Whether you are visiting Provo for the weekend or the week, there is plenty of activities to do with the entire family. Whether you're five or fifty, there are countless things to do. Best of all, these activities are all free (or close to it).
Spend the Day at Brigham Young University
This scenic campus has something for everyone. It boasts five different museums and plenty of hiking trails, including the trail to the iconic mountainside Y. Visitors can take guided tours of campus to learn more about its history, or take in a sporting event if they visit during the school year. The campus also has its own creamery—perfect for a post-hike snack!
Drive Through Provo Canyon
No matter what time of year you visit, Provo Canyon features beautiful scenery. Bridal Veil Falls is the most famous waterfall in Provo and makes a great pit stop on your hike. There are several gorgeous spots to pause along the way for a picnic or a family photo.
Explore the Alpine Loop
For just $6, your family can drive from Sundance to Alpine and take in the mountain views. Stops along the way include Cascade Springs and Tibble Fork Reservoir, as well as plenty of waterfalls. If your kids are old enough, you can also summit Mount Timpanogos.Discover Timpanogos Cave
This cave is a national monument located along the Alpine Loop. A one-mile hike brings you to the cave, and tickets to guided tours are available for purchase. These tickets often sell out, so plan ahead if this is a stop you want to make.
Swim at the Provo Rec Center
The Provo Recreation Pool is fun for the entire family. Their indoor pools feature a lazy river, two water slides, and a climbing wall (positioned over a pool that you can drop into). They also have a playground. If you are visiting Provo during the warm summer months, there are two water slides and a kid-oriented play area, along with a wave pool. You can go to the indoor pool at any point if you need a break from the sun.Cool Off at the Provo Splash Pad
This is one of the many splash pads located across Utah; this one is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This is a great pit stop to make if you and the family need to cool off. It features a playground, bathroom facilities, plenty of shade, and a pavilion.Walk Through Paul Ream Wilderness Park
This park offers a peaceful walk along the Provo River and the opportunity to enjoy the wilderness without a long drive to get there. Your little ones will like feeding the ducks that live in the pond, and the entire family will enjoy exploring the shaded trails. It is conveniently located just off the 1-15.
Visit the Provo Pioneer Village
This is one of the more educational stops on this list, and it is free to visit. The village is run by the Sons of the Utah Pioneers and features pioneer replica buildings plus period actors. Visitors can play the same games that the pioneers did, watch the blacksmith forge tools, and learn a little bit of Provo history in the process. It is in close proximity to the Provo Daughters of the Pioneers Museum if you want to learn even more.Spend Time at Neptune Park
This park is fun for all ages—even if you do not have kids! There is a rope pyramid for climbing that attracts adults and children alike. There are plenty of grassy areas for playing, bathroom facilities, basketball courts with hoops of varying heights, and a pavilion.Visit Thanksgiving Point
This stop is a highlight of Utah County. While not technically in Provo, it is a little over 20 minutes away and features four different venues, so the entire family is sure to find something they will enjoy. You can purchase a day pass to all four museums, or just pick one. Thanksgiving Point features- The Museum of Natural Curiosity—the best stop for the entire family
- The Museum of Ancient Life—with dinosaurs
- Farm Country—with a petting zoo
- The Ashton Gardens if you are interested in a scenic stroll through thousands of plants.
Hike Battlecreek Falls
This easy 1.5-mile hike is perfect for all ages and experience levels. No matter the time of year you visit, you will be able to see the beautiful waterfalls. On hot summer days, nothing feels better than the cool mist coming off of the water.See an Arch
About 20 minutes from downtown Provo, still in Utah County, you can find an arch within the Red Ledges Picnic Area. This is a fun area to explore, but due to its lack of shade may be less than ideal during the summer months.
Buy a Book
On Provo Main Street, there is a book store called Pioneer Book that sells used books—everything from paperback fantasy to hardbound classics. The walls are covered, floor to ceiling, with the tales of the ages, and offers any book-lover a wonderful story to take home for bargain prices. Or just lose yourself in the bookstore if you're on a tight budget. The sections of the store are organized by genre, so be sure to ask the person at the front desk where they keep their ___fill in the blank____ (a. fantasy, b. sci-fi, c. romance, d. mystery, etc.) books. There are two levels, so be sure to check out the top floor as well as the ground floor. If you love books, you already know you're gonna love this visit.Enjoy the All Together Playground
Located in Orem, this recently-opened playground was specifically designed to accommodate children of all abilities. It features smooth surfaces for safety purposes, lots of structures to climb and explore, two ziplines, and even a merry-go-round.No matter how old your children are, or how adventurous you are feeling, you are sure to find something to do in Provo! It is a family-friendly destination that lets you explore and try new activities without breaking the bank, and a destination you are sure to find yourself returning to again and again.