Things To Do in Provo

Here in Provo, home of Brigham Young University, are a number of stately homes that once belonged to well-to-do church officials, as well as commercial buildings constructed to serve the growing community. Stop at the visitor center for a booklet describing the city's dozens of historic buildings. Nearby, the Utah County Courthouse is well worth a visit. This magnificent structure was built of Manti limestone in the 1920s. Notice the marble floors and detailing, the fine collection of artwork displayed on the walls, and the overall feeling of grandeur emanating from the classical balance of the design.

The Provo Town Square, at the intersection of University Avenue and Center Street, contains the core of Provo's business community, which began to develop and grow in the 1890s. Here you'll see the 1900 Knight Block, a big red building with a large clock; the Gates & Snow Furniture Co., to the east of the Knight Block, with one of Utah's best pressed-tin fronts; and the Zion Bank, at the northwest corner, situated in what was originally the Bank of Commerce building. West along Center Street sits a row of period storefronts, with the newer businesses now occupying them.

An interesting historic home is the Thomas N. Taylor House, 342 N. 500 West. "T.N.T.," as he was known, was manager of the Taylor Brothers Store and served as mayor of Provo and president of the Utah Stake of the LDS Church. His home, built in the first decade of the 20th century, exemplifies the kind of house most second-generation Utahns aspired to have. Nearby is the Clark-Taylor House, 310 N. 500 West, thought to be the oldest home in Utah Valley still standing on its original site. The adobe structure was built in 1854, with later additions of the two-story front, the trim around the windows, and the gables. Neither of these houses is open for tours.

Heading out of town, a turnout on U.S. 189, about 4 miles north and east of Provo, affords awe-inspiring views of Bridal Veil Falls, a double cataract waterfall that drops 607 feet to the Provo River. This is also a good spot to begin hikes into Provo Canyon.