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Are you looking for the best things to do in Salt Lake City? If so, then this blog post is perfect for you! We will be discussing 25 different activities that are sure to leave everyone with a memorable experience. Whether it’s experiencing the rich history of the city or trying out some of their amazing food, there is something here for everyone.

Temple Square

Temple Square is one of the most iconic places in Salt Lake City.

Temple Square is an area of gardens around the Salt Lake Temple. This temple was built in 1893 and is a place of faith and worship for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.

5 million people visit Temple Square each year more than any other place in Utah!

When you visit you will walk by many beautiful flowers and trees. (If you visit around Christmas you can see lights on every tree branch in the whole square.)

You can’t go into the temple as a visitor but you can learn a lot about the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the visitor’s center. There is also a free visitor’s center with interactive exhibits about the history of Utah or you can take a stroll through the Tabernacle, where there is often live music.

The Tabernacle was built here in 1867 and is a well-known fixture for concerts, speeches, and religious services. This building has been listed on National Register of Historic Places since 1970 and it’s also part of UNESCO World Heritage list.

Plan on an hour.

The Beehive House

The Beehive House was the home of Brigham Young one of the first presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It’s the perfect place to get a glimpse into how life was in pioneer times.

You can learn about what made the pioneers start on the Mormon Trail, the journey they faced and what their lives were like in Salt Lake.

The Beehive House offers free guided tours throughout the year that run for 30 minutes. It is a great addition to temple square as it is in easy walking distance.

Plan on 30 minutes

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

 

This former hotel is right next to the Beehive House and is a great place to pop into for a few minutes. It was once the Hotel Utah and was the premier hotel in Salt Lake City and was built in the early 1900’s.

If you visit the 10th floor you can see a spectacular view of the Salt Lake City Temple, while you are there you can eat at “The Roof” Restaurant and enjoy the same views while eating a delicious meal.

You can also visit the Legacy Theater which offers free movies made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Plan on 30 minutes to and hour.

Family History Library

The Family History Library is a great attraction for visitors to Salt Lake City who want to learn more about the history of their family and ancestors. Located near historic Temple Square, this library is home to over three million microfilms that can be found by consulting with one of the friendly and knowledgeable staff members at the front desk.

If you are interested in your ancestors you will love doing a little research to find your genealogy for FREE!

Tip: If you are planning on going, try to have the names and birthdates of your grandparents or great grandparents so that you can find your other ancestors much more easily!

 

Welfare Square

Take a guided tour of Welfare Square to learn how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cares for those in need. There are enormous amounts of food that come through the facility on their way to people in need all across the world.

The tour lasts an hour and is a great one for kids as well as adults.

Visit Memory Grove Park

Next take a stroll down Memory Grove Park. This park is near the State Capitol and the University of Utah. It is also home to an enormous recreation of the Liberty Bell. It also features a war memorial. It is a beautiful spot tucked between mountains and has lots of room for kids to run.

Utah Capital Building

 

Utah Capital Building is open to visitors and is worth a visit. It was built to mimic the US Capital Building in Washington, DC. You can visit and see the magnificent interior for free.

Make sure to visit the different floors as there are art galleries on each level.

Liberty Park

Liberty Park contains acres and acres of open green space with ponds and walking trails winding throughout it’s soft hillsides.

There are also several shade trees providing welcome relief on hot summer days which makes it perfect for picnicking, playing catch or playing on the playground.

There are farmers markets at Liberty park throughout the week as well as tons of special events. Find out about them here.

This is the Place Heritage Village

This is the Place is a living history museum that teaches visitors about Utah’s pioneer past. On the site was the place that Brigham Young first saw the Salt Lake Valley. He said, “It is enough. This is the right place. Drive on.”

The Mormon Trail ended in Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake Valley become home to the Mormon Pioneers. The Heritage Village is a place you can learn about the lives of these pioneers.

The village is home to thirty historic structures, many of which are originals from the 1800s and 1900s moved here for preservation in an open environment with original furnishings. The buildings will take you through stories of early settlement, mining, farming and ranching as well as recreation- dance halls where couples waltzed on hardwood floors and shops where kids can push their own leather.

There is a splash park, a train ride and so many awesome hands on activities for kids!

Plan on 3-4 hours.

Clark Planetarium

Clark Planetarium is the perfect place for a family outing that will take you from Utah to galaxies far away. Visitors can see what it’s like beneath our feet, out in space and on other planets. Admission is free and its a great place to cool down in the middle of the summer while learning about space.

We love visiting the Imax at the planetarium and learning about the world around us. The 3D movies are the best ones and prices are quite reasonable.

Plan on an hour- two hours.

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum

This children’s museum is across the street from the Clark Planetarium so it is a fabulous activity to combine with the Planetarium.

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum has lot of hands on experiences for kids from 2-12. Your kids will love climbing through a larger than life beehive, “flying” a helicopter, fixing cars, stacking foam blocks and learning about banking.

Plan on 2-3 hours.

Red Butte Gardens

The Red Butte Gardens are a great place to get away from the city and into nature. Visitors can see native plants, enjoy a picnic lunch or take in some live music at the amphitheater on weekends during the summer months.

The Red Butte Garden is also home to many events throughout the year for those who want more of an indoor experience. We recommend taking in one of their movie nights where you’ll be seated on bean bags with your family around you while watching educational films that bring out everyone’s imaginations!

Plan on an hour

The Best Shopping in Salt Lake City

 

Trolley Square

Trolley Square was once the sight of the first trolley line to be used in Salt Lake City back in 1889. Today, it’s a retail center where locals are able to meet for lunch or dinner while taking advantage of the many shops and restaurants located within its boundaries!

Our kids love the Old Spaghetti Factory in Trolley Square and we never miss a chance to go!

The Gateway

The Gateway is another spot worth visiting when exploring Salt Lake City with your family as this outdoor mall boasts an eclectic mix of famous chain stores mixed with local boutiques that will excite even the most seasoned shoppers. From Anthropologie and Restoration Hardware to a vintage candy store, you’ll find something new around every corner at this shopping destination.

The Gateway was originally built when Salt Lake hosted the Olympics in 2002. There are signs of the Olympics at many spots at the Gateway.

You will also find the Clark Planetarium and The Discovery Children’s Museum here.

City Creek Center

 

City Creek Center is an indoor outdoor shopping mall that is the newest and coolest place to shop in Downtown Salt Lake City. Just across from Temple Square, City Creek is the perfect place to explore shopping with family and friends.

You will find all the most current stores and fabulous places to eat like Taste of Red Iguana and Brio Italian Grill.

Free Fitness class take place throughout the summer and its a beautiful place to get into shape!

Mrs. Cavanaughs chocolate factory tour

Mrs. Cavanaughs is a local chocolate maker that has been making chocolate since 1964. If you want to see how the delicious chocolate is made you will want t visit the factory, which is located in  North Salt Lake City. The tour lets visitors see how their famous chocolate bars and other treats are made with all of the delicious ingredients that make them so irresistible!

Make sure to try the Mindy Mint and the Haystacks! They are both sooooo good.

Find out about tour times here.

Plan on an hour.

 

The Salt Lake City Library

Don’t forget to visit the library, which is located downtown. I know that sounds like a lame thing to do when you are on vacation, but this library is awesome!

It was designed by  Moshe Safdie who has built some of the most spectacular buildings in the world like the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore. The Salt Lake City Library is spectacular in design with tons of natural light filling every corner.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to study or just need some interesting reading material before your next flight, they have everything! They also offer free wi-fi and a great children’s area so you can let your kids explore for a while.

Plan on 1-2 hours.

Antelope Island

The Great Salt Lake has islands in it and one of the most popular is Antelope Island. The island offers beautiful views and wildlife for visitors to enjoy, including herds of bison!

It is a beautiful place to visit to really see the Great Salt Lake, and nature lovers will be wowed by the friendly wildlife. You can also take horseback tours or other guided tours by checking availability here.

Plan on 2-3 hours

Hogle Zoo

No visit to Salt Lake City would be complete without a trip to the Hogle Zoo. One of three zoos in Utah, this one features more than 700 animal species across its 100 acres of natural habitat. Guests will also love seeing exotic animals from other parts around the world that are not typically found at home!

Hogle Zoo is a great zoo for small kids! The zoo really caters to kids being able to see and interact with nature. If you want to feed some of the animals there you can get more information here.

Plan on 2-3 hours.

Loveland Aquarium

This awesome new addition to Salt Lake City has quickly become one of the most popular attractions in town. The aquarium is located in Draper, UT and is just a short 25 minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City. The aquarium features two levels of education exhibits with over 100 tanks including live rays, sharks, octopus and colorful coral reefs.

The Loveland Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the United States and definitely worth visiting.

Plan on 2-3 hours.

Things to do in Salt Lake City a little farther afield

Lagoon Amusement Park

Just 20 miles north of Salt Lake City is a magical place called Lagoon Amusement Park. The park is a popular summer destination and offers over 40 rides, including the tallest rollercoaster in Utah!

It is a great amusement park for small kids as well as big. The kiddie land is among the largest I’ve seen at any amusement park. If you have daredevil kids they will love Cannibal and Collosus two of my kids all time favorite roller coasters.

You can get discount tickets for Lagoon with an empty coke can. Bring it with you before noon and you will get $9 off admission for 6 people.

Plan on the entire day

 

Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point

This museum is the perfect place to take your kids for a day of fun. There are over 400 hands on exhibits that will teach them about the world around them. Learn about windstorms, erosion, music, money and more! The museum is unlike any other museum I have been to, and should be on your Salt Lake City itinerary!

The museum is about 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and if I had to pick between this museum and the Discovery Children’s Museum, I would choose the Natural Curiosity Museum. Both a good, but the Natural Curiosity Museum is bigger and more hands on.

Plan on 3-4 hours

 

Sundance Resort

Are you feeling like you want to get out of the city and see some of the beautiful Utah mountains? The Sundance Resort is just a 40 minute drive from Salt Lake City and has thousands of acres of beautiful mountain landscape. The resort also features ski slopes, horseback riding trails, hiking areas and plenty more outdoor activities for the whole family!

You can go up for the day or go for dinner, either way you will enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Utah mountains.

Plan on 2-5 hours.

Seasonal things to do in Salt Lake City

The Days of 47 Rodeo

If you happen to be in Salt Lake in mid to late July you can go to the Days of 47 Rodeo. This is the largest rodeo in the state of Utah and is in honor of Pioneer Day on July 24th.

If you have never been to a rodeo before you are missing out! This rodeo is fast moving and exciting. Watch bull riders, barrel races, bucking broncos and awesome rodeo clowns. Check here for information.

Swiss Days

Swiss Days is celebrated in the mountain town of Midway (45 minutes from downtown) the first weekend of September. The celebration is to honor the Swiss Heritage of Midway. There are craft shows, live music, a 10k race, yodelers, a parade and tons of food!

 

Hale Center 

The Hale Center Theater in Salt Lake City has multiple plays and musicals that are professional in quality. Several shows are playing at any given time but you will need to plan ahead to make sure you can actually get tickets. If you can find tickets you are in for a treat!

 

Lights at Temple Square

If you are visiting during Christmas time you have to check out the lights at Temple Square. Thousands of lights are wrapped on every tree branch in temple square making it an explosion of color.

If you go in the evening there are generally Christmas concerts in the Tabernacle and lots of pathways to discover Christmas lights.