10 Things to Do in Salt Lake City

You’ll find Salt Lake City offers everything from floating effortlessly in the Great Salt Lake’s super-salty waters to hiking Ensign Peak for stunning 360-degree views. Explore Temple Square’s free tours and catch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, then drive scenic Big Cottonwood Canyon for mountain adventures. Don’t miss spotting free-roaming bison on Antelope Island, wandering downtown’s street art scene, or shopping at City Creek Center‘s unique indoor-outdoor mall with its retractable roof and actual flowing creek for the complete local experience.

Explore Temple Square and Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

When you’re planning your Salt Lake City itinerary, Temple Square should top your list—this 35-acre complex at 50 N. West Temple Street draws 3-5 million visitors annually and offers free admission to all grounds and buildings.

You’ll find guided tours in 40+ languages, plus the historic Tabernacle with its world-famous acoustics.

Don’t miss the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s free Thursday evening rehearsals or their Sunday morning “Music and the Spoken Word” broadcast at 9:30 a.m. Both events operate first-come, first-served, so arrive early.

The Conference Center hosts multilingual tours and exhibits, while Assembly Hall features weekend concerts for ages 8+.

Note that the Salt Lake Temple’s undergoing renovation through 2026, shifting many experiences to the Conference Center. Visitors can also explore the site’s extensive formal garden area, which adds to the peaceful atmosphere of this historic location.

Take the Short Hike to Ensign Peak for the Best City Views

For unbeatable panoramic views of Salt Lake City without the commitment of a full-day mountain adventure, head to Ensign Peak—a quick 1.1-mile round-trip hike that delivers 360-degree vistas of downtown, the Wasatch Mountains, and the Great Salt Lake.

You’ll find the trailhead behind an LDS church on North Sandrun Road, just above the State Capitol. The well-maintained dirt trail climbs steadily but gently, gaining 384 feet over half a mile to the summit.

At the top, you’ll discover a monument marking where Brigham Young first surveyed the valley in 1847. The westward views toward Antelope Island are particularly stunning. Ongoing restoration work is helping to re-vegetate areas affected by erosion, so be sure to stay on the marked trail.

Visit during cooler months to avoid summer heat, and time your hike for sunset when golden light transforms the valley below.

Float in the Great Salt Lake’s Super-Salty Water

After taking in those sweeping valley views from Ensign Peak, you’ll likely notice the shimmering expanse of the Great Salt Lake stretching toward the horizon—and that massive body of water offers one of Utah’s most unique experiences.

The lake’s extreme salinity (typically 3.5 to 8 times saltier than ocean water) creates incredible buoyancy that’ll keep you floating effortlessly on the surface.

Head to Antelope Island State Park for the best combination of accessibility and salt concentration. The water feels thick and heavy, making traditional swimming nearly impossible—instead, you’ll bob like a cork.

Bring goggles since the salt stings your eyes, and plan to rinse off thoroughly afterward. The floating sensation rivals the Dead Sea, making this a truly unforgettable Salt Lake City adventure. Keep in mind that when water levels drop below the minimum healthy level of 4,198 feet above sea level, access and conditions may be affected.

Drive Big Cottonwood Canyon for Mountain Scenery and Hiking

While the Great Salt Lake offers that unique floating experience, Big Cottonwood Canyon delivers the complete opposite—soaring granite walls, alpine lakes, and mountain peaks that’ll make you forget you’re just 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.

The 15-mile paved scenic byway (UT-190) climbs from 4,300 feet to Brighton’s 8,800 feet, dropping temperatures by 10°F—perfect summer relief.

Start easy with Silver Lake’s wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop or family-friendly Donut Falls. For serious hiking, tackle Lake Blanche or Gobblers Knob’s summit routes. The canyon offers trails for various energy levels, from short walks to full-day excursions.

Brighton and Solitude areas concentrate the best trailheads with restrooms and parking. Prime season runs late June through October, though weekend lots fill fast.

Remember: no dogs allowed—this is Salt Lake’s protected watershed.

See Bison Roaming Free on Antelope Island

Trading alpine peaks for prairie grasslands, Antelope Island State Park delivers one of America’s most accessible wildlife experiences—watching 500-700 American bison roam freely across 20 miles of Great Salt Lake island terrain.

You’ll find these massive animals grazing along road corridors and open valleys, creating excellent roadside viewing opportunities without leaving your vehicle.

Visit during late summer and fall for the best large-group sightings, when bison gather in open grasslands.

The annual fall roundup offers unique chances to see most of the herd at once from designated viewing areas.

Stay safe by maintaining 100 yards distance—these aren’t zoo animals.

The herd’s descended from 12 bison introduced in 1893, making this a genuine conservation success story you’re witnessing firsthand. This herd represents one of the most genetically distinct populations in the United States, making your wildlife viewing experience even more scientifically significant.

Browse the Massive Fossil Collection at the Natural History Museum

Step inside the Natural History Museum of Utah and you’ll discover one of the world’s most impressive Allosaurus collections—23,000 fossil specimens that tell the story of ancient Utah’s dramatic prehistoric past.

You’ll marvel at skeletons from the famous Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, where scientists unearthed remains from 44-46 individual Allosaurus alongside Camarasaurus, Stegosaurus, and Ceratosaurus.

The museum’s paleontology wing houses holotype specimens of newly discovered dinosaurs and thousands of fossil plants documenting ancient climates. These collections span 3.5 billion years of Earth’s biological history, providing an extraordinary window into life’s evolution on our planet.

Don’t miss the behind-the-scenes research areas where visiting scientists study evolutionary history.

With 1.65 million objects total, you’re exploring fossils that researchers worldwide use to understand how predator-prey dynamics shaped ecosystems 150 million years ago.

Walk Downtown’s Historic Grid and Check Out the Street Art

As you explore downtown Salt Lake City’s historic grid, you’ll quickly notice how the massive ten-acre blocks and 132-foot-wide intersections create a walking experience unlike any other American city center. The entire system radiates from Temple Square, with streets numbered by their distance from the Mormon temple—so 200 West means you’re two blocks west of the origin point.

Start your walk along Main Street from South Temple to 400 South, the city’s original commercial spine. Duck into the alleys off Main Street to discover rotating murals and street art that’ve transformed during recent downtown revitalization efforts.

Head south to the Granary District for dense clusters of commissioned pieces, or explore the Rio Grande area for rail-themed murals on historic warehouse walls. As you walk, keep an eye out for the historic Trolley Square, which once served as the main depot for the city’s extensive streetcar network and now houses a museum of streetcar history.

Hit the Trails to the Living Room for Instagram-Worthy Rock Formations

When you’re ready to swap city pavement for mountain trails, the Living Room hike delivers one of Salt Lake’s most rewarding payoffs in under 3 miles. This moderate-to-strenuous trek gains nearly 1,000 feet through steep, rocky terrain above the University of Utah, but the Instagram gold at the top makes every step worthwhile.

You’ll find actual stone furniture—chairs, benches, and loveseats crafted from stacked sandstone slabs—perfectly positioned for panoramic shots of downtown, the Wasatch Front, and Great Salt Lake. The viewpoint features about a dozen of these comfortable-looking chairs and loveseats built from rocks, creating the perfect outdoor lounge.

Start from Colorow Drive near Red Butte Garden, follow the ravine climb to the saddle, then head north along the ridge. Bring trekking poles for the loose, steep sections, and time your visit for sunrise or sunset when the views absolutely shine.

Wander Through Red Butte Garden’s Native Plant Collections

You’ll find over 90 Utah taxa of buckwheats (*Eriogonum*) and extensive beardtongue (*Penstemon*) collections that demonstrate how these natives thrive in water-wise landscapes.

The Utah Native Collection spans five miles of trails, taking you from desert shrublands to montane plantings that mirror the state’s natural plant zonation.

Look for the special Utah native symbols throughout themed gardens—they’ll help you identify species perfect for your own xeriscaping projects while supporting local pollinators. The garden’s Shrub Collection provides habitat and food for birds and wildlife throughout the seasons.

Shop and Dine at City Creek Center’s Indoor-Outdoor Mall

Right in downtown’s heart, City Creek Center breaks the mold of traditional enclosed malls with its innovative retractable glass roof that opens to Utah’s mountain air when weather permits.

You’ll find over 100 stores spanning two city blocks, including luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. alongside popular retailers like Anthropologie and Free People.

The mall’s standout feature is its actual creek running through the center, complete with fountains and fish—a nod to the historic waterway that once flowed here. This waterway is a reproduction of the south fork of City Creek, located close to City Creek Canyon.

You can grab upscale dining at The Capital Grille or explore casual options throughout.

Parking’s free for two hours, then $3 hourly. Note they’re closed Sundays, and most stores operate 10am-8pm weekdays, later on weekends.

The Sum Up

You’ve got plenty to keep you busy in Salt Lake City, from floating in impossibly salty water to hiking to those famous rock chairs everyone’s posting about. Don’t try to cram everything into one trip—the mountains aren’t going anywhere, and you’ll want time to actually enjoy each spot. Pro tip: start early for the popular hikes, and always pack more water than you think you’ll need. You’ll thank yourself later.