Provo

America's Freedom Festival at Provo

Large festival held every year around the 4th of July. Features the Stadium of Fire, Grand Parade, Balloon Fest, Freedom Days (vendor stalls and carnival rides), Colonial Days, and other activities and events.

BYU International Cinema

Shows foreign and classic films four days per week in a large auditorium. Tickets not required. See website for weekly schedule (showing times usually provided two weeks in advance). (Campus map).

Sep-Apr: Tue Wed Fri evenings, Sat·Free

BYU Planetarium

Planetarium offering shows for the public. Reservations may be made online. (Campus map).

Mon-Sat 7PM, 8PM·$2/person

ComedySportz

Interactive live comedy show downtown since 1999. Schedule of shows and tickets available at their website. Some shows not open for reservation. Family appropriate.

$4-10/adult, $4-5/child

Covey Center for the Arts

Plays, concerts, events, and an art gallery downtown. Check the website for the schedule and tickets.

Ticket office: Mon-Thu 10AM-6PM, Fri 10AM-2PM

Fat Cats

Bowling alley and game center, including traditional arcade games and billiards. Attached to the alley is Costa Vida, a Mexican restaurant.

Mon-Thu 9AM-midnight, Fri Sat 9AM-1AM·$3-4/adult, $3/child

Hike the 'Y'

A giant concrete Y towers over Provo from "Y Mountain." The zigzagging hike to the Y is relatively easy and takes most people about 45 minutes each way (although if those recently at lower elevations may wish to plan on more time). Once at the Y, you have a lovely view over Utah Valley and Utah Lake. (Another trail leads south from the Y to the peak of Y Mountain.) The hike itself is exposed with little shade, so plan accordingly when hot. The trail is particularly popular with BYU students. Facilities available at trailhead.

Mount Timpanogos

Located to the north of Provo, Mount Timpanogos is a very prominent and well-known landmark across the Wasatch Range. It rises to an impressive elevation of 11,752 ft (3,582 m). It is the location of one of the few permanent snowfields in Utah, and is also the location of several breathtaking, scenic, and popular hikes.

Rock Canyon

A rugged canyon popular with students, families, hikers, and rock climbers alike. The main trail is very easy, but leads off to other more difficult trails, such as one to the top of Squaw Peak. The mouth of the canyon also connects to Bonneville Shore Trail, which follows the base of the Wasatch Mountains.

Splash Summit Waterpark

formerly Seven Peaks Waterpark

Largest waterpark in Utah with waterslides, a wave pool, and other water attractions.

Memorial Day-Labor Day: Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM·Adults $21.99, child (under ) and seniors (65+) $14.99, parking $7

Timpanogos Golf Club

Public golf course in the wetlands of south Provo close to Utah Lake.

9 holes: $12-14/adult, $8-10/junior; 18 holes: twice as much

Utah Lake State Park

Located directly west of Provo. Utah Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Utah. Popular fishing, boating, parasailing, and camping destination. The Utah Lake Marina is a lovely place at sunset and borders on a marsh with wild birds. Two long jetties reach out into the lake, giving a spectacular view of the valley. Caution: Utah Lake is shallow and very biologically active, meaning that it can sometimes be smelly and algae heavy and often washes up dead fish. Boaters should be wary of windy conditions, as wind can stir up high waves due to the shallow waters. Entrance to the state park is supposedly $9/vehicle or $2/person or bike, but the entrance booth is often closed and sightseers can usually walk in free, particularly during the off season.

Summer 6AM-10PM; winter 8AM-5PM

Utah Valley Symphony

Utah Valley's symphony since 1959. Usually gives concerts on Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Covey Center for the Arts. Check the website for scheduling; tickets can be purchased through the Covey Center.

$9/single, $7.50/student & senior, $18.75 family, $5/rush (10 min before concert)

Velour Live Music Gallery

One of Provo's gems. The venue is a mandatory stop for artists from Utah's (surprisingly healthy) local-music scene, and touring artists often sidestep Salt Lake City clubs to play here. A full calendar of shows is available on the venue's website.

BYU Arts Performances

BYU hosts many plays, concerts, and other performances each year. There's something going on most nights of the week. Performances are generally held at the Harris Fine Arts Center. Check the website for scheduling and tickets.

Ticket office: Mon-Fri: Sep-Apr 10AM-5PM, May-Aug 10AM-3PM; also open for one hour prior to performances

BYU Cougars (athletics)

After more than a decade as a member of the mid-major West Coast Conference and an independent (i.e., not affiliated with any conference) in football, BYU has joined the so-called "Power Five conferences" of college football with its 2023 arrival in the Big 12 Conference. A few of its teams in niche sports compete outside the Big 12. There's always a sports team playing. Check the website for scheduling and tickets. Home basketball games are played at the Marriott Center (1497 N 450 E); home football games are played at LaVell Edwards Stadium (1700 N Canyon Rd). The BYU Legacy Hall (athletics museum and hall of fame) is housed in the Student Athlete Building (1060 N 150 E, M-Sa 7AM-9PM,, free).

Ticket office: Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM

Fish the Provo river

A good place is at Nunn's Park right across from Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon.

Go skiing in the winter or mountain biking in the summer

At Sundance or alternatively just look at the various art on display.

Pedal Provo Ghost Tour

This is a great way to see the city in a spookier way. It's a glimpse into Provo's slightly darker history. Think of it more as a fun bike ride to historical places and hearing good ghost stories. It makes a great date night or activity for anyone. The tours are seasonal (March through November) and only happen on Friday and Saturday night. They also rent bikes. Visit website for tour dates and to buy tickets. $10-16

Fri Sat 9PM-11PM·$10-16

Peaks Ice Arena

100 N Seven Peaks Blvd