Salt Lake City with Kids: Family Travel Guide

Quick answer

For a family trip to Salt Lake City, base yourself in Sugar House for park access or Downtown for proximity to the Free Fare Zone. Spend $30–$45 USD per person per day on attractions like Discovery Gateway and Red Butte Garden, and use the TRAX light rail Green Line for direct airport access.

Where to stay

Downtown is the most practical location for families relying on public transport. The Free Fare Zone allows you to travel between Temple Square, City Creek Center, and the Vivint Arena without buying tickets. Choose hotels like the Grand America for its large indoor pool and on-site toy shop, or the Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Downtown for suites with full kitchens.

Sugar House provides a residential feel near the 110-acre Sugar House Park. It is less suited for those without a car, but the S-Line streetcar connects the neighbourhood to the wider TRAX network. Staying here places you within walking distance of Liberty Park, which contains the Tracy Aviary and a large playground.

Attractions by age group

Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 0-5)

• Discovery Gateway Children's Museum: Located at The Gateway, tickets cost approximately $15 USD. The 'Honey Climber' and 'Saving Lives' helicopter exhibit are designed for high-energy play.
• Tracy Aviary: Situated in Liberty Park, admission is around $13 USD for adults and $9 USD for children. The 'Pelican Pond' and daily bird shows are manageable for short attention spans.
• Clark Planetarium: Entry to the exhibits is free, though IMAX and dome shows cost roughly $7–$9 USD. The interactive weather and space displays are tactile and durable.

School-age Children (Ages 6-12)

• Natural History Museum of Utah: Located at the University of Utah, tickets are approximately $20 USD. The 'Past Worlds' gallery features dozens of dinosaur skeletons found in the region.
• Hogle Zoo: Expect to pay $17–$21 USD depending on the season. The 'Rocky Shores' exhibit features polar bears and sea lions with underwater viewing glass.
• This Is The Place Heritage Park: Admission is roughly $16 USD. Children can ride ponies, pan for gold, and visit a working blacksmith shop.

Teenagers (Ages 13+)

• Olympic Park (Park City): A 30-minute drive from the city. The summer bobsled experience and extreme zip lines cost between $50 and $100 USD.
• The Leonardo: A science and art museum in Downtown with rotating exhibits on forensics and animation. Tickets are approximately $15 USD.
• Utah State Capitol: Free to enter. The architecture and marble hallways provide good photography opportunities.

Transport and practicality

Public transport

Salt Lake City's TRAX light rail is stroller-friendly with level boarding at most stations. The FrontRunner commuter rail connects to Ogden and Provo but runs less frequently on weekends. A day pass for all local transit costs $5.00 USD. Children under age 5 ride free. The Free Fare Zone downtown covers most major central hotels and the City Creek shopping district.

Stroller accessibility

Sidewalks in Salt Lake City are exceptionally wide, often 132 feet (40 metres) across, making them easy to navigate with double strollers. However, the steep incline leading up to the State Capitol and the Natural History Museum requires significant effort.

Food for children

HallPass at The Gateway is a food hall where families can choose from different vendors like Blaze Pizza or ramen stalls while sitting at the same table. Crown Burgers is a local chain serving pastrami-topped burgers and thick milkshakes; it is casual and fast. For a sit-down meal, The Old Spaghetti Factory offers reliable kids' menus and seating inside a converted trolley car. Visit Nielsen’s Frozen Custard for high-density ice cream, a local staple since 1981.

Contingency plans

• Heat: July and August temperatures frequently exceed 35°C (95°F). Head to the City Creek Center splash pads or the Seven Peaks Waterpark. The Natural History Museum is heavily air-conditioned and built into the mountainside, keeping it cooler.
• Rain: The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper is entirely indoors and approximately 20 minutes south of downtown. It features a shark tunnel and rainforest habitats.
• Naps: The Main Library downtown is an architectural landmark with a dedicated children’s floor and quiet reading nooks. If you are in a car, the drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon takes 40 minutes and offers scenic views while children sleep.

Sample family day

• 09:00: Breakfast at Penny Ann’s Cafe for 'Heavenly Hotcakes'.
• 10:30: Take the TRAX Red Line to the University of Utah for the Natural History Museum of Utah. Spend 2-3 hours here.
• 13:00: Picnic lunch at Red Butte Garden, located directly next to the museum.
• 15:00: Return downtown to Temple Square to see the gardens and the Tabernacle (free entry).
• 16:30: Walk to City Creek Center to watch the choreographed fountain show (runs on the hour).
• 18:00: Dinner at Squatters Pub Brewery which is surprisingly kid-friendly with a robust children's menu.

Costs and health

• Dining: A meal at a casual restaurant costs $15–$25 USD per adult; kids' meals are typically $8–$12 USD.
• Groceries: Smith’s and Harmons are the primary supermarkets. Harmons Downtown has a high-quality deli section for ready-to-eat meals.
• Altitude: Salt Lake City is 1,288 metres (4,226 feet) above sea level. Ensure children drink extra water to prevent altitude headaches.
• Safety: The downtown area is generally safe, but exercise caution around the Pioneer Park area at night.

Common mistakes

• Underestimating distances: While the blocks look small on a map, Salt Lake City blocks are some of the largest in the US. A two-block walk takes much longer than expected.
• Visiting Temple Square on Sundays: While the grounds are open, many surrounding amenities and restaurants close or have limited hours on Sundays.
• Forgetting sunscreen: The high altitude increases UV exposure even on cloudy days.
• Skipping the Free Fare Zone: Many visitors pay for Ubers to travel short distances within the downtown core that are covered by free light rail.
• Ignoring the S-Line: If staying in Sugar House, use the streetcar rather than trying to find street parking downtown.

Plan your trip

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