More About Provo, Utah
Provo was founded in 1850 as Fort Utah in honor of the Ute Indians who inhabited the region; the name was changed to Fort Provo for the well-known French-Canadian trapper, Etienne Proveau who first arrived in 1825.
Railroad connections from Salt Lake City and Scofield in the 1800’s, made it a shipping point for the region's mines, and the city grew significantly in the late 20th century.
Accommodations Ranked in the Top Ten U.S. Resorts by the Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards, Sundance Resort is located approximately 50 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport. Sundance is a year-round mountain community on 6,000 acres at the base of the 12,000-foot Mount Timpanogos in the north fork of Provo Canyon. Robert Redford envisioned the vigilant growth of a community that would cultivate alliance of arts and recreation while preserving the integrity of the land.
The heart of Sundance is the Sundance Village, complete with 95 guest cottage rooms, mountain homes, restaurants, an artisan center, and conference facilities surrounded by the forest. The complex has restaurants, ski equipment rentals, and a full-service spa.
The Provo Marriott Hotel and Conference Center is located downtown and is near Brigham Young University, Nu Skin International and Novell, Inc.
Hines Mansion Luxury Bed & Breakfast is a Victorian mansion that was constructed in 1895 for Russell Spencer Hines. It is believed to have been designed by Utah architect Richard Karl August Kletting, who also created the Utah State Capitol.
Restaurants What was once a corner pizza parlor became the popular Brick Oven Restaurant. The changes stemmed from a growing community and increased popularity. They serve fresh baked products, delicious hearth baked pizza pie, and homemade root beer, as some of their dining features.
The Happy Sumo Shushi Bar and Restaurant serves sushi, tempura, teriyaki and other dining choices. The Happy Sumo is ranked by Salt Lake Weekly Magazine as “Best new restaurant-best Sushi”. Authentic Mexican food can be enjoyed at Las Tarascas, and it is acknowledged as best Mexican food in Provo.
Shopping Cabela's, the world's primary outfitter of hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear offers a 150,000 square foot showroom filled with educational and entertainment attractions. Featured are animal displays, a huge aquarium and trophy animals interacting in realistic re-creations of their natural habitats in this shopping haven.
Historic Downtown area offers unique shopping and dining experiences.
Provo Towne Centre has over 100 other stores and restaurants to choose from.
Major Attractions Located in the city, The Provo Utah Temple is the 17th constructed and 15th operating temple. It was built with a modern single-spire design very similar in design to the Ogden Utah Temple. One of these peaks, known as Y Mountain, towers over the city.
Provo is the seat of Brigham Young University. Nearby are the Uinta National Forest, a state fish hatchery, a wild bird refuge, and Provo Peak.
Seven Peaks Water Park, the largest wave pool in Utah is located at this water park that features seven wave patterns in the pool, thrilling water slides, and 26 heated attractions that appeal to the entire family.
Monte L Bean Life Science Museum, has preserved and mounted examples of animals, insects, plants, and fish. Exhibits, based on the life cycles of all species, education programs and children's hands-on Discovery Area, is appealing especially to families.
Written by: Karen J. Lee