Rain, wind, snow, or a 100-degree afternoon should not cancel a date. Utah Valley has plenty of indoor options, from big-name museums to climbing gyms and local theater. Some are free, and almost all of them are easy to turn into a specific plan.
Here are indoor date ideas across Utah Valley.
Museums
Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point
One of the largest dinosaur museums in the world, in Lehi. Thanksgiving Point also has the Museum of Natural Curiosity and the Butterfly Biosphere if you want a longer outing.
BYU Museum of Art
Free admission and rotating exhibits on campus in Provo. A quiet, thoughtful date with lots to talk about.
Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum
Free, on the BYU campus, with animal exhibits that make for easy conversation.
Museum of Peoples and Cultures
A small BYU museum with exhibits on archaeology and cultures from around the world.
Active indoor dates
Climbing gym
Utah Valley has several bouldering and climbing gyms, including a Momentum location in Lehi. Most offer day passes, shoe rental, and beginner-friendly routes.
Ice skating
Peaks Ice Arena in Provo holds public skate sessions with rentals.
Bowling or an arcade
Classic for a reason. Keep score, make a small bet (loser buys dessert), and keep it light.
Trampoline park or escape room
Utah Valley has plenty of both. Escape rooms are especially good for seeing how you work together under a little pressure.
Arts and shows
SCERA Center for the Arts (Orem)
Community theater and events year-round, plus the outdoor SCERA Shell in summer.
Covey Center for the Arts (Provo)
Theater, concerts, dance, and gallery shows in downtown Provo.
Campus performances
BYU and UVU host concerts, plays, and dance performances throughout the school year, often at student-friendly prices.
Movie night out
Catch a new release at a local theater, such as the Megaplex at Thanksgiving Point, then talk about it over dessert.
Creative and at-home dates
Cooking date
Pick a recipe neither of you has made, shop for the ingredients together, and cook it. Even if the dish fails, the date usually succeeds.
Board game night
Choose a two-player game, or invite another couple and make it a double date.
Paint or pottery night
Local studios run paint-and-create sessions. You leave with something you made together.
Library date
The Provo City Library at Academy Square and the Orem Public Library are free, cozy, and surprisingly fun for picking books for each other.
Planning a rainy day date
If you are planning something outdoors, have an indoor backup ready. "Hike Saturday at 10, or the Museum of Ancient Life if it rains" shows forethought and keeps the date from getting canceled.
For indoor dates, check hours and reservations ahead of time, and keep a first date short and public.
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.
- “Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point, then lunch. Saturday at 11.”
- “Bouldering at a climbing gym. Shoes are rentable. Tuesday at 7.”
- “Couples cook-off with two friends. Each pair makes a dish. Friday at 6.”
Frequently asked questions
What are free indoor date ideas in Provo?
The BYU Museum of Art, the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, and the Provo City Library are all free.
What is there to do at Thanksgiving Point on a date?
Thanksgiving Point in Lehi has the Museum of Ancient Life, the Museum of Natural Curiosity, the Butterfly Biosphere, Ashton Gardens, restaurants, and a movie theater.
What is a good indoor first date?
A museum followed by dessert, or a climbing gym session, are both public and active, and give you plenty to talk about.
