Provo, UT

If you’re looking for a fun evening activity for the whole family to enjoy, how about a free movie at your local park? Grab your kids, friends, or a date, plus a blanket, chairs, and refreshments, and enjoy a film under the stars.

In spite of living in a state with a reputation for “the greatest snow on earth,” I haven’t been on skis for years. But two summers ago I found myself drawn to Snowbasin Ski Resort for another reason–the free Sunday Concert Series.

Each Sunday from June through September, music- and outdoor-lovers alike can visit Snowbasin for music on the plaza. They feature different local musicians each week, from Classic Rock to Brazilian Jazz, Reggae, Celtic, Bluegrass…even German polka and a Carlos Santana Tribute band.

The Utah Arts Festival is one of my favorite events to attend. It has a cool, edgy vibe while still managing to be family-friendly. The 2008 festival will be held Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29, from noon to 11 p.m. at Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. The four-day event is one of the largest outdoor festivals in Utah, attracting 80,000 people. It features more than 130 visual artists, 100-plus performing artists, literary and culinary artists. It’s a total feast for the senses.

s a kid growing up in Brooklyn, I loved block parties and street fairs. The street would be roped off, everyone would be out socializing and laughing, kids would be playing, the smell of great food would fill the air, and there would always be some sort of entertainment. Party on the Boulevard is like a modern version of those childhood fêtes.

If you don’t have the time, space, talent, or desire to grow your own vegetables there’s a great alternative: pick your own at a local produce farm. It’s also an great way to show your kids how produce gets from the dirt to the dinner table, and remind them that food doesn’t just come from the store.

The Brigham Young University Museum of Art in Provo is one of the principal fine art museums between Denver and San Francisco, and one of the top university museums in the U.S. Located on the BYU campus, the museum has a permanent collection of more than 16,000 pieces with an emphasis on American and religious art. (Although the entire collection isn’t on display at any given time, you can make an appointment for the print study room to see artworks not currently on view).

Provo’s Rock Canyon offers hundreds of rock climbing routes. Red Slab may be the most popular beginner area.

Provo’s Rock Canyon offers hundreds of rock climbing routes. Red Slab may be the most popular beginner area.

One of Provo’s greatest resources goes largely unappreciated: your lawn. Lie down! Roll! Enjoy! Remember how it feels to enjoy life like a child, if just for a moment.

Spring has lasted a little longer this year than usual, but I still can’t help thinking about those hot, lazy summer days just around the corner. So what do you do if you’re basically landlocked and don’t own a boat? For a die-hard beach-goer like me, it was a challenge to find a few family-friendly lakeside spots to swim, sunbathe, and relax. Deer Creek State Park and Reservoir was one of the prettiest lakes I