Covid restrictions may change the way we gather and participate in events, but that shouldn’t stop us from living our best lives in 2021. When in doubt, get outside!
It’s never been more important to support our friends and neighbors that operate small businesses. Not sure if they are open to the public or holding that special event you like to attend each year? Check in with them to see what requirements they may have for attendance. After all, we’re in this together. Let’s show each other how much we care.
Best selling author, Gretchen Rubin and her sister and screen-writer, Elizabeth Craft, offer tips on being happy in their top-rated podcast “Happier.” Years back, this witty twosome offered up a whimsical way to celebrate goal setting and living your best life throughout the year. They challenged listeners with a fun spin on a bucket list and New Year’s resolution. The approach was this, create a list of things you would like to accomplish in the upcoming year — or conveniently check the boxes here that interest you. When you write it down you become more committed. I have had these yearly lists for awhile now and have to admit, they have stretched me in my adventures.
I hope to become a runner, purchase a few pieces of jewelry symbolic to me, begin my Masters program, take more walks, carefully consider nature and my surroundings, and take more one-on-one outings with my children.
The world we live in today may feel a bit different than it did just a year ago. Lucky for us, we live in an amazing place!
Now go get started!
Family-Friendly Things To Do
Eat Out:
or eat in with curbside pickup. Try a new restaurant monthly or even weekly. There are more than 52 places to eat in the Heber Valley!
Bowl A Strike:
visit holiday lanes for a game night out.
Take A Hike:
did you know that we have year-round beginner, intermediate, and expert hike and bike options all around the valley?
Ice castles:
Bundle up and celebrate the magic of glowing ice sculptures and structures.
Small Town Christmas:
The holidays get festive each year with Swiss Christmas, The Creche, and the Christmas Festival for the Children.
Ice Skating:
Visit Midway’s small-town outdoor ice rink and sip a cup of hot cocoa.
Light Hunting:
Kick-off holiday seasons in the warmth of your car and see festive light displays.
Ride The Rails:
Themed train rides on the Heber Valley Railroad are always a big hit with the family or visitors from out of town.
Local Flicks:
Enjoy a night out at the movies with real movie theatre popcorn. We have two historical theatres here in Heber.
Friday Night Lights:
Attend a local high school sporting event. Go Wasps!
The Show Must Go On:
Theatre productions happen year-round in the valley. Check out Timpanogos Valley Theater and High Valley Arts for their schedule.
Sleepover In The Outdoors:
You don’t need to travel far to spend the night in the great outdoors. Visit one of our local campgrounds and be sure to reserve in advance.
Stargazing:
Celebrate our dark skies at Wasatch Mountain State Park.
Visit A Working Dairy:
From autumn hay mazes and pumpkin patches, to cheese making classes and baby animal days, there is always something engaging happening at Heber Valley Artisan Cheese.
Heber Market On Main:
Thursday evenings all summer long you’ll find friends and neighbors at the Heber City Park for live music, vendors and food.
Boots, Chaps And Cowboy Hats:
The Wasatch County Fair, Demolition Derby, and Rodeo are some of the biggest events in the valley each August. No cowboy hat required.
Swiss Tacos Anyone?
Midway’s Swiss Heritage is celebrated each Labor Day weekend with Swiss Days. Pageants, craft booths, food, live music and a parade.
Sheepdogs:
K-9 athletes and competitors flock to the valley each Labor Day weekend for the Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Competition.
Salmon Run:
Did you know that we have Kokanee salmon in our local Strawberry Reservoir? In the fall, you can see them spawning right next to the board walk at the north end.
Cascade Springs:
Take the short drive up to a natural spring. There is a beautiful hiking path, boardwalk and tons of photo ops!
Wagon Or Sleigh Ride:
Haunted wagons and horse-drawn sleighs are so much fun with the whole family.
Service-Minded Things To Do
Yard Cleanup:
Help out a neighbor in need. Rake their leaves, mow their lawn, shovel their snow. You never know how much it may matter to them.
Take Out The Trash:
A full trash bin can be extremely heavy for an injured or elderly neighbor to move. Lend a hand and take it out to the curb and/or back in from the street.
Share Your Love For Nature:
Invite a friend or neighbor to go for a walk along the river and breathe in a little fresh air and perspective.
Donate:
Some of our incredible opportunities include: Sub 4 Santa, Shop With A Cop (Christmas).
Food Drive:
Hold a food drive and donate to the local food pantry to help fight hunger in our community.
Read To A Child:
Open their world to new possibilities through literature.
Get Involved:
There are plenty of good causes to affiliate with in the valley. Choose one!
Perform:
Play an instrument or read for the elderly in our local rest homes or care facilities and scatter a bit of sunshine.
Write A Thank You:
Heartfelt thank you cards, written to local service providers can bring joy in an otherwise stressful day.
Foster Or Adopt:
Our local shelter, Paws for Life is a no-kill shelter and is always looking to find fur-ever homes or temporary homes for their animals.
Babysit:
Volunteer to babysit for a young couple so they can get out on a much-needed date night.
Relief Supply Drive:
Gather and donate materials for a Native American community. (Lynn Epperson: 435-671-5839).
Beautify:
You don’t need to adopt a highway to clean up trash along a road or street. See something? Take action.
Climb:
Hike Memorial Hill and pay respect to those who sacrificed in service of our country.
Give Blood:
Sign up with the American Red Cross and donate at a local blood drive.
With A Friend Or A Date
Moonlight Snowshoeing:
There are organized hikes throughout the winter. Check out Friends of Wasatch State Park for a schedule.
Romantic Train Rides:
Hop aboard one of Heber Valley Railroad’s finest cars and revel in the Chocolate Lover Train or Hot Summer Night Ride.
Staycation:
You don’t have to go far to feel like a tourist. Spend a night at one of our local resorts, get room service and sleep in.
Horseback Riding:
Local outfitters offer riding opportunities year-round. Saddle up and take to the trails.
Treasure Hunting:
Rise early and scour yard sales and thrift shops for treasures.
Visit The Library:
Discover a great novel, movie, or a magazine, get hot chocolate on the way home and cozy up in your favorite blanket.
Break Out The Lederhosen:
Bottoms up at the annual Oktoberfest hosted by Heber Valley Brewing Company.
Paddle Into The Sunset:
Pick up a paddle board, canoe or rental boat and head to our local reservoirs for a day out on the water.
Namaste:
Perform sun salutations in the fragrance of sage brush hills with an early morning yoga trek.
Hot Air Balloon Ride:
Elevate your perspective and see Heber Valley from 4,000 feet. It’s amazing!
Plein Air Paradise:
Feast your eyes at the summer’s most beautiful event, hosted by the Midway Art Association with a painting contest, art exhibition, and sale.
Sunrise On Timp:
Set out early to summit Mt. Timpanogos and watch the sun come up over the grandeur of our little valley.
Adventure Junkie
Soldier Hollow Biathlon Experience:
Discover the thrill and challenge of firing a precision rifle on an Olympic-calibre range. Private group sessions are available, winter and summer.
Mountain Bike:
Spin your wheels on one of our year-round trails! Rentals and sales are available at local outfitters.
Fly Fishing:
The fish eat all year so the fishing’s on! Book a local guide to show you the sweet spots.
Tee Time:
With over 90 holes of golf in the valley, you have no excuse but to get out and hit a few balls.
Ski/Snowboard:
New to winter? Take a lesson and learn to enjoy one of Utah’s most popular winter sports.
Snowmobile:
Safety first! Learn how to get outside and enjoy winter in the Wasatch with one of our local guided tours.
ATV/RZR Rides:
Go for a drive on a back country dirt road to explore our local mountains.
Rock Climbing:
A dangerous sport in the outdoors, or you can keep it safe and visit our indoor climbing wall — The Crag.
Scuba Dive:
The only warm U.S. destination to dive is right here at the Homestead Crater. Learn to dive and get certified!
A River Runs Through It:
Provo River is a great place to raft. We recommend a local outfitter for safety’s sake.
Tubing:
Snow is a fast, slippery surface for rocketing down the hill. Visit Soldier Hollow for rope-towed access to the best slopes in the valley.
Ready? Aim. Fire!
Big Hollow Shooting Range is open to the public at no charge. They specialize in pistol and rifle range shooting.
Zipline:
Glide through the fresh air on Zipline Utah at Deer Creek State Park.
