For many, the splurges on fancy dinners, trips to exotic locations, and expensive concerts are more and more limited due to the economy. But people still need to have some fun. So what are service providers doing to make entertainment more affordable?

Drive-in movies all but disappeared from the American landscape in the 80’s and 90’s, and a whole generation has missed out on the kitsch culture of the drive-in, experiencing it only through, well, movies and television that featured the drive-in. Could it make a comeback?

Robert Smith reports on NPR’s Morning Edition about cheap thrills at one drive-in theater – but it’s one of the few remaining in use in the U.S.

“My daughters are already asleep in the back seat. But that’s one of the beauties of a cheap thrill. If I had paid the $121 per seat for The Little Mermaid on Broadway, I’d be prying those cute eyes open right now. As it is, I can tilt the seat back and chill.”

In New York City, the ultimate local amusement park of days past was Coney Island, which has fallen into disrepair in recent years. But as WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show reports, redevelopment plans are gaining support and could bring low-cost entertainment back to Brooklyn.

Another cheap treat is a trend that started a while ago in cities around the U.S. – gourmet cupcakes. As a guest on Marketplace’s Whiteboard video blog, actress Aisha Tyler (of “24”, “CSI”, etc), suggested giving away 9,000 cupcakes to boost the economy.

Tyler’s idea single-handedly takes on the baking industry:

“By going out and spending some $36,000 on cupcakes, Aisha is juicing the economy in a significant way. For a start, whatever bake shop she patronizes will be very happy to have her business: maybe the staff will get a pay rise (they’ll certainly feel more secure with an order like that); maybe the shop will go out and hire some new people. The profits from the sale might go to placing some ads in the local papers (heaven knows they need the cash) or perhaps to refurbish the store or buy some new signage or equipment.”

On a somewhat smaller (but more realistic) scale, a secret cupcake peddler in San Francisco is creating her own cottage industry, making office workers excited for Wednesdays, as Amanda Dyer for KALW reports.

What are some free or cheap things you and your family are choosing over pricey treats in the current economic climate?