Last Updated on November 15, 2024 by Tami
As the weather is turning here in Utah, Provo Beach provides a tropical escape from the cold. With a variety of attractions from their Flow Rider to the arcade, bowling to laser tag, there is something for everyone. If you’re in (or around) Utah Valley and looking for an activity-packed day, Provo Beach is a fantastic destination for families and friends.
Provo Beach: Tropical Escape
The weather has been quickly getting colder the past few weeks as we dive further into autumn. With 4 little children (ranging from 18 months to 10 years old), I am always looking for ways to get out of the house to get my kids active. But, it can be difficult to find a place with activities conducive for everyone. I was excited to see what Provo Beach had to offer for our family, especially since they have such a wide variety of attractions. Plus, who doesn’t want to escape the Utah winter weather to explore a tropical themed attraction?
We had the privilege of being hosted for the day and were given complimentary all-day passports (with Flow Rider access) to try out the attractions. I will be sharing openly about our experiences there with each of the attractions–the great parts as well as the challenges.
1. FlowRider
The FlowRider is Provo Beach’s star attraction, featuring a unique indoor surfing and boogie boarding experience. It really feels like you’ve left Utah and have been transported to a tropical beach escape! Perfect for adrenaline seekers, the FlowRider allows guests to ride continuous waves, making it an exciting option for teens, adults, and older kids. My husband and oldest son (age 10) were tall enough to try surfing, but the skills required to balance were a bit too advanced for them; they preferred the boogie boarding instead. My almost-7 year old loved boogie boarding, but needed some assistance from an adult to help him get on the Flow Rider.
While my husband and older sons participated, I tended to my 4 year old and 18 month old. There is a bench to sit on near the arcade, with views of the Flow Rider, but the windows often steam up from the hot tub and it’s hard to see the participants well. There is a strict policy about observers coming into the room with the Flow Rider—they must be 5 years old to enter and watch up close. This was a bit unfortunate for our family situation because that meant we couldn’t join the rest of our group. We still found a way to watch them (through the large outside windows), but I wished there had been a way for us all to observe up close and personal. All the same, I’m looking forward to coming back for a date night sans kids!
Best for: Ages 7+, teens, and adults. Anyone 42″ or taller can participate in boogie boarding. Must be 52″ tall to surf
Cost: $22/hr per guest. Private rentals available by reservations, as well.
2. Ropes Course
Provo Beach has an impressive ropes course that runs high above the main floor, giving participants a thrilling bird’s-eye view. My oldest son (age 10) was the only one willing to brave the heights. I’m pretty terrified of heights myself, but was happy to take pictures of him while he explored and played to his heart’s delight.
Best for: Ages 6+ with a minimum height requirement of 42″ with a chaperone, or 48″ without. Ideal for older kids and active adults
Cost: $8/guest
3. Bowling
Provo Beach’s bowling alley is smaller than other bowling alleys I’ve been to, but still provides tons of fun. Each lane has comfortable seating areas, making it easy for everyone to relax and take turns. With bumpers and lightweight bowling balls available, young children and first-timers can enjoy themselves just as much as adults.
My family and I bowled while my oldest was on the ropes course; I could easily watch when it wasn’t my turn to bowl because the ropes course is situated next to the alley.
My 18 month old and 4 year old even enjoyed some mini bowling fun, too! There is a small bowling game next to the main alley, costing $2.50 per game. Very user friendly and great for young kids!
Best for: All ages, from young children to adults
Cost: $8/game per guest (includes shoe rental) for the main bowling alley. $2.50/game for mini bowling.
4. Indoor Playground
My children were too involved in other activities to really give the indoor playground any attention. They spent only about 5 minutes there, but enjoyed it as much as they would a McDonald’s play place. This playground seemed a lot bigger than a McDonald’s play place, and there was an additional, mini playground nearby, too. I believe the mini playground is available without purchasing admission, but is geared more towards toddlers and preschoolers. I could see myself coming here again when it’s below freezing temperatures so that my children can play where it’s warm!
Best for: Children 10 and under
Cost: $4/guest
5. Miniature Croquet Course
This quirky take on the classic lawn game is pretty charming, although my children struggled with it. Unlike mini-golf, my little kids (ages 4 and 6) had a harder time getting the hang of the croquet mallet; it was heavy and awkward for them. But, for my older son, he was able to have relatively quick success.
We all enjoyed the ball tracks located throughout the course, as well as the coastal murals. It helped us feel like we had escaped on a coastal, tropical getaway. Some sections of the course felt a bit run down, but it didn’t affect the playability. The best part (according to my kids) was the final hole; you launch your croquet ball into a hole which then leads the ball through a series of winding metal tracks that conveniently leads back to the croquet front desk. They asked for another ball just so they could watch the ball go on the track again!
Best for: Children, teens, and adults. I would recommend this as an activity for children 7+, teens, and adults. Younger kids may have success, but it might require more adult assistance.
Cost:Â $5/game per guest
6. Laser Tag
Photo Credit: Provo Beach
Only a few from my group played laser tag, but they enjoyed the quick 8 minutes of play! With dim lighting, exciting obstacles, and strategic hiding spots, this experience is great for kids, teens, and adults alike. Younger kids, especially those under 7, may find the dark arena and fast-paced action overwhelming, but older kids love it. The weight of the vest and gun may be a bit too much for younger participants.Â
Best for: Ages 7+, teens, and groups
Cost:Â $8/game per guest
7. Arcade
No family entertainment center is complete without an arcade, and Provo Beach’s collection of arcade games is great for all ages. You’ll find classic games, new interactive options, and a prize redemption counter to trade in those hard-earned tickets. Even toddlers can try simple games with a little help, while older kids and teens love the variety of skill-based challenges. My sons especially enjoyed the Minecraft Dungeons game!
I will admit that on a busy Saturday, the ticket redemption counter was not staffed as I would have expected. It was only staffed with 1, sometimes 2 employees. We had to wait up to 15 minutes in line before turning in our tickets. I wish there had been some additional staff that could help during busier times at the counter. My kids were happy with the options for prizes to redeem their tickets.
Best for: All ages, though older kids and teens will get the most out of it
Cost:Â Varies. You can purchase arcade credits on a reloadable card. If you purchase a day pass, it comes with $5 of arcade credit.
8. CarouselÂ
You can purchase a ride on the carousel using your arcade credits for $2. Or, if you purchase an all-day passport, it includes unlimited rides! We had the same issue with lines for the carousel as we did at the redemption counter; the one staff member who mans the redemption counter also mans the carousel, so you have to get their attention or wait a while until they can run the carousel for you.
My youngest two loved getting to ride many times on all sorts of animals! I guess they didn’t mind the wait very much.
Best for: All ages (even grandparents!), though younger kids will get the most out of it
Cost: $2/ride per guest
9. Food
If you’re looking for lunch or dinner, Provo Beach has an entrance directly into Seven Brothers Burgers–a Hawaiian-inspired hamburger joint that features delicious burgers, fries, and shakes. There is plenty of seating so you can enjoy your meal without ever leaving the building. I loved the tropical vibe of the food and decor; it was a great escape from the cold weather outside.
There’s also a great option for a quick treat at Ike’s creamery. It’s also connected to Provo Beach, making it easy to swing on by for a yummy treat during your day of fun.
Cost:Â Varies. A single scoop of ice cream is as low as $3 at Ike’s, or a kid’s burger and fries for $6 from Seven Brothers Burgers. Larger burgers and fry meals are around $15.
Admission Costs
Day Passport vs Beach Bonanza, or pay per attraction
Provo Beach offers many options to allow you to participate in any or all of the attractions. The all-day pass is $25/guest and gets you unlimited laser tag, bowling, mini croquet, $5 of arcade credits, and the ropes course. The Flow Rider is an additional $10 add on to your day pass. While the bang for your buck is best with the Day Passport, you still have to pull out the physical card to do the unlimited activities throughout the day. I found it a little challenging to keep track of all of the cards for my young kids (I’ll blame the lack of pockets in women’s pants), and wished there was a necklace lanyard or wristbands instead.
The Beach Bonanza (for use Monday-Thursday) is only $15 and lets you choose between 2 attractions, plus includes a $5 arcade credit. It seems like a great deal if you come on a weekday.
You can always purchase individual activities to your heart’s content, as well.
Final Thoughts on our Tropical Escape
Provo Beach is a fantastic place for a day of adventure and fun. With a mix of energetic activities like surfing and laser tag, plus more relaxed options like croquet and bowling, it has attractions for all ages. Whether you’re bringing toddlers, teens, or grandparents, each generation can find something enjoyable to do. It can get a little costly, especially if you have a large family. But, maybe this would make for a special birthday experience or present for Christmas! I would definitely consider coming again, especially for the Flow Rider, bowling, and the indoor playground. I’ll be back for another tropical escape soon!
Check out our highlights on Instagram @postcardsandpassports
When will you plan to check out Provo Beach? What attraction looks the most enjoyable for you and your family?
Written by guest blogger Heather Young (my lovely daughter!) Check out these other guest posts she’s written over the years.
Arches & Canyonlands with Kids
Safari Helicopters : Soaring over Kaua’i
If you’re looking for other family friendly indoor activities, be sure to check out these posts:
Provo Beach sounds like such a fun spot to visit with family!! I came across this post while waiting around for the plumbers to finish some work. We’ve been thinking of ideas for things to go do over the holidays, this would be so fun. Thanks for sharing it!
Sure enjoyed spending a fun day with my grandchildren at Provo Beach!