Provo

Situated in the heart of Utah, between the Wasatch Front and Utah Lake, Provo is a compact, friendly town with a large population of students from local Brigham Young University. Here, you’ll find ample opportunities to get out in nature, along with plenty of museums, events and activities that provide wholesome entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Old World Fun

The area around Provo bustles with compelling attractions. North of the city sits Evermore Park, an immersive fantasy theme park designed like an imaginary European village. Here, guests will encounter costumed actors recreating fantasy worlds on beautifully rendered sets, many of which are full of antique items brought in from Europe, some dating back over 1,000 years.

Giving Thanks to Museums

If you’re interested in history and the natural world, make your way northwest of town to Thanksgiving Point, a museum complex that delves into the past. Highlights include the Museum of Natural Curiosity, with over 400 family-friendly exhibits, as well as the Museum of Ancient Life, which houses around five dozen complete dinosaur skeletons.

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Provo Paddling and Angling

Provo and the surrounding area shimmers with waterways for fishing and water sports. The third-largest lake in the state, Utah Lake is one of the biggest attractions in the area and is a popular spot for boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing, with plenty of bass, catfish and walleye plying its waters. There are boat harbors in Provo, Saratoga Springs, American Fork and Lindon. For fly fishing, head to the Provo River, which is well stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Provo River is also a great place for rafting, with exciting but manageable rapids that are ideal for tubing, kayaking or rafting.

“Y” Not?

Provo is surrounded by natural beauty. For great views, head up to the top of Y Mountain, so named because of the giant letter “Y” that’s made of concrete and illuminated during Brigham Young University sporting events. The trail is short but steep, at around 2.4 miles round trip with about 980 feet of elevation gain.

Going Under

For something more unusual, visit the beautiful Timpanogos Cave system, which glitters with colorful mineral formations. It’s only open from the middle of May through the middle of October and is accessible only to visitors on park ranger-led tours.

Four Seasons of Fun

Provo is a friendly, laid-back town with four distinct seasons and excellent access to outdoor recreation opportunities. As a result, the community here is incredibly outdoorsy. It’s also a college town, home to Brigham Young University, and while the population here consequentially skews young, you won’t find much in terms of party culture (or even bars), due to the large Latter-day Saints population. Many young people also stick around after finishing college and start families, so there’s plenty for kids, as well as a growing entrepreneurial/start-up scene.

Provo Pops

There’s a lot going on in Provo and the surrounding Utah Valley throughout the year. The best known of these is probably America’s Freedom Festival, a collective of some 25 events, from parades to fun fairs, held from May through July, all with a focus on patriotism. The main event is called Stadium of Fire and features famous musicians (mostly of the country western persuasion), along with one of the most prominent stadium fireworks displays in the country. Other significant events include Festival Latinoamericano, which celebrates Latin cultures with food booths, carnival rides and musical performances, along with Taste of the Valley, an annual food festival showcasing restaurants from across the area.

Rick Willoughby

Provo Past

The area now known as Provo was initially settled by the Timpanogos people, who had their first contact with European settlers in 1776. However, it wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century that Mormon Pioneers settled the area. Rising tensions led to the Battle Creek Massacre in 1849 and the establishment of Fort Utah in 1850 in efforts to drive out the native tribes. Fort Utah was later renamed Provo in honor of fur trader Etienne Provost. If you’re interested in learning more about the area’s history, visit the Museum of Peoples and Cultures at Brigham Young University, which features exhibits on the indigenous people of the area.

For More Information

Visit Provo

800-222-UTAH

www.utahvalley.com/visit-provo

Utah Travel Council

800-200-1160

www.utah.com