Places to Visit and Things to do
Around Provo
There are many opportunities to explore in and around Provo and take in the majestic Rocky Mountains of the Wasatch Front or to visit some of the historic sites.
Things to see and do in Utah Valley
Provo and Utah Valley in general offer a variety of things to do and places to visit and explore including Thanksgiving Point along the I-15, Sundance up Provo Canyon, and even the Rooftop Concert Series on the first Friday of each summer month in downtown Provo. For information on local places and events in Provo and Utah Valley, please visit the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. It's one of the best resources to help you plan your trip to Provo to get the most out of your experience:
http://www.utahvalley.com/
Hiking
Rock Canyon: A 7 minute drive from the Downtown Marriott, just beyond BYU's campus, Rock Canyon (pictured above) is a quick exit from the city into nature. Within minutes you are surrounded by mountain walls and trees on a rocky trail. Parking is available at the mouth of the canyon, a popular spot for trail running. During the spring the river next to the path is lively giving the full canyon effect.
Hike to the Y: A more advanced hike for those just arriving from lower elevations, the hike to the famous Y on the side of Wymount (think "Y-Mount") is a quick ascent via a series of switchbacks. The view from the Y provides an excellent panorama of the Provo/Orem area and a better perspective of the shape of Utah Valley enveloping the cities and Utah Lake. The trail head is about 10-15 minutes by car from downtown Provo.
Provo Canyon and Bridal Veil Falls: University Avenue ends at the mouth of Provo Canyon north of the city. A drive through the canyon will take you to Sundance Ski Resort, Heber City, Midway (with its Swiss style homes) and further on to Park City. On the way through the canyon is a popular waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls which are visible from the roadway, but worth the stop. The canyon mouth is about 10-12 minutes from the Marriott with the falls another 5 minutes on the right. You can hike up to the falls from the parking lot for a better view. More information about Bridal Veil Falls is available at the site below:
http://provo-canyon-parks.weebly.com/bridal-veil-falls.html
Stewart Falls: Another popular hike is to Stewart Falls, a three-tiered waterfall on the back of Mount Timpanogos. About 1.5-2 miles (depending on the trailhead), it's a lovely hike weather and conditions permitting during the spring season.
http://provo-canyon-on-foot.weebly.com/stewart-falls.html
For more information about visiting other parks in Provo Canyon for hiking, running, birding, or the likes, including Big Springs Trail pictured on the GLAC main page, check out the additional pages below:
http://provo-canyon-on-foot.weebly.com/
http://provo-canyon-parks.weebly.com/
Picturesque Places
Midway: After passing through Provo Canyon, travellers often pass right by the lovely Swiss-styled houses in Midway, UT. Late August each year the town hosts Swiss Days.
https://midwayswissdays.com/index.html
Park City: Not only did Park City play host to many of the alpine events at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, but it continues as the host of Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival. A popular ski resort, there are still shops and restaurants open between the winter and summer high seasons. Not to mention, depending on the weather, there might be the potential of riding the luge track. It's also another 25-30 minutes to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City and Area
Temple Square: A popular destination for visitors to Utah and Salt Lake City, Temple Square is home to the both the LDS Salt Lake Temple and the Tabernacle from which the Mormon Tabernacle Choir got its name. Visits are free and tours are available to visit the tabernacle which houses one of the most famous organs west of the Mississippi.
Music and the Spoken Word: Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, visitors can take in a free concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as they broadcast the weekly radio and television program Music and the Spoken Word, a non-denominational musical program with inspirational thoughts (this is not a worship service). For those flying back Sunday, it is worth checking out the live performances on your way back to the airport. There's a reason the choir is famous. Performances in May are also held in the Tabernacle which boasts some of the most incredible acoustics. You really can hear a pin drop. Rehearsals on Thursday night are generally open to the public and are held at 7:30pm in the Tabernacle.
Bonneville Salt Flats: Even if you aren't interested in fast cars, the Salt Flats are geologically and aesthetically amazing. Landspeed records are set here and many car manufacturers test out their racing cars here because of the flat terrain that was once the bottom of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville. The salt sparkles.
http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/bonneville_salt.htm
Things to see and do in Utah Valley
Provo and Utah Valley in general offer a variety of things to do and places to visit and explore including Thanksgiving Point along the I-15, Sundance up Provo Canyon, and even the Rooftop Concert Series on the first Friday of each summer month in downtown Provo. For information on local places and events in Provo and Utah Valley, please visit the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. It's one of the best resources to help you plan your trip to Provo to get the most out of your experience:
http://www.utahvalley.com/
Hiking
Rock Canyon: A 7 minute drive from the Downtown Marriott, just beyond BYU's campus, Rock Canyon (pictured above) is a quick exit from the city into nature. Within minutes you are surrounded by mountain walls and trees on a rocky trail. Parking is available at the mouth of the canyon, a popular spot for trail running. During the spring the river next to the path is lively giving the full canyon effect.
Hike to the Y: A more advanced hike for those just arriving from lower elevations, the hike to the famous Y on the side of Wymount (think "Y-Mount") is a quick ascent via a series of switchbacks. The view from the Y provides an excellent panorama of the Provo/Orem area and a better perspective of the shape of Utah Valley enveloping the cities and Utah Lake. The trail head is about 10-15 minutes by car from downtown Provo.
Provo Canyon and Bridal Veil Falls: University Avenue ends at the mouth of Provo Canyon north of the city. A drive through the canyon will take you to Sundance Ski Resort, Heber City, Midway (with its Swiss style homes) and further on to Park City. On the way through the canyon is a popular waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls which are visible from the roadway, but worth the stop. The canyon mouth is about 10-12 minutes from the Marriott with the falls another 5 minutes on the right. You can hike up to the falls from the parking lot for a better view. More information about Bridal Veil Falls is available at the site below:
http://provo-canyon-parks.weebly.com/bridal-veil-falls.html
Stewart Falls: Another popular hike is to Stewart Falls, a three-tiered waterfall on the back of Mount Timpanogos. About 1.5-2 miles (depending on the trailhead), it's a lovely hike weather and conditions permitting during the spring season.
http://provo-canyon-on-foot.weebly.com/stewart-falls.html
For more information about visiting other parks in Provo Canyon for hiking, running, birding, or the likes, including Big Springs Trail pictured on the GLAC main page, check out the additional pages below:
http://provo-canyon-on-foot.weebly.com/
http://provo-canyon-parks.weebly.com/
Picturesque Places
Midway: After passing through Provo Canyon, travellers often pass right by the lovely Swiss-styled houses in Midway, UT. Late August each year the town hosts Swiss Days.
https://midwayswissdays.com/index.html
Park City: Not only did Park City play host to many of the alpine events at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, but it continues as the host of Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival. A popular ski resort, there are still shops and restaurants open between the winter and summer high seasons. Not to mention, depending on the weather, there might be the potential of riding the luge track. It's also another 25-30 minutes to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City and Area
Temple Square: A popular destination for visitors to Utah and Salt Lake City, Temple Square is home to the both the LDS Salt Lake Temple and the Tabernacle from which the Mormon Tabernacle Choir got its name. Visits are free and tours are available to visit the tabernacle which houses one of the most famous organs west of the Mississippi.
Music and the Spoken Word: Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, visitors can take in a free concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as they broadcast the weekly radio and television program Music and the Spoken Word, a non-denominational musical program with inspirational thoughts (this is not a worship service). For those flying back Sunday, it is worth checking out the live performances on your way back to the airport. There's a reason the choir is famous. Performances in May are also held in the Tabernacle which boasts some of the most incredible acoustics. You really can hear a pin drop. Rehearsals on Thursday night are generally open to the public and are held at 7:30pm in the Tabernacle.
Bonneville Salt Flats: Even if you aren't interested in fast cars, the Salt Flats are geologically and aesthetically amazing. Landspeed records are set here and many car manufacturers test out their racing cars here because of the flat terrain that was once the bottom of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville. The salt sparkles.
http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/bonneville_salt.htm
