A-Z list of Things to do in Utah

This is a list that I put together a few years ago...some of the dates on the festivals may be incorrect, but it gives you an idea of when they are...If you know of anything I haven't mentioned (which is probably a lot) that you have done that is worth mentioning, leave me a comment and I'll add it to the list! Thanks!

Things to do in Utah

Antelope Island- Antelope Island State Park, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, is home to a roaming herd of 500 bison. Pronghorn and bighorn sheep also share the rangelands that overlook the desert lake. Take Exit 332 off Interstate 15, then drive west on Antelope Drive to the park entrance. $9 for a day visit

Boondocks- www.boondocksfuncenter.com Go-Karts, Bumper boats, miniature golf, batting cages, arcade, etc. 14200 S 75 E Draper, Utah

Cascade Springs- To get to Cascade Springs take the Alpine Scenic Loop up American Fork canyon. There is a $3.00 dollar use fee to access the canyon. From the summit of the Alpine Scenic Loop you will come to a turn off that will be marked Cascade Springs.

Clark Planetarium at Gateway- www.clarkplanetarium.org Learn about science and astronomy

CLAS Ropes Course-(Challenge Leadership Adventure Systems) Team building exercises in a park by Provo River. Through hands-on challenges and experiences you will internalize concepts like problem-solving, leadership, communication, conflict resolution, group cooperation, trust, teamwork and self-confidence. www.clasropes.com

Comedy Sportz-improvisational comedy… appropriate for all ages. Friday and Saturday night shows… www.comedysportzutah.com

Deer Creek Beach- You don’t need a boat to enjoy Deer Creek Reservoir, because along this well-groomed beach you can sunbathe, play volleyball, have a barbecue and of course swim in the marina. Also, at the beach you can rent paddle boats, fishing boats, water ski boats, in  addition to personal watercrafts (such as a Jet Ski or a Wave runner). Deer Creek Reservoir is southwest of Heber along Hwy 189. 

Discovery Gateway children’s museum - www.discoverygateway.org Where children are guaranteed a fun-filled action packed day learning about the arts, humanities and sciences.

444 W 100 S SLC

Eccles Dinosaur Park- www.dinosaurpark.org-  1544 E Park Boulevard Ogden, UT

Gardner Village- Stroll our quaint paths and discover our retail specialty shops surrounding the historic Gardner Mill. With the ambiance and charm of an early Utah Village, you'll enjoy shopping and dining in a leisurely-paced setting. Also pony rides, petting zoo, restaurant, and bakery. Dress up as your favorite witch and join them for Witches Night Out in October… 1100 West 7800 South www.gardnervillage.com

Heber creeper- www.hebervalleyrr.org –Includes fun rides like Day Out with Thomas; Moonlight and Fire ride; Raft and Rails adventure; Comedy Murder Mystery; Hay Train; Haunted Canyon Train; Cowboy Poetry; North Pole Christmas Train; Fiddlers & Fireworks and more…

Hogle Zoo- www.hoglezoo.org See the new baby giraffe and new baby monkeys and baby orangutan

Hollywood connection- State-of-the-art indoor entertainment center featuring amusement rides, minigolf, roller skating, a '50s style diner, games, laser tag and a 15 screen theater.  3217 Decker Lake Dr., West Valley. (801) 973-4386.

Homestead Resort (Midway)- www.homesteadresort.com –home of the “Crater.” Soak, Swim, or Snorkel. 

Johnson Farm Dinosaur Discovery Site (St George)- displays some of the oldest and best-preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. www.dinotrax.com

Tour at Kennecott
Lagoon- www.lagoonpark.com Lagoon boasts over 40 rides that will thrill, chill, excite and delight you. Fly the Bat, twist and turn on the Spider, splash on Rattlesnake Rapids, or zip upside down in two huge loops on Colossus - the Fire Dragon. Kids under 3 are free.

Living Planet Aquarium- www.thelivingplanet.com  Experience the “jellyfish” room and touch pool- 725 E 10600 S Sandy, Utah

The Mayan restaurant- www.themayan.com  Cliff divers and tree-top dining

Orem Owlz baseball games- www.oremowlz.com Kids can join the junior Knight Owlz

Park City-Alpine slide; Alpine Coaster; Zip line; Legacy Launcher; life rides; horseback riding; etc www.parkcitymountain.com Also shop the Factory Stores

Raging Waters- www.ragingwatersutah.com Water Park opening May 24^th 1200 W 1700 S
Salt Lake City, UT

Ride the UTA bus

Ride Traxx

The Scera-  www.scera.org –movies, indoor/outdoor concerts, plays…

Seven Peaks Water Park- www.sevenpeaks.com /Peaks Ice Arena- www.peaksarena.com –swimming in the summer or indoor ice-skating and soccer year round.

Sundance Resort- www.sundanceresort.com –Summer activities include a scenic full moon lift ride, hiking and horseback riding, plays, concerts, etc. Winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing, owl watching, etc.

Temple square- www.visittemplesquare.com Garden tours, Legacy theatre, Conference Center (free guided tours); Joseph Smith Memorial Building; listen to the MOTAB choir practice; free organ concerts

Thanksgiving point- www.thanksgivingpoint.com Farm Country; Gardens (fun children’s discovery garden with water to splash in, caves to explore and mazes to find your way through); Dinosaur Museum; Gift shop

This is the Place Park- www.thisistheplace.org We’ll have puppet shows, rug making, crafts, and pioneer classes at the school. Visit the newspaper print shop, see how butter is churned and taste it on fresh bread, find old-fashioned penny candy at Z.C.M.I., see nearly-lost arts (such as basket making, rug making, needlework or hair weaving) demonstrated, or go on a handcart mini-trek. Young visitors can help do chores by watering the real garden, beating dirt from rugs hung on the fence rail or scrubbing clothes on a washboard in a large metal tub. They can see and touch domestic animals typical of the era: cows, sheep, goats, chickens, horses and huge oxen – even ride a pony! 2601 Sunnyside Avenue SLC
Timpanogas Cave- A short but strenuous hike of 1.5 miles is required to reach the cave, located 1,000 feet above the canyon floor. (The round trip through the cave and back to the trailhead is about 3.5 miles and takes about 3 hours. Temperatures inside the caves are about 45 degrees Fahrenheit so a light jacket is advised. The cave is open mid-May to mid-October, funding and weather permitting. Timpanogos Cave is located off I-15 up American Fork Canyon. Take Exit 284, turn east onto State Highway 92, and go 10 miles to the monument. There are picnic areas along American Fork Creek

Tracey Aviary- www.traceyaviary.org Year-round exhibits, bird shows, and educational classes for all ages. Tracy Aviary is located at 589 East 1300 South in the southwest corner of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City

Trafalaga- www.trafalga.com Miniature golf, slick track, batting cages, arcade

Treehouse Museum- (Ogden, Ut) www.treehousemuseum.org

Tuacahn Amphitheatre- Ivins, Utah (an outdoor theatre near St George)- featuring concerts and plays-Broadway in the desert! www.tuacahn.org
Wheeler Farm- www.wheelerfarm.com take a tour of an old farmhouse; experience farm life by milking the cows, feeding the pigs and going on wagon rides…

**Free Things to do in Utah

The Bean museum on BYU campus- www.mlbean.byu.edu/home/ Natural History Museum/Live animal shows every evening- 645 E 1430 N Provo

Bridal Veil Falls (Provo Canyon)-hike the falls, take pictures, wade in the water, have a picnic

The Beehive House- The Beehive House offers various beautifully decorated rooms including the play room, the kitchen, the family store, the fairy castle, Brigham Young's room/office, and the sitting room where family members would get together to sing and play various musical instruments. Located on the corner of State Street and South Temple 

Brigham Young Historic Park and Concerts in the Park- Listen to beautiful music in beautiful surroundings. Make it a point to attend the free concerts in the Brigham Young Historic Park on summer evenings. June and July concerts begin at 8:00 P.M. August concerts begin at 7:30 P.M. The park is located at the southeast corner of State Street and North Temple (Second Avenue). Seating is available, but visitors can also bring blankets or their own lawn chairs.

Cabela’s- see the big fish aquariums and animals, waterfalls…Play in the shooting and archery ranges. Eat in the resturaunt and watch the big fish get fed every day at 6pm and Fridays at 12pm.

Children’s Discovery Park- Around the fortress, children play in the dinosaur sandbox or with the fiber optics volcano. In the fortress, your child’s creativity will take-off with the kaleidoscope space shuttle, only later to get shaken up on the earthquake platform. The park is free.

1555 N. 100 East Pleasant Grove

Feed the ducks near Utah Lake

Fifth Water Hot Springs- Diamond Fork Canyon Take I-15 south to the US-6 (Price/Manti) Exit (exit 258) Take the exit east towards the mountains all the way up Spanish Fork canyon for about 11 miles (from the exit) Not too far after the highway turns from one lane each way to two lanes you will see a turn off on the left side of the road that says Diamond Fork. Take that turn off and follow the road until you see a sign that says Three Forks Trail head.- www.utahoutdooractivities.com/fifthwater.html      

Gallivan Center- unique art projects, an amphitheater, an ice rink and pond that will reopen November 14^th 2008 (free with your own skates or rent them for under $4), a huge outdoor chess board, and an aviary. Lots of events including Radio Disney Days June 19^th & July 10^th and Lunch Bunch Concerts. The Gallivan Center is located in the middle of the block between 200 South and 300 South and State Street and Main www.slcgov.com/PublicServices/Gallivan/ 

Historic Downtown Provo Gallery Stroll- Every 1^st Friday night from 6-9pm. Meet artists, browse fine art, enjoy free refreshments and live music. www.downtownprovo.org

Inlet Park Hot Springs-North end of Utah Lake. Water is around 109 degrees. Wear your swimming suit and enjoy the therapeutic soak. Park closes at 10pm. From Salt Lake City head south on I-15 to exit 282.  Head west on highway 73. Continue West until you come to Redwood Rd, highway 68. On Redwood Rd turn south for 2.3 miles.  On the left hand side of the road there will be a paved road. Turn East on this road. Travel for approx 1/2 mile to a stop sign. Turn North and travel approx 1/4 mile to the Inlet Park Parking Lot. There are two parking lots for this park, you want the furthest one South. Park here and follow the paved trail south into the trees. www.utahoutdooractivities.com/inlethotsprings.html

Jordan Parkway/ Provo River Parkway-walk, run, bike or skate

Museum of Church History and Art- Visitors can see a real covered wagon, climb a ship bunk like those in which immigrants from Europe traveled on, see an original 1830 copy of the Book of Mormon and see art pieces from around the World.  The museum is a great place for kids, it offers many interactive displays and activities for kids to enjoy such as puppet shows, films, and costumed actors 45 North West Temple Street

Museum of Art @ BYU-

Rock Hounding- www.utahoutdooractivities.com/rock.html Many locations throughout Utah to look for Trilobites, shell fossils (Spanish Fork Canyon), Geodes, quartz, crystals, sunstones, topaz, obsidian and more…

Rosecrest Splash Pad in Herriman-Free splash park-14070 S Rose Crest Rd (5600 W)

Springville Museum of Art- http://sma.nebo.edu/  Community and Family night the first Monday of each month @ 6pm

Temple Square- Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice; concerts; tours

**City Festivals

Pony Express Days in Eagle Mountain- May 30^th – June 7^th Baby contest, parade, dutch oven cook-off, Carnival, movie, pancake breakfast, helicopter rides, dune buggy tours, Movie under the starts and concert featuring Blackhawk. www.emcity.org

Zion Canyon Art and Flute Festival- June 9^th -15^th

www.zioncanyonartandflutefestival.com

Art City Days in Springville- June 9^th – 14^th

Orem Summerfest- June 13^th -14^th

Scottish Festival and Highland Games(Thanksgiving Point)- June 13^th -14^th

Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove- June 16^th – 21^st Concerts, parade, rodeo, carnival,

Huck Finn Day

Utah Arts Festival- June 26^th -29^th www.uaf.org

Lehi Round-up- June 23^rd – 28^th

Lavender Days (Young Living Farms)- June 27^th -28^th www.younglivingfarms.com

Logan Pumpkin Walk- North Logan- October 18-20^th , 22-23^rd Dozens of displays created from pumpkins. www.pumpkinwalk.com

Freedom Festival in Provo-July 3^rd ,4^th and 5^th  www.freedomfestival.org

American Fork Steel Days- July 14^th -19^th

Spanish Fork Fiesta Days- July 21^st -24^th

Alpine Days- 2^nd Week in August with a parade and rodeo, and art/craft show on Friday and Saturday

Timpanogas Storytelling Festival- August 28^th -30^th www.timpfest.org  Music, entertainment, puppetry, bedtime stories, laugh night

Payson’s Onion Days- Aug 29^th –Sept 1^st

Midway Swiss Days-Aug 29^th – Aug 30^th www.midwayswissdays.com

Blickenstaff's Toy Store...Treasure Hunt! May 14th

If you can't tell, I'm all about the Shops at the Riverwoods in Provo. They have some great things going on down there...including free entertainment; good food and great stores. If you haven't been to this toy store, you are missing out. I know this doesn't really qualify for a "date" but Ric and I had as much fun as the kids did! They have some really awesome toys...Some of them took me back to my childhood. 

You gotta check them out!

Blickenstaff's turns 1!

Date: 14 May 2011 - 10 am-9pm Location: Blickenstaff's
Blickenstaff's is celebrating it's first birthday on Saturday May 14! Come down to the store located at the Shops at Riverwoods to celebrate with us! There will be a treasure hunt held all day long! Come in and grab a treasure map so that you can claim some of the finest ocean salt water taffy! Each completed treasure map will be entered in our random drawings held every hour to win prizes like games, candy, sodas and more. One lucky treasure hunter will win a $100 gift card to Blickenstaff's. Stop by the store to celebrate with us all day long!

Events @ Shops at the Riverwoods in Provo

I don't know if you've been down to the Riverwoods in Provo lately, but they have revamped their layout, and it is a really fun place to hangout. They have free concerts and events going on almost every weekend on their outdoor stage. Here's what's happening this weekend:

UVU Dancers

Date: 6 May 2011 - 6 pm Location: The Gazebo

Tonight's performance is a variety of professional Ballroom, Contemporary and Hip-Hop.  There are several team, duo's and solos that will be performing tonight.  You wont want to miss this!

Maddie Wilson

Date: 6 May 2011 - 8 pm Location: The Gazebo
Maddie Wilson is a Singer/Songwriter
14 year old Maddie Wilson (Salem, Utah) loves music that makes people feel good; she began singing as an infant. Maddie has a unique soulful country singing style which has been described as having the edge of Taylor Swift and range of Carrie Underwood. Maddie is an accomplished musician who plays guitar, piano, writes and composes music. Maddie currently receives vocal instruction from Dean Kaelin, vocal coach for David Archuleta, and other star singers.
Maddie released her debut original song, that she wrote, in June 2010 called "Fall For Me". She is now working on an EP to release in the spring of 2011.
Maddie is working with Shaun Barrowes (2007 American Idol Finalist) as a featured artist and collaborator on the "Live For Music" youtube series and tour. She is also a featured artist at Nashville Spotlight, TFC Talent Forums, Stars2come.com and other organizations who recognize young artists.
Maddie has large numbers of followers on YouTube, Reverbnation, and Facebook where she has posted covers and originals. In July, 2010 K-Bull 93 in Salt Lake City played “Fall For Me” as a kick it or keep it feature song and the song receive an overwhelming “keep it” vote. Other radio stations have played "Fall For Me" in the U.S. and Canada. Maddie uses her music and influence for good and hopes to make a positive difference in the world.

UVU Vocal Majors

Date: 7 May 2011 - 6 pm Location: The Gazebo The Vocal Majors of UVU are here to show their passion of classical and operatic songs, chansons and lieder.  A lovely variety of Puccini, Bellini, Foster and many more popular and genius composers will be featured