A park is the easiest outing to plan and often the cheapest. Neighborhood and city parks give you lawns, shade trees, walking paths, playgrounds and sports courts, usually just a few minutes from home. State parks go bigger, with hiking trails, lakes, beaches, campgrounds and scenery worth the drive, often for a small day-use or parking fee.

Many parks have more going on than people realize. Look for nature centers, ranger-led walks, gardens, outdoor concerts and movie nights in summer, farmers markets, and boat or bike rentals. Check the park's website before you go for hours, events, trail conditions and anything that's closed for the season.

The Date Activity

A walk in the park is a classic first date for good reason. It's relaxed, it's free, and it's easy to stretch into a whole afternoon or wrap up after an hour. Give the walk a destination, like a loop around a lake, a rose garden or a hilltop with a view, so you're not just wandering. The hour before sunset is when most parks look their best.

For a longer date, pack a picnic, rent a paddle boat on the lake, or bring a frisbee and see who chases it more. State parks make a great day trip: hike in the morning, eat lunch by the water, and drive home with the windows down.

On Your Own / With Friends

Parks are made for groups. Many cities and state parks let you reserve a picnic shelter or pavilion for a birthday, reunion or team cookout, and popular spots fill up early for summer weekends. Bring a ball, lawn games and a speaker kept at a friendly volume, and let the afternoon run itself.

On your own, a park is a good place to read, run, walk the dog or just sit somewhere green for a while. If you've been meaning to try camping, a state park campground with restrooms and marked sites is an easy first trip.

Good to Know

Pack out everything you bring, including food scraps, and leave your spot cleaner than you found it. Check the rules before you light a grill or open a bottle: many parks allow fires only in provided grills or fire rings, ban them during dry spells, and restrict or prohibit alcohol. Stay on marked trails, keep dogs leashed where required, and don't feed the wildlife. Popular state parks can fill their parking lots on busy weekends, so arrive early, and if you go often, an annual pass usually saves money.