This rainy April weekend, my husband and I challenged ourselves to a date day/evening out together. We had to keep the budget to a minimum while still having fun, getting a few treats, and visiting some locally owned places that are new to us. We live in New England, and we chose to travel up 108 from Massachusetts to New Hampshire. This route is pretty relaxing and a fun drive with pastoral New England scenery. So, let’s see what all we did for our first Dates on a Dime adventure.
Our first stop was Exeter, New Hampshire where we perused the fun comic and collectible store, Krypton Comics and Pop Culture on Water Street. Located right downtown near plenty of restaurants, book stores, and more, Krypton has so many interesting toys, board games, comics, records, and little bits of vintage nostalgia that make this store so much fun. It is free to browse, but they also have small bundles of figures, trading cards, and even books for under $10. In fact, we got an issue of the Walking Dead graphic novel series for only $5!
We got back on the road and headed to the next stop in Newmarket, New Hampshire. I discovered Deciduous Brewing Company when I was searching for fun things to do in the little towns along 108. At this brewery, you can put in an online order in advance, or you can enjoy their tasting room with a beer on tap. With fireside and table seating and multiple beers on tap, the tasting room was both spacious and cozy. The cost varies, but for our challenge, we chose a 4 pack of Trodden, a delicious Czech style dark lager with molasses notes for $13. We split one can and brought three home for another day, spreading our savings even further.
Staying in Newmarket, we headed to Crackskull’s Coffee and Books (you can browse their menu here). This bookstore and coffee shop was definitely my kind of place. You can order from their large menu of drinks and baked goods, then lose yourself in the eclectic art work, vintage items, and used books that line the walls of the rest of the shop. The staff was friendly and the service was excellent. We enjoyed two small Americanos for about $6. However, you don’t have to purchase food to browse the books, and they had little stickers and other fun trinkets for only a couple of bucks.
We got back in the car, and we drove to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for our next stop which was in the downtown area. We paid $2.35 for our parking, but many little shops including our next stop, Deadwick’s Ethereal Emporium, are within walking distance of each other. If magic shops interest you, Deadwick’s is a must see. This store does not allow photography, but trust me when I say you’re instantly transported when you step through the door. Potion ingredients, crystals, teas, books, and more line the walls in this fragrant and fun shop. The atmosphere is welcoming and alluring. And, this shop also offers classes and ghost tours. On the day we visited, they gave us a quest to visit the other stores in the area, get stamps, and win a free prize! It was a really fun place to visit. You can browse for free, make a simple potion for a few dollars, or buy all the witchcraft ingredients and books your heart desires.
While we were parked, we visited the Portsmouth African Burying Ground Memorial. You can read more about the memorial here, but it is small and very powerful, and each of the figures has a reason for standing engraved on it. We visited the Kate Crowell memorial across the street, as well. It was rainy and rather cold out, or we definitely would have spent more time walking around this charming city.
We drove just a few minutes away to Newington, New Hampshire to visit Stairway to Heaven Comics. This comic store in particular is very accessible with ramps into the store and inside the store itself. In addition, this comic store has a rewards program if you are a frequent shopper. They have comics, manga, toys, games, and a children’s section. They also were running a tabletop game while I was there, so do check with them if roleplaying games interest you! You are welcome to browse for free in this store, and they have a very wide range of prices if you want to grab a comic or some dice.
We had a little time, so we visited the USS Albacore Park. The outside area is free, and there are lots of places to sit. You can walk most of the way around the submarine and admire the exterior. If you want to tour it, the cost is around $14/ adult, and tickets are sold inside the gift and information building. We have toured it a couple of times, so we decided to take some photos of the outside only this visit. It is fascinating inside, and I highly recommend touring this boat if you haven’t before.
By this time, we were ready for food. We opted for burgers from Lexie’s Restaurant in Portsmouth. You can order one of their special burgers, or create your own. I brought our own drinks, so we only got burgers and fries. The portions were large, the fries were hot and crispy, and the burgers were flavorful and juicy. This purchase was our most expensive, but the meals were large enough that they served as a late night snack, as well.
I had a few more places planned, but the early April New England weather turned cold and rainy so our last stop was short. We drove over to Peirce Island and took a couple of pictures. I had planned to walk the trails, but the wet weather was becoming unpleasant, so we will save that hike for another day.
Despite the weather, we thoroughly enjoyed our budget date while staying local and visiting some new places. Window shopping, concocting potions, browsing books, and tasting a few special treats gave us a great mental boost without emptying our wallet. I really hope to do more of these Dates on a Dime adventures in the future, too! Do you have any tips for budget dates? What are some hidden gems in your area? Let us know!