7 Date Night Ideas In Pocatello for the Lame and Uninspired
- cAngeline1
- Feb 11, 2015
- 5 min read
by Angeline Underwood
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and let’s face it, you have no idea what to do. You want to make your significant other feel special, but another night out at Buffalo Wild Wings just doesn’t sound that romantic. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’ve put together a list of date night ideas in and around Pocatello that will definitely get your true loves heart pitter-pattering.
1. The Classy Date ($$$$)
It’s a fact, we love to be wined and dined. And even though Poky isn’t a bustling metropolis, it still offers some great opportunities for a classy night out on the town.
First off, break the bank for that limousine.
"What? Pocatello has a limousine service?"
Yep. And Pocatello Limousine has some pretty sweet rides, including a Lincoln Town Car and a H2 Hummer. So if you’re feeling all Arnold Schwarzenegger, they’ve got you covered.
Now for dinner, I’d suggest The Bridge. They offer an extensive wine list, a diverse menu and a very classy atmosphere.
The best part? That limousine will be waiting to take you home when you’ve had one too many glasses of the good stuff.
Although this date may cost you, the memories will be priceless. Cause seriously, how often do you get a chauffeur?
2. The Lady and the Tramp Date ($)
Seeing as how Poky is a college town, I’ll assume that you’re a broke student trying to push yourself through school on minimum wage. While that’s good for you, it’s not usually good for date night. Let’s say your budget is 20 bucks. Now that isn’t much, but it’s enough.
Go to Ridley's and buy these seven items: a box of spaghetti (.98), two cans of tomato sauce (1.49), one can tomato paste (.79), oil (1.79), basil (3.00), garlic (.50), and onion (.50). If you like meat, you could also throw in some cheap cuts of chicken or beef (5.00). You might also want to pick up a salad kit (3.00), and a loaf of French bread (.98).
Spaghetti 101: Add 2 TBS of oil to a sauce pan. Brown the meat. Take the meat out and set aside, and then lightly brown the chopped onion, garlic and 2 TBS of basil. Add in the two cans of sauce, one can of paste, and two cans of water. Season with garlic salt, regular salt, and pepper and let it simmer on the stove for a few hours. And if this doesn't sound easy enough, check out some other pasta recipes at All Recipes.com.
When the time comes, light some dollar store taper candles, make a sign that says “Tony’s” and put the pasta on one giant plate to share. Don’t forget to play Belle Notte in the background as you reenact your own scene from Lady and the Tramp.
With music, candlelight, and a belly full of pasta, there’s no telling where the rest of the night will lead.
3. The Adventure Date ($$)
We live in Pocatello, a place surrounded by beautiful wilderness. So why not get out there and explore some of that beauty on your date night?
Rent a yurt from the ISU Outdoor Adventure Center, and you and your honey can get starry-eyed under the stars. Although these yurts are pretty rustic, the reality of being out in the woods, on your own, relying on each other for entertainment, food, and even warmth can be pretty romantic.
Plus, when you’re out in the middle of nowhere, by yourselves, inhibitions pretty much go out the window.
4. The Scavenger Hunt Date ($)
Tell the truth, if your sweetheart put in all the time and effort into creating a scavenger hunt date just for you, you would melt, right? Because the gift of time and effort can be so much more meaningful than a monetary gift.
Use the scavenger hunt date to recreate some of your favorite memories. Maybe you met at school. Give a clue that leads to the classroom where you sat next to each other in Biology. Or maybe your first date was at an ISU sporting event, and you could relive the moment while cheering on the team.
You could even incorporate pictures, or special trinkets from your past. Seriously, this idea is so sweet, my teeth hurt.
If you need some help getting started, check out Lovingyou.com for more ideas.
Sometimes it’s nice to just take a moment and think about what made you fall in love in the first place and although this date idea would take a lot of time and effort, it would no doubt be appreciated. And here’s a clue, “when someone appreciates, someone reciprocates”…figure that one out.
5. The Mini-Vacation Date: Lava Hot Springs ($$$$)
The mini-vaca date offers a chance to get away, without having to travel too far.
If you want a relaxing, spa like getaway, drive 30 miles south to Lava Hot Springs.
And depending on your budget, there are a lot of lodging options.
You could stay at the recently renovated Home Hotel, or go for a more vintage feel at the Riverside Hot Springs Inn. Dine on some stellar pizza at the The Royal, or munch on some Thai food at the legendary Riverwalk Café. Wander through the shops on Main Street. Stop into the Wagon Wheel Lounge for a beer. Check out Lava history at the South Bannock County Historical Museum. And of course get a soak in at the world famous Hot Springs.
An overnight date in Lava is sure to make for a steamy night.
6. The Mini-Vacation Date: Shoshone Bannock Hotel and Event Center ($$$$)
Ok, so you pretty much need to like gambling in order for this date to work, because when you arrive at the Sho-Ban Hotel and Event Center, there really isn’t much else to do.
Spend a few hours gambling, and if you’re new to the casino you can get 25$ in free Bonus Bucks. And when you’ve had your fill of slot machines, you can stretch out on your deluxe pillow top bed, watch some boob-tube, go for a dip in the pool, or get a massage at the Cedar Spa.
The hotel also offers a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options at the Camas Grill.
And you never know, you are at a casino…you might just get lucky.
7. The Campus Date ($$)
Maybe you’re a college student who lives on campus without transportation, or maybe you just want to support your local university. Whatever the case may be, ISU has a lot to offer in the “date night” arena.
For starters, you have a lot of restaurants within walking distance. Some chains like Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, and some local favorites like Elmer’s, and The College Market. Grab a bite to eat and then go bowling, play videos games or check out a movie at the cleanest (and cheapest) theatre in town.
Depending on the season, you could also see a basketball, soccer, or football game, or just go for a walk around campus and check out some of the historical landmarks like Davis Field, or the Pillars. If you are in the mood for some live theatre or music, check out the events calendar at the Stephens Performing Arts Center.
The point is, there are so many things to do on campus, and even if you aren’t affiliated with the university, you can still enjoy it.
Plus, spending some time on campus might help you and your honey remember ‘the good ol’ days.' And nostalgia can be very, very sexy.
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