genres to include jazz, bluegrass, indie rock, blues and folk, just to name a few. See schedule: HERE.