If you are a student at BYU or UVU, you are surrounded by other singles, but finding the time and money for good dates is a real challenge. The good news is that Provo and Orem are full of free and cheap options, and creativity counts for more than cash.
Here are creative date ideas built for student schedules and student budgets.
On or near campus
Free BYU museums
The BYU Museum of Art, the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, and the Museum of Peoples and Cultures are all free. Pick one, then grab ice cream at the BYU Creamery.
Hike the Y
A short, steep trail with a big payoff view of Provo and Utah Lake. Go at sunrise or sunset to beat the heat.
Campus performances
Concerts, plays, dance shows, and student recitals happen constantly at BYU and UVU, often at student prices.
Game day
Catch a BYU game at LaVell Edwards Stadium or the Marriott Center, or a UVU game at the UCCU Center in Orem.
Creative dates
Themed dinner
Pick a country, cook a dish from it, play music from there, and learn a few phrases. It costs about as much as the groceries.
Photo scavenger hunt
Make a list of photo challenges around campus or downtown Provo. Turn it into a double date for extra competition.
Thrift store challenge
Set a small budget, pick outfits for each other at a thrift store, and wear them to dessert.
Service date
Volunteer together at a local food pantry or community event, or do a secret service project for a neighbor.
Stargazing
Drive up a canyon away from city lights, bring blankets and a star-map app, and look up. Dress warmer than you think you need.
Outdoor student dates
Provo River Parkway bike ride
Ride or walk from town toward Bridal Veil Falls, and bring snacks.
Kiwanis Park picnic
Close to campus, with lots of green space. Bring a frisbee.
Sunset at Utah Lake State Park
An easy evening date with one of the best sunset views in the valley.
Rock Canyon
Right on the edge of town, with dramatic canyon walls and climbers to watch.
Dating on a student schedule
Between classes, work, and studying, it is easy to keep saying "we should hang out sometime" and never actually go. Specific, short plans fix that. A 45-minute dessert date between study sessions beats a perfect date that never happens.
Midweek dates are underrated. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are less crowded, and a plan like "Bean Museum, then the Creamery, Wednesday at 6" fits around almost any schedule.
Watch your budget without making it the topic. Free museums, trails, and campus events let you date often without stress, and saving a nicer dinner for a later date gives you something to look forward to.
Finally, be clear and kind. A specific invite is easy to accept or decline, which respects everyone's time.
Post or request a plan like this on Rove
On Rove, every date starts as a specific plan. Here are a few plans inspired by this page. Men can post one like it, and women can browse and request the ones that sound fun.
- “Bean Museum, then the BYU Creamery. Wednesday at 6.”
- “Sunrise hike up the Y, then breakfast. Saturday at 6:30 a.m.”
- “Thrift store outfit challenge, then dessert. Friday at 7. Small budget each.”
Frequently asked questions
What are free date ideas for BYU students?
Free BYU museums, hiking the Y, walking the Provo River Parkway, a Kiwanis Park picnic, and many campus events are free or close to it.
What are good date ideas for UVU students?
UVU games and performances, picnics at Orem parks, shows at the SCERA Center, and Provo's free museums and trails are all close by.
How do I find time to date as a busy student?
Plan short, specific dates that fit around classes, like a 45-minute dessert date or a midweek museum visit.
