Natalie & Andrew
Things To Do
Historic Temple Square
Visit the heart of Salt Lake City and the official headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You’ll see the historic temple and tabernacle, both built by pioneers in the late 1800s and enjoy impressive gardens, fountains, and sculptures. Visit the Church Office Building’s observation deck for views of the city from the 26th floor, church museums, a variety of dining options, and a world-renowned family history library. Complimentary tours and concerts are available.
The Great Salt Lake Antelope Island
This is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River. It is too salty to support fish. Antelope Island is a popular state park about 60 miles outside of the city that is home to bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and of course antelope. Hike, bike, or horseback ride on the many trails, swim, float, or kayak in the salty water, and enjoy spotting wildlife.
Park City
Summer at the Park City Mountain Resort offers an alpine slide, scenic views on the ski lifts, golf courses, spas, and a zipline. The 2002 Winter Olympic Park has tubing rides and ropes courses. Hiking and biking trails abound. The chic city center has art galleries, museums, outdoor concerts, funky restaurants, and a Sunday farmers market.
City Creek Center
Salt Lake’s high-end shopping district includes Nordstrom, Apple, Anthropologie, Coach, Tiffany, and many more. The mall has a retractable roof and a running creek stocked with local brown trout.
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons
Located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Big Cottonwood Canyon (Brighton and Solitude) and Little Cottonwood Canyon (Alta and Snowbird) have popular hiking and biking trails and familiar ski resorts. Enjoy scenic views on byways leading through the canyons.
Family Friendly Activities
Salt Lake has many activities perfect for families. Enjoy Hogle Zoo, Clark Planetarium, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, Natural History Museum of Utah, Dinosaur Museum, Red Butte Gardens, Discovery Gateway Children's Museum, Lagoon Amusement Park, the Utah State Capitol, Wheeler Farm, and many more.
Nearby Hiking Trails
Summer hiking in the mountains of Salt Lake City is one of the best ways to spend your time in Utah. Here are some of my favorite nearby hikes. Bonneville Shoreline Trail – as long as you want, fairly flat trail giving views of the valley Ensign Peak – an easy one-mile round trip hike, gives you great views of the city and is the spot where the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley Lake Blanche – an intermediate six-mile round trip hike with one of the most beautiful, serene lakes in the Wasatch Mountains Grandeur Peak – an intermediate six-mile round trip hike with great views of the valley climbs 3,000 feet. Mount Olympus – a challenging eight-mile round trip hike takes you up 4,000 feet. If you want to climb a mountain, this is the one you should choose.
Arches National Park
Arches is my favorite national park in America. It's about 4 hours from Salt Lake City. If you have time, I strongly encourage you to visit southern Utah. The natural red rock formations are otherworldly. This area is one of the greatest treasures of the American landscape.
Zion National Park
Incredible red rock. About 5 hours from Salt Lake City.
Bryce Canyon National Park
About 4 hours from Salt Lake City.
Canyonlands National Park
About 4 hours from Salt Lake near Arches National Park.
Monument Valley
Located on the Utah/Arizona border, this quintessential American west vista is about 7 hours from Salt Lake City.