Get to Know Provo!
During your stay in Provo, UT, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. The following information
is to better acquaint you with surrounding resources so you can not only prepare for, but also enjoy your
time in Utah.
Campus Amenities
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Student Lounge:
o Comfortable Seating
o 2 Refrigerators to store snacks, lunches, and beverages.
o 2 Microwaves
o Complimentary utensils, plates, napkins, cups, etc.
o Coffee station – Complimentary coffee, creamer, sugar, tea, hot chocolate.
Wireless Internet
Medical Library includes complimentary copier and printer – just plug in your laptop!
Soda machine with water, Diet Coke, Sprite, Minute Maid Lemonade, etc.
Snack machine with healthy treats like pretzels and fruit snacks, as well as favorites like Snickers &
potato chips!
Comfortable sitting areas around the building to visit with the faculty and classmates
Menus for local restaurants to order lunch or plan dinner at the front desk.
Local Map
Rocky Mountain University
Sleep Inn
La Quinta Inn - Provo
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About Provo, Utah
Utah is home to deserts, lakes, and majestic mountains, and several Native American groups—including
the Utes, for whom the state is named. Spanish travelers, led by Franciscan friars Dominguez and
Escalante, first visited it while scouting a northern route from Santa Fe to Monterey. The next explorers
were mountain men searching for beaver—one of which was a man named Etienne Provost, for whom
the city is named. Utah achieved statehood in 1896, at which time Provo already had nearly a quarter of
a million people.
New waves of immigrants from all corners of the world came during the early 1900s with coal mines,
railroads, and other industries. After World War II, Utah found a new economy in defense, mining, steel,
and petroleum-refining industries. Tourism, recreation (especially skiing), light manufacturing, and the
service industries have recently emerged as strong element in the economy.
For more information on Utah’s history, please visit the Utah Historical Society webpage at
http://history.utah.gov/.
Location & Landmarks
Provo currently has a population of 115,135, making it the third-largest city in Utah. Mean temperatures
range from 30.7 in January to 76.4 in July. (Provo Economic Development Department,
http://www.provo.org/econdev.provo_profile_main.html#population). Provo lies in the Utah Valley at an
elevation of 4,540 feet (1,387 m), just along the roots of the Wasatch Mountain Range. It covers 43
square miles.
Like most cities in Utah, it is organized on a grid system, with streets running north and south crossed by
east and west streets. University Avenue, on which the Provo LaQuinta Inn and Fairfield Marriot are
located, is the 0 street between East and West. Center Street, located 18 blocks North, is the 0 street for
North and South. RMUoHP is located on the south-most tip of Provo on 1860 south, so to read Center
Street, or any street labeled “North”, you should head away from the freeway with the mountains on your
right. Remembering that the mountains are to the East is always helpful.
Provo is first and foremost a college town, as marked by one of its most distinctive landmarks: the large
"Y" made of whitewashed concrete halfway up a nearby mountain. It was built in the early part of the 20th
century to commemorate Brigham Young University (original plans included construction of all three
letters: BYU). BYU is the second-largest private university in the country, with more than 34,000
students. The campus is also home to the Spencer W. Kimball Tower, the tallest building in Provo.
Dining in Provo
Reviews, directions, and detailed information regarding restaurants in Utah County can be found at
http://www.utahdinersguide.com/. In the Provo area, one can find cuisine from just about anywhere in the
world: El Salvadoran, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, etc. In addition to the many excellent restaurants
located near RMUoHP campus are several Provo favorites. Most are located along three major roads in
Provo:
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Center Street (0 between North and South): Hickory Kist Deli, Little Italy (Italian sit-down
restaurant), Maestro’s Gelato, Guru’s (vegetarian selections)
1230 N and University Avenue: Hogi Yogi & Teriayaki Stix, Spoon Me (fun frozen yogurt), the
Pita Pit, Kneaders (salads, soup and fresh bread)
University Parkway: Subzero Ice Cream, Pudding on the Rice, Jamba Juice, Zupa’s (salads,
soup & delicious sandwiches), the Pizza factory, the Olive Garden
The Cracker Barrel is also located just south of Provo in Springville. The Brick Oven, a local favorite for
Italian food, is located on 800 North and 200 East in Provo, near the BYU campus.
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Shopping for Basics
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Just behind the Provo LaQuinta Inn is the the Provo Towne Centre Mall, which includes a movie
theater, shopping (JCPenney, Sears, etc), a food court, and Red Robin and Winger’s restaurants.
On the corner of University Parkway and State Street in Orem is the University Mall, which also
includes shopping (Macy’s, Nordstrom, etc.), a movie theater, and many restaurants (PF
Chang’s, Spaghetti Factory, California Pizza Kitchen). Starbuck’s is also located in the parking
lot of the University Mall.
Wal-Mart is just south of Provo in Springville. Head south on I-15, then take exit 260 for State
Hwy 77 toward Springville. Turn left at 400 South, then right at S 1750 West. Wal-Mart will be on
your right. There is also a Wal-Mart about 3 miles north of campus along I-15. Head North on I15 and exit at University Parkway. Turn left (East) and then left onto Sandhill Road. Wal-Mart is
on the left.
Rite Aid: 1324 N State St, Provo (801) 374-2015
Albertson’s Grocery Store: 560 W Center St, Provo (801) 374-1558
Smith’s Food & Drug Grocery Store: 350 N 200 W, Provo (801) 377-9050
Shopping for Fun
Center street & University Avenue are fun to walk down any day. There’s a pet shop, a yarn shop,
several bookstores, antique stores, the Great Salt Lake Guitar, Co., art galleries, quirky clothing shops,
etc. Check out these other interesting stores:
 Pioneer Book 129 W Center Street, Provo. This shop is full of interesting finds: Napoleon’s
signature and a piece of the flag from one of his battles, rare old books, original props from Gone
with the Wind, etc.
 Fifth and Cherry Antique 155 West 1450 North, Provo. A sophisticated antique shop featuring
stunning home decor, collectible items and furnishings.
 Ambie's Gifts 424 North Freedom Boulevard, Provo. A trendy gift shop with cute and classic
gifts that are fun to browse through.
 Beary Unique Boutique 1221 South University Avenue, Provo. This is one of the nation's
largest handmade gift and home decor stores.
 Crazzy Canuck Provo Towne Center Mall, behind the Provo LaQuinta: Enjoy the fun flavor of the
store’s owner, and an interesting collection of candy and kinder eggs, hockey, merchandise, etc.
 Mrs. Cavanaugh's Candies 573 East 1700 North, Provo. Homemade candies and treats.
 From Global To You European Antiques 171 East 900 South, Provo, UT. Browse fine
antiques gathered from all over the world at this shop.
Fitness
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Gold’s Gym: Two locations: 460 N 900 E, Provo, or 575 University Parkway, Orem 801-3772666
24-hour Fitness: 2121 N 550 W Provo, 801-224-2096
Curves: 3218 N University Ave Provo, 801-343-0872
With close proximity to seasonal recreational activities, students are encouraged to take
advantage of their surroundings. Students may enjoy water sports, hiking, and in-line skating in
the warm seasons and skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the winter seasons. Many
equipment rental locations are near the University, including at Brigham Young University
(BYU), Sundance Resort, and Utah Valley University (UVU). BYU’s rental store, Outdoor
Unlimited, can be reached through 801-422-2708. Sundance’s rental information line is 801-2234120 and UVU’s rental shop can be reached through 801-863-INFO.
Ski Utah offers current snow level reports and links to all of the ski resorts in Utah. Please visit
www.skiutah.com.
For additional information on outdoor activities, please visit the utahvalley.org website. Click on
Things to See & Do.
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Events
Check out the Utah Valley Visitor’s Guidebook for ideas. The following sites also include local calendars,
festivals, plays, news, etc.
 www.provo.org - the City’s official site, with citizen, visitor and business information. An
interactive map helps locate places and streets, a Current City Activity Guide & a calendar of
events at the Covey Center for the Arts make this link very useful.
 www.heraldextra.com/ - Provo’s The Daily Herald is Utah County's leading newspaper. Check
their website with for local news, sports and advertising to find out what’s happening in the
community.
 www.utah.com/provo/ - Offers Things to Do, Places to Visit, Outdoor Recreation suggestions, and
Photo/Video Tours of Provo.
 www.byu.edu - Check out what’s new at the heart of Provo: Brigham Young University. Plays,
sports, etc.
 www.uvu.edu - Check out what’s new at Utah Valley University, just 10 minutes north in Orem.
Plays, sports, etc.
 www.oremowlz.com/index.php - Orem’s Pioneer League Baseball team. Season runs from June
to September.
 www.mlbean.byu.edu/home/ - Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum. Free of charge, the
museum is located right by BYU. Live animal shows go on every night of the week. Open until
9pm Monday-Friday.
 www.provo.lib.ut.us/local_info.html – Check out the Local Resources pages of Provo City
Library’s website. Local history, timelines, information about schools and the local government,
schedules, calendars, and local news. The sparkler is the What to Do in Provo link – it’s
according to season!
 www.utahvalley.org/things-to-do/default.aspx - Information about activities in Provo and
surrounding areas – especially for active people! Hiking areas, cycling, golfing, equipment rental,
etc.
 Downtown Gallery Stroll: The first Friday of every month Center Street opens its doors to local
artists. Enjoy the atmosphere, some fine cuisine and Provo artistry! Just twenty blocks north of
RMUoHP along Center Street and University Avenue. Visit the link below for more details.
http://www.downtownprovo.org/index.php?s=content&p=gallery_stroll
 The “Dollar” movie theater (Cinemark 8) shows movies just after they’ve left mainstream
theatres. Tickets are never more than $2! Located down University Pkwy near Orem. Visit the
link below to see what’s playing: http://www.cinemark.com/theater_showtimes.asp?theater_id=89
Nearby Cities
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www.midwaycityut.org/ - Midway, UT.
www.sundanceresort.com/ - Sundance, UT. Skiing, camping, the Sundance Film Festival, hiking,
excellent food, shopping, summer theatre, etc.
www.parkcity.org/ - Park City, UT. Skiing, concerts, August Jazz Festival, etc.
www.ci.slc.ut.us/ - Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City, UT, is full of exciting places to eat and visit. The
Utah Museum of Fine Arts, a historic mapped-out walking tour, Clark Planetarium, independent
film theatres and bookstores, Historic Temple Square, live theatrical venues, etc.
www.thanksgivingpoint.com - 20 minutes north on I-15 is Thanksgiving Point, home to an array of
gardens, Farm Country, the Museum of Ancient Life (exhibiting fossils from every geological
period and more than 120 dinosaur skeletons).
www.cabelas.com – Cabela’s, a huge outdoors outfitting store, has a huge sporting goods
showroom, a Big Country museum, and a 35,000 gallon aquarium of native Utah fish. Located in
Lehi, just before Thanksgiving point on I-15 North.
www.tangeroutlet.com/parkcity. Shop over 60 brand-name outlet stores at Tanger Outlets, 6699
North Landmark Drive, Park City, UT. Take Highway 189 to Heber City, then Highway 40 to I-80.
Take I-80 West to Exit 145, State Road 224, Kimball Junction. Turn right at the first light onto Ute
Boulevard. Tanger Outlet Center is on the left.
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