Things To Do
Salt Lake City
Utah’s capital has great food, local shops, and outdoor views right from downtown. Highlights: 🦴 Natural History Museum of Utah — Great exhibits, architecture & mountain views. ☕ 9th & 9th Neighborhood — Cafés, boutiques & restaurants with local charm. 🌄 Ensign Peak Hike — Quick 0.8 mi trail to a sunset view of the Capitol & city. 🍺 Breweries - Our favorites are TF, Fisher, and Hopkins! Tip: Grab coffee at Publik Coffee Roasters before heading up Ensign Peak.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
(25 min from Salt Lake City) Towering cliffs, alpine lakes, and beautiful canyon drives just outside the city. Our favorites: 🥾 Lake Blanche Trail — Challenging 6 mi round-trip hike to a turquoise lake below Sundial Peak. 💦 Donut Falls — Easy 1.5 mi family-friendly waterfall trail through a cave-like rock. 🚗 Guardsman Pass — Scenic summer drive connecting to Park City. Tip: Bring a picnic to Silver Lake Loop near Brighton — moose sightings are common!
Little Cottonwood Canyon
(35 mins from Salt Lake City) Home to Alta and Snowbird, this canyon is stunning in summer with wildflowers, hiking, and live music. Our Favorites: 🌼 Albion Basin Wildflowers — Peak mid-July to early August; fields of color with mountain views. 🥾 Red Pine Lake Trail — 7 mi round-trip alpine hike with a peaceful picnic spot. 🍺 Snowbird Oktoberfest — Opening weekend at an iconic Oktoberfest celebration with beer tents, music & tram rides. Tip: Take the Snowbird Tram for panoramic views without the climb.
Park City
(40 mins from Salt Lake City) A mountain-town escape with shops, patios, and summer adventures. 🛍 Historic Main Street — Art galleries, cafés & restaurants (check out High West Distillery!) 🌲 Guardsman Pass Drive — Scenic route from Big Cottonwood to Park City. 🎢 Summer Fun — Ziplining, alpine slides & concerts at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley.
National Parks
Perfect for guests making a vacation out of the trip. Each park is 4–6 hours from SLC and ideal for 2-3 day getaways. 🧗♂️ Zion National Park — 4.5 hrs (310 mi) Towering cliffs and awe-inspiring red rocks. Best Hikes: Angels Landing (permit required) & The Narrows. 🏰 Bryce Canyon National Park — 4 hrs (270 mi) Home of the iconic hoodoos (red-orange rock spires). Best hikes: Navajo Loop + Queen’s Garden Trail 🌅 Moab – Arches & Canyonlands National Parks — 4 hrs 15 min (230 mi) Desert red rocks, sandstone arches, and star-filled skies. Best hikes: Delicate Arch, Mesa Arch, Devils Garden 🏔 Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) — 5.5 hrs (330 mi) Jagged peaks, alpine lakes & wildlife viewing near Jackson Hole. Best activities: Jenny Lake kayaking, explore Jackson Hole