Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re simply here for a layover, we’ve compiled a list of things to do in Salt Lake City. As Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City has cultural attractions, restaurants, museums, outdoor activities and more. Below, you’ll find a few of the main highlights for all of the places to visit and things to do in Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City has a lot to offer, especially if you’re interested in learning about new cultures. Check out the monuments, temples, and religious sites that SLC has to offer.
Popular attractions near Salt Lake City include:
Exploring Temple Square, the official headquarters of the Mormon Church
Finding the Salt Lake Temple, a large religious building
Explore the Family History Library, located in Temple Square
See the Anderson Tower Monument, a monument built from the same granite as the Mormon Temple
Head to This is the Place Heritage Park, dedicated to the 1847 arrival of the Mormons
Going on vacation with a little free time to explore is one of the best things to do in Salt Lake City. Due to the multitude of fun things to do in Salt Lake City, this gives you time to find new places or visit iconic sites after seeing a tourist attraction.
Fun things to do in Salt Lake City include:
Head to Bagel Project, a bakery with top-notch bagels
Grab a nitro cold brew at Publik
Stock up on gorgeous cheeses and fresh sandwiches at Caputo’s Deli
Stop by Utah State Capitol set among 500 cherry trees
Visit Olympic Legacy Cauldron Park, the on-site park that detailed the Utah site of the Olympic Village in 2002
Salt Lake City has a vibrant nightlife scene if you know where to look. The city encourages patrons to pair food and drink together at restaurants, bars, pubs, and even some clubs.
If your family is traveling to Salt Lake City, things to do with kids are at the top of your priority list. Check out museums, zoos, and farms before you get started.
Family-Friendly things to do near Salt Lake City include:
See the home of more than 800 animals at Hogle Zoo
Take the kids to Natural History Museum of Utah, where the architecture forms an indoor canyon
Visit Museum of Ancient Life, a family-friendly museum at Thanksgiving Point
Head to Discovery Gateway, an interactive children’s museum
Help farmhands milk cows, churn butter, and feed animals at Wheeler Historic Farm
The parks, slopes, canyons, and trails ensure that there are plenty of outdoor things to do in Salt Lake City and plenty to discover. There are even hot springs to enjoy nearby.
Active things to see in Salt Lake City include:
Visit Great Salt Lake for a bright setting for hiking
Hike into nearby Wasatch National Forest for a scenic trail
Explore the Bonneville Shoreline trail, a network of trails with many access points
Head to Bingham Canyon Copper Mine, praised as one of the deepest canyons in the area
Head to Fifth Water Hot Springs, located just south of Salt Lake City