If you have a long weekend coming up and are searching for a new destination to visit, Provo, Utah promises to have what you are looking for. Provo has something to offer every tourist whether it is an outdoor adventure, a new nightlife scene, or fun family activities. It is the third-largest city in the state of Utah, located just 43 miles south of capital city Salt Lake City, and is a college town, home to Brigham Young University.
Adventures in Nature
Y Trail on Y Mountain is an iconic hiking destination, culminating with BYU’s block Y logo featured on the mountainside wih stunning panoramic views of the Provo area and Utah Lake. The trail is steep, but not too difficult for families with children. The round-trip hike is 2.4 miles in length.Bridal Veil Falls, located just a 15-minute drive away from the center of Provo, just up the canyon, and is famous for its 600-foot waterfall. There is a small park and a recreational trail for public access. Movie buffs will recognize this area from its feature in the 1982 film Savannah Smiles.
Utah Lake State Park features the largest freshwater lake in the state, and is a popular destination for power boating, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing. If you are interested in fishing, Utah Lake comes highly recommended by anglers. There is also a swimming beach with facilities available for picnicking and overnight camping.
Sports Fans Rejoice
- Peaks Ice Arena is home to the Brigham Young University men’s ice hockey team, Peaks Youth Hockey Association, the Peaks Figure Skating Club, several local high school teams, and learn-to-skate programs. Most notably, it hosted parts of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002. It is open to the public for ice skating and lessons and is sometimes converted into an indoor soccer arena.
- Provo is also home to the Brigham Young University Cougars, which field 21 highly successful NCAA Division I sports teams including men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, and volleyball. In the fall, catch a football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Campus tours are also available if you are interested in learning more about the scenic grounds and history of BYU.
Things To Do
- Foodies with a hankering to try something out of the ordinary will enjoy checking out the diverse dining options in downtown Provo. This area is full of local restaurants and cuisine from all over the world. Reservations are usually recommended, so plan ahead for your night out.
- Provo is not your typical college town due to a scarcity of bars, but if you are looking for a fun nightlife experience not geared towards the whole family, check out Heart and Seoul Karaoke, any of the local comedy shows, or an Escape Room experience.
- Music and theater buffs will enjoy shows at Covey Center for the Arts or BYU Performing Arts. You can purchase tickets for local performers, musicals, ballets, symphonies, and more.
- In the summertime, check out Seven Peaks Water Park. It has rides and attractions for the whole family and is a great way to beat the summer heat. You can also check out the Provo Rec Center, which has an indoor and outdoor pool.
- Provo Beach is an indoor family fun center defined by its main attraction: a surfing simulator. Those wishing to stay dry can go bowling, play miniature croquet, try the ropes course, play arcade games, or ride the carousel. Multiple dining options are available as well.
- This experience may not be for everyone, but if you are feeling bold, you can stop by FishKiss Fish Spa. This unique spa experience features tiny fish nibbling the dead skin off of your feet, leaving you relaxed and with soft and beautiful skin.
Shopping Havens
- The Shops at Riverwoods is a popular outdoor shopping center, which seems to be busiest in the evening hours and is best recognized by its cobblestone streets and live water features. It features an eclectic mix of local boutiques and national chain stores, restaurants, and a movie theater complex.
- Provo Town Centre is the main mall and shopping destination in the Provo area. It features over 100 stores, a movie theater, and plenty of family-friendly amenities such as family restrooms and a diverse food court.
- If you prefer a more hands-on shopping experience that guarantees you will leave with a one-of-a-kind purchase, check out The Soap Factory. Visitors can make their own soaps by customizing colors, shapes, and essential oil scents–the possibilities are endless, making this a great souvenir or personalized gift option
One-Stop Shop
Sundance Mountain Resort, on the north side of Provo, is home to year-round activities for the whole family. It is very popular with skiers and snowboarders in the winter, but also offers horseback riding, snowshoeing, hiking, ziplining, and more. It has an outdoor theater that is very popular for concerts in the summertime
Something for History Buffs
- If you would like to learn something new while on vacation, you can visit the Museum of Paleontology on the BYU campus. Visitors of all ages will enjoy traveling through time and learning more about the dinosaurs that once roamed the area. The museum’s exhibits feature authentic dinosaur fossils that have been found throughout the western United States, and visitors can watch a real fossil laboratory at work through a window.
- If people and civilizations past and present are your passion, visit the Museum of Peoples and Cultures. See the diversity of the human race on display in this architecturally beautiful building.
- While visiting the BYU campus, you can also stop by the Bean Museum with its extensive collections of taxidermy animals and plants.They offer varied live programming for all ages, including summer camps, live animal shows and the occasional murder mystery dinner.
Whether you are traveling with family, a significant other, or friends, Provo has something to offer you. It is more than just a winter destination; there is plenty to do all year-round no matter your interests, and it makes a great long weekend getaway. Book your trip today, discover something new, and create some new memories!