Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City

More than 2,500 acres of skiable area, 11,000 feet in elevation and over 500 inches of snow per year. It’s one of the city’s oldest ski areas—a must-visit for purists (no snowboarders allowed!) and advanced skiers. 

A rustic resort that lets the mountains do the talking. Some of the area’s best views, combined with elegant accommodations. And, yes, it was built by Robert Redford.)

The nation’s largest ski resort, it has more than 7,300 skiable acres and 17 peaks. Plus, Park City itself has some great post-ski eats (try 20 salsas at El Chubasco or homemade pasta at Cortona Italian Cafe).

The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and certain parts are 10 times saltier than the ocean. The park contains plenty of beaches and campsites, while nearby Antelope Island Park has some scenic hikes overlooking the lake.

You know those car commercials where a high-performance car is racing across flat terrain, kicking up white dust? That’s here. The Salt Flats are 30,000 acres of perfectly-level, salty soil with no vegetation. It looks like a barren, foreign planet. You can drive on them if you want, but don’t try it when they’re wet.

This man-made excavation is huge, one of the largest in the world (supposedly you can see it from space). It’s been operational for 116 years and, as of 2010, provided 13-18% of America’s copper.

Take a drive through some picturesque mountain vistas and winding roads. If you’re a climber, here’s where you’ll find some of the best routes.

The hub of Park City’s social life. Buildings where grizzled miners once drank and lodged are now breweries, art galleries and multicultural eateries. Don’t miss the reserve whiskeys at High West Distillery, a charcuterie board at Old Town Cellars or coffee at Atticus Coffee, Books, and Teahouse.  

It’s only an annual mainstay for Sundance Film Festival screenings, no big deal. This historic theater’s art deco architecture was inspired by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in the early 1920s. Today, it hosts a variety of live performances, including concerts, drama, comedy and dance.

It was constructed and used for the 2002 Olympics, and now you can try your hand at bobsledding and ski jumping, along with milder activities like ziplining and tubing.

This is your spot for artisanal goods, eclectic shops, local produce and laid-back bars. It’s got a flair for reinvention. For example, land that used to hold a prison is now Sugar House Park. Be sure to stop at Wasatch Brew Pub for a beer or two.

Is it cliché to say that Downtown Salt Lake City is one of the best places to hang out? The area surrounding Temple Square contains some of Utah’s best restaurants and nightlife. Get a meat plate at R&R BBQ and wash it down with one of the 300 beers available at The Bayou.

Free, interactive exhibits and educational shows in IMAX and dome theaters.

Located inside Liberty Park and has 135 different bird species from around the world (and you can feed some of them). 

The thrill of skydiving without jumping from a plane and plummeting through the open sky. Instead, you’ll “fly” inside a wind tunnel with upward winds of 150 mph. And it’s safe for kids too (more than 3 years old).

Supposedly founded by accident, Kilby Court is a sticker-clad garage with a grunge, backyard-concert aesthetic. They routinely book on-the-rise local bands. 

A 21+ bar that books shows almost every night of the week, from local artists to big-name indie bands. 

Primarily a record store with rare, can-you-believe-it deep cuts that hosts in-house shows. 

It’s a collection of 12 stone sculptures and 70 engraved stones that pertain to Mormonism, including a half-cool, half-creepy sphinx with Joseph Smith’s face.