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Downtown Provo | Explore Utah Valley
- Weather: Mostly Clear, 67F
Provo, the heart of the larger Utah Valley, boasts arguably the most dramatic backdrop in the Wasatch Front. Mount Timpanogos — nearly 5,300 feet of prominence and an 11,752-foot summit — is an inspiring citadel of solid rock, the centerpiece to the Utah Valley stretch of the Wasatch Front. Today, Provo sets itself apart as a place for innovation in tech, health care, education, as well as a place for easy access to Provo Canyon's offerings.
Things to Do in Provo
Read the Stories
- 5 Black-Owned Restaurants to Support in Utah Written By Liese Rodger 7 minute read Local favorites such as 11Hauz, Joe’s Cafe and Sauce Boss deliver multicultural flavors while also community gathering spots.
- A Journey Through Utah’s Contemporary Artscapes Written By Tiffini Porter 11 minute read Consider visual art attractions as you’re planning your Beehive State travel itinerary.
- A Sweet-Tooth’s Guide to Downtown Provo Written By Visit Utah 3 minute read We’ve set out on a walk in search of Provo's best treats. We were not disappointed.
- Cultural Cuisines Find New Homes in Provo Written By Annie Hartvigsen Families share their heritage and culture in charming downtown Provo where restaurants showcase food from around the globe.
- Day-to-Night Adventures in Utah’s Mountain Towns Written By Kristen Pope 5 minute read Easy access between Northern Utah’s mountains and towns presents visitors and locals with the best of both worlds: outdoor adventure by day and city culture at night.
- Discover the Breweries of the Wasatch Front Written By Matcha 5 minute read Over the past two decades, Salt Lake’s breweries have grown into a culture all their own. Here’s what you need to start planning a pub crawl with this collection of Salt Lake’s most popular breweries.
- Hike + Dine: Provo Written By Arianna Rees 4 minute read Here are a few of Provo, Utah's best hiking trails and eateries to check out during your next visit.
- Putting Provo on the Music Map Written By Nick Kuzmack 6 minute read Provo boasts a rich music scene, noted for launching bands to national attention. Part of the secret sauce is the fan following nurtured by Corey Fox’s Velour Live Music Gallery, in collaboration with the rest of the Provo music scene.
- The Myth of Provo-bition: Where to Drink in Utah County Written By Court Mann No, Utah County isn’t ‘stone-cold sober.’ We’ve got proof.
- Where to See Women's Art in Utah Written By Ashley Mae Hoiland 4 minute read There’s no shortage of art galleries in Salt Lake City and across Utah's Wasatch Front. Beyond the major metropolitan areas, there are also small artist communities across the state where artists seeking a slower pace have flocked for decades. Here are a few recommendations for where you can experience art in Utah.
- Where to taste, tour and take home Utah's world-renowned chocolate Written By Darby Doyle 7 minute read The Utah chocolate world is expanding deliciously. Visit some of the world's premier chocolate stores and producers for true moments of chocolate bliss.
Best of Utah Valley
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Brigham Young University
The Brigham Young Academy was founded in Provo in 1875. This school grew into what is now Brigham Young University (BYU), whose student body today swells the town's population by about 30,000 each school year. Enjoy free admission to BYU's museums of art, life science, paleontology and more. Visit the BYU Creamery, hit a lecture series or head for the hills and hike Y Mountain to the largest collegiate symbol in America.
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Downtown Provo
Though there is plenty of parking in downtown Provo, events like the Art Stroll, Provo Farmers Market and Taste of the Valley are all within walking distance of one another. Venues like the Covey Center for the Arts and Velour Live Music Gallery, as well as several of the area’s best restaurants, are also just a short stroll away.
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Provo Canyon
Provo Canyon features Bridal Veil Falls, Vivian Park and the Provo River Parkway, among other stops that collectively are a fantastic year-round destination for outdoor recreation. In the summer, Bridal Veil serves as the scenic backdrop for abundant biking, mountaineering, rafting and hiking opportunities and in the winter is a must-visit destination for ice climbers the world over. A great way to see it all is to run or ride the Parkway, a paved trail from Vivian Park in the canyon to the Shops at Riverwoods. It's about eight miles one-way to the mouth of the canyon, and a very scenic route along the Provo River. It's possible to continue through town all the way to Utah Lake. Provo Canyon Adventure Zip Line, Runoff River Adventures and other private outfitters in the area offer horseback riding and zip lining, as well as bike, kayak and tube rentals.
- Sundance Mountain Resort Sundance Mountain Resort is a haven for winter and summer recreationists, as well as artists and nature lovers. Enjoy skiing, riding, biking, fly-fishing, comfortable lodging, luxurious spa accommodations and award-winning dining. The Owl Bar is a must-visit watering hole for both the libations and the history. Also consider the rustic and sophisticated accommodations or workshops at the Sundance Art Studio.
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Thanksgiving Point
Thanksgiving Point houses the North American Museum of Ancient Life, one of the largest dinosaur museums of its kind, featuring one of the most valuable Jurassic dinosaur collections in the world, including a 150-million-year-old dinosaur egg. There’s also the Johnny Miller-designed Thanksgiving Point Golf Club and two gorgeous garden displays with activities for every season. The Museum of Natural Curiosity features more than 400 interactive experiences, adding even more options for education and discovery to your Thanksgiving Point visit.
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Utah Lake State Park
Utah Lake State Park is home to Utah's largest freshwater lake, with fishing access for channel catfish, walleye, white bass, black bass and several species of panfish. Spend an evening RV or tent camping, then powerboat, canoe, or sail the day away on Utah Lake.
Hotels & Lodging
From boutique bed and breakfasts in the heart of downtown Provo to an artistic retreat to Sundance Resort, there is no shortage of lodging options in Utah Valley.
Places To Stay
Restaurants
At the core of Provo’s dining scene is a sense of community. Over the years, restaurant owners have embraced that inviting sense of community and expanded the city’s cuisine to a scale of global flavors.
Hiking and Dining in Provo
Support Local
Supporting local communities during your travels can have a profound impact. Stock up with groceries locally, stop in an artisan shop or eat at a restaurant in addition to campfire meals.
Discover more ways to support local
Things To Do
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Explore Downtown
Downtown Provo is full of locally owned boutiques and eateries. Spend an afternoon popping in and out of shops for a glimpse into the city’s rich heritage and growing culture.
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Hiking
With easy access to trails for the entire family, hiking is one of the most popular activities in Utah Valley. Explore the trails of Provo Canyon then spend an evening around a campfire in one of the day use picnic areas as you watch the sunset.
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Lakes & Rivers
Provo is a gateway to some of the best watersports along the Wasatch Front. Spend a day boating at Utah Lake State Park, or visit Provo River for blue ribbon fly fishing or a relaxing day floating down the river.
What's Nearby
- Deer Creek State Park Just a short drive from Provo, Park City and Salt Lake City, Deer Creek State Park and Reservoir offers playful summer days filled with boating, fishing and watersports.
- Heber Valley Heber Valley, UT Between the destination towns of Heber and Midway, Heber Valley astonishes with its alpine splendor and access to endless outdoor recreation.
- Park City Park City, UT Park City is the perfect mountain town. The winter slopes were once featured in the Olympics, and in summer the mountains and nearby state parks and reservoirs transform into a hiking, mountain biking, fishing and camping mecca.
- Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, UT Salt Lake City makes a great gateway for travelers makinga trip toUtah's ski resortsorsouthward to Utah’s renownedred rock country.
- Timpanogos Cave American Fork, UT Timpanogos Cave sits high on the northern slope of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah.
Getting to Provo
Provo is accessible via several exits off I-15, about an hour south of Salt Lake City International Airport (which also places Provo about an hour closer to Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks, including Arches and Capitol Reef, each less than 3 hours away). The Utah Transit Authority’s FrontRunner Commuter Rail stops at Provo Central Station, less than a mile from the Utah Valley Convention Center and Center Street dining and nightlife. Provo Airport offers nonstop flights through Allegiant Air to Oakland, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
