Abigail Giordano is a senior writer at Provo.com covering student life, family resources, and community events across Utah Valley. Her writing focuses on making Provo more accessible and navigable for newcomers, students, and families — the practical guides that help people feel at home faster.
From BYU game-day food guides to the best group restaurants for large parties, Abigail's work consistently answers the questions that new residents and students actually ask.
Areas of Expertise
Student Life
BYU Campus Guides
Family Resources
Community Events
Food & Restaurant Guides
Budget-Friendly Living
Seasonal Activities
Outdoor Adventures
Articles by Abigail
Outdoors
ATV & UTV Rentals Near Provo: Nobody Rents From Provo, and Other Things Worth Knowing First
15 min read · August 13, 2026
Best Restaurants
The Best Seafood in Utah Valley: Boils, Ceviche & Eating Fish 700 Miles From the Ocean
12 min read · August 13, 2026
Best Restaurants
The Best Steakhouses in Utah Valley: Every Format, and Which One You Actually Want
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Shopping
Bookstores in Provo & Orem: Where to Buy Used, Rare, New and Textbooks in Utah Valley
14 min read · August 13, 2026
Museums
Dinosaur Museums in Utah Valley: The Big One in Lehi, the Free One in Provo, and Which Your Kid Actually Wants
15 min read · August 13, 2026
Healthcare
Massage Therapy in Provo: What the Person Working on You Is Legally Required to Show
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Vets in Utah Valley: The Midnight Gap Nobody Tells You About Until 1 a.m.
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Yoga in Provo: Nobody Licenses Your Teacher, and the Studio May Owe You a Bond
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Attractions
All-Together Playground: The Park 4,100 Volunteers Built in Six Days
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Healthcare
Assisted Living & Senior Care in Utah Valley: How to Read the System
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Vendors
Utah Valley Bridal Expos: How to Work One Without Getting Worked
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Families
Dance Classes in Provo: The City Studio Nobody Knows About, and How to Read the Rest
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Jobs & Economy
Getting Your First Provo Job: Applications That Actually Work Here
13 min read · August 12, 2026
History
Haunted Places in Utah Valley: The Stories, and the History Underneath Them
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Attractions
Hines Mansion: Provo's Victorian Landmark, and the B&B That Says It Isn't One
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Museums
The Hutchings Museum: Lehi's Strange, Wonderful Cabinet of Everything
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Transportation
Buses From Provo to Vegas, St. George & Beyond: The Intercity Guide
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Attractions
Museum of Natural Curiosity: A Complete Guide to Thanksgiving Point's Play Museum
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Families
Music Lessons in Provo: Inside the Piano-Teacher Economy
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Arts & Culture
The Provo Dating Show: How a Student YouTube Series Became a Genre
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Attractions
The Soap Factory in Provo: What It Is and Whether It Is Worth It
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Families
Swim Lessons in Provo: Levels, Registration Timing, and the Trick Almost Nobody Uses
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Outdoor Recreation
Where to Swim in Utah Valley: Pools, Splash Pads and Open Water
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Indoor Recreation
The Grid: Inside Pleasant Grove's Three-Story Indoor Kart Track
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Outdoors
Waterfalls in Utah Valley: Every One Worth the Drive, Ranked by Effort
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Indoor Recreation
Arcades in Provo & Orem: The Nickel Arcades, the Redemption Floors, and Which Is Which
11 min read · August 11, 2026
Indoor Recreation
Bowling in Provo & Orem: Every Lane in Utah Valley, Ranked by What You Actually Want
11 min read · August 11, 2026
Visiting
Cheap Hotels in Provo: What Actually Drives the Price
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Transportation
Parking in Downtown Provo Without Getting a Ticket
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Transportation
Driving Schools in Provo: Driver Ed, Road Tests & the Third-Party Shortcut
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Lakes & Water
Lincoln Beach: Utah Lake's Quiet South Shore, and What to Check Before You Drive
11 min read · August 11, 2026
Attractions
Provo Beach: The Indoor Surf Park at Riverwoods, and How to Do It Without Overspending
11 min read · August 11, 2026
Transportation
PVU or SLC: Which Airport Should You Fly From?
13 min read · August 11, 2026
Live Music & Arts
The Rooftop Concert Series: Provo's Free Friday Night, Explained
11 min read · August 11, 2026
Shopping
The Shops at Riverwoods: Provo's Outdoor Village, and How to Use It
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Local Business
Tattoo & Piercing in Provo: Shops, Utah Law & What to Check First
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Transportation
The UVX Is the Best Thing About Getting Around Provo
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Transportation
Buying a Used Car in Utah Valley: Titles, KSL, and the As-Is Rule
13 min read · August 10, 2026
Attractions
Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point: What It Costs, What's Open, and the Waterfall Problem
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Attractions
The Bean Museum: Provo's Free Natural History Collection
11 min read · August 8, 2026
Best Restaurants
Brick Oven: Seventy Years on One Provo Corner
11 min read · August 8, 2026
BYU
The BYU Honor Code, Explained for People Who Aren't Mormon
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Day Trips
Dispersed Camping Near Provo: The Rules, The Roads & What Most Guides Get Wrong (2026)
13 min read · August 8, 2026
BYU Sports
LaVell Edwards Stadium: The Building, the Name, and the Bag Rule That Catches Everyone
13 min read · August 8, 2026
Outdoors
The Murdock Canal Trail: Utah County's Flat 17 Miles
11 min read · August 8, 2026
Annual Events
Stadium of Fire: How Provo's Fourth of July Actually Works
11 min read · August 8, 2026
Outdoors
Tibble Fork Reservoir: What to Know Before You Go
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Annual Events
The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival: What It Is and How to Do It Right
11 min read · August 8, 2026
Outdoors
Steamboats, Carp and the June Sucker: Utah Lake's Strange History
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Music
Velour: The Dry, All-Ages Room That Keeps Producing National Bands
12 min read · August 8, 2026
BYU Sports
The Visiting Fan's Guide to Provo: What Big 12 Fans Should Know (2026)
14 min read · August 7, 2026
BYU Sports
BYU Football Parking & Game-Day Traffic: The Survival Guide (2026)
13 min read · August 7, 2026
Outdoors
Disc Golf in Utah Valley: Every Course, Ranked Honestly
12 min read · August 7, 2026
Day Trips
Heber Valley & Midway from Provo: The Day Trip Through the Canyon
14 min read · August 7, 2026
Visitor Guide
Hotels Near BYU: Walk Times, Game Weekends & Where to Actually Book (2026)
10 min read · August 7, 2026
Day Trips
Park City from Provo: The Year-Round Day Trip Guide
13 min read · August 7, 2026
Arts & Culture
Provo Nightlife & Evening Entertainment: What's Actually Open After Dark (2026)
16 min read · August 7, 2026
Shopping
Shopping in Provo & Utah Valley: Malls, Downtown, Outlets & Where Locals Actually Go (2026)
12 min read · August 7, 2026
Annual Events
The Utah Valley Parade of Homes: How It Works, How Tickets Work & How to Actually Tour It
10 min read · August 7, 2026
Day Trips
Zion and St. George from Provo: The Southern Utah Weekend
13 min read · August 7, 2026
Visitor Guide
Things to Do in Provo, Utah: A Local's Guide (2026)
13 min read · August 6, 2026
Attractions
Cascade Springs: The Complete Visitor Guide (2026)
11 min read · July 25, 2026
Hiking
Kyhv Peak (Formerly Squaw Peak): The Complete Guide (2026)
11 min read · July 25, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Lindon, Utah: A Local's Guide (2026)
12 min read · July 25, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Orem, Utah: A Local's Guide (2026)
12 min read · July 25, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Vineyard, Utah: A Local's Guide (2026)
11 min read · July 25, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do on the North Bench: Highland, Alpine & Cedar Hills (2026)
12 min read · July 25, 2026
Attractions
Timpanogos Cave National Monument: The Complete Visitor Guide (2026)
12 min read · July 25, 2026
UVU
UVU's Aviation Program: What It Is & Why Provo's Sky Is Busy
12 min read · July 25, 2026
Student Discounts
How to Not Overpay for Textbooks at BYU & UVU (Fall 2026)
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Companies
Crumbl: How a Logan Cookie Shop Ended Up Headquartered in Lindon
10 min read · July 24, 2026
Transportation
Finding a Trustworthy Mechanic in Utah Valley
10 min read · July 24, 2026
Travel
Flying from Provo Airport (PVU): The Complete Guide
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Outdoors
Golf in Utah Valley: The Complete Guide to Every Course Worth Playing
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Home Services
Heating & Cooling in Utah Valley: What This Climate Does to Your HVAC
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Arts & Culture
Live Theater in Utah Valley: Where to See a Show
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Travel
Weekend Trips You Can Fly to Nonstop from Provo
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Home Services
Pest Control in Utah Valley: What You'll Actually Deal With
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in American Fork, Utah (2026)
16 min read · July 24, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Payson, Utah (2026)
13 min read · July 24, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Pleasant Grove, Utah (2026)
14 min read · July 24, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Springville, Utah (2026)
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Home Services
Waterwise Landscaping in Utah Valley: Lawns, Localscapes & Actually Saving Water
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Family Dining
Kids Eat Free in Utah Valley: Deals & Free Summer Meals (2026)
11 min read · July 11, 2026
Real Estate
New Construction vs. Resale in Utah Valley: An Honest 2026 Comparison
14 min read · July 11, 2026
Planning
Getting Married in Utah Valley on a Budget: What a Wedding Really Costs in 2026
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Planning
How to Plan a Utah Valley Wedding: A Month-by-Month Timeline
12 min read · July 11, 2026
Vendors
Wedding DJs and Bands in Utah Valley: Music & Entertainment (2026)
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Vendors
Wedding Dress Shopping in Utah Valley: Bridal Shops, Modest Gowns & Alterations (2026)
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Photography
How to Choose a Wedding Photographer in Utah Valley (2026)
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Vendors
Wedding Videographers in Utah Valley: Films, Costs & Booking (2026)
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Visitor Guide
48 Hours in Provo: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary (2026)
12 min read · July 10, 2026
Student Dining
Best Food Near UVU Campus (2026)
11 min read · July 10, 2026
Real Estate
Buying a BYU-Area Rental in 2026: The Honest Investor's Guide
14 min read · July 10, 2026
BYU Sports
BYU Basketball Game Day Guide: Marriott Center (2026–27)
12 min read · July 10, 2026
Parks & Recreation
The Complete Guide to Epic Sports Park: Provo's 100-Acre Tournament Machine
11 min read · July 10, 2026
Healthcare
Finding a Pediatrician in Utah Valley: A Parent's Guide
11 min read · July 10, 2026
UVU
The First-Generation Student's Guide to UVU: You Belong Here (and Here's the Map)
13 min read · July 10, 2026
Real Estate
Rent or Buy in Provo? The Honest 2026 Math
13 min read · July 10, 2026
Shopping
University Place: The Complete Guide to Orem's Reinvented Mall (2026)
11 min read · July 10, 2026
Venues & Temples
Utah Valley Wedding Venues: The Complete 2026 Guide
13 min read · July 10, 2026
Seasonal
Outdoor Movie Nights in Utah Valley: Where to Watch Under the Stars (2026)
11 min read · July 8, 2026
Jobs & Careers
Summer Sales in Utah: A College Student's Guide (2026)
15 min read · July 8, 2026
Nearby Cities
American Fork Canyon, Utah: The Complete Guide (2026)
12 min read · June 11, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Eagle Mountain, Utah (2026)
12 min read · June 11, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Lehi, Utah (2026): Thanksgiving Point, the Outlets & the Mill
12 min read · June 11, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Saratoga Springs, Utah (2026)
12 min read · June 11, 2026
Nearby Cities
Things to Do in Spanish Fork, Utah (2026)
13 min read · June 11, 2026
Arts & Culture
The SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre: The Complete Guide to Orem's Amphitheater Under the Wasatch
12 min read · May 20, 2026
Cuisine
Best Ramen & Noodle Shops in Provo & Orem (2026)
12 min read · May 8, 2026
Coffee & Drinks
Best Smoothie & Juice Bars in Provo & Orem (2026)
12 min read · May 8, 2026
Outdoor & Scenic
Best Outdoor Dining & Patio Restaurants in Provo (2026)
11 min read · May 8, 2026
Group & Catering
Best Restaurants for Groups in Provo (2026)
11 min read · May 1, 2026
Budget Dining
Cheap Eats in Provo: Where to Eat Well for Under $10, and Why the Prices You Read Are Wrong
11 min read · May 1, 2026
Late Night & Delivery
Food Delivery in Provo: What It Actually Costs, What Won't Come, and Why Your Driver Can't Find You
11 min read · May 1, 2026
Dietary
Gluten-Free in Provo & Orem: The Dedicated Kitchens, and the Menu That Marks Gluten Backwards
11 min read · May 1, 2026
Late Night & Delivery
Restaurants Open on Sunday in Provo (2026)
11 min read · May 1, 2026
Student Paths
Provo for Grad Students & Young Professionals (2026)
11 min read · April 22, 2026
Outdoors
Running Routes in Provo: A Runner's Guide (2026)
11 min read · April 22, 2026
Student Paths
Provo for Transfer Students: What to Expect (2026)
8 min read · April 22, 2026
Seasonal
Fall in Provo: The Complete Autumn Guide (2026)
15 min read · April 21, 2026
Campus Life
Student Meal Prep Guide: Eating Well on $200/Month (2026)
12 min read · April 21, 2026
Day Trips
Camping Near Provo: Best Campgrounds & Tips (2026)
14 min read · April 20, 2026
Festivals
Provo Freedom Festival: The Complete Guide (2026)
11 min read · April 20, 2026
Student Paths
The International Student's Guide to Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 20, 2026
Daily Life
Best Grocery Stores in Provo & Orem (2026)
12 min read · April 19, 2026
Utilities
Setting Up Utilities in Provo: The Complete Checklist (2026)
12 min read · April 19, 2026
Cuisine
Best Chinese & Asian Food in Provo & Orem (2026)
10 min read · April 17, 2026
Attractions
Thanksgiving Point: The Complete Visitor Guide (2026)
9 min read · April 17, 2026
Desserts & Sweets
Best Desserts & Bakeries in Provo & Orem (2026)
11 min read · April 16, 2026
BYU Sports
BYU Football Game Day Guide (2026)
10 min read · April 16, 2026
Seasonal
Summer Activities in Provo & Utah Valley (2026)
11 min read · April 16, 2026
Daily Life
Best Gyms & Fitness Options in Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 15, 2026
Cuisine
Best Indian Food in Provo & Orem (2026)
11 min read · April 15, 2026
BYU
The Complete BYU Student Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
16 min read · April 15, 2026
Hiking
Rock Canyon Trail Guide: Provo's Best Canyon Hike (2026)
11 min read · April 15, 2026
Desserts & Sweets
Best Ice Cream in Provo & Orem (2026)
12 min read · April 14, 2026
Day Trips
Best Day Trips from Provo, Utah (2026)
14 min read · April 14, 2026
Moving & Cost
Provo vs Salt Lake City: Where Should You Live in Utah? (2026)
12 min read · April 14, 2026
Best Restaurants
30 Best Restaurants in Provo (2026)
19 min read · April 13, 2026
Student Dining
Best Food Near BYU Campus (2026)
11 min read · April 8, 2026
Student Discounts
Student Discounts & Deals in Provo (2026)
9 min read · April 8, 2026
Attractions
Free Things to Do in Provo (2026)
10 min read · April 7, 2026
Seasonal
Sundance Mountain Resort: Your Complete Guide (2026)
13 min read · April 7, 2026
Neighborhoods
Downtown Provo Neighborhood Guide (2026)
9 min read · April 5, 2026