Salt Lake City Itinerary: 3 Days in the Crossroads of the West

Quick answer

Salt Lake City is best visited between June and September for hiking or December to March for skiing. A 3-day trip costs approximately $650–$900 (£515–£715) per person including mid-range accommodation. Key sights include the Utah State Capitol, Temple Square, and Antelope Island State Park.

Trip summary

• Duration: 3 Days
• Traveler type: Families, outdoor enthusiasts, and history seekers
• Pace: Moderate
• Approximate daily budget: $220–$300 (£175–£240)
• Best season: Late spring (May) or early autumn (September)

Day 1: Downtown and Capitol Hill

Morning: Start at Temple Square. While the Salt Lake Temple is undergoing renovation through 2026, the grounds and Conference Centre remain open for free tours. Walk 10 minutes north to the Utah State Capitol. This Corinthian-style building offers free self-guided tours between 8:00 and 17:00. Note the marble rotunda and the murals depicting Utah history.

Afternoon: Walk 15 minutes east to Memory Grove Park at the base of City Creek Canyon. Continue to City Creek Centre, an open-air mall with a retractable roof. Eat at White Horse Spirits & Kitchen on Main Street, ordering the wagyu carpaccio or smoked trout. Take the TRAX Blue or Green line (Free Fare Zone) between locations to save time.

Evening: Head to the Gateway District. Visit The Depot for live music or Clark Planetarium, which has free exhibits. Dine at HallPass, a food hall with options like SkinnyFATS or Colossal Lobster. Total walking for the day is roughly 4-5 kilometres.

This sequence follows a direct north-to-south line through the historic core to minimise backtracking and capitalise on the downtown free transit zone.

Day 2: Nature and Great Salt Lake

Morning: Rent a car for the 65-kilometre drive north to Antelope Island State Park ($15/£12 per vehicle). Drive the causeway to see bison herds and pronghorn antelope. Hike the 6.5-kilometre Buffalo Point Trail for views of the salt flats. The drive takes roughly 60 minutes from downtown.

Afternoon: Return toward the city and stop at the Great Salt Lake Marina. Walk the shoreline to see the Pavilion at Saltair. Afterwards, drive to the Red Butte Garden near the University of Utah. Admission is approximately $16 (£13). Explore the floral walkways and the adjacent Natural History Museum of Utah, housed in a copper-clad building designed to mimic the geology of the region.

Evening: Explore the 9th and 9th neighbourhood. This area is less tourist-centric than downtown. Eat at Pago for farm-to-table seasonal dishes. Walk the nearby streets to browse locally-owned shops like The King's English Bookshop.

This sequence uses the morning for the furthest point (Antelope Island) to avoid midday heat and afternoon traffic, returning to the eastern benches for sunset views.

Day 3: Olympic History and Park City

Morning: Drive 40 minutes east on I-80 to Park City. Visit the Utah Olympic Park, site of the 2002 Winter Games. Entry to the Alf Engen Ski Museum is free; guided tours and bobsled rides carry additional fees (approximately $100/£80 for bobsledding). Watch athletes train on the freestyle ski jumps into water pools during summer months.

Afternoon: Head to Park City Main Street. Use the free Main Street Trolley to navigate the steep incline. Visit the Park City Museum ($15/£12) to learn about the town’s origins as a silver mining camp. Eat at High West Saloon, the world’s only ski-in distillery, and try the bison chilli.

Evening: Return to Salt Lake City. Finish the trip at the Leonardo Museum of Creativity and Innovation downtown. For a final meal, visit Red Iguana on West North Temple, famous for its seven types of mole sauce. Expect a 30-40 minute wait as they do not take reservations for small groups.

This sequence groups the mountain attractions together to justify the 80-kilometre round-trip drive from the city centre.

Estimated costs

Prices are estimates based on 2024 data; check the official site before you go.

Reservations to book ahead

• Rental Car: Essential for Day 2 and 3; book at least 3 weeks out for the best rates at SLC International Airport.
• High West Saloon: Book tables 2 weeks in advance via their website, especially during winter ski season.
• Tabernacle Choir Rehearsals: If visiting on a Thursday, check the official Temple Square site to confirm public rehearsal times (usually 19:30).
• Utah Olympic Park Activities: Bobsled and extreme tubing slots sell out quickly in summer and winter.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring the altitude: The city sits at 1,320 metres (4,327 feet). Drink double the water you normally would to avoid headaches and fatigue.
• Liquor law confusion: Utah laws have changed, but you must still order food to be served a drink at a 'restaurant'. 'Bars' do not require food orders, but you must be 21+ and show a physical ID/passport.
• Underestimating Sunday closures: Many downtown shops and local restaurants close on Sundays. National chains and mountain resort areas remain open.
• Skipping the salt: Many visitors stay downtown and never actually see the Great Salt Lake. It is a 20-minute drive west; the lake is not visible from the city centre buildings.

Plan your trip

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FAQ

How to get from SLC airport to downtown? Take the TRAX Green Line light rail directly from the airport terminal to the city centre. It costs $2.50 (£2) and takes about 20 minutes.

Is Temple Square currently open? Major construction is ongoing. The Temple itself is closed, but the Tabernacle, Conference Centre, and Family Search Centre are open to the public.

Do I need a car in Salt Lake City? For downtown (Day 1), no. For Antelope Island and Park City (Days 2-3), a car is highly recommended as public transport options to these areas are limited or time-consuming.

What is the best month to visit Salt Lake City? September is ideal for pleasant 20-25°C temperatures and clear hiking trails without the summer crowd peaks or winter snow closures.