Summer is the perfect time to try new things, but it doesn't have to break the bank. Here's a list of 25 things you can do this summer that are fun-guaranteed and won't cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, crossing off the activities on our #UniverseSummerBucketList might just win you some extra cash for your own summer adventures. Tackle an activity from our summer bucket list and post it to Instagram for a chance to win up to $40 in free rentals from Outdoors Unlimited. Use the #UniverseSummerBucketList hashtag and tag @UniverseBYU and @byuoutdoorsunlimited and you'll be entered into a weekly drawing from now until Aug. 2.*
With so many options within different price ranges, it'll be hard NOT to hit up at least one of these bumpin' concert venues this summer.
- USANA
- Twilight concert series
- Stadium of Fire
- canceled
Located just up Diamond Fork canyon, the Fifth Water Hot Springs is one of the most popular hot springs around. With its short hike and pleasant waterfalls, it's a must-do on any summer bucket list. Plus, it's free!JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGYTh4UVNlYU1WZlElMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4lM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=This man-made waterslide is free, fun and only requires a few friends and a few tubes to get started. Located under I-215 in SLC, it's the perfect place to gather your squad and have a blast. Too adventurous? Try Seven Peaks instead.JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGbU84YVM4YUZhVUElMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4lM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=The Redwood Drive-In Theatre is open 7 days a week and features all the hit movies you want to see this summer. All you need is a car with an FM transmitter and $9.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This year the annual event will take place July 15 at 10 p.m. at White Rock Bay in Antelope Island State Park. The theme is 'riding with the stars,' so make sure to wear your best old-hollywood getup and to decorate your bike accordingly. Online registration starts at $25 and includes park entry, light refreshments and a collector's T-shirt.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 cultured by visiting one of these local museums:
- The Leonardo in SLC ($10 for students)
- The MOA on BYU campus (free!)
- Springville Museum of Art (free!)
Pull on your cowboy boots, wrangle a date and be prepared for a giddy-uppin' good time. The Fiesta Days Rodeo takes place this year in Spanish Fork on July 21-23, 25. Tickets start at $11.50 and sell out fast, so you won't want to 'hold your horses' on this one.Here's a magical idea: re-read all 7 Harry Potter books before the release of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' on July 31 (Harry's birthday). Not a fantasy fan? Check out thousands of other options at the Provo Library.It's a simple equation. Friends + car rides = a good time. Not sure where to go? Here's a few national parks within reasonable distance.
- Yellowstone National Park is within 6 hours of Provo.
- Zion National Park is within 4 hours of Provo.
- Capitol Reef National Park is within 3 hours of Provo.
What better way to enjoy your summer than to breathe in the fresh air of the Utah mountains? It's completely free and the pictures will look great on your Instagram feed. Here are a few local suggestions:
- Hike the Y
- Buckley's Mine in Rock Canyon
- Mt. Timpanogos Summit
- Mt. Timpanogos Cave
- Silver Lake
- Cascade Springs
If regular swimming pools are too mainstream for you, check out the this crater at the Homestead Resort in Midway. It's $16 to swim, but you'll need to call in advance to make a reservation. You can also rent snorkel equipment for $5.The Burriston pond rope swing in Mona, Utah is the perfect place to cool off from the summer heat. It's completely free and with two different rope swings to choose from, this pond will keep you and your friends flying.JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGU05zZzdmTUtiS3MlMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4lM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=Created in 1970 by artist Robert Smithson, this giant spiral will blow your mind. It's free but in a remote area, so make sure to have enough gas, food and water to last for a couple of hours.Lagoon, Utah's only amusement park, is always a hot spot during the summer. It's newest attraction, Cannibal, is sure to leave any rollercoaster-lover satisfied. The admission fee for adults is $54 a day.This bucket list just got real. You've always wanted to try hang gliding - this is your time. The Point of the Mountain is known worldwide for its consistent paragliding conditions.JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGbDhLOVBma24tTVElMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4lM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=Support local Provo goods by buying at the Provo Farmer's Market each Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. It's fresh, local and a great way to get your grub.With races taking place almost every weekend, your summer won't be complete without running at least one of them. Some fun options include:
- Run for Refugees 5K (June 18, free)
- Provo Midnight Run half marathon/marathon (June 24, $40+)
- Run Through the Lavender 5K (July 9, $25)
- Color Fun Fest 5K and carnival (July 30, $18)
Take a day to visit one of the seven LDS temples close to Utah Valley. Feeling even more adventurous? Try visiting every one of the 17 temples in Utah before the summer's over.The Sundance chair lift is the perfect scenic summer activity for couples and friends. It runs all summer long and costs start at $15 per ride.A summer bonfire wouldn't be complete without making some delicious campfire food. Try making some Dutch oven potatoes or the perfect s'more. Don't have a Dutch oven? You can rent one at outdoors.byu.edu.A romantic evening for two out on Utah Lake will make you feel like you belong in 'Gossip Girl.' The sunset sail costs $95 per couple through Bonneville Sailing. For $160 per couple through Lindon Marina, you'll be served dinner with the sunset.Guaranteed to get you Instagram cred and likes, the Sun Tunnels are an art installation finished in 1976 that 'bring the sky down to earth' as the light bounces off the tubes. Try to hit it up for the Summer Solstice on June 20, but it'll be there all summer.Pretend you're Mowgli and Baloo floating down the river while singing 'The Bare Necessities.' Or just float down the river and have a good time with your friends.Utah has an abundance of open spaces just waiting for you to pitch a tent. You could try a state or national park or even set up camp in the hills above Provo. If you're up for a drive, try these parks:
- Bryce Canyon National Park ($30)
- Arches National Park ($25)
- Utah Lake State Park ($10)
- Deer Creek State Park ($10)
Get your groove on and hit the dance floor this summer. Latin dancing, country line dancing and '80s dancing are some local hotspots where you can bust a move. #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*Universe employees and affiliates not eligible to win. Credit expires at the end of August and is one-time use only.