Romance on a budget: 5 fun and affordable Valentine's date ideas around Bucks County

Wondering how to stick to a budget without skimping on the romance this Valentine’s Day?

Whether you’re saving toward a big goal or feeling the pinch after the holidays, you’re certainly not alone. And while the usual dinner and flowers are nice, thinking outside the box can not only save you money, but also score major romance points.

So, here are a few fun — yet affordable — Valentine’s date ideas in and around Bucks County to help you and your partner celebrate:

1. Strike up some fun with bowling

For couples who enjoy a little friendly competition, a physical activity like bowling can make for a fun night out with playful banter and casual eats.

Thunderbird Lanes, in Warminster, offers open bowling seven days a week.
Thunderbird Lanes, in Warminster, offers open bowling seven days a week.
  • Penndel Bowling Center: 449 W. Lincoln Hwy., Penndel; penndelbowling.com. As low as $8.25 per person with shoe rental.

  • Pike Lanes: 121 Second Street Pike, Southampton; pikelanes.com. As low as $6 per person with shoe rental.

  • Thunderbird Lanes: 1475 West Street Rd., Warminster; thunderbirdlanes.com. As low as $10.50 per person with shoe rental.

  • Earl-Bowl Lanes: 251N. West End Blvd., Quakertown; earlbowllanes.com. As low as $7.75 per person with shoe rental.

  • Morrisville Lanes: 625 Nolan Ave, Morrisville; mlanespa.com. As low as $10.50 per person with shoe rental.

Things to do for Galentine's Day: Grab your friends and celebrate Galentine's Day at these events around Bucks County

2. Tap into Bucks County food and beer at a brewery food truck night:

These days it's not uncommon to see food trucks make their rounds at local craft breweries — creating the perfect setting for a laidback date.

Warwick Farm Brewing's new tasting room offers a rotation of its craft beers from its 24 taps.
Warwick Farm Brewing's new tasting room offers a rotation of its craft beers from its 24 taps.
  • Aristaeus Craft Brewing Co.: 2475 Big Oak Road, Langhorne; aristaeusbrewing.com. Lineup of food trucks Thursday-Sunday.

  • Free Will Brewing – Perkasie Location: 410 E. Walnut St., Perkasie; freewillbrewing.com. Lineup of food trucks Wednesday-Sunday.

  • Manoff Market Cidery: 3157 Comfort Road, New Hope; manoffmarketgardens.com. The Speckled Egg Café Pop-up on Saturdays in February from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company: 909 Ray Ave., Croydon; neshaminycreekbrewing.com. Lineup of food trucks Tuesday-Sunday.

  • Newtown Brewing Company: 103 Penns Trail, Newtown; Newtown Brewing Company on Facebook. Lineup of food trucks Thursday-Sunday.

  • Warwick Farm Brewing: 800 Almshouse Road, Warwick; warwickfarmbrewing.com. Lineup of food trucks Wednesday-Sunday.

More: Check out Bucks County's newest beer. Growing brewery scene collaborates on special drink

3. Set the stage for love with a live show

With plenty of talented tribute bands and community theaters nearby, a night out enjoying your shared love for music doesn't have to be expensive.

A Broadway Valentine Cabaret in Upper Dublin.
A Broadway Valentine Cabaret in Upper Dublin.
  • Chrissie Crow – A Tribute to Sheryl Crow and The Pretenders: Havana; 105 S. Main. St., New Hope; havananewhope.com. Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

  • A Broadway Valentine Cabaret by Everybody’s Theater Company: The Shanis Auditorium at the Upper Dublin Public Library; 520 Virginia Drive, Fort Washington; everybodystheatercompany.org. Feb. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.

  • Superunknown – A Tribute to the Legacy of Chris Cornell: Broken Goblet Brewing; 2500 State Road, Bensalem; brokengoblet.com. Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $18.00.

  • Shine On – A Tribute to Pink Floyd: Broken Goblet Brewing; 2500 State Road, Bensalem; brokengoblet.com. Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. $10 cover.

  • Winter Blues Fest: Poco’s Restaurant, Bar & Comedy Club; 625 N. Main St., Doylestown; pocos.com. Feb. 18 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. $10 cover.

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4. Break the ice on a first date with skating

Turn back the clock with a nostalgic evening holding hands and skating at your local ice or roller rink.

Lace 'em up at an area skating rink.
Lace 'em up at an area skating rink.
  • Grundy Ice Arena: 475 Beaver St., Bristol; grundyarena.com. Ice skating for $16 per person. Includes skate rental.

  • Hatfield Ice: 350 County Line Road, Colmar; hatfieldice.com. Ice skating for $10-$13 per person, plus $3 skate rental.

  • Inline309: 2117 Bethlehem Pike, Hatfield; inline309.org. Rollerskating or inline blading for $12-$15 per person. Includes skate rental.

  • The Revolution Ice Gardens: 1621 Mearns Road, Warminster; revolutionicegardens.com/public-skating. Ice skating for $16 per person. Includes skate rental.

  • Bucks County Ice: 1185 York Road, Warminster; revolutionicegardens.com/public-skating. Ice skating for $16 per person. Includes skate rental.

5. Pour on the romance with a Bucks County wine tasting

Visit a Bucks County winery to explore its scenic vineyards, appreciate the winemaking process and discover a new favorite vintage perfect for making a toast to your love.

Customers enjoy the wine at Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery in Perkasie.
Customers enjoy the wine at Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery in Perkasie.

Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery: 2730 Hilltown Pike, Perkasie; bishopestatepa.com. Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. $8 per person.

Buckingham Valley Winery: 1521 Durham Road, Buckingham; pawinestore.com. Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m. $10 per person.

Crossing Vineyards and Winery: 1853 Wrightstown Road, Newtown; crossingvineyards.com. Open daily from noon to 6 p.m.; Thursdays After Hours until 9 p.m. $20 per person.

Rose Bank Winery: 258 Durham Road, Newtown; rosebankwinery.com. Thursday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.$10 per person.

Sand Castle Winery: 755 River Road, Erwinna; sandcastlewinery.com. Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $20 per person.

Wycombe Vineyards: 1391 Forest Grove Road, Furlong; wycombevineyards.com. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.; Friday noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $10 per person.

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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: 5 affordable ways to celebrate Valentine's Day around Bucks County