Love & Marriage

5 CHEAP DATES:

DATE 1: ART DATE

Start in the afternoon with tours of some of the Orange Show Foundation's most notable (and cheap) attractions, such as the Beer Can House (admission is $1), the Orange Show (admission is $1) and the Art Car Museum (admission is free). (713-926-6368; www.orangeshow.org).

Once you're feeling artistically inspired, head to Sew Crafty, Houston's first craft studio and sewing lounge, to take a class on how to make your own stationary or pajama pants. Classes start at $28. (713-863-1144; www.sewcraftyhouston.com) Finally, end at Swirlls (713-552-0863; www.swirlls.com) frozen yogurt, where you can get creative with your dessert options. It's pay by the ounce, so you can be as frugal as you want.

DATE 2: COUNTRY DATE

Start your date in Tomball at Matt Family Orchard, where you can pick your own fruit or even try your hand at archery. Price of fruit is charged by the pound, so you can pick as little or as much as you want. (281-351-7676; www.mattfamilyorchard.com) Then head to Old Town Spring for a late lunch at one of several popular restaurants and some window shopping. (281-353-9310; www.oldtownspring.com).

Finally, end at Show Boat Drive-In in Hockley, where you can enjoy two feature films for $5. Shows start at dusk. A full concession stand is available. (281-351-5224; www.theshowboatdrivein.com).

DATE 3: PICNIC DATE

Start your afternoon at a local wine bar like the Tasting Room, which every Saturday offers tastings various wines for $5 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (713-993-9800; www.tastingroomwines.com). If you find a bottle you like, buy one for later.

Then pick up a picnic dinner somewhere like Nundini Italian Market, which offers a wide selection of sandwiches, salads and gelato. (713-861-6331; www.nundini.com).

Finally, grab a blanket and head to watch the Waugh Bridge bat colony, which makes a mass exodus into the sky every night around dusk. The best part? It's free.( www.buffalobayou.org).

DATE 4: MUSICAL DATE

Start your date with a jazz brunch at one of Houston's popular spots, such as Masraff's on Post Oak Lane (713-355-1975; www.masraffs.com). This brunch is not all-you-can-eat, so you can order frugally from the menu with items like pancakes ($8.50) or a salmon omelet ($13.50).

From there, head to Main Street, where you can shop for vinyl records at Sig's Lagoon and listen to music pouring from places like The Big Top Lounge and the Continental Club.

Finally, head to Mr. Gino's Lounge, which features great live blues every Sunday starting around 5 p.m. (713-738-0555). Cover is $5.

DATE 5: ATHLETIC DATE

Start your date at Lucky's Pub (713-522-2010; www.luckyspub.com), where you can watch the game, grab some great grub and even compete in a wii tournament. Nightly drink specials are available too.

Then, head to the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink for some old-school quad skating ( www.skatedarr.com). Cost is $7.