Lagoon Amusement Park
Located just 1 hour from the park. It’s easy to have a great time with your family at Lagoon, one of the premier amusement attractions in the West. From the Rocket to Rattlesnake Rapids, Lagoon offers a summer adventure like no other. And once you’re there, you’ll have a multitude of activities to choose from.
800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058
(801) 863-INFO (4636)
Kennecott Copper Mine
There’s nothing quite like seeing the copper mine for the first time. Our Visitors Center hosts approximately 160,000 guests per year from all over the world who come to experience our three-quarters of a mile deep canyon, the largest man-made excavation on earth. Our mine has produced more copper than any other mine in history and still contains enough copper to last through the next century. At 150,000 tons of copper ore per day, that’s a lot of copper! Come learn more about this impressive feat of engineering when you visit the mine for yourself. learn more at www.kennecott.com
800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058
(801) 863-INFO (4636)
Hogle Zoo
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a Utah treasure. Located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon since 1931, the Zoo is one of the top visited attractions in the state of Utah and the number one paid tourist attraction in Salt Lake City. Spread out over 42 acres, it’s natural hillside terrain and meandering tree-covered pathways enhance the visitor experience as you discover the wonders of the natural world.
Located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon
Hogle Zoo has something for everyone! With hundreds of animals from hundreds of species to visit, the splendor of the animal kingdom is yours to behold. Be sure to visit Asian Highlands, a re-creation of a Himalayan village featuring five endangered Asian cat species, and Elephant Encounter — where the Serengeti meets Salt Lake City — and spotlights African elephants and white rhinoceros.
As part of a redesigned central plaza, the new Conservation Carousel takes kids of all ages for a whimsical spin on some of world’s most endangered or threatened animals. Each is a unique work of art, hand carved and painted by skilled craftsmen. A portion of all ride revenue is directed to Hogle Zoo conservation causes.
Hogle Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For perspective, of the more than 2,000 USDA-licensed wildlife exhibitors in the country, fewer than 10% have achieved accreditation. By being AZA accredited, Hogle Zoo is recognized as one of the top zoos in the world. More info at hoglezoo.org
Heber Valley Historic Railroad
As a non-profit organization, Thanksgiving Point is dedicated to providing guests a one-of-a-kind, hands-on opportunity for discovery and an entertaining, educational experience in a variety of arts and sciences. This family oriented destination offers a variety of things to do and see including a world class golf course and dinosaur museum.
450 South 600 West , Heber City, UT 84032
435-654-5601
Accessibility: Parking next to depot. Tour takes place seated aboard train.
Driving time: from Provo approximately 45 minutes.
This unique attraction features the 618, a 1907 vintage steam locomotive, which pulls passengers in authentically restored vintage coaches on one- or two-way trips from Vivian Park up Provo Canyon, around Deer Creek Lake, and through the beautiful Heber Valley.
The 618 and her sister engines also transport visitors on such fanciful evening adventures as the Sunset Special, Pioneer Day Lakeside Limited, Storytelling Train, and the Christmas Train – featuring a dramatized reading of Chris Van Allsburg’s The Polar Express. Call for train departures, varies depending on season and event.
Cascade Springs
This Backway begins on the Alpine Loop at the summit between American Fork and Provo Canyons. The road travels to Cascade Springs in the Uinta National Forest, then north to Wasatch Mountain State Park.
Can be reached from Alpine Loop (Hwy 92), UT
801-342-5240
Accessibility: It is ½ mile walk around the springs. Some of the trails are a fairly level walk, with others that are steeper.
Driving time: From downtown Provo—approximately 45 minutes.
This Backway is approximately 25 miles and requires one hour for travel time.
Cascade Springs is a must see for those heading over American Fork Canyon on the Alpine Scenic Loop. The Springs features large springs cascading down the mountain slope in a series of limestone terraces and pools. The sight has barrier-free access and interpretive information.
Buxley’s Geocaching Waypoint
Simply put, geocaching is treasure hunting for the 21st century. Armed with a GPS receiver, a set of coordinates that tell you the location of a cache, and a healthy sense of adventure, players go out and look for caches of goodies hidden by other geocachers. If one of the goodies in the cache strikes your fancy, you can take it–provided you leave another goodie in its place. In addition to the goodies, caches nearly always contain a log book of some sort so that you can record your thoughts and scribble a note for future cache visitors.
Provo, UT
Brigham Young University, home of the Cougars, is diverse in culture with students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 115 countries. BYU provides higher education to over 30,000 part-time and full-time students each year. The “Y” mountain can be seen by visitors entering the Utah Valley and acts as a beacon guiding them to BYU’s campus, nestled in the heart of Provo at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. Mount Timpanogos and Utah Lake contribute to the beautiful scenery that surrounds campus.
1 University Hill
Provo, UT 84602
(801)-422-INFO(4636)
Although BYU educates thousands of students, the University also offers many opportunities for the community and visitors from around the world to enjoy. Museums, libraries, competitive nationally ranked sports teams and performing arts are all available for you to partake in and experience. In U.S. News and World Report “America’s Best Colleges” issue 2002, BYU received high marks in several divisions.
Come and see what BYU is all about. There is something for everyone to enjoy. To learn more about BYU go to www.byu.edu.
Visitors in winter definitely don’t have to go home empty-handed. Bridal Veil Falls is a favorite spot for ice-climbing in the winter. Scaling frozen waterfalls with crampons and ice tools is a unique and challenging sport. Utah ice is usually in good shape for climbing from December through February. Besides Bridal Veil Falls, Utah Valley is full of other great ice-climbing spots, including The Great White Icicle, Stairway to Heaven, and Miller’s Thriller.