11 Things to Do in Salt Lake City, Utah
Gateway to some of America’s most stunning national parks and home to Temple Square, Salt Lake City offers endless options for outdoor enthusiasts as well as cultural art lovers, families and history buffs.
Culture and Arts
1. Capitol Theatre
Built in 1913, this elegant theatre is home to the Utah Opera but hosts everything from comedians to large-scale productions.
2. Historic Temple Square
This iconic attraction includes the temple, gardens and historic tours, although the temple itself is closed to tours. Read more.
3. Family Search Center
This is the place to go for beginners wanting to research their family.
Family-Friendly…
4. Gilgal Scupture Garden
Filled with 70 eccentric sculptures, including Joseph Smith’s head on a sphynx, this small city park is free.
5. Natural History Museum of Utah
Located at the University of Utah’s Rio Tinto Center, the Natural History Museum of Utah features exhibits and interactive displays about Utah’s geology, ecology, and paleontology. The site of the museum in the Wasatch foothills adjoins several trailheads, and displays invite visitors to step outside as part of their tour. Admission is $11 for adults; $8 for children ages 3-12. Location: 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wed. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (nhmu.utah.edu)
6. Mormon Tabernacle Choir
This world-famous group holds free, public rehearsals on Thursday evenings in Temple Square.
7. Hogle Zoo
Home to more than 800 animals, this easy-to-navigate zoo offers opportunities to feed a rhino. Spanning 42 acres, it is home to grizzly bears, polar bears, lions, giraffes and more. You can even sign up for a special tour with a zoo keeper to have an up-close experience with the animals. One hundred percent of the funds for these tours goes directly to save animals in the wild.
Outdoors…
8. Antelope Island
As the largest island on the Great Salt Lake, Antelope is a major Pacific Flyway stop. The 28,000-acre Antelope Island State Park offers bird-watching information at the visitor center and a network of trails. Admission is $9 per vehicle. The island is located 41 miles north of Salt Lake City and accessible via causeway. Take exit 332 off I-15 and follow signs to Antelope Island. Open daily 7 a.m. to dusk.
9. Big Cottonwood Canyon
A National Scenic Byway, the 15-mile drive (one way) up Big Cottonwood Canyon climbs from Salt Lake high into the mountains. Trailheads on this road are part of Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Hike to Dog Lake, Lake Blanche under Sundial Peak, or Donut Falls. From Salt Lake City, take I-215 to 6200 South (the “Canyons” exit). Continue east on UT 152, following signs for Brighton Ski Area.
10. Red Butte Garden
Located in the Wasatch foothills, this botanic garden offers outdoor yoga seasonally and live concerts.
11. Utah Olympic Park
Ride on a bobsled, alpine slide or zipline at this fun, family-oriented park.
For more information:
Visit Salt Lake
(800) 541-4955
visitsaltlake.com