Top 10 Free Things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah (UT)

November 23, 2021 Almeta Stockton

Known for the stunning backdrop afforded by the towering Wasatch Mountains – and the endless opportunities for outdoor recreation they provide – Salt Lake offers visitors a uniquely vibrant and dynamic urban experience. As one of North America’s most accessible destinations, Utah’s capital city offers year-round excitement and activities for the entire family, alongside a contemporary edginess and vitality that’s helped the “new” Salt Lake become a renowned culinary destination.
Restaurants in Salt Lake City

1. Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Salt Lake City, UT 84121 https://www.visitsaltlake.com/listing/big-cottonwood-canyon/55175/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,149 reviews

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Located in the Wasactch Mountains, this wilderness region offers a limitless range of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.

Reviewed By Francophile84108 - Salt Lake City, United States

When the temp hits triple digits in the city, that's when I head for the canyons. I love Big Cottonwood. It's a great place to hike, has beautiful scenery and if you have little kids or elderly friends and family, there's a nice gentle walk at the top, by Brighton Ski resort, around Silver Lake. If you go at dusk, you're likely to see Moose as you stroll the boardwalk around the lake. There are interpretive signs along the way, restrooms and a small information center. If you're hungry, stop at Silver Fork Lodge for a bite to eat, just minutes from the lake as you descend the canyon.

2. Temple Square

50 W North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-9709 +1 801-531-1000 [email protected] http://www.templesquare.com
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,021 reviews

Temple Square

Dominated by a magnificent six-spired temple, the square is the symbolic heart of the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints.

Reviewed By R5238KCsilviam

Short, informative tours are offered every few minutes in different languages and I highly recommend taking one. In addition to walking through the beautiful grounds with lovely flower beds, great architecture and art, we were able to enter the Tabernacle and listen to an organ concert.

3. The Tabernacle

50 E North Temple (at the Temple Square Tabernacle), Salt Lake City, UT 84150-9001 +1 801-240-1000 http://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,318 reviews

The Tabernacle

Home to the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Tabernacle Organ.

Reviewed By W7418DStinak

We attended the weekly Sunday morning service of the Music and the Word, where believers of all faiths are warmly welcomed to immerse themselves in the glorious and inspiring music of the Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra. What a fabulous way to spend 30 minutes on a Sunday morning! Do not miss this!

4. Wheeler Historic Farm

6351 S 900 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84121-2438 +1 385-468-1755 [email protected] http://www.wheelerfarm.com/
Excellent
54%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 209 reviews

Wheeler Historic Farm

A working historic farm!

Reviewed By tallred6 - Midvale, United States

We LOVE coming here to go on a stroll past the farm animals, get a ride on a tractor around the property, or to just stroll by the stream and ice ponds. Great all seasons of the year, and a wonderful chance for photos.

5. Liberty Park

1100 E 600 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102-3808 +1 801-596-5101 http://www.slcgov.com/cityparks/parks-liberty-park
Excellent
62%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 349 reviews

Liberty Park

Pleasant urban park with a track for running.

Reviewed By coyotepack5 - West Lafayette, United States

A beautiful green space with trees and so much more! So many people love this park: families, pets, walkers, paddle boats, bird aviary, tennis, swimming, food. You never know what you will see here.

6. Sugarhouse Park

1300 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106-2871 +1 801-467-1721 http://www.sugarhousepark.org/
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 96 reviews

Sugarhouse Park

Once the site of Utah Territorial Prison, this park is a lot more pleasant today, with a gently rolling landscape great for running.

Reviewed By HolladayRay - Salt Lake City, United States

1.6 mile loop with two descent grade hills makes Sugarhouse Park ideal for a workout on bike or running, or walking - asphalt or grass your choice. For a longer loop goes around the outside of the park - all grass. Pavilions offer family gatherings with bbq pits - reserve through City Parks. In Spring and early Summer, the pond is filled with geese and ducks.

7. Church History Museum

45 N West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-9006 +1 801-240-3310 http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/museum
Excellent
68%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 352 reviews

Church History Museum

Museum detailing the history of the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Reviewed By tallred6 - Midvale, United States

We saw the great exhibition space devoted to the first voting women in the country in February--such a great opportunity to see how far we've come!

8. Pioneer Memorial Museum

300 N Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103-1632 +1 801-532-6479 [email protected] http://www.dupinternational.org/
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 151 reviews

Pioneer Memorial Museum

Museum containing memorabilia from the age of the American pioneers.

Reviewed By jcromero27

This was my wife and I’s first trip to Salt Lake City and we wanted to find a nice museum with significant local historic value. After reading reviews of several museums in the area, we decided to visit this Pioneer Museum. We are very glad we did. First, the location is very nice, it is located right across the street from the Capital Building, so once you finish your walk-through of the museum, you can enjoy a nice walk around the Capital. Astonishingly, this museum is free to visit. It is more and more rare to find decent free museums. The staff at the front door were very pleasant and gave a very good description of the museums layout prior to our adventuring through the three floors and an addition wing of artifacts. All the items in the museum were specific to the area and were in great condition. If you enjoy historic pieces, I would highly recommend stopping by this museum for a couple of hours while you are in Salt Lake City.

9. Utah State Capitol

350 N State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4799 +1 801-538-1800 https://utahstatecapitol.utah.gov/explore/about-the-capitol
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,510 reviews

Utah State Capitol

Seat of state government and striking architectural landmark.

Reviewed By W7418DStinak

We had no time to actually go inside the capitol building, but we walked the grounds and took lots of pictures. The day was stellar, so the views of the SLC area were stunning. The visitor center, immediately across the street, had lots of free brochures, maps, and travel guides for all of Utah, as well lots of awesome and affordable gifts and collectibles.

10. Joseph Smith Memorial Building

15 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-9002 +1 801-536-7277 http://www.templesquare.com/explore/jsmb/
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 674 reviews

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Building owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, housing two restaurants, a small movie theater and a variety of banquet halls for rent.

Reviewed By LuckyBarber - Toronto, Canada

To reiterate the subject title, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building is an extravagant, luxurious, posh Building to behold; a treat for your visual senses. Indeed, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building is sublimely beautiful both in it elegant exterior design, as well as for its noble, high-class, epicurean interior decor, design, and amenities. We were told by its internal Guide that in its glorious, century-old past, it served as a hotel, and hosted USA Presidents, and assorted entertainment-industry celebrities. Today, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building is a public venue and lounge, and an "active museum" of sorts. When you visit the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, please make it a point to go to the top floor. You will thus be treated to sublime, uninterrupted views of the Temple Square, and of the Temple itself. The view is spell-binding; it will render you speechless and breathless. Moreover, the panoramic view of the top floor affords you the vista of the expansive downtown Salt Lake City core. When you properly plan your itinerary -- and to mark any special personal occasion that you desire to bless with lush gallantry -- you may elect to dine at the top-floor "The Garden Restaurant." You may dine at a window-side table that extends to you the aforementioned beautiful view of the Temple, Temple Square, and downtown Salt Lake City. The Garden Restaurant on the top floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building renders an experience at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building truly unique and special. The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is exclusively beautiful and calming, and most assuredly worthy of your time to visit, behold, dine, and experience. I will return to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building as my personal "go to" venue whenever I am in Salt Lake City to dine at The Garden Restaurant with my girlfriend to further treat her like a Princess, and to properly set the regal mood of my sojourn to Salt Lake City.

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