Orem, Utah
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 40.298100, -111.699000
Climate: Climate: Orem, United States experiences a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Weather Patterns: Orem has dry and warm summers, with temperatures ranging from 70°F (21°C) to 95°F (35°C). Winters are cold with temperatures between 20°F (-7°C) and 40°F (4°C). Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year, with occasional snowfall during winter months.
Population: 96734
Language: English
Orem, Located in the state of Utah, Is a vibrant city nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains. With a population of approximately 97, 000 residents, Orem is known for its strong sense of community and high quality of life. The city offers a unique blend of natural beauty, Cultural attractions, And excellent educational opportunities. One of Orem’s standout features is its proximity to some of the most breathtaking outdoor recreational areas in the country.
Just a short drive away lies Provo Canyon, Which boasts scenic hiking trails, Picturesque waterfalls like Bridal Veil Falls and world-class skiing at resorts such as Sundance Mountain Resort. Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore nearby Mount Timpanogos with its stunning summit views or enjoy boating and fishing on Utah Lake. In addition to its natural wonders, Orem has an array of cultural attractions that appeal to residents and visitors alike. The Hale Center Theater provides top-notch live performances ranging from Broadway musicals to classic plays throughout the year.
Art lovers can explore rotating exhibits at the Woodbury Art Museum or attend various art festivals held in town annually. Education plays a significant role in Orem’s identity as it is home to Utah Valley University (UVU), One of the fastest-growing universities in America. UVU offers over 150 degree programs across various disciplines and contributes greatly to Orem’s intellectual atmosphere. Orem also boasts an impressive range of shopping destinations for all tastes and budgets.
The University Mall serves as a central hub for retail therapy with numerous stores offering fashion trends from popular brands alongside local boutiques showcasing unique artisanal goods. The city takes pride in providing ample recreational opportunities for residents through well-maintained parks like Nielsen’s Grove Park or City Center Park where families can enjoy picnics or play sports on vast green fields. Additionally, Fitness enthusiasts will find multiple gyms equipped with state-of-the-art facilities while avid golfers can tee off at the beautiful Sleepy Ridge Golf Course. Orem’s commitment to community involvement is evident through its numerous events and festivals.
The Summerfest celebration brings together locals for a week-long extravaganza of live music, Food vendors, Parades, And fireworks. The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival attracts visitors from across the country to experience captivating storytelling performances by renowned artists. Overall, Orem offers a well-rounded lifestyle with its stunning natural surroundings, Cultural attractions, Educational opportunities, And strong community spirit. Whether you are seeking outdoor adventures or cultural experiences, This city in Utah has something for everyone.
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument: A stunning cave system located in the nearby American Fork Canyon. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the unique geological formations.
- Utah Valley University: A renowned public university with a beautiful campus that offers various cultural events, performances, and exhibits throughout the year.
- Cascade Springs: A natural spring located in nearby Wasatch Mountain State Park. It features a series of terraced pools and lush vegetation, making it a popular spot for picnicking and hiking.
- Hale Center Theater Orem: Known for its high-quality theatrical productions, this theater offers a range of shows including musicals, comedies, and dramas.
- SCERA Center for the Arts: This multi-purpose arts center hosts live performances, concerts, art exhibits, film screenings, and other cultural events.
- University Place: A large shopping complex with numerous stores, restaurants, and entertainment options such as an indoor playground and movie theater.
- Provo River Parkway Trail: This scenic trail runs along the Provo River offering beautiful views of nature while walking or biking.
- Mount Timpanogos Park: Located at the base of Mount Timpanogos in nearby Provo Canyon; it is known for its hiking trails that lead to stunning viewpoints overlooking Utah Valley.
- East Bay Golf Course: An 18-hole golf course with picturesque views of surrounding mountains; it attracts both locals and tourists who enjoy golfing amidst beautiful scenery.
- Orem Owlz Stadium (Home Field): For sports enthusiasts or baseball fans visiting during summer months can catch a game at this minor league baseball stadium.
- Technology and Software: Orem is home to many technology companies, including software development firms, IT services providers, and tech startups.
- Education: Brigham Young University (BYU), one of the largest private universities in the United States, is located in Orem. The university contributes significantly to the local economy through education-related services and research.
- Healthcare and Medical Services: Orem has several hospitals, clinics, and medical service providers that offer a range of healthcare services to residents.
- Retail: The city has numerous retail establishments such as malls, shopping centers, grocery stores, specialty shops, and restaurants that cater to both locals and tourists.
- Manufacturing: Orem has a diverse manufacturing sector with companies involved in various industries like aerospace components manufacturing, electronics assembly, plastics production, food processing equipment manufacturing etc.
- Financial Services: Several banks and financial institutions have branches or offices in Orem offering banking services like loans mortgages investment advice among others.
- Professional Services: Various professional service providers operate within the city including law firms accounting firms consulting agencies marketing agencies real estate agencies among others.
- Recreation & Tourism: Being situated near popular tourist destinations like Provo Canyon (with attractions such as Sundance Resort) as well as having its own recreational facilities like parks trails golf courses etc., tourism plays an important role in the local economy.
- Construction & Real Estate Development: Given its growing population there are several construction projects happening across the city along with real estate development projects catering residential commercial spaces.
These are just some of the major industries present in Orem; there may be other smaller sectors contributing to its local economy as well.
- Settlement: The area that is now Orem was originally settled in 1877 by a group of Mormon pioneers led by John Henry Davis. They established the first permanent settlement called Provo Bench, which later became known as Sharon.
- Name Change: In 1914, the community changed its name from Sharon to Orem in honor of Walter C. Orem, a local railroad magnate who played a significant role in the development of the area.
- Growth and Incorporation: Orem experienced rapid growth during the mid-20th century due to its proximity to Brigham Young University and other educational institutions. It officially became a city on May 5, 1919.
- Education Hub: Brigham Young University (BYU), one of the largest private universities in the United States, is located in Provo adjacent to Orem. The university has had a significant impact on both cities’ development and culture.
- Technology Industry: In recent years, Orem has become known for its thriving technology industry with numerous tech companies establishing their headquarters or offices there.
Some notable people associated with Orem include:
- LaVell Edwards (1930-2016): A renowned American football coach who spent his entire career at BYU coaching football teams from 1972 to 2000. He led BYU’s football program to national prominence and won several awards including two National Championships.
- Julianne Hough (born 1988): An actress, singer, and professional dancer who rose to fame as one of the professional dancers on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She has also appeared in movies like Footloose (2011) and Safe Haven (2013).
- Jimmer Fredette (born 1989): A professional basketball player who gained national attention while playing for BYU. He was named National Player of Year in college basketball in 2011 and has played in the NBA for several teams.
- Stephen R. Covey (1932-2012): A renowned author, educator, and businessman who wrote The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, one of the most influential self-help books of all time. Covey was born in Salt Lake City but spent a significant part of his life living and working in Orem.
- Lindsey Stirling (born 1986): A world-famous violinist, dancer, and composer known for her unique blend of classical music with electronic dance music elements. She gained popularity through her YouTube channel and has released several successful albums since then.
- Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum: A natural history museum showcasing various animal species and exhibits on biodiversity.
- Woodbury Art Museum: An art museum located at Utah Valley University featuring rotating exhibitions of contemporary art.
- Orem Heritage Museum: A local history museum dedicated to preserving the heritage of Orem and its surrounding areas.
- Hale Center Theater Orem: A community theater known for its high-quality productions of Broadway shows and musicals.
- SCERA Center for the Arts: A performing arts center offering live theater performances, concerts, movies, and educational programs.
- Timpanogos Cave National Monument: Located nearby in American Fork Canyon, this monument features stunning cave formations that can be explored through guided tours.
- Provo City Center Temple: A beautiful historic temple located in nearby Provo that is open to visitors for self-guided tours of the grounds and gardens.
- Brigham Young University (BYU) Museum of Art: Located in nearby Provo on the BYU campus, this museum houses a diverse collection of artwork from various periods and cultures.
- Orem Owlz: The Orem Owlz were a minor league baseball team that played in the Pioneer League from 2005 to 2020. They were affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels and served as their Rookie-level affiliate. The team had success on the field, winning multiple division titles.
- Utah Valley University Wolverines: Utah Valley University (UVU) is located in Orem and competes in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The UVU Wolverines have various sports teams, including basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, golf, track and field, wrestling, and more.
- Timpanogos High School: Timpanogos High School is one of several high schools in Orem that has a rich history in various sports. Their athletic programs have achieved success at state championships across different sports like football, basketball, soccer, swimming/diving.
- Mountain View High School: Another prominent high school in Orem is Mountain View High School which has had successful athletic programs over the years. Their football team has won multiple state championships while other teams like basketball and wrestling have also achieved notable accomplishments.
- Orem Storm Rugby Club: The Orem Storm Rugby Club was established to promote rugby union in the region. They participate in local leagues and tournaments while providing opportunities for youth players to learn and play rugby.
These are just a few examples of sports teams with histories in Orem; there may be other local or amateur teams worth mentioning as well depending on specific interests or niche sports within the community.
Events and Festivals in Orem
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Summerfest
Held in June, this annual festival features live music performances, arts and crafts booths, food vendors, carnival rides, and a fireworks show.
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Timpanogos Storytelling Festival
Celebrated in September at the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point, this festival showcases the art of storytelling with renowned storytellers from around the world.
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Utah Valley Marathon
This marathon takes place in June and attracts runners from all over the country to compete on a scenic course that winds through Orem and surrounding areas.
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Festival Latinoamericano
Celebrated in August at Scera Park, this festival highlights Latin American culture with live music performances, traditional dances, authentic cuisine vendors, arts and crafts exhibits.
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Heritage Festival
Held annually during July 4th week at SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre Park, this event celebrates American heritage with live entertainment including concerts and theatrical productions along with food vendors and fireworks.
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Tulip Festival
Taking place during springtime (April-May) at Thanksgiving Point’s Ashton Gardens, this festival showcases over 250 thousand tulips of different varieties along with various activities like garden tours and photography contests.
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Holi Festival of Colors
This vibrant Hindu festival is celebrated annually in March or April at Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple where participants throw colored powders on each other to celebrate love and unity.
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Winterfest Christmas Market
Held during December at UCCU Center parking lot near Utah Valley University campus; it features local artisans selling handmade crafts along with festive activities like ice skating rink and visits from Santa Claus.
Please note that event dates may vary each year so it’s recommended to check specific dates before planning to attend any of these events or festivals in Orem.
- The Old Spaghetti Factory – Known for its delicious pasta dishes and family-friendly atmosphere.
- Tucanos Brazilian Grill – A popular churrascaria offering a variety of grilled meats served tableside.
- La Jolla Groves – A fine dining restaurant specializing in New American cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients.
- Bombay House – An Indian restaurant known for its flavorful curries and tandoori dishes.
- Thai Village – Offers authentic Thai cuisine with a wide range of flavorful dishes.
- Cubby’s Chicago Beef – Known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and gourmet burgers.
- Black Sheep Cafe – Offers modern Native American cuisine with unique flavors and creative presentations.
- Guru’s Cafe – A vegetarian-friendly restaurant serving healthy bowls, wraps, salads, and smoothies.
- Malawi’s Pizza – Serves artisanal pizzas made from scratch with fresh ingredients while supporting charitable causes through their Pizza With a Purpose program.
- City Center Park: This park offers a variety of amenities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, and walking trails.
- Nielsen’s Grove Park: A beautiful park with a large grassy area for picnics or playing games, a splash pad for kids to cool off in the summer, and walking paths.
- Bonneville Park: This park features basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Orem Fitness Center: A state-of-the-art fitness facility that offers swimming pools, gymnasiums for various sports activities like basketball and volleyball, fitness classes, and weightlifting equipment.
- Mount Timpanogos Park: Located at the base of Mount Timpanogos with stunning views of the mountain range. The park has hiking trails that lead to beautiful viewpoints and is also popular for picnicking.
- Scera Park: Home to Scera Pool & Waterslide Complex which includes multiple swimming pools including a lazy river and waterslides. The park also hosts outdoor concerts during summer months.
- Cascade Mini Golf: A fun miniature golf course with water features located near University Place Mall in Orem.
- Murdock Canal Trail: A scenic trail that follows the path of an irrigation canal providing opportunities for walking or biking amidst nature.
- Canyon View Park: Offers baseball/softball fields as well as open green spaces for picnicking or playing frisbee or soccer.
- Orem Skatepark (at Mountain View High School): A skatepark featuring ramps and obstacles suitable for skateboarders and rollerbladers.
