Elly Giordano is a contributing writer at Provo.com covering outdoor recreation, health and wellness, and Utah Valley's growing food and drink scene. An avid hiker, trail runner, and college volleyball setter who knows the Wasatch foothills well, Elly brings firsthand experience to every outdoor guide and restaurant review.
From the definitive Provo hiking guide to Center Street's best date night spots, Elly's writing balances practical logistics with the kind of local knowledge you'd get from a well-connected friend.
Areas of Expertise
Hiking & Trails
Outdoor Recreation
Health & Wellness
Food & Drink
Student Resources
Real Estate
Neighborhood Guides
Date Night Dining
Articles by Elly
Restaurants
Barry's Parkview Drive Inn: The Spanish Fork Burger Stand That Made the Drive-Thru Line Worth It
14 min read · August 13, 2026
Drinks
Boba in Provo & Orem: Why Utah Valley Has So Much of It, and How to Order Properly
14 min read · August 13, 2026
Home Services
Finding an Electrician in Provo: The Supervision Rule Nobody Explains
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Furniture Shopping in Utah Valley: The Student Cycle, the Delivery Trap & Where to Actually Look
12 min read · August 13, 2026
Outdoors
Horseback Riding in Utah Valley: Where to Ride, What It's Actually Like, and Who Takes Beginners
15 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Doing Laundry in Provo When Your Building Has Four Machines for Sixty People
12 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Getting Something Notarized in Provo: The $10 Cap, the Journal Rule & the Free Options
12 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Calling Provo Police Without Calling 911: The Non-Emergency Line, Online Reports & Records
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Outdoors
Skate Parks in Utah Valley: Fort Utah, Orem, and Where Else to Actually Skate
14 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
The Utah County Courts, Explained: Which One Has Your Case & What It Costs
13 min read · August 13, 2026
Daily Life
Finding Someone in the Utah County Jail: Search, Visits, Money & Mail
12 min read · August 13, 2026
Shopping
Antique Shops in Utah Valley: The Malls, the Book Rooms, and What This County Actually Stocks
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Cuisine
Dumpling Bao: The Chinese Kitchen Hidden Inside an Orem Grocery Store
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Cuisine
Haveli Modern Cuisine: North Indian Cooking on Orem's State Street
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Day Trips
The Lavender Farm in Mona: What to Know Before You Drive Down
14 min read · August 12, 2026
Jobs & Careers
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Jobs: How to Actually Decide
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Home Services
Finding a Plumber in Provo: Who Owns Which Pipe, and What Actually Breaks Here
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Arts & Culture
The Provo Art Stroll: A First-Friday Walk Nobody Tells Newcomers About
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Outdoors
Provo Canyon: The Complete Guide to US-189, the Stops, and the Seasons
13 min read · August 12, 2026
Hiking
Provo Peak: The Mountain Behind the Y, and Why the Road Is the Hard Part
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Daily Life
New to a Provo YSA Ward? The Practical Guide (2026)
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Cuisine
Pupusas and Salvadoran Food in Provo: Where to Go and What to Order
12 min read · August 12, 2026
Best Restaurants
Root's Place Burgers & More: American Fork's Gourmet Burger Counter
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Outdoors
RV Parks & Hookups Around Provo: How Camping With a Rig Actually Works Here
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Transportation
Scooters & Bike Share in Provo: What's Actually on the Street (2026)
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Best Restaurants
Tommy's Burgers: The Provo Chili Burger Institution That Became a Truck
11 min read · August 12, 2026
Indoor Recreation
Axe Throwing in Provo: What It's Actually Like, and Where to Go in Utah Valley
11 min read · August 11, 2026
Indoor Recreation
Escape Rooms in Utah Valley: Which Ones Are Worth It, and Which Room to Book
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Daily Life
Nails & Lashes in Provo: Salons, Student Rates & What to Ask
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Festivals
Payson Scottish Festival & Highland Games: The Complete Guide
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Daily Life
Phone & Computer Repair in Provo: Who Fixes What, and When Not To
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Outdoors
Tubing & Rafting the Provo River: The Float, the Shuttle, and the Trestle Everyone Warns You About
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Daily Life
Salons & Barbershops in Provo: Where to Get a Haircut
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Festivals
Utah County Fair & Rodeo: The Complete Guide
12 min read · August 11, 2026
Best Restaurants
Bombay House: Utah's First Indian Restaurant, and the Rules That Trip People Up
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Attractions
Butterfly Biosphere: Utah's Only Butterfly Conservatory
11 min read · August 8, 2026
Best Restaurants
The BYU Creamery: History, Flavors, and Which Location to Actually Go To
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Date Ideas
Cheap Date Ideas in Provo: What $0, $10 and $25 Actually Buy (2026)
13 min read · August 8, 2026
Best Restaurants
Five Sushi Brothers: How Two Brothers and a Borrowed Kitchen Became Provo's Late-Night Institution
11 min read · August 8, 2026
Outdoors
Hobble Creek Canyon: The Name Springville Gave Away
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Best Restaurants
The Kolache Place: Why Hruska's Changed Its Name
10 min read · August 8, 2026
Annual Events
Midway Swiss Days: The Complete Guide
10 min read · August 8, 2026
Outdoors
Hiking Mount Nebo: The Highest Peak in the Wasatch, and Nobody Agrees How High
13 min read · August 8, 2026
Outdoors
Slate Canyon: South Provo's Quiet Canyon, and the Fight Over Its Mouth
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Outdoors
Soldier Hollow: The Olympic Venue You Can Actually Use
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Best Restaurants
Strap Tank: The Brewery Named After a Motorcycle
12 min read · August 8, 2026
Neighborhoods
The Tree Streets: The One Corner of Provo That Has Names Instead of Numbers
13 min read · August 8, 2026
Day Trips
Capitol Reef from Provo: The Closest National Park Nobody Plans For
12 min read · August 7, 2026
Transportation
Car Washes & Detailing in Utah Valley: Where to Go and What to Know
11 min read · August 7, 2026
Lakes & Water
Deer Creek & Jordanelle Reservoirs: A Provo Guide to Both Lakes (2026)
14 min read · August 7, 2026
Day Trips
Logan and Cache Valley from Provo: The Other College Valley
12 min read · August 7, 2026
Day Trips
Moab from Provo: Planning the Drive, Arches and Canyonlands
13 min read · August 7, 2026
Getting Started
Student Banking in Utah Valley: Credit Unions, Campus Cards, and the Mission Problem
13 min read · August 7, 2026
Hiking
Battle Creek Falls: The Complete Hike Guide (2026)
12 min read · July 25, 2026
By City
The Best Restaurants in Eagle Mountain, Utah (2026)
11 min read · July 25, 2026
By City
Restaurants on the North Bench: Highland, Alpine & Cedar Hills (2026)
11 min read · July 25, 2026
Hiking
Bonneville Shoreline Trail: The Provo & Orem Guide (2026)
12 min read · July 25, 2026
Hiking
Lesser-Known Hikes Near Provo: Six Trails Past the Famous Five (2026)
12 min read · July 25, 2026
Hiking
Stewart Falls: The Complete Hike Guide (2026)
11 min read · July 25, 2026
Healthcare
Finding an OB-GYN or Midwife in Utah Valley
10 min read · July 24, 2026
Healthcare
Having a Baby in Utah Valley: Hospitals, Birth Options & What to Expect
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Social Life
Intramurals & Club Sports at BYU and UVU: How to Actually Get On a Team
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Hiking
Hiking Mount Timpanogos: The Complete Summit Guide
14 min read · July 24, 2026
Scenic Drives
Driving the Nebo Loop: Utah Valley's Other Great Scenic Byway
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Healthcare
The New Parent Survival Guide to Utah Valley
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Campus Life
Do You Actually Need a Car as a Student in Provo? (2026)
12 min read · July 24, 2026
Getting Started
Welcome Week 2026 in Utah Valley: UVU's Weeks of Welcome & BYU Orientation
11 min read · July 24, 2026
Transportation
Winter Tires & Canyon Driving in Utah: What You Actually Need
10 min read · July 24, 2026
Healthcare
Adult Orthodontics & Invisalign in Utah Valley: Braces Aren't Just for Kids (2026)
12 min read · July 12, 2026
Healthcare
Chiropractic vs. Physical Therapy in Utah Valley: Which One You Need (2026)
12 min read · July 12, 2026
Aesthetics
Cosmetic Dentistry in Utah Valley: Veneers, Whitening & Smile Makeovers (2026)
12 min read · July 12, 2026
Healthcare
Dermatology in Utah Valley: Skin Checks, Skin Cancer & Finding a Dermatologist (2026)
12 min read · July 12, 2026
Healthcare
Hair Restoration in Utah Valley: Treating Hair Loss, PRP & Transplants (2026)
12 min read · July 12, 2026
Healthcare
LASIK & Vision Correction in Utah Valley: A Practical Guide (2026)
12 min read · July 12, 2026
Aesthetics
Med Spas, Botox & Fillers in Utah Valley: What to Know First (2026)
12 min read · July 12, 2026
Family Guide
Things to Do With Toddlers & Little Kids in Utah Valley (2026)
11 min read · July 11, 2026
Vendors
Wedding Cakes in Utah Valley: Bakers, Costs & the Cutting-Cake Trick (2026)
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Vendors
Wedding Hair and Makeup in Utah Valley: A Bride's Guide (2026)
13 min read · July 11, 2026
Healthcare
Finding a Dentist in Provo & Orem: A Practical Guide
11 min read · July 10, 2026
Farmers Markets
Orem Farmers Market: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
11 min read · July 10, 2026
Parks & Recreation
Pickleball in Utah Valley: Every Dedicated Court, From Free Park Play to Indoor Clubs
10 min read · July 10, 2026
Shopping
Thrift & Vintage in Provo and Orem: The Complete Secondhand Guide (2026)
11 min read · July 10, 2026
Healthcare
Urgent Care or the ER? Where to Go in Provo & Orem (and When)
12 min read · July 10, 2026
UVU
The UVU Commuter Survival Guide (2026): Parking, UVX & the Art of Arriving Sane
12 min read · July 10, 2026
UVU
The UVU Wolverines Game-Day Guide: The Den, Free Tickets & the New Big West Era
12 min read · July 10, 2026
Photography
Wedding & Engagement Photo Locations in Utah Valley (2026)
12 min read · July 10, 2026
Student Housing
UVU Student Housing: There Are No Dorms — How Renting Near UVU Actually Works (2026)
17 min read · June 19, 2026
Group & Catering
Catering in Provo & Orem: The Complete Guide (2026)
12 min read · May 8, 2026
Breakfast & Lunch
Best Lunch Spots in Provo (2026)
11 min read · May 8, 2026
Campus Life
Best Study Spots in Provo & Orem (2026)
11 min read · April 22, 2026
Arts & Culture
Best Museums & Art Galleries in Provo (2026)
11 min read · April 22, 2026
Outdoors
Best Photography Spots in Provo & Utah Valley (2026)
8 min read · April 21, 2026
Outdoors
Rock & Ice Climbing in Provo: Rock Canyon, Provo Canyon & the Gyms
14 min read · April 21, 2026
Seasonal
Skiing Near Provo: Beyond Sundance (2026)
9 min read · April 21, 2026
Healthcare
Finding a Doctor in Provo: Healthcare Guide (2026)
13 min read · April 20, 2026
Campus Life
Student Health & Wellness Resources in Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 20, 2026
Breakfast & Lunch
Best Breakfast in Provo & Orem: Early, Weekday & Grab-and-Go (2026)
13 min read · April 19, 2026
Student Paths
BYU vs UVU: Which School Is Right for You? (2026)
10 min read · April 19, 2026
Farmers Markets
Provo Farmers Market: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
11 min read · April 19, 2026
Jobs & Careers
Best Part-Time Jobs for Students in Provo (2026)
13 min read · April 19, 2026
Dietary
Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Provo & Orem (2026)
10 min read · April 18, 2026
Social Life
How to Make Friends in Provo (Especially If You're New) (2026)
12 min read · April 18, 2026
Getting Started
Post-Mission Guide: Returning to Provo & BYU (2026)
10 min read · April 18, 2026
Families
Provo for Families: The Complete Guide (2026)
11 min read · April 18, 2026
Utilities
Best Internet Providers in Provo, Utah (2026)
10 min read · April 17, 2026
Schools
Best Schools in Provo & Orem (2026)
10 min read · April 17, 2026
UVU
UVU Student Guide (2026): Housing, Parking, Costs & Campus Life
16 min read · April 17, 2026
Community
Best Parks in Provo & Orem for Families (2026)
9 min read · April 16, 2026
Cuisine
Best Sushi in Provo & Orem (2026)
12 min read · April 16, 2026
Daily Life
Is Provo Safe? Crime, Neighborhoods & What to Know (2026)
9 min read · April 16, 2026
Neighborhoods
Orem Neighborhoods Guide: Where to Live (2026)
14 min read · April 15, 2026
Hiking
Provo River Parkway Trail: The Complete Guide (2026)
12 min read · April 15, 2026
Scenic Drives
Alpine Loop Scenic Drive: The Complete Guide (2026)
12 min read · April 14, 2026
Coffee & Drinks
Best Coffee & Café Spots in Provo and Orem (2026)
9 min read · April 14, 2026
Hiking
Y Mountain Trail: The Complete Hiking Guide (2026)
9 min read · April 14, 2026
Hiking
The Complete Provo Hiking Guide (2026)
16 min read · April 13, 2026
Getting Started
Your First Semester Survival Guide: BYU & UVU (2026)
14 min read · April 12, 2026
By City
Center Street Dining Guide: Every Restaurant Worth Visiting (2026)
12 min read · April 11, 2026
Date Night
Best Date Night Restaurants in Provo (2026)
10 min read · April 10, 2026
Neighborhoods
The Complete Guide to Provo Neighborhoods (2026)
14 min read · April 10, 2026
Real Estate
Buying a Home in Provo: What You Need to Know (2026)
14 min read · April 9, 2026
Neighborhoods
BYU Area Neighborhood Guide (2026)
9 min read · April 5, 2026
Budget Dining
Eating on a Student Budget in Provo (2026)
9 min read · April 4, 2026
Renting
First-Time Renter's Checklist: Renting in Provo (2026)
12 min read · April 3, 2026