Beyond the table.
Five world-class ski resorts. World-famous dinosaur museums. The Great Salt Lake. A thriving arts and culture scene. Salt Lake City packs more into one destination than almost anywhere in the West.
Ski resorts
Five world-class mountains within 45 minutesPark City Mountain Resort
North America's largest ski resort spans 7,300 acres across two former resorts connected by the Epic Pass. Over 330 trails, 41 lifts, and two mountain villages make it the crown jewel of Utah skiing, just 35 minutes from downtown SLC. World-class terrain for every level — from Payday beginner runs to the steep chutes of Murdoch's Run.
Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
One of Utah's most iconic resorts, Snowbird drops 3,240 vertical feet across 3,240 acres of Wasatch terrain. The resort averages 500 inches of annual snowfall — among the deepest in North America. In summer, it transforms into a mountain biking, hiking, and aerial tram destination with jaw-dropping canyon views.
Alta Ski Area
Alta is a skier-only resort (no snowboards) with a legendary reputation for the Greatest Snow on Earth. Operating since 1938, it maintains old-school mountain culture while delivering consistently deep powder on 2,600 acres. The resort's Alta/Snowbird interconnect gives skiers access to nearly 5,000 acres across two mountains.
Brighton Ski Resort
Brighton has been the family-friendly resort of choice for Utahns since 1936. With 1,050 skiable acres, reasonable lift ticket prices, and excellent beginner terrain, it's the best place to learn to ski or snowboard in Utah. Night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays is a local favorite — and it's one of only two resorts in Utah to allow snowboards.
Solitude Mountain Resort
True to its name, Solitude offers some of the best uncrowded skiing in Utah on 1,200 acres with 77 runs and an excellent Nordic center. Strong intermediate and advanced terrain, shorter lift lines than its neighbors, and a charming European-style village set it apart. The Honeycomb Canyon area is among the best in-bounds powder stashes in the Wasatch.
Culture & museums
Free cathedrals to world-class dinosaursTemple Square
The spiritual and architectural heart of Salt Lake City, Temple Square is the most visited tourist attraction in Utah with over 5 million visitors annually. The 35-acre complex includes the iconic Salt Lake Temple (currently undergoing renovation), the Tabernacle — home to the world-famous Choir at Temple Square — the North Visitors' Center, and beautifully manicured gardens. Admission is free for all.
Natural History Museum of Utah
Utah sits atop one of the world's richest dinosaur fossil beds, and this stunning Rio Tinto Center is the best place to see them. The Past Worlds gallery features 17 full-scale dinosaur mounts including Allosaurus and Utahraptor. The Native Voices exhibit highlights the living cultures of Utah's Indigenous peoples. Considered one of the top five natural history museums in the United States.
Clark Planetarium
Salt Lake City's Clark Planetarium delivers immersive space experiences in the heart of downtown. The main exhibit floor is free and features interactive hands-on science displays exploring the solar system, black holes, and Utah's space heritage. The 3D IMAX dome theater screens both educational astronomical shows and Hollywood films on a massive curved screen.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
The state's comprehensive art museum houses a permanent collection of over 19,000 works spanning 5,000 years of human creativity — from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary Utah artists. The Dumke Gallery of Utah Art celebrates the state's rich artistic heritage. First Thursdays offer extended evening hours with live music and special programming.
Cathedral of the Madeleine
Salt Lake City's most architecturally stunning church, the Cathedral of the Madeleine is a Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece built between 1900 and 1909. The interior features hand-carved Indiana limestone, stunning stained glass windows, and original murals. The cathedral hosts internationally recognized musical performances, including its beloved Christmas concerts — all free and open to the public.
Outdoors & nature
The lake, the canyons, the gardensTracy Aviary & Botanical Garden
Established in 1938, Tracy Aviary is the nation's oldest municipal aviary, housing over 140 species of birds from around the world. Located within the lush grounds of Liberty Park, the recently expanded facility includes a flamingo lagoon, free-flight experiences, and beautifully landscaped botanical gardens. The keeper talks and bird encounters make it a memorable experience for all ages.
Utah Hogle Zoo
Home to over 800 animals across 42 acres, Utah Hogle Zoo is Salt Lake City's beloved wildlife destination. The Rocky Shores exhibit immerses visitors in Pacific Northwest habitats with polar bears, sea lions, and harbor seals. The African Savanna and giraffe feeding experience are perennial highlights. The zoo's conservation programs actively protect endangered species worldwide.
Great Salt Lake State Park
One of Earth's great natural wonders, the Great Salt Lake is 3–5 times saltier than the ocean, making floating effortless. Great Salt Lake State Park provides the best access for swimming, kayaking, and birdwatching — over 7 million migratory birds visit annually. The surreal glittering flats and vivid pink-hued water (from halophilic algae) create unforgettable sunsets.
Antelope Island State Park
The largest island in the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island is home to a free-roaming bison herd of 700+ animals — one of the largest publicly owned herds in the US. Stunning 360° views of the lake, the Wasatch, and the Oquirrh Mountains reward hikers on the Frary Peak Trail. The island also hosts pronghorn antelope, mule deer, coyotes, and abundant shorebirds.
Liberty Park
Salt Lake City's most beloved urban park spans 80 acres in the heart of the city. Liberty Park features a large pond with paddleboat rentals, extensive walking and running paths, tennis courts, playgrounds, an amusement park for kids, and the adjacent Tracy Aviary. It's the city's premier gathering space for festivals, concerts, and summer outdoor activities.
Red Butte Garden
A 100-acre botanical garden perched on the foothills of the University of Utah campus, Red Butte offers manicured formal gardens, wild hillside trails, and panoramic city views. The summer outdoor amphitheater concert series draws headlining national acts from June through September. The 4-acre floral garden and 5-acre fragrance garden are peak beauty in May and June.
Millcreek Canyon
One of the most accessible canyons from the city, Millcreek offers 200+ miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking from spring through fall, plus groomed cross-country ski trails in winter. Dog-friendly on alternating days. Donut Falls (easy, 1.8 miles) is among the most popular family hikes in the Wasatch. The Big Water Trail offers advanced mountain biking terrain.
Entertainment
Game nights and Broadway runsVivint Arena
Home to the Utah Jazz NBA team, Vivint Arena is the premier entertainment venue in Salt Lake City, hosting 180+ events annually. Beyond Jazz games, the arena brings in major concert tours, the Utah Grizzlies AHL hockey team, and large-scale entertainment events. The 18,000-seat venue is walking distance from dozens of downtown restaurants and bars — perfect for a pre-game dinner.
Eccles Theater
Salt Lake City's premier performing arts venue, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater opened in 2016 as the centerpiece of the downtown arts district. The 2,500-seat main theater hosts Broadway touring productions, comedy shows, and major musical acts. The venue's state-of-the-art acoustics and sight lines have earned national recognition.
Gallivan Center
Downtown's open-air gathering place hosts free outdoor events year-round — summer concert series (Twilight Concert Series), food truck festivals, and outdoor movie nights in warm weather; a popular ice skating rink in winter. Located steps from City Creek shopping and TRAX light rail, the Gallivan Center anchors Salt Lake's vibrant downtown social scene.
Pioneer Park Farmers Market
Utah's largest and most beloved farmers market draws thousands of visitors each Saturday morning from June through October. Over 150 vendors fill Pioneer Park with fresh produce, locally raised meats, artisan foods, baked goods, handmade crafts, and live music. It's the best place to experience SLC's local food culture and meet the farmers and makers behind Utah's agricultural bounty.
Why Salt Lake is Utah's top destination
Salt Lake City sits at the intersection of two world-class travel experiences: the American West's most spectacular outdoor recreation and a sophisticated, fast-growing urban culture. Few cities can credibly claim both — and SLC does it better than almost anyone.
The mountain proximity is what draws most visitors first. Five ski resorts within 45 minutes of downtown, with over 500 collective inches of annual snowfall and terrain ranging from beginner-friendly runs at Brighton to the legendary expert chutes at Alta and Snowbird. The Greatest Snow on Earth isn't just a marketing slogan — Utah's dry, light powder is genuinely different from anywhere else in North America.
But Salt Lake's cultural offerings have expanded dramatically in the past decade. The Natural History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah is now considered among the top five natural history museums in the country. The Eccles Theater brought Broadway-caliber productions to a state-of-the-art downtown venue. Temple Square, meanwhile, draws more visitors annually than Yellowstone.
The result is a city that rewards multiple visit types: ski trips, family vacations, cultural weekends, outdoor adventure travel, and foodie explorations. With Salt Lake City International Airport expanding its direct connections and the city's hotel infrastructure growing rapidly, the access point for all of it has never been better.
Frequently asked questions
Things to do in SLCWhat are the best things to do in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City offers an extraordinary mix of outdoor adventure and urban culture. Top attractions include: world-class skiing at Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, or Solitude (35–40 min from downtown); Temple Square (Utah's most visited landmark); the Natural History Museum of Utah (world-class dinosaur exhibits); hiking in Millcreek Canyon; visiting Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park; floating in the Great Salt Lake; and catching a Utah Jazz game at Vivint Arena. The city's compact, walkable downtown makes it easy to combine multiple attractions in a single day.
What are the best hikes near Salt Lake City?
SLC offers some of the best urban hiking access in America. Top hikes include: Bonneville Shoreline Trail (easy, starts from city limits with panoramic valley views); Donut Falls in Millcreek Canyon (easy, 1.8-mile waterfall hike, great for families); Mount Olympus (strenuous, iconic summit overlooking SLC); Living Room Trail (easy–moderate, spectacular city view at the top); Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon (moderate, stunning alpine lake); and the Frary Peak Trail on Antelope Island (moderate, bison and lake views). Most canyon trailheads are within 30–45 minutes of downtown.
What ski resorts are near Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City is uniquely positioned within 45 minutes of five world-class ski resorts. In Little Cottonwood Canyon: Alta Ski Area (skiers only, legendary powder) and Snowbird (skiers and snowboarders, 3,240 acres). In Big Cottonwood Canyon: Brighton Resort (family-friendly, night skiing) and Solitude Mountain Resort (uncrowded, excellent terrain). In Park City: Park City Mountain Resort (North America's largest, 7,300 acres) and nearby Deer Valley (skiers only, luxury resort). UDOT's free ski bus service from downtown SLC eliminates parking hassles on powder days.
Is Temple Square free to visit?
Yes, Temple Square is free and open to all visitors. The 35-acre complex in downtown SLC includes the iconic Salt Lake Temple (currently under renovation), the historic Tabernacle, visitor centers, and beautifully landscaped gardens. Free tours are available every day. The Tabernacle hosts free Thursday rehearsals and Sunday broadcasts of the world-famous Choir at Temple Square — one of the most unique free experiences in SLC.
What are the best free attractions in Salt Lake City?
SLC has an impressive lineup of free attractions: Temple Square (historic religious complex), Liberty Park (80-acre urban park), Clark Planetarium main exhibits, Cathedral of the Madeleine (stunning Gothic architecture), the Utah Olympic Park museum, Pioneer Park Farmers Market (Saturday mornings), the Gallivan Center's outdoor events, and the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (miles of hiking right from the city). The Natural History Museum of Utah offers free admission for Utah residents with a library card.
What are the top family-friendly attractions in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City is a great family destination. Top picks: Natural History Museum of Utah (world-class dinosaur exhibits, all ages); Utah Hogle Zoo (800+ animals, giraffe feeding); Tracy Aviary (140+ bird species in Liberty Park); Clark Planetarium (free exhibits, IMAX dome); Utah Olympic Park (bobsled rides, free museum); Liberty Park (paddleboats, playgrounds, Tracy Aviary access); and Brighton Ski Resort for beginner ski/snowboard lessons. Most of these are clustered in the east side and downtown, making them easy to combine.
The Second Helping
One short letter a week — new openings, a dish worth crossing town for, and zero spam. Written by a local, not a feed.