27 Cheap (or Free!) Date Ideas in Orem, Utah That Are Actually Fun

Discover budget-friendly date ideas in Orem, Utah. From cozy hikes to quirky museums, here are 27 cheap (or free!) ways to connect without breaking the bank.

Introduction: Dating Without Draining Your Wallet

Let’s be real. Dating is expensive—or at least, it feels like it has to be. Between $15 smoothies and $50 movie tickets (with snacks, of course), it’s easy to feel like romance is for the rich or the reckless. But what if I told you that some of the best dates in Orem don’t cost a dime? Or at the very least, less than a fast-food meal?

Whether you’re a broke college student at UVU or just someone who values creative connection over credit card debt, Orem has a surprisingly rich tapestry of budget-friendly date options. The secret? Knowing where to look.

Let’s dive into 27 ideas—tried, true, and occasionally weird—that prove you don’t need to spend big to bond deeply.

1. Sunset at the Provo Canyon Lookout

Sometimes, the most romantic moments are the simplest. Pack a blanket, drive up the canyon, and watch the sun dip over Utah Lake.

2. Window Shop (with Flair!) at University Place Mall

Treat it like a scavenger hunt. Find the ugliest sweater. Guess prices. Play “Would You Rather” in the food court.

3. Hike the Y… at Sunset

Okay, it’s technically in Provo, but it’s close enough. You’ll bond over the climb, and the view? Absolutely worth it.

4. Orem Public Library Date

Yes, the library. Hear me out: grab a book of poetry, read to each other, or explore their surprisingly robust art displays. Plus, it’s warm in the winter, quiet, and free.

5. Picnic at Nielsen’s Grove Park

Bring your own snacks or hit up Smith’s deli on the way. Bonus points for a Spotify playlist and card games.

6. Free Concerts and Events at UVU

UVU (Utah Valley University) often hosts concerts, lectures, and art shows that are free to the public. Keep an eye on their event calendar.

7. Two-Dollar Tuesday at Cinemark

Grab a matinee. Share popcorn. Laugh at the previews. Easy win.

8. Selfie Scavenger Hunt

Pick a theme: “blue things,” “awkward statues,” “people with dogs.” Set a timer. Explore downtown Orem. Loser buys Swig.

9. Ice Blocking at Rock Canyon Park

$5 for a block of ice and a towel. Hours of laughter.

10. Visit the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum

Technically in Provo, but again—worth it. Taxidermy animals, weird exhibits, and a lot of moments that inspire “wait, what?” conversations.

11. Shared Spotify Playlist Swap

Make a playlist for each other. Go for a walk and listen together. Music is a shortcut to the soul.

12. Orem Rec Center for Open Swim

It’s cheap, fun, and yes—there’s a lazy river.

13. Make a “Dream Life” Vision Board Together

Old magazines, glue sticks, and a lot of revealing conversation about dreams, values, and Pinterest houses.

14. Photo Walk in Vineyard

Bring your phones or an old-school camera. Try taking portraits of each other. Pretend you’re in a fashion shoot.

15. Explore Used Bookstores (and Buy Each Other Something Weird)

Find the most obscure title. Read the weirdest back cover. Or find a childhood favorite and talk about it.

16. Open Mic Nights at Muse Music Cafe

Free to attend, and always surprising. Bring a sense of humor and a generous spirit.

17. Volunteer Together

Serve food. Clean a park. Help at a pet shelter. It’s surprisingly romantic to do something selfless together.

18. Bake-Off Challenge

Choose a recipe (or make it up!). Bake together and let roommates vote on the best.

19. Stargazing in Hobble Creek Canyon

Grab a blanket. Download a stargazing app. Let the cosmos do its thing.

20. Instagram-Worthy Murals Tour

Start with the one at Guru’s Cafe in Provo. Then wander. Snap pics. Be silly.

21. Play “Tourist” at BYU Museum of Art

Even if you’re not a student, it’s open to the public and always has something cool going on. Admission: free.

22. Dollar Store Craft-Off

Each of you gets $5. Create something wild. Present it like it belongs in a modern art museum.

23. Poetry Night (Your Words or Others’)

Write a short poem before the date. Read it over hot chocolate at Starbucks. Vulnerability is hot.

24. Local Farmers Market (Summer Only)

Wander. Sample things. Talk to vendors. Share a $2 peach. You’ll feel like you’re in a rom-com.

25. Board Game Night at Good Move Cafe

It’s low-cost and includes built-in conversation starters.

26. Drive Around and Look at Dream Houses

Pick a neighborhood. Guess the prices. Describe your future house. It’s charmingly revealing.

27. Download Orra and Match Based on Values

Okay, shameless plug. But hear us out: real connection isn’t about appearances alone. It’s about values. Shared vision. Long-term alignment.

Orra is a dating app built for exactly that.

No swiping. No fake profiles. No time wasted. Just real people, ready for real connection.

Download Orra on iPhone | Get Orra on Android

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Fancy to Be Fantastic

Dating on a budget isn’t a compromise. It’s an invitation. An invitation to be creative. To listen closer. To share space and silence. To laugh over spilled cocoa or a crooked vision board.

If you find yourself constantly feeling pressure to spend big just to get someone’s attention or earn their approval, it might be time to take a step back. While thoughtful gestures and fun experiences are great, they should never become the foundation of your connection. If someone only shows interest when you're picking up the tab or planning something extravagant, ask yourself: are they really into you, or just the perks?

Genuine relationships aren’t built on flashy dates or expensive gifts—they’re built on mutual respect, emotional connection, and shared values. The right person will want to spend time with you whether you're out hiking a local trail or grabbing $2 tacos. They’ll be interested in your thoughts, your character, your sense of humor—not what’s in your wallet. You deserve someone who values your presence more than your presents. So instead of trying to impress, focus on being authentic—and look for someone who does the same.

Orem, Utah might not scream “romance capital,” but for those willing to explore, it’s got magic tucked into corners and crevices. You just have to look.

And if you’re still looking for someone to try these dates with, well—Orra might be the place to start.