Salt Lake City is the capital of the state of Utah and the religious center of the Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It used to be mainly the gateway for travelers making the quick trip to Utah’s ski resorts, however, visitors will find a wide variety of interesting things to do in there. Take a look at our Top 10 Things To Do In Salt Lake City.
[booking_product_helper shortname=”salt lake city”]
Temple Square
1
Temple Square has long been one of Salt Lake City’s most popular tourist attractions. The granite-towered Temple Square invokes the mystery of Mormonism. The 35-acre square is the worldwide headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and features the church’s sacred temple, one of the world’s largest genealogy libraries and spectacular gardens. Taking a tour with the missionaries is the best way to learn about Temple Square and the church, but you can explore the grounds and visitors centers on your own if you prefer. The Church History Museum is also on the temple grounds. Its collections are fascinating to anyone with an appreciation for the history of Utah and the people who built it from the ground up on hard work and faith.
Utah Olympic Park
2
Utah Olympic Park is a winter sports park built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. It offers year-round adventure, from learning about the Park’s unique Olympic heritage on a guided tour to taking a ride of a lifetime on the Comet Bobsled Ride.
Ensign Peak
3
Salt Lake City has so many amazing hiking spots, it’s hard to choose just one. The best and most famous hike is Ensign Peak, located near Capitol Hill and offers a brilliant view of the city.
Utah State Capitol
4
located on a hill overlooking downtown Salt Lake City, is Utah State Capitol designed by local architect Richard K. A. Kletting. The Capitol has been home to state government since its opening in 1916. Guided tours are given Monday through Friday and take you to the House of Representatives, Senate and Supreme Court chambers as well as the Gold Room and Rotunda.
Hogle Zoo
5
Since 1931, Utah’s Hogle Zoo occupies 42 acres at the mouth of Emigration Canyon outside of Salt Lake City. The mission of Utah’s Hogle Zoo is to nurture respect and appreciation for the natural world.
Great Salt Lake
6
The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere, it lends its name to Salt Lake City, originally named “Great Salt Lake City”. It is a remnant of an ancient lake that once covered the majority of western Utah, called Lake Bonneville by geologists. The Great Salt Lake is four to five times saltier than the ocean, only the Dead Sea in Israel/Jordan as a higher salt content. The largest island on the Lake, Antelope Island, is a very famous spot for bird-watching, the island is located 66 km (41 miles) north of Salt Lake City and accessible via causeway.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
7
Big Cottonwood Canyon is a canyon in the Wasatch Range 19 km (12 miles) southeast of Salt Lake City. It offers hiking, biking, picnicking, rock-climbing, camping and fishing in the summer, and skiing in the winter at Solitude and Brighton.
Salt Lake Public Library
8
Whether you like to read one of its 500,000 books or just look at the beautiful architecture, the Salt Lake Public Library worth a visit.
Red Butte Garden
9
Part of the University of Utah, this scenic garden features more than 150 acres of landscaped grounds and colorful flowers complete with walking paths and hiking trails. There are many things to do here. You can wander the themed gardens, explore in the Children’s Garden, see a free Sundance Institute Film on a summer night, listen to one of the free concerts, hike in the Natural Area, picnic in the Secret Garden and much more. Source: seethesouthwest
Capitol Theater
10
Renovated and reopened in 1978 the Capitol Theatre is known today for its elegant architecture and serves as the home for Ballet West, Utah Opera, Children’s Dance Theatre, and Broadway Across America -Utah. The Capitol hosts a wide variety of events every night.
Just So You Know…
- Salt Lake City is one of the most accessible ski destinations in the world with four of its closest mountains get the most snow in Utah state.
- During the summer, Salt Lake springs to life with outdoor concerts and movie screenings, from cult classics at the Gallivan Center to picnic-style concerts at Red Butte Garden to big-name musicians rocking Pioneer Park.
- The hugely popular Holi Festival of Colors at the Krishna Temple features live entertainment, yoga, food, and the throwing of colors.
- The Living Planet Aquarium offers extensive exhibits on aquatic life and other ecosystems.
- The Alpine Loop features stunning views of Mount Timpanogos and impressive aspen groves, and provides access to numerous hiking trails and campgrounds.
- Taste Greek cuisine and watch traditional Greek performances at the Greek Festival. Every September in the Greek Orthodox church.
Get Some Culture:
- Utah Museum of Fine Arts – Utah’s primary resource for culture and visual arts.
- Natural History Museum of Utah – Illuminates the natural world and the place of humans within it.
Grab A Bite:
- Hector’s Mexican Food – Homemade authentic Mexican food.
- Copper Onion – a trendy restaurant. Try the Snake river beef, served over homemade pappardelle with a creme fraiche mushroom sauce topped with chives.
- Caffe Molise – Offers fresh Italian cuisine inspired by the Molise region of Italy.
