Looking for a creative date night this Valentine’s Day? Here are some local (low cost) options for teens

Kai Alesio and Emily Gouthro

February 10, 2026

Alongside date night, many couples also buy heartfelt presents for each other.

Like most holidays, Valentine’s Day prioritizes quality time and gift-giving. It allows couples of all ages to celebrate their partnership and express gratitude for one another, spending intentional time together while making memories. Dates are a common way to enjoy the holiday, whether it be dinner or a movie, but can often come with an expensive price tag that is less accessible to teenage couples. Listed below are various budget-friendly ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your date this year!

FOOD

Waffle House

A meal at Waffle House is a great way to spend quality time with a date over plates of delicious food. Open since 1955, the fast food restaurant is known for its homey atmosphere and nostalgic menu of breakfast foods, but also serves lunch and dinner items. Patrons pay no more than $15 for a meal, and can enjoy time with friends or partners without breaking the bank.

Chili’s

The popular restaurant chain offers a great date night experience for teens and people of all ages. With good service and good food, eating at Chili’s is a no brainer for anyone who wants to spend Valentine’s Day enjoying themselves. While larger plates can climb to around $22, most meals sit in the $12-15 range, a reasonable price for any teens looking to spend time with their date this February 14th.

Tazza

Another local option for this Valentine’s Day is Tazza Kitchen in Cary, a growing semi-local chain that carries a diverse menu of top-rated food. The Stone Creek Village kitchen boasts a wood-fired oven, making for a cozy dining experience. On top of the unique cooking style, items on Tazza’s dinner menu sit around $16-20 barring more complex plates, which can cost up to $30. Teens and couples of all ages can look forward to an affordable date night at Tazza this weekend.

ACTIVITIES

Paint Your Pot

Paint Your Pot in Cary, NC, is a perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day with a partner. Customers are able to paint various ceramics of their choice, customizing the design completely from scratch. Prices can vary depending on the piece chosen, but are often affordable for simpler ceramics. Individual prices are listed on the shelves inside and include a studio fee of half the item price, up to $12. Upon arrival, customers paint their dishes and return within two weeks to collect it after firing. This date idea is perfect for those interested in structured crafts, allowing for valuable quality time together.

Valentine’s Date Night in the Park

On Feb. 14 from 5-9 p.m., Downtown Cary is holding a Valentine’s Day “Night in the Park” at DCP Academy Pavilion. The event features guitarist Alex Gordez, who will play music from various genres. Additionally, there will be a mini terrarium building, a flower bouquet stand and a “paint your partner” activity for couples to participate in, along with various other free crafts. The event is entirely free except for flowers, and only available for couples 16 and older, making it a perfect date night for upperclassmen.

Lover’s Lane Valentine’s Day Market

On Saturday, Feb. 14, Rosecomb Beer Garden is hosting a Valentine’s Day market. The event is taking place from 3-8 p.m. and will feature live music, local vendors and multiple food options for participants. Vendor items include permanent jewelry, freshly baked goods and even tarot card readings. This event is a perfect, budget-friendly way for teens to celebrate Valentine’s, either as a couple or with friends!

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About the Contributors

Kai Alesio, Student Life Editor

Kai Alesio is a junior at Green Hope, and this is her first year on the GH Falcon as the new student life editor. She decided to pursue journalism after being introduced to the class, Leadership in Media, by friends. She realized that joining the staff would help her learn more about her peers at Green Hope, as well as help her become more established in its community. Kai is interested in all aspects of the GH Falcon, but has a specific curiosity in student life, where she can share the stories and accomplishments of her peers. Outside of school, Kai participates in school volleyball, as well as school and club softball. Additionally, she can be found reading, painting or making jewelry. She hopes to pursue softball in college alongside a degree in life sciences.

Emily Gouthro, Features Editor

Emily Gouthro is a senior at Green Hope and the Features editor of the GH Falcon. In her second year on the staff – inspired by previous editors – she wants to help the staff learn to enjoy and appreciate journalism. Outside of Green Hope, Emily spends her time babysitting and coaching recreational volleyball when she isn’t hanging out with friends. Post-graduation, she hopes to find a career in pediatrics and wants to use her writing skills as an important tool in the workplace. In Emily’s free time, you’ll find her baking, coloring or playing Roblox whenever possible. She is excited to be an editor this year and hopes to inspire Green Hope students to learn about the community through journalism.

Evan Fekete, Sports Editor

Evan Fekete is a senior, returning to be the sports editor for the Green Hope Falcon in his second year on the staff. He enjoys covering sports but isn’t at all limited to it, writing and editing a multitude of articles for the GH Falcon. After high school, he wants to study Biology in college. When he’s not writing or editing, he plays soccer as a goalie for the Green Hope team. In his free time, he listens to music, plays Pokémon and spends a good bit of time (probably too much) on video games. He is excited to play and report on all of the sports at Green Hope in his last year with the Green Hope Falcon.