Salt Lake City Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Salt Lake City, Utah — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Salt Lake City

• Temple Square. The most-visited attraction in Utah, this 35-acre campus is anchored by the soaring Salt Lake Temple and the domed Tabernacle — free guided tours run in over 40 languages. The Salt Lake Temple public open house is scheduled April 5 to October 1, 2027, with reservations opening September 1, 2026.
• Natural History Museum of Utah. Set in the striking Rio Tinto Center on the University of Utah foothills, this 163,000-square-foot museum holds the world's most extensive collection of horned dinosaur fossils alongside deep exhibitions on Utah's geology, ancient cultures, and ecosystems. Open daily; extended hours on Wednesdays until 9 p.m.
• Antelope Island State Park & Great Salt Lake. Reachable via a seven-mile causeway, Antelope Island floats in the hypersaline Great Salt Lake — home to free-roaming bison herds, pronghorn, bobcats, and migratory shorebirds by the millions. The buoyant water lets you float effortlessly, and the island's beaches offer otherworldly sunsets over the Wasatch.
• Snowbird Ski Resort & Aerial Tram. Just 27 miles southeast of the airport in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird offers world-class skiing on up to 3,240 acres of Wasatch powder — often open into May or June. In summer the aerial tram whisks visitors to 11,000-foot Hidden Peak in 10 minutes for panoramic views, alpine hiking, and a mountain coaster.
• Utah Olympic Park. Built for the 2002 Winter Games, this 400-acre Park City venue — just 25 miles from downtown SLC — lets visitors ride the Comet Bobsled at 60-plus mph, fly down ziplines, tackle a ropes course, and tour the Alf Engen Ski Museum and the Eccles 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum (both free). Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Bonneville Salt Flats. Roughly 120 miles west of Salt Lake City via I-80, this 46-square-mile expanse of blinding white crust — famous for land-speed records — creates a surreal mirror effect after light rainfall and makes for extraordinary, perspective-bending photography. Free to visit, managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
• Red Butte Garden & Outdoor Amphitheatre. A 100-acre botanical garden on the University of Utah foothills, Red Butte showcases native Utah flora with canyon-and-city views from every terrace. Its 3,000-capacity outdoor amphitheatre — voted Salt Lake's best by both Salt Lake City Weekly and Salt Lake Magazine — hosts a celebrated summer concert series running…
• Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA). On the University of Utah campus, UMFA houses nearly 20,000 original works spanning ancient Egyptian objects to contemporary painting, sculpture, and photography — all free the first Wednesday and third Saturday of every month. Easily reached on the TRAX Red Line.

Best time to visit Salt Lake City

May-June or September-October (spring and early fall shoulder seasons). Shoulder seasons offer comfortable temperatures (65-79 F average highs), fewer crowds than peak summer or ski season, and lower accommodation rates. Ideal for outdoor hiking in the Wasatch, sightseeing at Temple Square, and attending cultural festivals. Fall through spring is also recommended by AAA for those who want to combine city visits with skiing

Salt Lake City weather by month

Getting to Salt Lake City

TRAX light rail (operated by UTA) runs 45 miles across Salt Lake County on three lines with 50 stations, connecting the airport directly to downtown, Temple Square, the University of Utah, and beyond. A single fare covers buses and FrontRunner commuter rail too. Buy tickets via the UTA app. Service runs daily; 15-minute headways on weekdays, 30 minutes on Sundays. The Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) sits just a few miles west of downtown and connects directly to the city center via TRAX Blue Line. Journey time is roughly 20 minutes and costs a standard transit fare — far cheaper and often faster than a rideshare during peak hours.

• SLC Salt Lake City International Airport — 20 min drive
• OGD Ogden-Hinckley Airport — 45 min drive
• PVU Provo Municipal Airport — 50 min drive

Where to stay in Salt Lake City

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Downtown Salt Lake City. The city's most walkable and transit-connected neighborhood puts Temple Square, the Eccles Theater, major museums, the Gallivan Center, and dozens of restaurants within easy reach. TRAX light rail connects directly to the airport, ski resort shuttles, and… Good for: First-timers, business travelers, culture-seekers, anyone car-free.
• The Avenues & Capitol Hill. Rising above downtown along the Wasatch foothills, this historic enclave of Victorian homes, charming B&Bs, and quiet tree-lined streets offers mountain views and a slower pace just minutes from Temple Square. Trail access from the doorstep makes it ideal… Good for: Couples, history lovers, hikers seeking a quieter residential feel.
• Sugar House. One of Salt Lake City's oldest and most characterful neighborhoods, Sugar House blends a walkable main street of indie cafes, restaurants, and boutiques with easy access to both downtown (15 minutes) and the Cottonwood Canyon trailheads. The vibe is… Good for: Outdoor enthusiasts, repeat visitors, families, those wanting a neighborhood feel over a hotel corridor.
• University District / Millcreek. Clustered around the University of Utah campus, this area sits at the mouth of the canyons and is walking distance from the Natural History Museum of Utah, Red Butte Garden, and the TRAX Red Line. Millcreek itself is an emerging food-and-adventure corridor… Good for: Skiers, hikers, museum-goers, families visiting the University of Utah.
• Granary District / Central 9th (Post District). Salt Lake City's most creative and fastest-evolving zone occupies repurposed industrial buildings south of downtown, with craft breweries, climbing gyms, murals, vinyl shops, and the city's most forward-leaning restaurants. Best for visitors who want… Good for: Young travelers, foodies, nightlife seekers, creative types.

Where to eat in Salt Lake City

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• Red Iguana. Fairpark / North Temple · Mexican — Salt Lake City's most celebrated Mexican restaurant for over 25 consecutive years, famous for more than 10 distinct mole sauces — from earthy negro to fruity…
• Takashi. Downtown · Japanese / sushi — Chef-owner Takashi Gibo pushes contemporary Japanese cuisine with inventive rolls, pristine sashimi, and playful small plates in a buzzy downtown room. Long regarded as…
• Valter's Osteria. Downtown (Broadway) · Italian — Widely considered Salt Lake City's premier Italian restaurant, Valter's offers handmade pastas, tableside preparations, and ancestral family recipes in a warmly lit…
• Urban Hill. Post District · American / vegetable-forward — A cornerstone of the emerging Post District, Urban Hill earns praise for its skillet rolls, harissa-roasted carrots, and a thoughtful cocktail program…
• Siegfried's Delicatessen. 20 W 200 S · 4.7★ (3,327 reviews)
• The Bayou. 645 S State St · 4.6★ (3,965 reviews)
• Caffé Molise. 404 S W Temple St · 4.5★ (3,740 reviews)
• The Dodo Restaurant. 1355 E 2100 S · 4.4★ (3,961 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• HSL. Downtown · New American — A sleek, moody dinner-only spot celebrated for its pork shank with apple butter, innovative cocktails, and a deliberately edited menu that highlights seasonal Utah…
• Ruth's Diner. Emigration Canyon · American diner — Utah's second-oldest operating restaurant (est. 1930) occupies a vintage trolley car tucked into scenic Emigration Canyon, eight miles from downtown. A beloved…
• Pretty Bird Hot Chicken. Downtown / Sugar House · Nashville hot chicken — The restaurant that changed Salt Lake City's fast-casual scene: spiced, fried chicken sandwiches in five heat levels from 'Country' to 'Shut the…
• Cosmica. Central 9th · Italian / Neapolitan pizza — A playful diner-aesthetic Italian spot in the Central 9th neighborhood serving wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and fresh-made pastas. Neighborhood-cool vibe…
• Gourmandise. 250 S 300 E · 4.5★ (5,654 reviews)
• Eva's Bakery. 155 S Main St · 4.7★ (2,416 reviews)
• Délice French Bakery & Café. 2747 S State St · 4.6★ (1,957 reviews)
• Coffee Garden. 878 E 900 S · 4.6★ (1,599 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• Table X. Millcreek · New American (tasting menu) — A rustic wood-barn setting frames five- or seven-course seasonal tasting menus built almost entirely from the restaurant's own 13-bed on-site garden and…
• The Copper Onion. Downtown · American brasserie — A downtown anchor since 2010, known for housemade pastas, ricotta dumplings, sustainably sourced ingredients, and a thoughtful wine list. Serves weekday lunch,…
• Log Haven. 6451 Mill Creek Canyon Rd · 4.6★ (1,946 reviews)
• Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. 20 S 400 W #2020 · 4.5★ (1,947 reviews)
• La Caille Restaurant. 9565 Wasatch Blvd · 4.5★ (1,736 reviews)
• Tuscany Restaurant. 2832 E 6200 S · 4.5★ (1,572 reviews)
• Tiburon. 8256 S 700 E · 4.7★ (1,055 reviews)
• The Capital Grille. 40 E 100 S #100 · 4.7★ (1,028 reviews)

A 7-Day Salt Lake City Plan

1. Day 1 — Sacred Heart of the City. Begin at Temple Square, the spiritual and architectural centerpiece of Salt Lake City — explore the beautifully landscaped grounds, the Tabernacle, and the visitor centers at your own pace. The sweeping views of the Wasatch Range from the square set the tone for the week ahead. Walk…
2. Day 2 — Ancient Seas & Desert Skies. Spend the morning at the Natural History Museum of Utah, one of the finest natural history museums in the American West — its dinosaur hall and Native Cultures galleries alone justify a dedicated half-day. The building itself, perched on the University foothill, frames panoramic…
3. Day 3 — Alpine Peaks & Canyon Air. Drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon — one of the most dramatic gorges along the Wasatch Front — and hike the Lake Blanche Trail, a moderately strenuous route that rewards with stunning cirque lake views above 8,000 feet. Pack layers; temperatures drop sharply with elevation even in…
4. Day 4 — Speed, Snow & Olympic Legacy. Drive 30 minutes to Utah Olympic Park in Park City, the training facility built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Take a guided tour of the ski jumps and bobsled facilities, watch athletes train on the Nordic jumps, and try the exhilarating public bobsled or zip-line experience. Head…
5. Day 5 — Green Lungs & Local Rhythms. Spend a leisurely morning in Liberty Park, Salt Lake City's largest urban park — rent a paddleboat on the pond, visit the Tracy Aviary inside the park grounds, or simply walk the mature tree-lined paths as the city wakes up around you. Return to Red Butte Garden for a longer…
6. Day 6 — High Desert, Vast & Timeless. Make an early start for the Bonneville Salt Flats, roughly 100 miles west of Salt Lake City on I-80 — the drive itself is a meditation in scale and silence. Walk out onto the crystalline crust of ancient Lake Bonneville, where the horizon disappears in every direction and the sky…
7. Day 7 — Neighborhood Farewell & Lasting Flavors. Revisit the 9th & 9th neighborhood in full daylight for unhurried shopping at its independent bookstores, clothing boutiques, and specialty food shops. Grab brunch at Eggs in the City or Laziz Kitchen — both are SLC institutions worth a final morning visit. Use the…

Events & festivals in Salt Lake City

• Living Traditions Festival (May (mid-May, 3 days; 2026 edition: May 15-17)). Free annual multicultural festival produced by Salt Lake City Arts Council at the Civic Center (Library Square and Washington Square). Features 90+ cultural communities sharing traditional music, dance, crafts, and food.
• Utah Pride Festival (Early June (2026 edition: June 5-7, parade June 6)). Annual LGBTQ+ pride festival and parade hosted by Utah Pride Center at Washington Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Draws 40,000+ attendees, one of the largest pride festivals in the American West.
• Utah Arts Festival (Late June (2026 edition: June 18-21)). Largest outdoor multidisciplinary arts event in Utah, held at Library Square and City & County Building. Features visual arts, live music, dance, film, literary arts, and culinary arts; 35,000+ attendees. In its 50th…
• Days of '47 Parade and Rodeo (July 24 (Pioneer Day, Utah state holiday)). Commemorates the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The parade is one of the oldest in the country; the Utah Days of '47 Rodeo is a concurrent multi-day event. The parade tradition…
• Salt Lake City Greek Festival (September (2026 edition: September 11-13)). Annual 3-day cultural festival hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 279 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City. 50th anniversary in 2026; claims to be the largest Greek festival west of the Mississippi, drawing…

Salt Lake City travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Salt Lake City?

May-June or September-October (spring and early fall shoulder seasons).

What are the top things to do in Salt Lake City?

Top experiences include Temple Square, Natural History Museum of Utah, Antelope Island State Park & Great Salt Lake, Snowbird Ski Resort & Aerial Tram, Utah Olympic Park.

Which airport is closest to Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the nearest, about 20 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Salt Lake City?

Popular areas to base yourself include Downtown Salt Lake City, The Avenues & Capitol Hill, Sugar House, University District / Millcreek.

How do I get around Salt Lake City?

TRAX light rail (operated by UTA) runs 45 miles across Salt Lake County on three lines with 50 stations, connecting the airport directly to downtown, Temple Square, the University of Utah, and beyond.