Salt Lake City Things to Do: Best Attractions and Areas

Quick answer

Salt Lake City is best navigated via the TRAX light rail system (Free Fare Zone downtown) and concentrated around Temple Square, Capitol Hill, and the University district. Major sights like the Utah State Capitol and City Creek Center are free, while paid attractions like the Natural History Museum of Utah ($23/£18) and Red Butte Garden ($16/£13) require 2-4 hours each. Visit between May and September for hiking or December to March for access to nearby ski resorts like Park City and Alta.

Top things to do in Salt Lake City

Downtown & Temple Square

Temple Square As the headquarters of the LDS Church, this 10-acre complex is the city's geographical and cultural centre. While the main Salt Lake Temple is undergoing renovation until 2026, visitors can access the Tabernacle (home to the Tabernacle Choir), the Assembly Hall, and two visitor centres. The gardens are meticulously maintained and free to enter.

• Worth it because: It is the primary historical site of the city's founding.
• Price: Free (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Morning to avoid crowds.
• Duration: 1-2 hours.
• Skippable: No.

FamilySearch Library Located just west of Temple Square, this is one of the largest genealogical libraries in the world. It provides free access to billions of records and professional assistance for tracing ancestry.

• Worth it because: High-tech discovery stations make family history accessible even for beginners.
• Price: Free (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Afternoon.
• Duration: 1.5-3 hours.
• Skippable: Yes, if you have no interest in genealogy.

City Creek Center This open-air shopping centre features a retractable roof and a man-made creek that mimics the real City Creek. It connects Temple Square to the rest of downtown via a glass skybridge over Main Street.

• Worth it because: The architectural design includes a 1,200-foot long creek and fountain shows.
• Price: Free entry (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Evening for fountain shows.
• Duration: 1 hour.
• Skippable: Yes.

Capitol Hill & Marmalade District

Utah State Capitol This Neoclassical building sits on a hill overlooking the valley. The interior features Georgia marble, a massive rotunda, and murals depicting Utah's history. The grounds are particularly popular in spring when cherry blossoms bloom.

• Worth it because: One of the most prominent examples of Renaissance Revival architecture in the US.
• Price: Free (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Late afternoon for views of the sunset over the Oquirrh Mountains.
• Duration: 1 hour.
• Skippable: No.

Ensign Peak Park A short but steep 1.6-kilometre (1 mile) return hike starting just above the Capitol. It offers the most accessible panoramic view of the Salt Lake Valley, the Great Salt Lake, and the Kennecott Copper Mine.

• Worth it because: Best effort-to-reward ratio for a viewpoint in the city.
• Price: Free.
• Best time: Sunset.
• Duration: 45-60 minutes.
• Skippable: No.

University District & Foothills

Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) Housed in the Rio Tinto Center, the building itself is integrated into the foothills of the Wasatch Range. The museum features a massive collection of dinosaur fossils found within Utah's borders.

• Worth it because: The 'Past Worlds' exhibit is a world-class display of palaeontology.
• Price: $22.95 (approx. £18) (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Morning at opening to beat school groups.
• Duration: 2-3 hours.
• Skippable: No.

Red Butte Garden Located adjacent to the NHMU, this botanical garden and arboretum features themed gardens and several miles of hiking trails through the sagebrush foothills.

• Worth it because: The terraced gardens provide a quiet escape with views of the valley.
• Price: $16 (approx. £13) (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Early morning in summer to avoid heat.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Skippable: Yes.

This Is The Place Heritage Park A living history museum at the foot of the mountains marking the spot where Brigham Young reportedly stated the pioneers had arrived at their destination. It features a pioneer village with live demonstrations.

• Worth it because: Interactive look at 19th-century frontier life.
• Price: $18.95 (approx. £15) (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Morning.
• Duration: 2-4 hours.
• Skippable: Yes.

Central City & Liberty Park

Liberty Park & Tracy Aviary The city’s oldest and largest public park. Inside the park, Tracy Aviary is one of the oldest bird zoos in the US, housing over 400 birds across 8 acres.

• Worth it because: Central location for walking, people-watching, and bird conservation.
• Price: Park is free; Aviary is $12.95 (approx. £10.50) (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Sundays for the local drum circle or weekday mornings for the Aviary.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Skippable: Yes.

The Leonardo A contemporary museum focused on the intersection of science, technology, and art, located next to the main Public Library.

• Worth it because: Highly interactive exhibits suitable for adults and children.
• Price: $15 (approx. £12) (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: Mid-day.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Skippable: Yes.

Outside the Centre

Great Salt Lake (Antelope Island State Park) Located about 65 kilometres (40 miles) north of downtown. This is the best place to actually experience the lake, see free-roaming bison, and see the white sand beaches.

• Worth it because: The landscapes are unlike anything else in the continental US.
• Price: $15 per vehicle (approx. £12) (estimate; check official site before you go).
• Best time: All day; stay for sunset.
• Duration: 4-6 hours (including travel).
• Skippable: No.

Common mistakes

• Underestimating the altitude: Salt Lake City is 1,320 metres (4,327 feet) above sea level. Drink double the water you usually do to avoid headaches and fatigue.
• Ignoring the Free Fare Zone: You do not need to pay for the TRAX light rail or buses if you are staying within the downtown boundary (from 400 South to North Temple). Look for the signs at stations.
• Assuming the lake is right downtown: The Great Salt Lake is roughly 25-30 minutes away by car. The water visible from downtown is usually just ponds or the Jordan River.
• Forgetting Sunday closures: Many local restaurants and shops downtown close on Sundays. National chains and major attractions like Temple Square remain open, but check smaller venues in advance.
• Not checking Temple Square construction: Large sections of the main square are behind hoardings until at least 2026. Use the Conference Center roof for the best views of the grounds during this time.

FAQ

Is Salt Lake City walkable? The downtown core is walkable with wide pavements, but the blocks are unusually long (approx. 200 metres each). Use the TRAX light rail for distances greater than four blocks.

How to get from SLC airport to downtown? The Green Line TRAX train departs every 15 minutes on weekdays and takes about 20 minutes to reach the city centre. A one-way ticket is $2.50 (approx. £2).

Can you swim in the Great Salt Lake? Yes, at Antelope Island or Black Rock. The water is significantly saltier than the ocean, making you extremely buoyant. Note that brine flies are common on the shoreline during summer.

What is the best month to visit Salt Lake City? September offers mild temperatures (20-25°C) and clear skies for hiking. For skiing, late January to early March provides the most reliable snow base.

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