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Heber Valley Railroad

What's new: Lakeshore Social, an evening train from Heber City to Deer Creek Reservoir and back on selected evenings throughout the summer.

Most popular feature: Adventure package featuring a combination of the rail trip and rafting on the Provo River; also popular is the Hay Train, which includes a visit to a ranch for wagon rides, Dutch-oven cooking, cowboy poetry, etc.

Best time to go: For the regularly scheduled scenic excursions, take the 10 a.m. train when temperatures are the coolest.

Insider advice: Grandparents Treat: Grandparents ride for free if they bring grandkids on the regularly scheduled scenic excursion trains.

Web: www.hebervalleyrailroad.org

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This Is the Place Heritage Park

What's new: The rubber-tired replicas of the Jupiter and #119 engines that met May 10, 1869, at Promontory Point in northern Utah to create the first trans-continental railroad. The replica trains provide transportation within the park as well as being a novelty.

Most popular feature: A petting corral, which has calves, lambs, pigs, goats, ponies and even a burro.

Best time to go: Hours are 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Mornings are best during summer because temperatures are cooler.

Insider advice: Allow at least two hours so you can take in everything.

Web: www.thisistheplace.org

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Utah State Parks

What's new: In celebration of Utah State Parks 50th anniversary, 41 state parks are featuring Geocache Adventures through December. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt using GPS units (which can be checked out from the park if you don't have one of your own) and a map of coordinates, pinpointing the location of ammo cans containing prizes. Download a brochure with details from the Web site.

Web: www.stateparks.utah.gov

Otter Creek State Park