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Salt Lake City, a bustling centre situated amidst magnificent Wasatch mountains, fascinates the unique combination of urban charm and outdoor activities. If you’re a history lover or a nature enthusiast, you’ll not be disappointed after visiting Salt Lake City. From exploring iconic monuments to hiking the thrilling trails, there are thousands of possibilities to explore. This guide takes you through the top 10 things to do in Salt Lake City Utah, ensuring memorable experiences.
10 Popular Things To Do In Salt Lake City Utah
Explore these best things to do in Salt Lake City Utah, offering a diverse range of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
1. Discover Temple Square
Photo: Splorticus / Wikimedia Commons
The temple square is the five-block area amidst the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the most famous tourist attraction in Salt Lake City. During the spring and summer seasons beautiful gardens, flowers and scenery are the main reasons to visit the place. Temple Square is famous for its historical journey. Here you can see the Family Discovery Center, FamilySearch Library, and pioneer history walking tour where you can visit several places.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, 84150
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM
2. Visit The Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is one of the best options for you. The Great Salt Lake is one of the saltiest water bodies in the world. Due to the salinity of the water, it is often compared that the floating experience is similar to the Dead Sea. It offers some of the best outdoor and recreational activities. Here you can experience kayaking, paddle boarding, salt flats exploration, and visit the wildlife and wonder of Antelope Island. The water level of the lake fluctuates with the seasons and these changes add a surface of ecological mystery.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Best Time To Visit: April to May, September to October
3. Enjoy The Great Salt Lake State Park
Photo: Irwin-Scott / Wikimedia Commons
The picturesque landscape, serene water body and location make this park one of the most tourist attractions in Salt Lake City. If you’re thinking about the things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah, we would suggest you visit this park. It is famous for its marina. This park offers several activities for the adventure-lover. Here, you can explore the free audio tour, enjoy sailing, sunset cruising, bird watching, and sleeping on the lakeshore.
Best Time To Visit: April to May, September to October
4. Stroll Through Red Butte Garden And Arboretum
Photo: Oleksiy Ukr / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
If you’re preparing a list of things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah, we would suggest you add the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum to your list. Decorated with nicely crafted plots, bubbling fountains and amazing pathways, this garden is the home for budding botanists and the must-visit place for tourists. Red Butte Garden is situated on the University of Utah campus and is divided into different sections, each dedicated to a particular type of plant or ecosystem.
Location: Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: April to September
5. Hiking From City Creek To Dry Creek
Photo: Chmee2/Valtameri / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This hiking is one of the most demanding things to do in Salt Lake City for adventure lovers. This trail is basic and it requires reading for a beginner. The route of this hiking runs above the northern edge of Salt Lake City’s Avenues and it gives you a breathtaking view of the city below. The first three miles include an increasing elevation towards the dry creek trail and then the course has rolling terrain for the next mile and then there is a good climb. After the continuation of rolling for another mile, the trail heads down to join the city creek trail.
Location: Bonneville Shoreline Trail Coalition, Salt Lake City, Utah
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
6. Visit The National History Museum Of Utah
Photo: Ken Lund / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The National History Museum of Utah inspires wonder in science and the natural world. It is situated on the University of Utah’s campus and it is the bustling centre for research, education and discovery. This museum arranges high-quality exhibitions that highlight the rich natural and cultural history of Utah to enhance a deeper understanding of the past and present of the planet. Visit the exhibitions and museum events to get insights into the history.
Location: Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (9 PM on Wednesdays)
7. Explore The Utah State Capitol Building
Photo: Jonaswarner / Wikimedia Commons
The State Capitol Building of Utah is the perfect blend of exclusive artwork and architecture for the benefit of the public. It is located north of the downtown area. Visitors enjoy the beauty of the building and learn the history of the state. You can take the self-guided tour to explore more details and the history of this monument. Explore Ensign Peak, Millennial Time Capsule, and Chief Massasoit, and enjoy capitol art, including Pendentives and Cyclorama, East and West Lunettes, Seagulls and Clouds and so on. Also, you can avail the guided field trip or the virtual field trip.
Location: Utah State Capitol, 350 N State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM (Monday to Thursday), 7 AM – 6 PM (Friday to Sunday)
8. Stroll Through Big Cottonwood Canyon
Photo: Kepler Sticka-Jones / Wikimedia Commons
Big Cottonwood Canyon is located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and it is around 20 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. In the mid-1800s, miners looked for gold and silver in the canyon and visitors can see the remains of old mines here. It is a very beautiful drive and there are many hiking trails that lead to Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake Martha and Dog Lake. Enjoy hiking and sightseeing in this canyon.
Location: 4193 S Canyon Estate Dr, Salt Lake City, United States
Best Time To Visit: Year-round
9. Visit Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Photo: Wildflowers on the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest / Wikimedia Commons
This national forest spreads over 2.2 million acres. It is surrounded by the districts of Utah and Wyoming and offers a wide range of landscapes- from lush greenery to rocky mountains. The scenic beauty of the national park and the forest area is the most frequently visited place in the nation. You can enjoy mountain biking trails, fishing, and dark skies.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Best Time To Visit: Mid-summer
10. Explore Hogle Zoo
Photo: Fsendek1904 / Wikimedia Commons
Hogle Zoo is home to over 800 animals and it allows the visitors to get close and personal with the animals. This zoo is the home to African Savanna exhibits. Enjoy giraffes, zebra, and African Lions, and avail the opportunity to feed the giraffes, rhinos and elephants (additional fees and advance reservation required). Here, you can find small animal buildings, the Asian Highlands and primate forests.
Location: 2600 Sunnyside Ave (840 South), Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Salt Lake City is a spirited destination with an extraordinary combination of experiences. From spiritual Temple Square to the mesmerising views of the Wasatch range, this city offers a wide experience to every visitor. These top 10 things to do in Salt Lake City Utah offer an idea of Salt Lake City’s offerings as per your interest. So, pack your bags and explore the charms of Salt Lake City! Book your trip to Utah with TripXL now.
Cover Photo: Acroterion / Wikimedia Commons
