◢ LOCAL GUIDE · UTAH COUNTY
20 things to do in Utah County.
From laser tag in Pleasant Grove to hikes above Provo, here's how locals actually spend a weekend in Utah County — indoor rainy-day picks, family outings, date nights, and the outdoor classics. No chain restaurants, no tourist traps.
Indoor & rainy-day activities
Utah weather flips fast. These are the spots that hold up when the canyon's iced over or the lake's whipping wind.
◢ 01
Play laser tag at Rad Tag (Pleasant Grove)
One of the newest entertainment venues in Utah County. A 6,000 sq ft multi-level neon arena with four game modes and 30-minute sessions — three times longer than most laser tag spots. Built for adults, loved by kids 5+.
◢ 02
Museum of Ancient Life (Lehi)
Inside Thanksgiving Point. One of the largest dinosaur museums in the world, with 60+ mounted skeletons, a working paleontology lab, and a kids' dig pit. Easily a 2–3 hour visit.
◢ 03
Museum of Natural Curiosity (Lehi)
Also at Thanksgiving Point. 400+ hands-on exhibits across five themed worlds — best for ages 3–12 but adults end up climbing the rope tower too. Combo tickets with the dinosaur museum save money.
◢ 04
Bowling & arcade at Fat Cats (Provo or Lehi)
Bowling, billiards, an arcade, and a movie theater under one roof. The Provo location is downtown; the Lehi location is bigger and newer.
◢ 05
BYU Museum of Art (Provo)
Free admission, rotating world-class exhibits, and a quiet café. One of the most underrated indoor stops in Utah Valley.
Outdoor & adventure
Utah County's calling card. Trails and water within 20 minutes of anywhere.
◢ 06
Hike Mount Timpanogos (American Fork)
Utah County's signature hike. The Timpooneke trail is roughly 14 miles round trip with 4,400 ft of elevation gain — start at sunrise, bring layers, and you'll summit by mid-morning. Shorter alternative: Battle Creek Falls in Pleasant Grove (1.5 miles round trip).
◢ 07
Walk the Provo River Parkway Trail
A 15-mile paved trail from Utah Lake up to Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. Great for biking, walking the dog, or stopping at Bridal Veil Falls. Free and dog-friendly all year.
◢ 08
Paddleboard at Utah Lake
Launch from Lincoln Beach or the Provo Boat Harbor. Mornings are glass-flat, afternoons get windy. Rentals available in Provo if you don't have your own board.
◢ 09
Day trip to Sundance (Provo Canyon)
Robert Redford's mountain resort, 20 minutes up Provo Canyon. Lift-served hiking and a chairlift in summer, skiing in winter, and the Owl Bar year-round. The drive up Highway 189 is half the experience.
◢ 10
Stewart Falls hike (Sundance)
A 3.5-mile round-trip hike to a 200-ft waterfall. Wildflowers in summer, golden aspens in fall. One of the most accessible 'wow' hikes in the state.
◢ 11
Bridal Veil Falls (Provo Canyon)
A 607-ft double-cascade waterfall right off Highway 189. Paved path from the parking lot, picnic tables, and a swimming hole at the base. Five-minute walk, big payoff.
Family-friendly outings
Things that work for a wide age range without anyone melting down.
◢ 12
Throw a private party at Rad Tag
Birthdays, work parties, family reunions, and youth activities in Utah County usually default to a backyard or a pizza place. Booking a private session at Rad Tag in Pleasant Grove gets you the whole arena for up to 40 people, with optional pizza and wings on site.
◢ 13
Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point (Lehi)
55 acres of themed gardens with North America's largest man-made waterfall. The Tulip Festival in April and Luminaria at Christmas are worth planning around.
◢ 14
Seven Peaks Waterpark (Provo, summer)
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Wave pool, lazy river, and slides. Pass of All Passes membership is the local move if you'll go more than twice.
◢ 15
Trafalga Fun Center (Lehi or Orem)
Mini-golf, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, and an arcade. The Lehi location is larger and indoor-heavy; Orem is mostly outdoor.
Food, music & nightlife
Utah County's food scene has quietly gotten good. Most spots close by 10pm — plan accordingly.
◢ 16
Eat your way down Center Street, Provo
Black Sheep Cafe for Navajo tacos, Communal for farm-to-table, Spark for steaks, and Sweet Spice Jamaican around the corner. Pair it with a show at the Covey Center for the Arts.
◢ 17
Catch a show at Velour (Provo)
The 200-cap venue that launched Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees, and The Aces. Local indie nearly every weekend, tickets usually under $20.
◢ 18
Date night in downtown Provo
Start at Velour for a show, grab dessert at Sub Zero or Hruska's Kolaches, and end at the Towne Cinema for an indie film. Walkable, parking is free after 6pm on weekdays.
◢ 19
Catch a BYU game
Football at LaVell Edwards Stadium in the fall, basketball at the Marriott Center in winter. Even if you're not a fan, Cougar game days fill downtown Provo with a real crowd and easy parking off University Parkway.
◢ 20
Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove (June)
Utah's longest-running community festival — carnival, rodeo, parade, and free strawberries and cream. The whole town shows up.
Utah County FAQs
What are the best things to do in Utah County with kids?
Family favorites include laser tag at Rad Tag in Pleasant Grove, the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Seven Peaks Waterpark in Provo (summer), Trafalga Fun Center in Lehi or Orem, and an easy hike to Battle Creek Falls. All work for ages 6 and up.
What are good indoor things to do in Utah County on a rainy day?
Rad Tag's 6,000 sq ft neon arena in Pleasant Grove is the top indoor pick for ages 8+. Other rainy-day options: the Museum of Ancient Life (Lehi), Thanksgiving Point's Museum of Natural Curiosity, the Crandall Historical Printing Museum (Provo), Trafalga's indoor games, and bowling at Fat Cats in Provo or Lehi.
What are unique date night ideas in Utah County?
Skip the chain restaurants. Try Communal or Spark for dinner in downtown Provo, catch live music at Velour, hike to Stewart Falls at sunset, do a private 2-player laser tag session at Rad Tag, or drive up Provo Canyon to the Owl Bar at Sundance for dessert.
What's there to do in Pleasant Grove specifically?
Pleasant Grove is the new entertainment hub of north Utah County. Rad Tag laser tag, Battle Creek Falls trailhead, Strawberry Days (June), the Outlets at Traverse Mountain a few minutes north, and a growing food scene along State Street.
Are there free things to do in Utah County?
Plenty. The Provo River Parkway Trail (15 miles), Bridal Veil Falls, the BYU Museum of Art, the Springville Museum of Art, Battle Creek Falls hike, downtown Provo on weekends, and Utah Lake State Park trails are all free or very cheap.
How is Utah County different from Salt Lake County?
Utah County (Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, Lehi, American Fork) is more outdoors-driven, family-oriented, and earlier-closing than Salt Lake. Nightlife is lighter — most entertainment closes by 10pm — but the hiking, lakes, and family venues are some of the best in the state.
Still need a plan? Light up the arena.
Rad Tag is open Mon–Sat in Pleasant Grove. Walk-ins welcome, reservations open 30 days out.