In October 2025, Brigham Young University celebrates 150 years of learning, discovery, and community. Whether you’re a student, alum, parent, or visitor, BYU has always been more than a university—it’s a place to create memories, explore ideas, and feel part of something bigger.

To honor this milestone, we’ve gathered 150 things to do at BYU—from legendary eats and unforgettable performances to hidden gems and timeless traditions. See how many you’ve experienced, and maybe add a few to your own BYU bucket list!

BYU Campus

BYU Events

BYU Stadium

BYU Sports

Mosida

Restaurants Near BYU

Stadium

Visit BYU

🖼️ Museums, Galleries & Tours

BYU is home to world-class museums and galleries that spark curiosity for all ages. From dinosaur fossils and rare books to thought-provoking art and cultural exhibits, the campus is a treasure chest for explorers.

  1. Tour the BYU Museum of Art (MOA)

  2. Visit the BYU Museum of Paleontology and see real dinosaur fossils

  3. Explore the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum.

  4. Discover the Museum of Peoples and Cultures

  5. Walk through the Education in Zion exhibit in the Joseph F. Smith Building

  6. Catch a planetarium show at the Royden G. Derrick Planetarium

  7. Explore rotating exhibits inside the Harold B. Lee Library

  8. Visit Moon's Rare Books in Provo

  9. Walk through Provo's Pioneer Village

  10. Explore the Carillon Bell Tower and catch a live bell concert

  11. Take a self-guided architecture walk through campus

  12. Attend a public campus tour (available to families and visitors)

🍦 Iconic BYU Food & Treats

Food at BYU isn’t just a meal—it’s a memory. From late-night ice cream runs to the perfect mint brownie, campus food has become legendary for students and alumni alike.

  1. Eat BYU Creamery ice cream on 9th East

  2. Buy BYU’s famous chocolate milk

  3. Try a mint brownie or BYU fudge from the BYU Bookstore

  4. Try one of these locally-owned restaurants off campus

  5. Get some food at Cougareat

  6. Try a Utah-Famous Dirty Soda

  7. Enjoy the food at the Cannon Center

  8. Visit Blue Line Deli for sandwiches & soups

🏈 Sports & Spectator Experiences

Few things capture Cougar pride like a roaring stadium or packed arena. Whether it’s football in the fall or volleyball in the Smith Fieldhouse, BYU sports bring the campus family together.

  1. Watch a BYU football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium

  2. Attend a BYU basketball game in the Marriott Center

  3. Cheer on the BYU women’s volleyball team

  4. Catch a soccer match at South Field

  5. Watch the gymnastics team in action

  6. Attend a baseball or softball game

  7. Check out a tennis match on campus

  8. See a free sports scrimmage or practice

  9. Explore the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame inside the SAB

🎭 Performances, Music & Art

BYU has built a reputation as one of the top performing arts schools in the nation. From Broadway-worthy musicals to cultural showcases, you’ll find something that stirs the soul.

  1. Watch a BYU Theatre performance (public tickets available)

  2. See the Ballroom Dance Company perform

  3. Watch the BYU Young Ambassadors showcase

  4. Enjoy a concert from Men’s Chorus or Women’s Chorus

  5. Experience the Living Legends cultural performance

  6. Catch a student-made film at the BYU Film Festival

  7. Watch Vocal Point live

  8. Visit BYUtv’s broadcast studios

  9. Go to a BYU Spectacular show during Homecoming

  10. Attend "Celebration of Christmas"

  11. Attend a holiday concert on campus

🥾 Outdoor Activities with a BYU Connection

Nestled between mountains and lakes, BYU offers an outdoor playground for students and visitors. Whether it’s hiking the Y or feeding ducks by the pond, the fresh air always comes with a view.

  1. Hike the Y Trail

  2. Picnic at Kiwanis Park (a favorite BYU gathering spot)

  3. Visit the BYU Botany Pond

  4. Visit Bridal Veil Falls

  5. Explore nearby Rock Canyon

  6. Bike or walk the Provo River Trail

  7. Relax at South Fork Park (popular for BYU ward events)

  8. Watch the sunset from Kyhv Peak

  9. Hike to Stewart Falls near Sundance

🛍️ BYU-Owned or BYU Connected Businesses

Cougar spirit doesn’t stop at campus borders. Many alumni have gone on to create businesses that became household names—and many got their start right here in Provo.

  1. Grab a hot dog at J-Dawgs (founded by a BYU student project)

  2. Sip a dirty soda at Sodalicious or one of these other Utah Soda Shops

  3. Try cookies from Chip, a BYU student startup

  4. Try Mozz Pizzeria

  5. Get Breakfast at Waffle Love

  6. Get a cheap bike or 

  7. Visit DownEast (founded by the Freedman brothers, Charlie, Bill, and Jonathan, who were all BYU alumni)

  8. Shop BYU gear at the BYU Store

  9. Get some Healthy Lunch at Guru's Cafe

  10. Browse art and gifts at Heirloom Art Co. in the Riverwoods (Founded by Jared and Ashley Jones, who are Brigham Young University (BYU) alumni and met while attending the university.)

  11. Eat at one of Provo's local Ice Cream Shops

  12. Shop local style at Called to Surf (ties to BYU Surf Club)

  13. Check out these local Provo Shops

🎉 BYU Events, Fairs & Public Happenings

BYU shines brightest when the community comes together. Homecoming, Women’s Conference, and campus devotionals draw thousands every year—celebrating faith, learning, and fun.

  1. Attend BYU Education Week (open to all ages)

  2. Go to BYU Women’s Conference

  3. Celebrate Homecoming Week with parades, dances, and fireworks

  4. Attend a BYU Tailgate

  5.  

  6. Participate in BYU Family History Discovery Day

  7. Join RootsTech events hosted by BYU groups

  8. Walk through the Lighting the Y tradition

  9. Attend public devotionals in the Marriott Center

  10. See Chalk the Block at the Riverwoods featuring BYU artists

  11.  

  12. Catch a concert at Velour (BYU ties everywhere)

📚 Learn & Explore Without Enrolling

You don’t have to be a student to keep learning at BYU. Free courses, podcasts, and speeches are available online and in person—making education a lifelong gift.

  1. Watch free Education Week lectures online

  2. Stream devotionals and speeches at speeches.byu.edu

  3. Take an Independent Study course

  4. Listen to the Y Religion Podcast

  5. Explore BYU courses on YouTube

  6. Watch BYUtv favorites like Studio C or Relative Race

  7. Visit the Religious Studies Center

  8. Tour the Family History Center on campus

  9. Explore resources from the Maxwell Institute

  10. Study or tour the BYU Library

  11. Check out the Carillion Bell Tower 

📸 Instagrammable BYU Spots

From cherry blossoms in spring to golden sunsets on the Y, BYU is full of picture-perfect backdrops. These spots are must-visits for grads, families, and anyone who loves a good photo op.

  1. Take graduation photos at the Y overlook

  2. Capture fall leaves at Maeser Hill

  3. Shoot wedding or engagement pics in BYU Gardens

  4. Snap a photo at one of these Downtown Provo Murals

  5. Watch for cherry blossoms near the law school in spring

  6. Pose by the “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve” sign

  7. Stroll through the Downtown Provo Art Stroll

  8. Take a family photo in front of MOA’s outdoor sculptures

  9. Take a photo at the BYU Bell Tower

  10. Photograph fall family nights at the Bean Museum

🎁 For Kids & Families

BYU is for all ages. From hands-on museums to duck ponds and family nights, it’s the perfect place to bring kids for a mix of fun and learning.

  1. Visit the Museum of Natural Curiosity

  2. Play with Lizards at Clint's Reptile Room

  3. Visit Curiosity Farms

  4. Check out the Butterfly Biosphere

  5. Cuddle a Cow

  6. Explore hands-on exhibits at the Museum of Peoples & Cultures

  7. Go Surfing at Provo Beach

  8. Watch BYU’s children’s theatre productions

  9. Go Axe-Throwing

  10. Visit the historic Academy Building (now the Provo Library)

🗺️ Legacy & History

With 150 years of heritage, BYU is built on stories of faith, sacrifice, and growth. Explore the landmarks and traditions that honor its history.

  1. Read stories from alumni plaques around campus

  2. Visit the Brigham Young statue near the ASB

  3. Walk through the Founders Memorial Garden

  4. Visit Provo City Cemetery to see BYU founders’ graves

  5. Learn about Karl G. Maeser and the honor code legacy

  6. Explore the history of the BYU Honor Code in exhibits

  7. Watch a documentary on BYU history

  8. Browse classic BYU yearbooks in the library

  9. Watch pioneer stories in the Education in Zion exhibit

  10. Hike the Y Trail for its legacy and views

💙 Seasonal Favorites

No matter the season, BYU traditions add extra magic. From Christmas lights to summer concerts, these moments make campus feel like home.

  1. Visit the Christmas Nativity exhibit at MOA

  2. Watch spring arts festivals on campus

  3. Enjoy summer evening concerts on the MOA lawn

  4. Join Freedom Festival events with BYU ties on the 4th of July

  5. Celebrate at BYU Fall Fest

  6. Walk through BYU’s campus lit up at Christmas

  7. Buy holiday treats from the BYU Bakery

  8. Visit food truck roundups during Conference weekends

  9. Join the Cougar Club (open to the public)

  10. Attend the BYU Fall season kickoff concert

🧡 BYU Community Spirit

Cougar pride extends far beyond Provo. With alumni chapters, giving machines, and local fairs, the BYU community is strong, welcoming, and full of heart.

  1. Donate to a BYU student fundraiser

  2. Attend a BYU public forum or fireside

  3. Visit a BYU study abroad travel exhibit

  4. Shop at the Giving Machines during the holidays

  5. Read stories in BYU Magazine

  6. Visit Deseret Book near campus for BYU gear

  7. Support alumni at Beehive Bazaar

  8. Attend Alumni regional chapter events

  9. Subscribe to BYU Speeches on YouTube

  10. Follow @byu for meetups and updates

  11. Shop used gear at BYU surplus sales

  12. Download a free BYU screensaver or calendar

  13. Do a BYU-themed photo scavenger hunt in Provo

  14. Bring visiting friends to experience the Cougar spirit firsthand

  15. Tour a BYU study abroad fair

🎬 Bonus BYU Experiences

These extras may not fit neatly into one category, but they’re too fun not to mention. Each adds something unique to BYU’s vibrant culture.

  1. Watch a movie at LaVell Edwards Stadium (special event screenings)

  2. Attend a career fair or grad fair on campus

  3. Visit the Varsity Theatre for a student film showing

  4. Take a free yoga or fitness class through BYU clubs

  5. Attend an international food festival hosted by BYU groups

  6. See art from graduating seniors at capstone exhibits

  7. Hear a guest lecture from global leaders at BYU forums

  8. Take part in a community service day with BYU Y-Serve

  9. Join an intramural sports game as a community participant

  10. Celebrate with fireworks during Homecoming week

Wrapping It Up

From cheering at LaVell Edwards Stadium to savoring mint brownies, from exploring dinosaur fossils to listening to world-class choirs—BYU is a place where moments turn into memories.

As the university turns 150, take time to relive your favorites and discover something new. Whether you’re returning as an alum or visiting for the first time, there’s always another reason to say: Go Cougs! 💙