1. Cougars Are On The Prowl In Provo
While Utah doesn't have any professional football teams, fans still rejoice about their beloved Cougars, who are part of Brigham Young University's large athletic talent pool. The football team is known as the "Quarterback Factory"-famous alumni include Todd Christensen, Chad Lewis, Jim McMahon, Gifford Neilsen, Bart Oates, Vai Sikahema, and of course, Steve Young.
2. Provo Is Full Of Billion Dollar Babies
Provo-based companies, Vivant, Ancestry.com and Qualtrics have all brought prosperity and pride to Riverwoods Business district. With their proven success records to back them up, all three tech companies are valued in the billions.
3. You'll Have To Join The Cult Of Cupcakes
While the Cocoa Bean Cupcake Café has three locations, the original is located right in the heart of Provo on University Avenue. Sink your teeth into the Better than Whatever Cupcake and wash it down with an Irish Carmanilla. Think we're crazy? People have stood outside in lines in the FREEZING SNOW to get their favorites, like Madagascar Vanilla Vanilla, but customers swear it's worth the wait.
4. Provo's Positively Dripping With Musical Talent
Think Provo hasn't had any major musical talent since the Osmonds? Well, you're dead wrong. Provo is the musical mecca of the state and has turned out big name acts such as Imagine Dragons and Neon Trees. You can catch some future Grammy winners performing at Beauford Giffords live music night and grab a pint to enjoy along with the music.
5. Our Milkshakes Bring All The Boys To The Yard
While Sammy's offers some delicious burgers such as Sammy's Masterpiece, Provoans know that Sammy's is the only place where you can get an authentic Chocolate Cream Oreo Pie Shake. All the other shakes are posers.
6. Provoans Are All Just A Bunch Of Tree Huggers
Take a stroll at the Bertrand Harrison Arboretum, home to over nine hundred species of indigenous American trees. If tree watching isn't your thing, take a walk over to the botany pond and observe the ducks in action.
7. Climb The (Icy) Stairway To Heaven
Just because Utah sees its fair share of snow doesn't mean you have to stay indoors all season long succumbing to Cabin Fever. If skiing isn't your thing, then embark on an ice climbing adventure at Bridal Veil Falls. "Stairway to Heaven" is the most popular course; get some practice in on the first ice pitch, known as "The Apron," and then begin your quest to conquer all 10 pitches.
8. Just Call Us The Silicon Desert
Let's be honest, Provo is more wired in than some U.S. cities could ever hope to be. We were the third city to hook up Google Fiber and it's home to the tech company Novell. With other tech based companies based in Utah like Ebay, Word Perfect and Adobe it's safe to say that the region is Sillicon Valley's little sister.
9. Provo Is Full Of Dead Ringers
Sign up for Provo's Annual Halloween Half Marathon and join in the running mass of vampires, gladiators, bananas, Mr. Cleans and Darth Vaders. Just make sure you stay ahead of participants like Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers who are just dying to cut the competition to shreds.
10. (Sun)Dance The Night Away
While the film festival gets all the cred, the Sundance Resort is in Provo County. You can take a day trip up through Timpanogos National Forest and view all the beautiful birch trees during your drive. Once you get there, stroll around the grounds, take a couple of workshops with the local artisans and stop by the Tree Room for Branzino en Salsa Verde and Beignets for dessert.
11. Leslie Knope Would Leave JJ's Diner For Waffle Love
Parks and Recreation's heroine might just abandon Pawnee for Provo if she ate just one of Waffle Love's gourmet waffles. My personal favorites are the Red Wonder and Nutella Love. Yeah, I bet you're salivating already.
12. Everyone Is As Skilled As Jason Bourne
The Pickup Field in Provo has free play for those paintball warriors that love to flex their muscle and compete in the community at the Airport Field. The speedball field has an open plan with minimal areas for cover, which means you'd better grab the best bunker or you'll be out in no man's land.
13. Forget The Farmer's Market--It's All About The Food Trucks
Every Thursday night you can experience some of the best street food that the city has to offer at the Startup Building. Dance around to live, local music and chow down a Smokehouse from Sweeto Burrito. (Warning: doing both at the same time is a serious choking hazard.)
14. Free Fallin'
That's exactly what you'll be doing if you head over to Seven Peaks Water Park in Provo, which is the largest water park in Utah. Prepare to break your vocal cords screaming all the way down the Jagged Edge or the Boomerang.
15. The Girl On Fire's Got Nothing On Provo
Even Katniss Everdeen would be impressed with the show we put on at the Stadium of Fire for the Annual Freedom Festival. Your Fourth of July will be popping because of headlining acts like Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and the Beach Boys, and the finishing firework extravaganza-- the largest in the nation.
16. Prepare To Join Disc Golf Anonymous
When it comes to disc golf, Utah has no less than eight courses devoted to the sport. Whether you're facing down the spring pond at Bicentennial Park, the steepness of Rock Canyon Park or the challenging "object" course at Provo Riverview Park, make sure to keep 'em flying and keep 'em dry.
17. Provo's The Other City By The Bay
Provo Bay off of Utah Lake provides residents with a pretty spectacular water view that the rest of the valley just simply doesn't have. But the bay isn't all about looks: you can fish, canoe or picnic near the marina.
18. You're Going to Get Your Veggie Fix
At Bombay House munch down on some of the best vegetarian cuisine that the state has to offer. The Vegetable Coconut Kurma and Garlic Naan are hands down my favorites, and don't even get me started on how delicious the Mango Lassi is.
19. The Stoneman Burger Is Way Juicier Than It Sounds
When it comes to burgers in Provo, your best bet is to head down to Joe's Gourmet Grill and get the Stoneman Burger. With its winning combination of bacon, sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, guacamole and Stoneman sauce, the Stoneman burger at Joe's Gourmet Grill easily knocks out the competition. Go ahead and try it-your taste buds will thank me later.
20. The Next Brad Pitt Is Probably From Provo
Satisfy your craving for visual wonder at the Final Cut Film Festival hosted by Harris Fine Arts Center. This student-produced film festival highlights a collection of movies, documentaries, animations and commercials created by students from BYU. BYU's film school turns out some major tinsel town talent with famous alumni including John Heder and Aaron Eckhart.
21. May The Norse Gods Bless Your Skis
Sundance's Nordic Center offers full moon cross country ski and snowshoe nights. You can leisurely roam and experience the trails at night while enjoying all the pristine views the woods have to offer.
22. Provoans Are More Adventurous Than Indiana Jones
Test your agility at High Country Adventure by zip lining through Bear Pine Canyon, rafting down the Provo River or exploring the mountains and active wildlife population on an ATV.
23. We've Got The Moves Like Jagger
Whether it's country dancing at southworth hall or salsa dancing at Salsa Chocolate, Provoans really know how to shake it--just give them the beat and they'll get the party started.
24. You'll Think You've Died And Gone To Bicyclist Heaven
Getting around Provo has never been easier. Provoans are so committed to alternate transportation routes that they created nearly 44 miles of bicycle pathways and trails to interconnect cyclists with all the favorite city hotspots.
25. Trails And Tribulations
Once you've feasted on all the delicious food that Provo has to offer, go work it off hiking the Y MTN trail or the Rock Canyon Trail. Make it to the end and you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the valley below.
26. Provoans Train Like Beasts
The Provo Recreation Center boasts a state of the art indoor aquatic center, a rock climbing wall and the basketball courts. Get sweating during zumba or rev up your metabolism with a Rip class.
27. Life's Not A Highway, It's A Carnival
Provo celebrates its diversity with the annual Festival Latinoamericano. During this endless fiesta spread out over three days, the city embodies the heart and spirit of Latin American life and culture. With vibrant costumes, elaborate dances and delicious tapas, you'll have no choice but to join in on the salsa dancing with the rest of the crowds there.
28. Float Down The Provo River
Whether you're into fishing for trout or tubing, the Provo River has some of the best water sport experiences. The river also has great cycling and running trails for those who just can't take another day of spinning or running on the treadmill.
29. Laugh Until Your Face Gets Stuck At The ComedySportz Club
With over a decade of experience in stand up and improv, you can trust the ComedySportz to deliver you a healthy dose of gut busters.
30. Caution: You Can't Eat This Bacon
After you reach the top of Mount Timpanogos and check out the amazing views of the valley below, check out the caves inside and view some of the craziest stalactite and stalagmite formations on this side of Wasatch. My favorite happens to be the bacon strip stalactites.
