Salt Lake City UtahATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Salt Lake City, Utah.
1. Temple Square
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS CENTER
Temple Square is a 10-acre complex in the heart of Salt Lake City that serves as the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitors can explore beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and the iconic Salt Lake Temple (currently under renovation until 2025). The square offers free guided tours that provide insight into Mormon history and culture.
2. Big Cottonwood Canyon
OUTDOOR MOUNTAIN PARADISE
Big Cottonwood Canyon is a scenic mountain canyon offering year-round outdoor activities just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. In winter, the canyon is home to Brighton and Solitude ski resorts, while summer brings opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The canyon features stunning alpine scenery with glacier-carved terrain, flowing streams, and abundant wildlife.
3. Natural History Museum of Utah
JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
The Natural History Museum of Utah showcases the state's unique natural history through interactive exhibits and impressive collections. The striking copper-clad building, designed to blend with the foothills of the Wasatch Range, houses exhibits on geology, paleontology, and native cultures of Utah. Visitors can explore dinosaur fossils, minerals, and exhibits about Utah's diverse ecosystems and indigenous peoples.
4. Salt Lake Tabernacle
ACOUSTIC ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
The Salt Lake Tabernacle is a historic auditorium famous for its remarkable acoustics and distinctive turtle-shaped dome design. Completed in 1867, the building is home to the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and houses a magnificent 11,623-pipe organ. Visitors can experience the building's extraordinary acoustics during free organ recitals or choir rehearsals.
5. City Creek Center
PREMIUM SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
City Creek Center is an upscale open-air shopping mall featuring over 100 stores, restaurants, and a unique creek running through the property. The center boasts a retractable glass roof, allowing for comfortable shopping in any weather, along with fountains and landscaping that create an urban oasis. Shoppers can find luxury brands, local boutiques, and dining options ranging from quick casual to fine restaurants.
6. Utah State Capitol
NEOCLASSICAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Utah State Capitol is a magnificent Neoclassical building sitting on a hill overlooking downtown Salt Lake City. The building features a 165-foot dome, Corinthian columns, and interior spaces adorned with historical murals, sculptures, and marble throughout. Free guided and self-guided tours allow visitors to learn about Utah's history and government while enjoying panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
7. This is the Place Heritage Park
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
This is the Place Heritage Park commemorates the spot where Brigham Young and Mormon pioneers first entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. The 450-acre park features over 50 historic and replica structures that recreate Utah pioneer life from 1847 to 1869. Visitors can interact with historically-dressed interpreters, participate in hands-on activities, and enjoy train rides throughout the park.
8. Great Salt Lake
VAST SALTWATER ECOSYSTEM
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and one of Utah's most iconic natural landmarks. The lake's high salinity makes floating effortless, creating a unique swimming experience at beaches like Antelope Island State Park. Visitors can enjoy stunning sunsets, bird watching with over 250 species of migratory birds, and outdoor recreation along the shoreline.
9. Red Butte Garden
BOTANICAL BEAUTY YEAR-ROUND
Red Butte Garden is a 100-acre botanical garden and arboretum featuring over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails. The garden showcases numerous themed areas including a Fragrance Garden, Medicinal Garden, and Children's Garden with seasonal displays throughout the year. In summer, the garden's outdoor amphitheater hosts a popular concert series featuring national touring artists in an intimate natural setting.
10. Liberty Park
URBAN RECREATIONAL OASIS
Liberty Park is Salt Lake City's oldest and second-largest public park, spanning 80 acres in the heart of the city. The park features a large pond, playgrounds, sports facilities, and the Tracy Aviary—one of the oldest public aviaries in the country with over 400 birds. Visitors can enjoy jogging paths, paddle boat rentals, tennis courts, and a seasonal farmers market in this beloved urban green space.
11. Downtown Farmers Market
LOCAL FOOD GATHERING
The Downtown Farmers Market is a beloved Saturday tradition bringing thousands of people together at Pioneer Park for local food and art. Visitors can browse stalls featuring fresh produce from regional farms, artisanal food products, and handcrafted arts and crafts. The market creates a vibrant community atmosphere with live music, food demonstrations, and activities for all ages from June through October.
12. Snowbird Ski Resort
MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
Snowbird Ski Resort is a premier year-round mountain destination located in Little Cottonwood Canyon just outside Salt Lake City. In winter, the resort offers 2,500 acres of skiable terrain with an average of 500 inches of annual snowfall, while summer activities include mountain coasters, alpine slides, and hiking trails. Visitors can ride the Aerial Tram to 11,000 feet for spectacular views of the Wasatch Mountains and valleys below.
13. Conference Center
ARCHITECTURAL MEETING SPACE
The Conference Center is a massive, architecturally significant building in downtown Salt Lake City with a 21,000-seat auditorium. The structure features a four-acre rooftop garden planted with native Utah vegetation and waterfalls cascading down the exterior walls. Free guided tours showcase the building's impressive art collection, including original paintings depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and early Mormon history.
14. Hogle Zoo
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK
Hogle Zoo is a 42-acre zoological park at the mouth of Emigration Canyon that houses over 800 animals representing more than 250 species. Visitors can experience immersive exhibits like African Savanna, Asian Highlands, and Rocky Shores featuring polar bears and sea lions. The zoo offers educational programs, conservation initiatives, and seasonal events like ZooLights during the winter holidays.
15. Park City
MOUNTAIN RESORT TOWN
Park City is a charming mountain resort town located just 30 minutes from Salt Lake City that offers year-round activities and attractions. The historic Main Street features preserved mining-era buildings now housing upscale shops, galleries, and award-winning restaurants. Once the home of the Sundance Film Festival, Park City continues to blend outdoor adventure with cultural experiences, from world-class skiing to summer concerts and art festivals.