Before we get started…
I just wanted to say thank you for reading and for being part of this adventure with me. I kind of go about trying lots of different things, and your support, trying these dates, and simply reading of this newsletter are a big deal to me.
As you go out and try these things, you make an impact on others, whether it ends up being an hour and a half, or a whole lifetime, people remember your kindness.
Stop saying to yourself, “what if they say no,” and start saying “what if they say yes”.
With that, let’s get into some date ideas for this week!
FIVE DATES FOR THIS WEEK
Laser Tag at Nickel City
Image source: chatGPT
Active · Under $15
Nickel City in Orem runs a black-lit laser tag arena, ten minutes from campus on State Street. The first game is $4 and every game after is $3, so a full night still comes in cheap. You should plan to play more than one game cause it gets more fun after the first round. Loser buys treats on the way out.
How to ask: "Laser tag at Nickel City this week. Two rounds, and the loser buys treats after."
Overheard
"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" plays overhead.
Her: "Aww, it's our song!" Him: "Wait… what?"
Dry Bar Comedy
Image source: chatGPT
Comedy · $25 / ticket
Dry Bar Comedy on Center Street in Provo films the clean stand-up specials you've seen on YouTube, with touring comics doing it live. Two shows run Friday and Saturday nights, three comedians plus a host, close to two hours total. Tickets are $15-25 and the room is small enough that every seat is a good one. It's alcohol-free, so the laughs are the whole draw. Buy ahead, because the good nights sell out.
How to ask: "Dry Bar Comedy Friday night in Provo. Actually funny, and we can grab food after."
Snack Down Memory Lane
A date from one of our readers!!
Image source: chatGPT
Creative · Under $10
Stop at a gas station and each grab the snack you lived on as a kid, then bring crayons and a stack of paper. Set a five-minute timer and both draw three scenes from your life: the dumbest risk you ever took, your most embarrassing childhood moment, and something you're quietly proud of. When the timer goes off, you show the drawing and tell the story behind it. Don’t worry about “being a terrible artist” because terrible drawings make the stories more funny.
How to ask: "Do you have time for a date on Saturday? We’re grabbing our favorite snacks and then we're drawing our life stories in crayon."
The Writing's on the Wall
Image source: chatGPT
Art · Free
Downtown Provo has more than thirty murals packed into a few blocks of Center Street, some commissioned, some that just appeared. Start near University Avenue and work your way east, finding each one on foot. Take a photo at every mural and look up who painted it later. Race to spot them first if you want a scoreboard. They all look better in person than on a screen.
How to ask: "I've got a list of Provo murals. First one to spot all of them wins."
Campfire Up the Canyon
Image source: chatGPT
Outdoors · Under $10
Vivian Park sits about twelve miles up Provo Canyon on Highway 189, with free day-use fire rings and picnic tables right by the river. Grab a wood bundle from a gas station on the way up and something to roast. Go on a weeknight or get there early Friday, because the rings fill fast on summer weekends. This is definitely best as a group date, going up the canyon all together will be a blast. Build the fire and stay until it burns down. Bonus points, drive up the hill to South Fork Park instead, it is my favorite park in all of the canyon because it also has some nice hills to walk up and just star gaze.
How to ask: "Campfire up the canyon Friday night. I'll bring the wood and the marshmallows."
UPCOMING DATE OPPORTUNITIES
BONUS EVENTS
Friday June 26: Rooftop Concert Series
Nu Skin Plaza, 100 W Center St, Provo · 7:00 pm · Free
How to ask: "Free rooftop concert downtown Friday night. Want to come find a spot on the grass?"
Saturday June 27: Adult Ballroom Lessons at SCERA
SCERA Center for the Arts, Orem · ~$8 per person · Register by 5:30pm
How to ask: "Ballroom lesson Saturday night, eight bucks each. I have no idea what I'm doing, which is the point."
Sunday June 28: Provo Summer Band Series: The American Frontier
North Park, 500 N 500 W, Provo · 7:00 pm · Free
How to ask: "Free band concert in the park Sunday evening. Bring a blanket and we'll just sit."
July 2–4: Freedom Festival Balloon Fest
Fox Field, 1100 N Freedom Blvd, Provo · 6:00–8:00 am · Free
How to ask: "Hot air balloons launch at sunrise this week. Worth getting up early. Come with me?"
July 4: Freedom Festival Grand Parade
University Ave & Center St, Provo · 9:00 am · Free
How to ask: "Provo's big parade is Saturday morning. Let's grab a curb spot and people-watch."
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo · 8:00 pm · Ticketed (check website for pricing)
How to ask: "Brad Paisley and the biggest fireworks in the country on the Fourth. Want to go?"
July 8: Outdoor Movie: National Treasure
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 600 S 400 E, Orem · At dusk · ~$5
How to ask: "National Treasure on a giant outdoor screen Wednesday. I'll bring the blanket."
Ongoing: Provo Farmers Market
Pioneer Park, 500 W Center St, Provo · 9:00 am – 2:00 pm · Free
How to ask: "Provo Farmers Market opens for the summer Saturday morning. We can go at 11, you pick what we eat."
(Just hit reply!)
From the Editor
I’m rooting for ya. I hope you find the person of your dreams and it all works out perfectly.
In the mean time, don’t stop trying to find your right person (I know they’re out there)!
Until next time,
—Two Tacos & a Hike