Shopping/Perusing

Brunch Adventure in Collingswood, NJ!

Collingswood

Philly has plenty of cheap and lovely brunch spots.  You can’t beat the $10 Kegs and Eggs at Distrito, or the $5 classic breakfast at the adorable Fitzwater cafe.  But if you’ve been-there-done-that and are looking for something new, different, and exciting, why not make a day trip out of it and make your way to Tortilla Press in Collingswood, New Jersey?  Every weekend, this Mexican-influenced restaurant serves a $6 Early Bird brunch from 10:00-noon that’s worth getting up early for! Collingswood was originally buildt as a railroad suburb of Camden, but over the last few decades its been renovated in an effort to make the area a restaurant destination, and almost all of the restaurants are BYO. Collingswood also has a reputation of being LGBT friendly. To get there from Philly, take PATCO from 15th& Locust, or 8th & Market, to Collingswood.  The trip only takes about 15 minutes and…

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2012 Street Fairs and Fests!

2012 Street Fairs and Fests!

It’s here! Cheap Date Philadelphia’s extremely handy and quite dandy list of Street Fairs and Fests for summer 2012! As you well know, Cheap Dater is a huge fan of festivals. It gets you outside, there’s lots to see, hear, and talk about, and there’s always plenty of cheap eats and treats. Good for a first date, a friend date or a group date – a win, win, win! Check back often for updates, share with your friends, and let cheapdatephiladelphia@gmail.com know if there’s a festival that should be added! Happy Festing! MAY 26-MAY 27: Sundrop Music and Arts Festival. Live Music all day at the Fire, 412 W. Girard(1-8pm). MAY 28: Memorial Dei Picnic and Music Fest at Old Swede’s Church (noon-6pm – $10 entry). MAY 31-JUNE 3: Greek Festival at St. George’s Cathedral. Enjoy homemade Souvlaki, gyro, mousaka, pastitsio, spanakopita, baklava, play Coach Bag Bingo, listen to Greek music, learn…

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Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll is BACK!

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll is BACK!

The Dollar Stroll is back for 2012! Starting tonight, July 19th, take your date and a fistfull of dollars to Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia for the third annual Dollar Stroll! This event turns Baltimore Avenue into a delightful open-air parade of sights, smells, and sounds, but as I learned last year, the lines do get long.  My advice for making it a great date: (1) go early (the event runs from 5:30-8:30pm), (2) pick a few must-do’s, but don’t expect to hit every single venue, and (3) use this handy vendor list to plan your route! This year there are over 25 businesses participating. You can find everything from $1 patch kits at Firehouse bikes, to $1 grape leaves at Aksum, to $1 yoga classes at Studio 34, and $1 craft beers at Dock Street. Simply put: it’s going to be hard to find more bang for your buck anywhere in the city…

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It’s back! Hot Chocolate and the Holiday Light Show.

Macy's Holiday Light Show

Traditions are what make holidays special.  (They can play a pretty big part in relationships, too). There is probably no holiday ritual more iconic in Philadelphia than the John Wanamaker (now Macy’s) Christmas Light Show. Since 1955, this dazzling display of lights and music (with narration by the equally iconic Julie Andrews) has delighted children and adults alike. At least it delighted my date and I (two consenting adults) when we went to see it! How cheap we talkin’: The light show is FREE! Hot drinks range from $3-6, as do individual shots for spiking them! Why this will impress your date:  Because nothing beats feeling like a kid again. Except feeling like a kid who’s snuck into the liquor cabinet. The Inside Game: If you can get there on a weekday, Monday through Thursdays are the least crowded shows. Score Extra Points: By planning your visit to coincide with one of the daily concerts on the famous…

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For me? You shouldn’t have! Trading Treasures from Flea Markets

For me? You shouldn’t have! Trading Treasures from Flea Markets

On a recent Saturday, my date and I went to the Philadelphia Flea Market held that weekend in Headhouse Square, near the east end of South Street. Dozens of vendors were crowded under the covered walkway between Lombard and Spruce, spilling out onto the sidewalk on both sides. We started at one end and worked our way slowly through the teeming treasure trove of vintage toys, retro clothes and shoes, ceramics, jewelry, watches, furniture, antique cameras, handmade quilts, faded photographs, and every imaginable kind of trinket.

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Street Fairs & Fests

Street Fairs & Fests

Last year, I recommended going to one of Philly’s many street fairs and festivals, as a great cheap date idea: There’s (usually) no cost for entry, there’s (almost always) live music or entertainment to enjoy, and there’s lots of cool stuff to look at and fun foods to try! Of course, if you don’t want to spend date money at the food stands you can always bring your own and dine picnic style – and bringing your own water anyway is a smart (and cost-saving) move. In short, Philly’s festivals come in all shapes and sizes, and they are a great opportunity to venture out to a different park or neighborhood, mingle with a new crowd, get some sun and some exercise, see some great live music, meet up with friends, or just enjoy the company of your date. Like last year, I’ve again compiled a list of upcoming street fairs…

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