5 ways to have fun with your family in Utah County this week
File - Tulips and other flowers from around the Ashton Gardens are pictured April 4, 2017, at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.
Heber Valley Railroad's Heber Creeper has been delighting children of all ages for decades.
The 2019 Tulip Festival, at Thanksgiving Point's Ashton Gardens, runs from Friday through May 4.
Utah County is a great place for family fun, with events across the valley for all ages.
Here are five fun events that are perfect for the whole family this week:
Catch a train
With the anniversary of the driving in of the Golden Spike and the union of the railroads at Promontory Point in Utah, trains have been at the forefront of the news so far this year. Though you can definitely check out one of the many local railroad exhibits, there’s nothing quite as fun as actually catching a ride on a train, courtesy of the Heber Valley Railroad, with multiple events scheduled for Thursday-Saturday and Monday at http://www.hebervalleyrr.org.
When: Themed train rides are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6:30 p.m. Friday and 9:30 and 11 a.m., 12:30, 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday, with a 7 p.m. train Monday.
Where: Heber Valley Railroad, 450 S. 600 West in Heber, with rides through Provo Canyon
Visit the Tulip Festival
Thanksgiving Point’s Ashton Gardens welcome hundreds and thousands of guests each spring for their annual Tulip Festival, which kicks off this Friday featuring the beautiful spring blooms highlighted throughout the gardens. The festival is free for Thanksgiving Point members and children 2 and under, with tickets $15-$20 for all other ages.
When: Friday through May 4, running Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point, 3900 N. Garden Drive in Lehi
Explore the night
If you’ve ever considered heading out on an adventure by lantern light, Camp Floyd State Park has you covered with its Lantern Tours events. Perfect for families, the event is limited to 40 people per group, and offers a tour of the historical Camp Floyd after dark, including the Commissary, Schoolhouse and Stagecoach Inn. Admission is $7 with events extending through September.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Where: Camp Floyd State Park, 18035 W. 1540 North in Fairfield
Head to a spring festival
This weekend marks the start of Easter egg hunts and spring festivities across Utah County, including the Saratoga Springs Spring Festival, Easter egg hunt and pancake breakfast. The pancake breakfast will support the Westlake Soccer program, with tickets $5 for adults and $2 for children. There also will be face painting, visits with the Easter Bunny and a scavenger hunt.
When: Saturday, 8-10 a.m. with the egg hunt promptly at 8 a.m.
Where: Neptune Park, 452 W. 400 North in Saratoga Springs
Visit the Unicorn Festival
This Saturday, the Outlets at Traverse Mountain will host a free Unicorn Festival, featuring unicorns, rainbows, sparkles, photo ops, face painting, baby animals, a rainbow balloon drop, the Easter Bunny and more. Attendees are invited to bring their kids, unicorn gear and a belief in magic for a fun-filled afternoon.
When: Saturday from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Outlets at Traverse Mountain, 3700 N. Cabela’s Blvd. in Lehi
