Some of the most fun things to do in the city are ziplining, hiking, and various water sports activities by the lake in the state park. Shopping and beer tasting are also popular activities among adults.
With a harmonious blend of beautiful architecture, peaceful Mormon faith, and serene natural beauty, there are a variety of fun things to do in Salt Lake City Utah.
From hiring a bike to go around the city, clinking beers downtown, and hiking through enticing trails to reach a gorgeous sunset, there’s really no experience that SLC spares!
Watch the best and the homeliest parts of the city unfold right before you as you keep reading.
Table of Contents:
What is the No. 1 Thing to Do in Salt Lake City for First-Time Visitors?
The No. 1 thing to do in Salt Lake City for first-time visitors is to explore Temple Square. This mesmerizing 10-acre complex is located in downtown Salt Lake City and the center of the city’s rich history and lively culture. While touring here, take a stroll through beautiful gardens, impressive architecture, learn its history at the Family History Library, and enjoy peace at the Tabernacle. Temple Square is a must-see for new travelers in Salt Lake City, offering free interactive events, informative tours, and lost history of the state of Utah.
Top 8 Things to Do in Salt Lake City for an Unforgettable Trip
Here is the list of all activities in which you can take part in SLC:
- Visit Temple Square – Iconic architecture and gardens.
- Natural History Museum of Utah – Utah’s history and nature.
- Beers & Bites in Downtown SLC – Local brews and food.
- Living Room Sunset – Stunning sunset views.
- Things to Do in Juab County – Nearby attractions.
- Relax at Red Butte Garden – Botanical beauty and trails.
- State Parks in Heber Valley – Hiking and water activities.
- Souvenir Hunting at Farmer’s Market – Local crafts and produce.
1. Visit Temple Square & Get Your Artistic Senses Tingling
On top of being an architectural marvel that lights up the evenings of the town, Temple Square also brings a metaphorical light to people’s lives in Salt Lake City.
Explore the history of walking tours, events, and the satiating food that absolutely melts in the mouth.
- Events: Performing arts events, Holi festivals, concerts and festivals, pride festivals, and live music are among the many festivals celebrated with full enthusiasm. No more confusion around “what fun things to do in Salt Lake City” because you can easily find all the details related to upcoming events on the SLC website.
- Nearby Attractions: Deuel Pioneer Log Home, City Creek Park, Eagle Gate Monument, Church History Museum, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and more.
2. Get a Glimpse at the City’s Past at the Natural History Museum of Utah
Fun things to do in Salt Lake City for kids, as well as adults, include looking at the beautiful exhibitions that portray the transition of species over millions of years. It truly feels like watching a slideshow of natural history and nature’s artwork.
A varied set of exhibits ranging from archeology, mineralogy, and paleontology to botany are on display in the Natural History Museum. Find the section you’re most enthusiastic about and get ready to go down a spiral of details.
Find the prices and timings here for a smooth entry:
Ticket Price: Adult- $22.95
Senior (65+)- $20.95
Young Adult (13-24)- $20.95
Child (3-12)- $17.95
Child (2 and under), U of U students and museum members—Free
Timings: Thursday to Tuesday – 10 am-5 pm.
Wednesdays – 10 am-9 pm.
3. Grab Beers & Bites in Downtown SLC
Down in the Central 9th neighborhood are some of the best breweries where one can sit with friends and unwind after a long day. A lively atmosphere is promised since the pubs and breweries are the regular hangout spots.
The top two breweries in town being:
Fisher Brewing Company:
Fisher Brewing Company dates as far back as 1884, this brewery was established by a German immigrant, and yet the core essence of SLC lies here. Revived by his great-great-grandson, the brewery keeps intact the original flavors and methods like an heirloom passed on for generations.
They even have their own food trucks, which serve some amazing island-style, protein-laden meals. You can find their trucks at different spots in the city.
Templin Family Brewing:
The Templin family and their friends laid the foundation for this beautiful brewery. This Brewery has a cozy design that provides a beautiful space for friendships to thrive over slow pours and big foams!
You can take your teetotaler friends along because the brewery has its food truck too, which serves a different dish every day of the week. Check out the menu here and decide the day you’d want to go!
4. Soak in the Living Room Sunset
Located in the foothills of SLC, the Living Room Trail is clearly one of the best things to do in Salt Lake City. The trail offers everything—a quick cardio, some time off the phones and off the grid, and to top it all off, an amazing sunset as the final reward.
- Fees: It is free of cost.
- Trek Difficulty: Moderate.
- Pets: Dogs are allowed on the trail.
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall (March-October) are the months when the trail is the most scenic.
- Insider Tip: Wear sturdy footwear and carry the necessary equipment for descending the trail after sunset, like headlamps, batteries, water, first aid, and a stick to lure any small animals that might cross your way.
5. What are the Things to Do in Salt Lake City, Juab County?
Some of the most effortless fun that you can have in Utah is by taking a day trip to Juab County. The scenery here gives tons of opportunity to unleash the prehistoric human within!
There’s a lot to see and do here, like having a little picnic or a photo shoot with family and friends.
Here are the most fun things to do in Salt Lake City Utah’s Juab County, other than unleashing the prehistoric you:
- Topaz Mining in the Mountains: Thomas Range, also known as Topaz Mountain, is particularly famous for hoarding the amber variety of Topaz in the valley. You can also try hunting for other rocks like rhyolite or red beryl, which are rare finds but worth an attempt.
There are guided topaz mining adventure tours too for the inexperienced ones or the solo travelers looking for company.
- Stroll through the Beautiful Towns of Juab County: As the locals say, and which I’ve personally found to be true, the towns here really are beautiful!
There are museums to stroll through, and lavender fields to frolic in, and all of this is just a short ride away from the city.
6. Relax at the Red Butte Garden
Red Butte Garden is a hub of transformation to an old living when it comes to nature. With various workshops that teach about growing your own herbs to sharing healthy plant-based recipes within the community, the garden is uplifting the health of the city one step at a time.
Garnering over 3000 species of plants and animals in an area stretching across 100+ acres, Red Butte Garden is a space to learn, grow, relax and get inspired. Which is one of the most laid-back things to do in Salt Lake City Utah.
Here are all the details related to Red Butte Garden so that you don’t miss witnessing its beauty:
Ticket Prices: Adults (18-64 years)- $16
Senior citizen (65+ years)/ Military personnel- $14
Children (3-17 years)- $8
Children under 2 and U of U staff, teachers, and students- Free
Timings: Friday to Wednesday- 9 am-9 pm.
Thursdays (May-August)- 7 am-9 pm.
Monthly Timings of Operation: January-February 10 am-5 pm
March- 9 am-5 pm
April- 9 am-7:30 pm
May-August- 9 am-9 (Thursdays—May to Aug- 7 am-9 pm)
September- 9 am-7:30 pm
October-December – 9 am-5 pm
7. Visit State Parks in Heber Valley
The state parks of Heber Valley are the most fun to explore. There are tons of things to do for everyone, which is more of a reason to at least take a day trip to Heber Valley.
Best Things to do in Salt Lake City, Heber Valley:
There’s never a dull moment in Heber Valley, and “off-season” means nothing here, since there are activities available to enjoy at all times of the year.
This answers exactly what things to do in Salt Lake City Utah, on your trip:
Visit the State Parks: The most prominent parks in SLC are the Deer Creek State Park, Jordanelle State Park and Wasatch State Park are very popular choices among tourists.
Here is everything they offer:
- Activities at the state parks: Go hiking, zip lining, fishing, and cycling through the trails of Deer Creek State Park or Jordanelle State Park in summer. There’s also the option to camp overnight, a perfect chance to gaze at the beautiful night sky!
- Winter Activities: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, etc.
- Water Sports: Paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating that you can try to take in the full SLC experience.
- Cheese & Chocolate Tasting in Town: One of the must things to do in Salt Lake City is to try the farm-fresh cheese. This mouthwatering cheese comes from the well-watered fields of Heber Valley. The next option with an equally rich taste is Chocolate.
Once you’ve taken a tour through every step of the chocolate-making process, it somehow unlocks a new taste palette altogether!
- Unique Attractions: Midway Art Gallery, Homestead Crater, Ice Castles, and more.
8. Go Souvenir Hunting at the Farmer’s Market
Visiting the markets and trying out the best food is another fun thing to do in Salt Lake City. Of course, there’s the Saturday Farmer’s Market that you can go to, but there are two important markets that you must visit at least once.
Pioneer Farmer’s Market:
The most fresh produce is offered by Pioneer Farmer’s Market. The blistered hands of the farmers picking out the best fruits and vegetables for you are proof of the love and care they grow their produce with.
Timings: Open on Saturdays, 8 am – 2 pm.
Address: 300 W 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, United States.
Urban Flea Market:
This is the stop for the chapter labeled ‘souvenir collection’ on your trip. Go thrifting, shopping, and eating at the Urban Flea Market, and get home with full bags, bellies, and hearts!
Timings: Open on Sundays, 10 am-4 pm.
Address: 12 Rio Grande St., Salt Lake City, UT 84101, United States.
Also Read: Top Things to Do in Amsterdam | Best Attractions, Free Activities & More
What are the Best Places to Stay in Salt Lake City?
In today’s day, everywhere we go, there’s most definitely an Airbnb or a Marriott Hotel. Start surfing through either based on your preferences, as this is the most convenient way to look for accommodation.
Airbnbs: The Airbnbs in Salt Lake City, Utah, actually have a huge palette of options, from luxurious old-money villas to cottagecore houses. Set your preferred dates and find out the price.
Marriott Hotels: Even Marriott Hotels in SLC are quite versatile in both vibes and price ranges. It is always ideal to choose a spot closer to all the main attractions, in which case, Salt Lake City Marriott City Center is a promising option.
However, if you’re someone who likes to live a little away from the noise while still lurking nearby, Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown is the perfect spot.
Now that we’ve covered a variety of fun things to do in Salt Lake City Utah for you. Let’s move towards the ending notes.
To Sum Up: Must-Do Experiences in Salt Lake City
No matter what the duration of the vacation is, all the riveting things to do in Salt Lake City Utah discussed in this blog are good enough to keep you occupied for at least a week.
In case you wish to stay for a shorter period or over the weekend, checking most of these off will be quite the mission, but not one that can’t be accomplished!
Due to a variation in activities like the ones mentioned above, and a balance between adventure and relaxation opportunities, Salt Lake City is one of the best places to visit in the USA.
Now that I’ve answered what things to do in Salt Lake City Utah are, I’d like to wish you a bon voyage!
FAQs
What fun things to do in Salt Lake City are there?
What are the things to do in Salt Lake City today?
The Natural History Museum and other art museums are open every day. You can visit the state park, go brewery hopping, and take the historic walk in Salt Lake City today.
What to do with 2 days in Salt Lake City?
Reserve one day for adventures and the second day for relaxing, sightseeing, shopping, and eating.
What things to do in Salt Lake City with kids?
Take the kids to museums and art galleries, which often offer special workshops. Try fun yet safe water sports activities to do with them at the state park!
What not to miss in Salt Lake City?
The Sundance Film Festival and the Living Room Sunset are not to be missed when in Salt Lake City.
Source:
City Directory A-Z by Salt Lake City Government
This Week Downtown by Downtown SLC Alliance
