Looking for the Best Things to Do in Provo Utah?
Provo, Utah is one of the most amazing cities and metropolitan areas the state has to offer. Home to over 114,000 habitants and Brigham Young University, Provo is the fourth-largest city in Utah and the 276th largest in the entire United States.
The city is situated south of Salt Lake City and brings in thousands of tourists each month because of its location. It is a dense suburban setting with many buildings, people, and businesses in a twenty-eight-thousand-acre area.
Most people in Provo rent for their housing situation, so people are often moving around, and the pace of the city is naturally fast. Provo offers aspects of a city but also the beauty and cleanliness of a comfortable small town.
With amazing scenery and numerous activities to complete, Provo, Utah proves to be one of the greatest locations in Utah. Here are 19 of the best things you do not want to miss when visiting.
19 Best Things to Do in Provo, Utah
Bridal Veil Falls
Sitting fifteen minutes from downtown Provo, Bridal Veil Falls is one of the most beautiful places to visit. It is a six-hundred- and seven-foot-tall waterfall that is double cataract, meaning it has two separated, vertical drops of water, making it unique compared to other waterfalls.
It is within Provo Canyon, and easily accessible from neighboring roads. It falls from a stunning limestone cliff and offers considerable hikes if desired by visitors. The falls are worth visiting in any season, with different vibrant colors becoming visible in each season.
If you visit in the winter, ice climbers love this location, and you will most likely see some. Set up a picnic, hike, or simply enjoy the view when you visit this must-see waterfall. You will enjoy every moment of your visit to these falls, making it part of the top of this list.
Provo Canyon Drive
The Provo Canyon is the main geographical landmark of Provo, Utah. It is a canyon running through all of Provo and much of the surrounding area that features amazing views, mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and an abundance of wildlife.
If you are a fan of wildlife and scenic views, this location will be perfect for you when visiting Provo. It is a great route to take if you plan on visiting the location first on this list, Bridal Veil Falls, because this drive goes right by it along with Deer Creek Reservoir.
There are plenty of places to stop, relax, and enjoy, so planning to spend a day on this drive is possible. The drive starts on US-189 and is easy to locate if you decide to visit. You will also get a view of the Provo River as the drive runs right alongside it.
Provo River
There is so much to do in the Provo River. You can expect all the opportunities to do your favorite and most thrilling water sports.
The two most popular activities in the Provo River are tubing and rafting. The best time of the year to participate in these activities is summer, but sometimes you can get away with doing watersports in the cold if the water is not freezing. Equipment is rentable from neighboring High-Country Adventures, a business that helps organize activities in the Provo River.
There is a park at the beginning of the River, Vivian Park, in case some of your parties do not want to go on the river; they can still tag along for the day. You can go fast down the rapids or float peacefully in the calm water. The Provo River is flexible and fun for all visitors, making it a great water location in Provo.
Provo City Center Temple
This location is a beautiful, castle-like, religious piece of architecture that belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Even if you are not religious, the temple welcomes all for a peaceful and relaxing time of reflection.
Previously a tabernacle, the building burned down in 2010 and was later remodeled into the castle building that stands now in 2016. The temple is located conveniently in the heart of Provo’s Central business district and is easy to find for any visitors to Provo.
You will love this building and the time you can spend inside. This spot on the list is perfect for the days that visitors are spending in the town of Provo and want additional spots to stop while exploring the streets. Surrounded by colorful flowers and blue skies, the Provo City Center Temple is a dreamland for visitors.
Utah Lake State Park
This is the most amazing location on the list in terms of views and natural beauty. It is a glorious park with magnificent views of Utah Lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
The park offers a variety of recreational activities to do in and out of the lake including boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, fishing, camping, and hiking. There are numerous trails around the park if you decide not to do water activities and rather enjoy the view whilst walking. There is so much to do and so much to look at when visiting this park.
It is fittingly located right inside Provo on the west perimeter making it extremely accessible for visitors to Provo.
If you are visiting Provo, you should plan to visit this park as it is one of the main attractions for tourism in the area. Utah Lake State Park is perfect for afternoon relaxation or a day’s adventure.
Y Trail
The Y Trail is one of the most popular and well-known trails in Provo. Those who are local to Provo know this trail and will avidly recommend it.
The Y Trail is rather challenging and spans 2.2 miles, however, there are multiple different paths you can take to match your hiking skill level.
The trail wraps around a mountain and has key points at the peak elevation of the mountain where you can view the surrounding land of Provo. You can choose to go to the top of Y mountain if you are experienced and confident enough, or you can take the less challenging alternative route without having to climb the entire mountain.
The trailhead is located just outside of the main town of Provo, so once again, this location is easy to access for you. Be prepared for some moderate exertion when hiking this trail, as there are lots of inclines and declines. If you enjoy nature and scenic, spiritual experiences, the Y Trail around Y mountain is perfect for you.
Provo River Parkway Trail
This is an alternative trail for tourists in the Provo area who do not want a strenuous inclined hike. The Provo River Parkway trail runs along the Provo River and is generally considered an easy hiking trail. Despite being easy, it offers some of the greatest views in the Provo area, and even some of the greatest in the entirety of Utah.
It is one of the landmark locations in Provo and is a must-visit if you are planning on hiking in Provo. The trail is level and stretches 15.2 miles, placing it amongst the longest trails in Provo. You can hike for minutes, hours, or the entire day as the trail is very flexible meaning you can stop whenever you want unlike some parts of Y Trail. The trail goes around the Provo River, through mountains without any inclines, and through verdant forests. The trail starts in Provo and ends at Vivian Park.
The trail is dog friendly because of its levelness and size. You will most likely only cross paths with a few visitors when hiking the trail. You can walk, cycle, jog, or run, with or without your family or dog. It is an amazing, versatile location suitable for all visitors. If you have certain conditions or circumstances that make you worry about the locations you visit in Provo, the Provo River Parkway Trail is excellent to investigate and visit.
Rock Canyon
This is a magnificent gem of a spot to visit in Provo. Rock Canyon is a beacon of beauty for Provo and attracts thousands of visitors per month. It features a glorious and tumultuous canyon landscape that will widen your eyes in excitement and awe.
It is a great location for outdoors people and is just 10 minutes outside of Provo. You can hike, bike, and even rock climb for all the rock-climbing enthusiasts. There are a variety of other services offered at local businesses including botany tours, base jumping, search and rescue training, insect collecting, geological studies, and much more.
There is something for everyone to do at Rock Canyon if you want to learn or explore. The paths through Rock Canyon are regarded as moderate difficulty, so be prepared for some exercise, and bring water if you decide to visit. Along the path, you will go through forests, pass by caves, and traverse bridges that arch over rivers within the canyon. You will surely love this location if you like to hike, sightsee nature, or rock climb.
Museum of Peoples and Cultures
Speaking of those of us who want to learn, this next location will be a perfect match for you. The Museum of Peoples and Cultures is a museum belonging to Brigham Young University inside of Provo and is open to the public.
This museum features all different exhibits relating to art, history, culture, ethnology, and archaeology. The main subject matter of the exhibits is ancient South America, known as Mesoamerica. There are many culturally significant artifacts relating to the peoples who inhabited Mesoamerica. When you visit this museum, you will learn and begin to appreciate the culture of the world, as this is the mission statement of the museum, and it certainly succeeds.
It is very easy to access if you are visiting Provo, so make sure to spend half of any one of your days checking it out. There are over 7,000 collections of items on display at this museum, so you can maybe even spend a day here if you are extra interested!
Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum
Another exceptional museum to visit in Provo is Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum. This is another museum belonging to BYU that revolves around all things science. The museum in particular focuses on the science behind nature and natural environments.
It has spectacular life-sized exhibits and is kid friendly with many simpler exhibits for kids to understand. This museum is on BYU’s campus like the previous museum, so visiting BYU’s campus is one of the best things to do in Provo if you want to visit multiple locations on this list in one or two days.
There are group tours, scavenger hunts for the kids, and more in-depth scientific guides for those who want a deeper understanding. The museum is free and is a very popular destination in Provo for both visitors and students.
Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center
Along with your science and culture curiosity at the prior two museums, you can fulfill your arts curiosity at the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU.
This is the headquarters for BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications, where students and visitors with art interests gather. Across the street, you will find the BYU Museum of Arts if you are further interested in displaying art after visiting the center for the department. Here, you can find all things art related, including the display of delightful student paintings and sculptures. There are five performance theaters where you can attend student theater performances, speeches, and other performance arts.
There are over 500 performances at the center per year, so odds are you can catch one when visiting. The center also features 54 piano practice rooms where students and visitors can explore their musical talents. It is an amazing location and another great place to visit in convenient proximity to other locations that BYU offers.
ABG’s Bar
ABG’s bar is a go-to bar in Provo for socializing and meeting new people. You will meet lots of locals, other visitors, and students from the local BYU. It is always a fun time at ABG’s bar no matter the night it is, and you never know what exciting activities you will get yourself into. High-quality bar appetizers, alcoholic beverages, and sprites are served by skilled tenders.
You can find a television, lively music, and a game of pool while at the bar. This is one of the few bars in Provo, the reason why it makes the list of best things to do in Provo. You may not notice or come across ABG’s bar if you hadn’t read this blog. There are also pinball machines to enjoy and maybe even an opportunity for drinking games with your friends!
Hanging out at ABG’s bar tops the list of things to do to relax and have some simple fun if you are in Provo and are having an uneventful night.
Riverwoods Shopping
The Shops at Riverwood is a shopping town location in Provo at the base of Provo Canyon. If you visit this cozy shopping town, you will without a doubt love it. The entrance to the shopping town is marked by an arch and a logo with the words “The Shops at Riverwood”. With lights going overhead the main street, and Utah mountains on the horizon, it makes for one of the best shopping experiences in America. The atmosphere is unmatched by other tourist locations and if you can visit during Christmas, do so. It is the most popular shopping district in Provo and is perfect if you want to shop, eat, or relax. There are shops in every category including clothing, décor, books, and souvenirs. There are numerous restaurants in Riverwood in case all the shopping makes you hungry. This location is one of the best in Provo and is highly recommended by many to visit.r
Provo Pioneer Village
Provo Pioneer Village is a historic village location perfect for those interested in the history of Provo and the greater Utah region while visiting.
The village is where Mormon pioneers initially settled when occupying the area of Provo. There are free historical sites to explore in the village as well as preserved buildings from the period of the pioneer settlers. There is a preserved school, blacksmith, store, and settler homes in the village to witness. There are wagons, carts, and tables that were used by the initial settlers of Provo.
The best time to visit the village is during the summer months, as you need to register an appointment to visit at other times of the year. It is a great village to visit on a slow day, if you a particularly interested in history, or if you just want to see some buildings and objects from the past.
Black Sheep Café
What would a travel list be without food? The Black Sheep Café is a must-visit food service in Provo! Known for their famous contemporary Native American cooking and cuisine, you can try amazing, delicious foods, some of which you probably never tried before.
Try items from their menu like southwestern Caprese, pozole, or the black sheep burger. All the items are delicious, and it is one of the highest-rated Native American restaurants in Utah.
It is located along University Avenue like many of the other locations on this list. There is also a full-service bar included at the restaurant.
Waffle Love
Alongside the Black Sheep Café comes another amazing place to get food: Waffle Love. This is undoubtedly the best place in Provo to get breakfast, or something sweet.
They are most well known for their waffles and ice cream-cookie combo treats. This location is a dine-in restaurant, but you can also find Waffle Love food trucks around Provo, other parts of Utah, and even other states including Texas, Idaho, California, and Arizona.
They also offer a small selection of savory food options like chicken and sandwiches. If you have a sweet tooth or are craving a mouthwatering breakfast, Waffle Love is the place to visit in Provo.
Covey Center for the Arts
Located right within the excitement and noise of downtown Provo, the Cover Center for the Arts is by far the liveliest location on this list and is amongst the best things to do in Provo.
There are exuberant live performances, display cases, and dance classes. There are three art showcases in the center with art from students, local artists, and nationally known artists. Theater shows and concerts are the most popular at the center for visitors.
There is an events program in the lobby of the center where you can plan accordingly to which events you would like to attend. The Covey Center for the Arts is highly rated and is a must-visit in Provo.
Provo Beach
Ready to have some fun in the sun? No, there is not a beach in Provo, but the Provo Beach event center is just as exciting. It is an entertainment center located at The Shops at Riverwood.
There are lots of activities to participate in including the most sought-after wave machine, where you can surf the waves of a real ocean from inside a building. There is an arcade area, laser tag, and playgrounds for children or adults if you please.
You can also go bowling in the bowling alley that is part of Provo Beach. If you are having a birthday while in Provo or want a night with the family, this location is the most perfect from this list.
Splash Summit Park
The last best thing to do in Provo is to visit Splash Summit Park. This is a water park for the people and students of Provo near BYU. This is a large water park with mega-slides and swimming pools.
There are places to buy food as well as rest in the shade. There is much to do at the park and if you want to do any water-related activities, Splash Summit Park or Utah Lake State Park previously on the list is the location for you in Provo.
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