Family fun · museums · parks · wildlife

Best family activities in Salt Lake City.

World-class museums, beloved parks, working farms, and a zoo — SLC is a wonderfully family-friendly city with plenty to keep every age group happy.

Top family activities in SLC

6 picks

Natural History Museum of Utah

★ 4.9University of UtahAll ages

A world-class natural history museum with stunning dinosaur exhibits, Native American collections, and interactive science displays. One of the best museums in the West.

Premier dinosaur exhibits

Utah Hogle Zoo

★ 4.6Emigration CanyonAll ages

A beloved zoo home to over 800 animals, including lions, elephants, and an excellent giraffe feeding experience. The Rocky Shores exhibit recreates Pacific Northwest habitats.

800+ animals

Clark Planetarium

★ 4.5Downtown4+ years

Immersive dome theater shows and interactive science exhibits about space, the solar system, and the universe. Free admission to the main floor exhibits.

Free exhibits + IMAX shows

Wheeler Historic Farm

★ 4.6Murray2–12 years

A working farm preserved from the 1890s with farm animal encounters, wagon rides, and hands-on agricultural experiences. Kids can feed chickens and meet baby animals.

Working farm & animal encounters

Liberty Park

★ 4.7Central SLCAll ages

SLC's largest urban park with a lake, playground, tennis courts, splash pad, and the Tracy Aviary (free with park entry). Perfect for a full family day outdoors.

Best urban park in SLC

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

★ 4.5Gateway DistrictUnder 12

An interactive children's museum designed specifically for kids under 12, with creative play areas, a KidVenture outdoor space, and rotating exhibits.

Hands-on play for young kids

Why families love Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City has a deeply family-oriented culture — this is one of the youngest cities in America by median age, with more children per household than almost any other major US city. The infrastructure for families shows: parks are well-maintained, museums are excellent, and most neighborhoods have kid-friendly restaurants and activities.

The Natural History Museum of Utah is a genuine national gem that most Americans don't realize exists in SLC. The Rio Tinto Center building (designed by GSBS Architects) and the collection within — including an extraordinary dinosaur floor — make it worth visiting from anywhere in the country.

For outdoor families, the city is a dream. Kids can be on world-class ski slopes in 30 minutes from downtown, fishing in canyon streams in 20, or at the beach of the Great Salt Lake in 30. Liberty Park in the center of the city is one of the best urban parks in the Mountain West — free, large, and packed with activities.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best family activities in Salt Lake City?

The Natural History Museum of Utah is arguably the best family attraction in SLC — its dinosaur collection is among the finest in the world. Hogle Zoo, Liberty Park, Clark Planetarium, and Wheeler Historic Farm round out the top family day options. Discovery Gateway is the best choice for toddlers and elementary-age children specifically.

Is Salt Lake City a good destination for families with young children?

Yes — SLC is an excellent family destination. The city is clean, safe, and compact enough to navigate with kids. There are multiple free or low-cost family attractions. The outdoor environment (parks, mild summers, nearby mountains) means families can fill days without spending a lot. Most restaurants welcome children.

Are there free family activities in Salt Lake City?

Several! Temple Square (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints historic site) is free and architecturally impressive. Liberty Park and its Tracy Aviary have free or low-cost admission. Clark Planetarium's main floor is free (IMAX shows cost extra). Red Butte Garden has free family programs. The City Creek stream and fountain area downtown is a free splashpad in summer.

What age is best for visiting the Natural History Museum of Utah?

The NHMU is excellent from about age 4 through adult. Young children are captivated by the dinosaur skeletons. School-age children engage well with the Native American Legacies and Past Worlds exhibits. Teenagers and adults appreciate the scientific depth and design quality of the space. Plan for 2–3 hours minimum.

Are Utah's national parks accessible as day trips from SLC with kids?

Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon are 4–5+ hours from SLC, making them better as overnight trips. However, Timpanogos Cave National Monument (1 hour away) is excellent for families and offers cave tours with moderate hiking. Antelope Island State Park (45 minutes) has bison, beaches, and great wildlife viewing.

What is there to do with kids in SLC in winter?

Winter is actually excellent for SLC families. Skiing and tubing at Soldier Hollow and other ski areas with kid-friendly programs. The Natural History Museum and Hogle Zoo are climate-controlled. Ice skating at the Olympic Oval (where speed skating was held in 2002) is a unique experience. The Utah Jazz NBA season runs through winter.

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