Things To Do
Donut Falls Hike
Donut Falls is a family-friendly hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon that is only a short drive from Salt Lake City and has a cool waterfall at the end! Fun fact: This was on my list of proposal locations, but it was just a little bit too snowy to get to reliably in the winter
Stewart Falls Trailhead
For those staying closer to the wedding venue, Stewart Falls is one of the most popular hikes to do. It's rated as moderate and includes a really cool waterfall! Note: We can't fully remember if we did this one or not, but we're sure it's a good one :)
Ensign Peak
Short but moderately steep hike that overlooks downtown Salt Lake City. This hike is perfect for those that want to enjoy nature, but don't want to stray too far from the city.
Park City
Park City is one of our favorite places to visit whenever we just want to get away (even though it's only ~30 minutes from Salt Lake City). Park City might be best known for its ski resorts, but there is plenty of shopping and cool restaurants to check out just walking around Historic Park City.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Maddie and I LOVE to drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon at least once a month. You'll get to experience some of Utah's best scenery, and there are plenty of hikes and picnic areas along the entire drive for those who want to spend time outdoors.
Moochie's Meatballs and More
One of our favorite places to go out to eat, and was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives if you need more convincing. Ivan's favorite is the Philly Cheesesteak (no peppers, sub provolone for Whiz) and Maddie's is The Veggie (no black olives or mushrooms, add Mayo and provolone).
Publik Coffee Roasters
This is one of our favorite go-to coffee shops downtown Salt Lake City!
Sweetaly Gelato
Sweetaly Gelato is our favorite place to pick up a lil' treat. They have a ton of really good classic gelato options, and always have some really good seasonal flavors. It's also in a really cute neighborhood, so it's a great option for a dessert and light walk.
Mumbai House
When we moved to Utah, Maddie and I tried out a LOT of restaurants to find our favorite spots and Mumbai House is one of our favorites!
Cecret Lake
This hike is a little more moderate, but still family-friendly! This trail is located towards the end of Big Cottonwood Canyon and leads to a lake with incredible views. Maddie and I did this hike a couple of times last summer, and the trail is actually where we took our engagement pictures! The wildflowers really start to bloom around the time of our wedding, which makes this hike extra fun!
Zion National Park
Only 4 hours from Salt Lake City, Zion National Park is perfect for those that want to dedicate a few days adventuring. Within the park there are various hikes that can accommodate most skill levels. A few of the most popular hikes, including Angel's Landing, require that you apply for a permit ahead of time, so keep that in mind if you do plan a trip here.
Arches National Park
Another option for those that don't mind a little bit of a drive. Arches National Park is ~4 hours from Salt Lake City and has some pretty unique landscapes. It's home to Delicate Arch, which is the iconic arch on the Utah license plates.