Places to visit in Orem, UT.
Orem is a family city that offers a wide range of activities for families and tourists. Located 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, Orem is home to Utah Valley University and renowned for the annual Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.
Orem is home to various restaurants and fun attractions, so you can find something to suit your taste and budget! We’ve compiled a list of some of the best things to do in Orem.
Nielsen’s Grove Park in Orem, Utah
Nielsen’s Grove Park is a beautiful scenic park full of plants & flowers with a reflecting pool, pond, greenhouse & picnic areas. The park is about 2000 South Sandhill Road, just east of University Parkway in Orem.
The park was first designed in 1866 by Danish immigrant Jorgen Nielsen after the fashion his uncle used when he created parks and gardens for King Fredrick IV of Denmark at Kongens Have. The centerpiece of the garden was a fountain powered by a natural spring.
Excursionists from all over the valley and Salt Lake came to picnic in this picturesque park that boasted a 12-seat carousel swing, vine-covered arbors, and a working greenhouse. It was a tourist destination until 1910, when drainage from the benches above turned it into a swamp.
Since then, the park has gone through many changes but remains one of the most popular parks in the Orem area today, and the Orem Historical Commission is working to get it back to its glory days. Three of the four statues of ladies from the original park are currently housed at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers museum in Provo, but it is unclear where the fourth is.
SCERA Center for the Arts
The historic SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem, Utah, is home to live theatre, concerts, movies, Gallery 101 art gallery, and many year-round arts education programs for kids, teens, and adults in drama, dance, voice, and music. It’s also home to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, open for summer entertainment under the stars.
Founded in 1933, SCERA is dedicated to producing wholesome and affordable programs that enrich the lives of families and communities through performing arts and arts education. Over the past 80 years, SCERA has grown from a 5-cent movie theater to a complex that includes:
- the historic SCERA Center for the Arts;
- the 3,500 seats SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre;
- the Orem Heritage Museum;
- a full-scale costume, scenic, and prop building;
- and dozens of arts education programs serving more than 18,000 youth and adults annually.
Mount Timpanogos Park
Located in Northeast Orem, this beautiful park is a favorite of locals and visitors. Mount Timpanogos Park features a variety of facilities, including picnic areas and pavilions, making it the perfect place to host an event or enjoy a family day out.
In addition to the fantastic scenery, this park is also an excellent location for running and hiking. With paved trails and plenty of room to run, it is the perfect spot for a jog in the fresh air.
Orem is known for its parks, and Mount Timpanogos Park is no exception! This beautiful park is just a short drive from the city center, offering many fun activities. The park is a popular place to go for hikes and runs, and it’s also an excellent location for weddings and other events.
Bridal Veil Falls in Orem Utah
Located in Provo Canyon, Bridal Veil Falls is a must-see attraction. This picturesque location is only 10 minutes away from Orem and is easily accessible by car.
Several trails lead to the base of Bridal Veil Falls. One is the paved Provo River Parkway Trail which is an excellent place for walking, jogging, running, and cycling.
The other is Nunn’s Park, a short drive from the falls. It is a popular park for hiking and picnicking.
It is an excellent place for families to enjoy the beauty of Utah’s mountains. The views are spectacular, and the area is close to Sundance Ski Resort, Provo Canyon, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, RiverWoods shopping center, and so much more!
Squaw Peak Overlook (Renamed to Kyhv Peak in 2022)
Squaw Peak Overlook offers one of the best views in Utah County. This scenic spot is an excellent place to view fall colors in late September.
Hikers will be rewarded with panoramic views of Utah Valley, including the cities of Orem and Provo. It is also an excellent spot to watch migrating hawks and other birds of prey.
Squaw Peak is a great place to take in the beautiful fall scenery and watch wildlife. The best time to see fall color in this area is from late September to early October.
UVU Museum of Art (Woodbury Art Museum)
The UVU Museum of Art in Orem, Utah, has various exhibitions and displays. They focus on modern and contemporary art styles and topics. They also have many traveling exhibits that change regularly.
The Museum is a dynamic institution recognized for its engaged and diverse exhibitions, programs, and partnerships. They have been an essential steward of art and education in the community since their founding in 2002.
The Museum is moving from the University Place mall to a home donated by a longtime UVU donor, Melanie Bastian, starting in 2020. The home, known as Lakemount Manor, will be a beautiful backdrop for the Museum to display its collections. It will also serve as an educational center for UVU students.
Best Things to Do in Orem, Utah
Places to visit in Orem, UT:
- Nielsen’s Grove Park in Orem, Utah
- SCERA Center for the Arts
- Mount Timpanogos Park
- Bridal Veil Falls in Orem Utah
- Squaw Peak Overlook (Renamed to Kyhv Peak in 2022)
- UVU Museum of Art (Woodbury Art Museum)