Rachel's Guide to Downtown Provo
Overview
The neighborhood is safe (it’s Provo we’re talking about 😂), and has the vibrancy of a student town but is outside the university bubble. Center street is full of eclectic shops and restaurants in historical buildings. Downtown Provo is an adorable spot for a weekend getaway.
Downtown Provo
The neighborhood is safe (it’s Provo we’re talking about 😂), and has the vibrancy of a student town but is outside the university bubble. Center street is full of eclectic shops and restaurants in historical buildings. Downtown Provo is an adorable spot for a weekend getaway.
Food
These are the best restaurants within walking distance from 250 N 100 W. They also happen to be the some of best restaurants in Provo/Utah county.
Absolutely worth a visit! Even if you’re not vegan 😉😁 Just south a couple blocks on Center street.
Vegan Sun
225 W Center StAbsolutely worth a visit! Even if you’re not vegan 😉😁 Just south a couple blocks on Center street.
Love their garlic burger. Great shakes too. Next door!
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
CHOM Burger
45 300 NLove their garlic burger. Great shakes too. Next door!
Authentic, fresh, and affordable sushi with great service. Walkable, just across University Ave.
Wild Ginger
Authentic, fresh, and affordable sushi with great service. Walkable, just across University Ave.
This is a really good one. Of all the Thai spots in Provo, this is top 3 for sure. Also just across University Ave.
Thai Hut
410 North University AvenueThis is a really good one. Of all the Thai spots in Provo, this is top 3 for sure. Also just across University Ave.
Authentic, good food and nice ambiance. Straight south on Center street.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
India Palace
98 W Center StAuthentic, good food and nice ambiance. Straight south on Center street.
I love the Japanese curry bun and the Nutella dessert bun. Like a Kolache but better. To the west of Smith’s.
Bun Boiz
602 East 600 NorthI love the Japanese curry bun and the Nutella dessert bun. Like a Kolache but better. To the west of Smith’s.
Yummy and unique burgers and desserts, with vegetarian options. Just behind the Airbnb to the east.
Backdoor BRGR
Yummy and unique burgers and desserts, with vegetarian options. Just behind the Airbnb to the east.
This place is incredible. A hidden gem! I love the Loroco pupusas and plaintains with beans and cream. West on Center street.
El Salvador Restaurant
332 W Center StThis place is incredible. A hidden gem! I love the Loroco pupusas and plaintains with beans and cream. West on Center street.
Go early before they sell out! Usually a line out the door. You’ll understand why once you try it. Center street.
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hruska's Kolaches
434 W Center StGo early before they sell out! Usually a line out the door. You’ll understand why once you try it. Center street.
GOOD and the cheapest Thai spot in town (we’ve checked). ~$10 for a noodle or curry dish big enough for two. About 5 min drive to 300 South.
Thai Neighbor Cuisine 1
170 W 300 SGOOD and the cheapest Thai spot in town (we’ve checked). ~$10 for a noodle or curry dish big enough for two. About 5 min drive to 300 South.
Fun
All within walking distance or a short drive
Throw some axes 🪓 - need I say more? In the same building as Backdoor BRGR and next to Get Out Games.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Heber Hatchets Axe Throwing - Provo
261 N University AveThrow some axes 🪓 - need I say more? In the same building as Backdoor BRGR and next to Get Out Games.
Escape room interactive puzzles that are so fun for groups. Basically next door on 300 N and University.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Getout Games
283 N University AveEscape room interactive puzzles that are so fun for groups. Basically next door on 300 N and University.
Really fun for family/friend events. You can reserve a small private room for group karaoke. On Center, about a 7 min walk.
Heart & Seoul Karaoke
52 W Center StReally fun for family/friend events. You can reserve a small private room for group karaoke. On Center, about a 7 min walk.
A unique and funny spa experience where hungry fish give you a pedicure
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
FishKiss Fish Spa
32 S Freedom BlvdA unique and funny spa experience where hungry fish give you a pedicure
Live concerts with local bands and artists on University Ave.
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Velour Live Music Gallery Llc
135 N University AveLive concerts with local bands and artists on University Ave.
In addition to a great gym, they have a heated indoor pool and hot tub with slides and fun kids area. On 500 N.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Provo Recreation Center
320 500 NIn addition to a great gym, they have a heated indoor pool and hot tub with slides and fun kids area. On 500 N.
Lovely new park next to the Rec Center with great play area that is fun for kids and adults. Great spot for a spring picnic.
North Park
500 North 500 WestLovely new park next to the Rec Center with great play area that is fun for kids and adults. Great spot for a spring picnic.
The Wick Lab
271 N University AveA fun activity to make your own scented candles, and a quick walk away.
Gem Studio
9 North University AvenueA little pricey but a really fun make your own jewelry studio experience. Walkable.
Catch a clean comedy show for the whole family on Center street.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dry Bar Comedy
295 W Center StCatch a clean comedy show for the whole family on Center street.
A paint your own ceramics studio 15 minutes drive north to the Riverwoods outdoor mall.
Color Me Mine
5033 N Edgewood DrA paint your own ceramics studio 15 minutes drive north to the Riverwoods outdoor mall.
You can ride the ski lift year round just for the incredible views or hiking, biking, skiing/snowboarding, snowshoeing, or ziplining. The resort also has great restaurants. 20 minutes or so up Provo canyon.
174 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sundance Mountain Resort
8841 Alpine Loop Scenic BywayYou can ride the ski lift year round just for the incredible views or hiking, biking, skiing/snowboarding, snowshoeing, or ziplining. The resort also has great restaurants. 20 minutes or so up Provo canyon.
Excellent concerts, plays, and productions of all kind come here. See what’s playing during your stay! Center street.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Covey Center For The Arts
425 W Center StExcellent concerts, plays, and productions of all kind come here. See what’s playing during your stay! Center street.
Walk around the gorgeous grounds of the LDS temple built literally from the ashes of the Provo Tabernacle on University and Center.
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Templo del Centro de la Ciudad de Provo
50 S University AveWalk around the gorgeous grounds of the LDS temple built literally from the ashes of the Provo Tabernacle on University and Center.
JKR Gallery
Check out the latest (free) art show at this awesome studio by the Provo river.
Dessert
Treats and sweets
Local chocolate factory with amazing desserts. A couple blocks south on University.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Taste Artisan Chocolate
119 N University AveLocal chocolate factory with amazing desserts. A couple blocks south on University.
Beyond amazing craftsman ice cream and shakes. A must try for dessert. On University Ave.
The Twisted Cow
Beyond amazing craftsman ice cream and shakes. A must try for dessert. On University Ave.
A fun Utah trend is flavored soda of any and all varieties. Just across the street to the north.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sodalicious
30 300 NA fun Utah trend is flavored soda of any and all varieties. Just across the street to the north.
Bubble Haus
490 North Freedom BoulevardVery close to the Rec Center, and great boba smoothies and waffles 🧇
No trip to Provo is complete without a stop at either DirtyDough, Chip, or Crumbl cookies. Just north of Smith’s.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chip Cookies
470 N Freedom BlvdNo trip to Provo is complete without a stop at either DirtyDough, Chip, or Crumbl cookies. Just north of Smith’s.
This new place has great boba smoothies and other treats and snacks, and is just around the corner.
Slurp(boba.chicken wings）
This new place has great boba smoothies and other treats and snacks, and is just around the corner.
Delectable puts it mildly. And so close by it’s basically part of the Airbnb.
Dirty Dough - Downtown Provo
Delectable puts it mildly. And so close by it’s basically part of the Airbnb.
Shopping
“Get in, loser”
Great deals on books and a fun way to spend an hour or two. A bit of a walk or a short drive west on Center street.
Pioneer Book
450 W Center StGreat deals on books and a fun way to spend an hour or two. A bit of a walk or a short drive west on Center street.
If you like card or board games you need to check this place out. Just across University a block east (toward the mountains).
Dragons Keep
If you like card or board games you need to check this place out. Just across University a block east (toward the mountains).
Quirky and fascinating hole in the wall with some ancient original manuscripts on Center street.
Writ & Vision
274 W Center StQuirky and fascinating hole in the wall with some ancient original manuscripts on Center street.
Mall with a movie theater (Cinemark 16) and food court. A few minutes drive south.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Provo Towne Centre
1200 Towne Centre BlvdMall with a movie theater (Cinemark 16) and food court. A few minutes drive south.
Locals sell gently used clothes and home items at rented booths. Like thrifting but better. A short drive north near BYU.
Preloved Provo
Locals sell gently used clothes and home items at rented booths. Like thrifting but better. A short drive north near BYU.
If you don’t have one near you at home, it’s worth the 15 minutes up Orem state street.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trader Joe's
440 Park AveIf you don’t have one near you at home, it’s worth the 15 minutes up Orem state street.
Target
1290 N State StA very cute mini Target with everything you don’t need but must have.
Coffee
We’re not coffee drinkers so take this advice with a grain of salt but there are some of the coffee shops we love for the vibes and food and service
Just across the Smith’s parking lot, though a little pricey and inconsistent hours. They also have a killer “sick tea” with enough ginger to obliterate any sniffles ruining your trip.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Juice 'n Java
241 Freedom Blvd 200 WJust across the Smith’s parking lot, though a little pricey and inconsistent hours. They also have a killer “sick tea” with enough ginger to obliterate any sniffles ruining your trip.
Lovely for brunch or a quick pick me up. On Center street.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Peace on Earth
35 N 300 WLovely for brunch or a quick pick me up. On Center street.
Starbucks
The one and only! A few minute drive near the Provo Towne Centre mall and Sam’s Club.
Work
Need a spot away from the Airbnb to get stuff done?
Beautiful building with great book selection and frequent events for kids and adults. They have free conference rooms to reserve for a couple hours.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Provo City Library at Academy Square
550 N University AveBeautiful building with great book selection and frequent events for kids and adults. They have free conference rooms to reserve for a couple hours.
Kiln
Coworking space with all the vibes. North about 10 min driving.
Also a great event space. A historical building that was once the Startup family candy factory. The name was prophetic as it’s now a popular haunt for many local entrepreneurs. A short drive to the south.
The Startup Building Co-Working
Also a great event space. A historical building that was once the Startup family candy factory. The name was prophetic as it’s now a popular haunt for many local entrepreneurs. A short drive to the south.