#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

I haven’t been to Dutch Village in Holland, MI since kindergarten.  Today’s Groupon deal would be a fantastic date!  For $18, you get admission for 2 to Dutch Village and $20 to spend on food at the Hungry Dutchmen Cafe or gifts.

I checked out the activities and there’s lots to do & see:

• Dutch dancing lessons
• Old Dutch cheese making
• Waterwheel and The Giant Stork – photo opps
• History museum
• Petting zoo and TAKE A GOAT FOR A WALK *Seriously, who hasn’t wanted to do this their entire life?! Don’t tell me you’ve already done it. I’ll be jealous. ;)*

While you need to purchase the deal today, you have until October 4, 2011 to redeem it.

Final Price: $18 per couple

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done these dates or do you have other ideas? Would your West Michigan business like to be featured? Email me.

#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

Nosh Night: Swap Meet at UICA on Thursday, May 5, 2011 from 6 – 9 pm.  Click the link for details, but the basic idea is:

• $5 per person if you bring a piece of artwork to swap ($7 pp if you don’t)

• Cinco de Mayo themed music

• Cash bar and food by The Winchester

Final Price: $10 per couple (when you bring art to swap) plus drinks

I love this. Everything about it. A really fun and frugal way to have a night out AND get some fresh new wall decor! See you there?

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done these dates or do you have other ideas? Would your West Michigan business like to be featured? Email me.

#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

Last week I gave you an assignment: Make a list of frugal, free, and fun date ideas you’d like to do this spring in West Michigan – even if it’s just 2 or 3 things. Then, actually do one of them this weekend. The only rule is they have to be $25 or less.

Did you do it?  As promised, this week I’m sharing my top 10 list of Spring dates I’d like to do:

Take dance/salsa lessons at Salsalogy. We have a LivingSocial deal to use ($19 for 3 sessions)!  We’ll see if these hips can move the way they did pre-30.

Sushi in the park. Go to D&W Fresh Market and pick up some sushi (it’s good. really.) and take it to any park for a picnic. Why not?

Have a Beer Tasting Party with friends. Everyone brings a different six-er of Michigan craft beer.  Complete the experience with pizzas on the grill and have everyone bring their favorite topping.

Butterflies are Blooming at Fred Meijer Gardens. Only $12 per adult through April 30, 2011. So many people have recommended it. I’ve never been. Have you?

Take me out to the ball game. Whitecaps lawn tickets are only $6 each. Go on Thrifty Thursday for $1 hot dogs and $2 beer.

Hike some sand dunes. Rosy Mound in Ottawa County is a great place to get out for a day of sun and fresh air. Take some water, snacks, and only pay $4-$6 for parking.

Go to John Ball Zoo. I haven’t been to the zoo in years. They have a ton of spring events (Twilight Sensory Safari sounds interesting) and general admission is only $5 per person.

Hit a bucket of balls at the driving range. Not a golfer? Doesn’t really matter. Have a shortest drive contest and share some laughs.

Founders and live music. I really want to see The Crane Wives after watching them on Fox 17′s “The One Seven.”

Your turn! What would should I add to this list?

Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done these dates or do you have other ideas? Let us know in the comment section of this post.

#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

Every season I make a list of 10 dates I’d like to do here in West Michigan. True to my style, they are frugal or free. Some people say, “you get what you pay for even when it’s free.” I prefer to think, “some of the best things in life are free.”  As in, it’s not what you’re doing, it’s who you’re with. I also believe there are truly FUN, frugal and free things to do here. Things that will make you belly laugh and things that you’ll remember forever.

Unfortunately, we only accomplished 2 of the 10 things on the winter to-do list (although we did do a lot of other fun things not on the list). Maybe 10 things is too many for a season, or maybe I didn’t try hard enough. We’ll do better for spring! :)

Here’s your #GRDates assignment:  Make a list of frugal, free, and fun date ideas you’d like to do this spring in West Michigan – even if it’s just 2 or 3 things. Then, actually do one of them this weekend. The only rule is they have to be $25 or less.  I’d LOVE it if you shared your list in the comments section of this post!

Update: Here’s my list of 10 Spring Dates.

#GRDates is a weekly series highlighting fun & frugal dates in Grand Rapids and around West Michigan for $25 or less! Because I love West Michigan and want to experience everything it has to offer, but I do have to stick to a budget.

Lots of big names in comedy are coming to town for Gilda’s Club Laugh Fest. Big ticket prices come along with that, BUT there are still ways to get in on the Laugh Fest festivities for less… or for FREE! Grab your sweetie and have a great date!

Pet Look-a-like Contest – FREE at Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday, March 12 at 9am.

Contents Under Pressure – FREE show on Friday, March 11 and Saturday March 12 at 7pm. Master Arts Theatre.

Pop Scholars – FREE show on Saturday, March 12 at 9pm. Dog Story Theater.

Get the entire listing of FREE Laugh Fest comedy events from March 10-20, 2011 here.

Since you’re attending Laugh Fest for FREE, go ahead and spend some cash on the UICA for 19 holes of artist designed mini-golf. $8 for non-members, $6 for members. OR just drop your $25 at a downtown restaurant. Just be sure to take your restaurant.com deal to stretch your $25 even farther!

Final Price $25 or less

What do you have planned? Get more #GRDates ideas here. Have you already done this date or do you have other ideas? Let us know in the comment section of this post.