Location: Salt Lake City
Top Things to do in Salt Lake City
Top Restaurants in Salt Lake City
Top 10 Things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah (UT)
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
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,149 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,021 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,318 reviews
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. Liberty Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
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.
5. Utah State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,510 reviews
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.
6. Tracy Aviary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
The oldest aviary in the U.S. features extensive collections, educational programs and exhibits of more than 130 different species of birds.
Reviewed By TravelingMerm - Monrovia, United States
Being an avid birder, I just had to check this place out and I was not disappointed!! In fact, I spent about twice as long here as I anticipated! Even my son loved it and he usually rolls his eyes when I start talking about birds lol! The grounds are a lot more expansive than I expected! It’s a huge complex with many different sections and “houses” that allow you to walk around inside! One of my faves was the rainforest habitat - there were so many colorful and loquacious birds flitting around in the trees surrounding us! They even had an owl hooting away behind a bamboo screen and he was eating a poor little mouse! Peacocks actively roam around the grounds openly and let you get pretty close for some great pics. They had tons of waterfowl and the Flamingos were putting on an incredible show - dancing around and almost seeming to fight and chase each other! I was so surprised at all the activity given that it was a chilly winter morning - Fabulous day! It’s very easy to find - located inside lovely Liberty Park. We parked on the outer ring that encircles the park but there seems to be another parking lot closer to the entrance so just keep an eye out for that turn-in. The prices are very reasonable given the quality of the attractions. They have a cute little gift shop inside as well. The grounds have seating areas and nice sidewalks with maps placed very frequently so you can find your way and be sure not to miss anything. There were several closed areas - one small area closed off bc a tree had fallen and pulled up a bunch of the sidewalk due to a recent windstorm. Shame bc it looked like such a nice area - but you could still see the birdies inside. The “theater” where they hold demonstrations and such is also closed - we could see there were some interesting birdy specimens inside but couldn’t get to them so that was a bummer but that just means we’ll have to go back!
7. Red Butte Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 876 reviews
Red Butte Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West and, together with the University of Utah, is the state arboretum. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive Natural Area. All just minutes away from downtown Salt Lake City. The Garden is renowned for plant collections, themed gardens, over 524,000 springtime blooms, gorgeous private rental spaces, a world-class summer concert series, and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs.
Reviewed By 508DavidB - Garland, United States
Beautiful gardens with a nice variety of plants and flowers along with great views of SLC. We got in free since we are members at the Dallas Arboretum and they have a reciprocal arrangement. So, not sure on the value.
8. Clark Planetarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 409 reviews
For more than 50 years, Clark Planetarium, formerly known as Hansen Planetarium, has been Salt Lake’s go-to destination for visitors of all ages who want to discover and learn about space and science. We engage audiences inside our walls and across the State of Utah in the creative process that is science through educational outreach, hands-on exhibits, on-site programming and our IMAX and dome theatres.
Reviewed By saulgcullen - Ketchum, United States
Great place with some fascinating exhibits. As well as some good general science exhibits, there is a pretty rare moon sample. You’ll also find lots of cool meteorites!
9. Natural History Museum of Utah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,513 reviews
As the Utah state museum of natural history, this top attraction provides an introduction to the science in Utah's remarkable landscape! With engaging exhibits and over 5,000 artifacts on display, the Museum features Utah's paleontology discoveries, fascinating gems and minerals found world-wide, preserved artifacts from Utah's prehistoric peoples, and stories told by the five Native nations that lie within the state's boundaries. Journey to the top of a three-story indoor Canyon. Wander through Utah's dinosaurs and animal life. Interact with earthquakes, erosion, and our Digital Globe to discover how the earth's surface and the Great Salt Lake have changed over time. Enjoy breath-taking views from our observatory deck. Hike the Bonneville Shoreline trail. Experience natural history as only Utah can reveal it. Enjoy beverages, lunch or a snack at the Museum Cafe. Shop the Museum Store for unique jewelry and gift items influenced by nature's design. Visitors with young kids will enjoy Our Backyard, an intimate, discovery-based environment that invites our pre-school visitors to experience natural history first hand!
Reviewed By lizw2014 - Foresthill, United States
Excellent experience for all ages! Wonderful interactive exhibits and the kids loved the dinosaur area so much. Highly recommend this museum for anyone interested in learning about Utah and the west.
10. City Creek Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 636 reviews
City Creek Center is Utah's premier shopping and dining destination offering 110 stores and restaurants, including Nordstrom, Macy's, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Free People, Anthropologie, Kendra Scott, Salomon, Fabletics, Coach, Michael Kors and more. Visitor amenities are available at our Customer Service desk that include bus/TRAX route information, local event and attraction information, complimentary wheelchairs, special shopping packages available with partnering hotels and much more. If you are visiting City Creek Center from more than 50 miles away, we will provide you with a complimentary Passport to Shopping booklet with a special collection of savings and offers from select retailers and restaurants.
Reviewed By Meander797335
This mall is an indoor/outdoor mall with many high end shops. We enjoyed the Disney store because it was large with an excellent selection.
