It's been reported that a deal has been signed to bring a NASCAR raceway to the Blue Hills of Provo. Whether the deal goes through or not is anyone's guess, but if it does, the raceway is expected to host seasonal events and not ongoing races.

Providenciales

Provo has little in the way of historic or cultural attractions; for a real feel for the rich heritage of the TCI, you'll need to head to North or Middle Caicos and, of course, to Grand Turk and Salt Cay.

At press time, it was not clear if the Caicos Conch Farm in Provo was up and running again after suffering severe damage in the hurricanes of 2008. Call tel. 649/946-5330 to see if the attraction (and working conch farm) has opened and is offering tours.

North Caicos

A number of charter-boat operators offer island tours, eco-tours, bird-watching tours, or private charters to North Caicos, including Big Blue Unlimited (tel. 649/946-5034; www.bigblueunlimited.com). Big Blue combines boat rides with bike trips, kayaking, bird-watching, and lunches in native homes to get deep into the North Caicos experience. You many even get to Flamingo Pond, tidal flats on the island's south side and home to the largest protected nature sanctuary of West Indian flamingos in the islands.

Middle Caicos

Big Blue Unlimited (tel. 649/946-5034; www.bigblueunlimited.com) combines boat rides with bike trips, kayaking, swimming, and cave exploration on Middle Caicos. Middle Caicos native and guide Cardinal Arthur (tel. 649/946-6107; cellphone 649/241-0730) offers cave, bird-watching, fishing, and eco-tours, transportation, and general sightseeing trips of the island. Also offering cave tours (and good general sightseeing tours) is local guide Ernest Forbes, Sr. (tel. 649/946-6140).

Conch Bar Caves National Park -- These cool limestone caves are a surprising treat to discover on flat, sunbaked TCI. This massive (24km/15-mile) aboveground limestone cave system (with 3.2km/2 miles of surveyed caves) was used by pre-Columbian Lucayan Indians more than 600 years ago -- a number of artifacts from their occupation are housed in the Turks & Caicos National Museum. Today it's basically a big bat cave (mined for exported guano back in the late 19th c.), with impressive stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and pools. Look for land crabs around the entrance to the caves. Tip: Spray yourself thoroughly with mosquito repellent before you go in. For more information, contact the Turks & Caicos National Trust (tel. 649/946-5710).

The Crossing Place Trail -- This historic coastal route, much of it along a bluff overlooking the lovely azure waters of Mudjin Harbor, was first established in the late 1700s by cotton plantation settlers. As part of the Turks & Caicos National Trust Middle Caicos Ecotourism Project, it has been reopened from the Conch Bar to the Indian Cave field road. (Crossing Place refers to the place where in years past people crossed the sandbars at low tide to get to North Caicos.) During the days of the Loyalist plantations, the owners rode along the King's Road while the slaves walked the trail. You can hike or bike this trail; go to www.tcimall.tc/middlecaicos/crossingplace.htm for more information on hiking and biking routes. The trail is generally flat, with some low hills. For more information, contact the Turks & Caicos National Trust (tel. 649/946-5710).

Kid Stuff -- The 2010 arrival of FunWorld, a mini golf/go-cart/game arcade complex, was as inevitable as the summer rain. It avoids being a total beach-resort cliché by throwing in savory grilled jerk chicken and live music on the weekends -- and, we admit, it's great family fun. The newest attraction in Provo is at corner of the East Leeward Highway and Long Bay Road (tel. 649/941-4659; www.funworldtci.com). The 18-hole miniature golf course is $15 adults and $10 children 10 and under.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.