Re: A visit to Provo, Utah

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> I found out yesterday quite unexpectedly, that I am being sent
> to Provo for a business meeting. The meeting is on Dec. 9-11
> and I arranged to fly out there from here in Philly on Dec. 6
> so I can spend the weekend seeing the sights. 
> 
> This will be my first, and possibly only trip to Utah. I am
> wondering if anyone has any suggestions on scenic areas in
> or near Provo that I could visit. I am an avid photographer
> so I figured there must be some interesting stuff to photograph
> there. 
> 
> I am also curious to know if there are any good, moderately
> priced restaurants where I can eat on that Saturday and
> Sunday.

I'm thinking the name of the buffet in town was "Chuck-a-rama."  With
a name like that, I just had to go, at least once.  I suppose it's
more or less the Utah equivalent of a Ponderosa.  So don't expect
great food, but of course it's cheap and it's all you can eat.

For more adventurous food, I suppose you can just walk around the
downtown [Center Street] area.  There were plenty of restaurants with
a wide variety of ethnic choices.

> During the week, my meals will be provided by the
> company with whom I will be consulting so they have already
> told me they have dinner plans lined up and breakfast and
> lunch will be served at the hotel where our meeting is to
> take place. I would love to try some local restaurants on
> the weekend. Not ever having been to Utah before and never
> really having an interest in visiting there before, I am
> very ignorant about the dining and tourism options there.

As I noted above, the choices are really great for such a small town. 
I suppose it has something to do with returned missionaries and
immigrant converts all converging in Provo.

> I will be staying at the Marriott Court Yard in Provo and
> I prefer not to have to rent a car, but renting a car is
> something I will do if its the best transportation option.

You really need a car.  Alternatively, if the weather is dry, you
might consider renting a bike.  There was a bike path [mostly unpaved
in the lower stetches, but paved in the upper portion] that ran along
the Provo River.  If I had a bike but no car, I suppose that would be
at least one day's adventure.

> Any suggestions on good restaurants and sites to see
> will be appreciated.

I'd agree with a previous poster that Park City is a nice place to
visit, even if you don't ski.  And, also previously suggested, I
suppose I would want to visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City, just
because that's sort of what folks will assume you saw if you're in
Utah.  Also, if the Christmas decorations are up, that's a pretty
wonderful sight to see.

The other thing I always suggest for the Salt Lake area is a visit to
the Kennecott Copper mine in Bingham Canyon.  Free entry and a very
impressive example of strip mining.

In the actual Provo area, Provo Canyon has already been suggested. 
You can drive as far as you want up the canyon, including straight
through to I-80.  Stop at Bridalveil falls [of course].  If you fly
fish, fish the river.

If you just want a short hike, Rock Canyon is accessible from the
"front" side of the Wasatch Front.  Check a map and just walk right up
the canyon.  Or, alternatively, drive towards the bit "Y" on the
mountain and walk past the Y and on into the mountains.  As long as
you stay on the Front side of the mountain, it's pretty hard to get
lost.  [Although, if there is snow or ice on the ground, I would not
suggest hiking Rock Canyon.  Hiking in general may not be such a great
idea if there's snow on the ground].

> Oh, and please do not suggest I
> go skiing. I want to avoid any chance that I might hurt
> myself and not be able to attend the meeting that I
> am being sent there to attend. I am not much of a fan
> of skiing anyway.

If you do not want to ski, I would NOT suggest Sundance.  Other than
the skiing, you'll basically have the choice of very expensive food or
a very expensive place to stay.  What's the point?  On the other hand,
if you DO decide to go skiing, skiing on Utah powder is an entirely
different experience from your previous experiences on snow.  The
concept of "dry" snow finally makes sense.

If you decide to go further afield, you should know that from Provo
you can get to Moab in about four hours.  A trip to Arches and
Canyonlands national parks would thus be a very easy weekend [one or
two night] trip from Provo, and you'd come back from Utah with some
very spectacular pictures.  Indeed, if this is really your one and
only trip to Utah, I think I'd put getting a rental car and driving to
Arches at the top of your list of suggestions for your free weekend.

TK