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Salt Lake City may not come to mind immediately as a travel destination in the U.S., but now you are in the know: Salt Lake City is a phenomenally well-kept secret.

Salt Lake City is a true hidden gem. As a travel destination, the city is very comparable to Seattle and Denver in terms of what it has to offer, but it gets little attention from the media. However, SLC has grown considerably in recent years, gaining popularity and awareness for the fantastic opportunities available to visitors and locals alike.

At an elevation of 4,330 feet and a population of only 200,000 (in downtown itself), the Salt Lake valley is shockingly massive, framed immediately by the Wasatch Mountain Range to the east and by the Oquirrh Mountain Range to the west.

Here is the insider’s scoop from a local perspective on what to do and see on your first Salt Lake City vacation!

Why Visit Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake offers incomparable access to the outdoors and outdoor recreation.

It does not matter which season of the year that you visit SLC; there will always be outdoor recreation available to you! The trails that you ski or snowboard in the winter are some of the same trails that you can hike and mountain bike in warmer months. Outdoor pursuits are king here, and being in a valley surrounded by mountain ranges, you can be at a trailhead in ten minutes from downtown— or less.

Salt Lake City’s strong community offers a massive array of exciting events, entertainment, and activities.

Downtown SLC has all of the amenities of a large city, but with a more laid-back atmosphere. It offers vibrant and eclectic nightlife, a booming live music scene, amazing farmers markets and local celebrations, museums, excellent breweries, and festivals. You will not be bored here! There is always something going on nearly every night of the week. There is both history and culture to Salt Lake’s background—both the natural and cultural formation of Salt Lake is unique.

Salt Lake City is backdropped by beautiful scenery.

As previously mentioned, two mountain ranges frame the city to the east and west, and the Great Salt Lake sits just to the north. This natural set up frames the city as well as your perspective of it—natural beauty is all around you, and everyone here has a passion for it.

Many people pass over Salt Lake in preference to Moab or Park City—both of which are drivable from SLC—but the Salt Lake City valley itself sets you up for an abundance of gorgeous mountain adventures. You never forget where the mountains are, as they are visible from the streets and heights of downtown.

Salt Lake is positioned as an affordable travel destination.

Because it has not garnered as much popular attention, SLC is an affordable city to explore and stay in. It is far more affordable than Park City, and has more lodging options than Moab. The Salt Lake City International Airport makes flying in and out uncomplicated, too.

What is Salt Lake City Like?

Salt Lake can be described as: hipster, sprawling, industrial, quirky, and charmingly grungy, populated with outdoors fanatics, recent transplants, families, and friendly and community-oriented folks. Here you will find all of the granola and down-to-earth mountain people who are here for all different reasons, but united in their love for this city.

SLC is currently exploding with young people who are looking for a fresh start in an exciting city that has a ton of opportunities. Salt Lake has a little bit of everything for everyone!

The Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City

What are the must-see attractions that Salt Lake has to offer visitors? For those interested in the most popular features and experiences of a Salt Lake City vacation, here are some top-rated things to do:

Walk around downtown

Downtown Salt Lake is relatively large and makes for a great pedestrian adventure.

Catch some live music

There is always live music going on somewhere, and SLC attracts some big names from the music industry, so keep an eye out for touring artists. You can find live music at Lake Effect, Keys on Main, and The State Room to start!

Hit up some of the best local breweries

They are very proud of their beer here. A few great and popular breweries include:

Check out the Utah State Capitol Building

Set atop Capitol Hill overlooking the city, the Capitol Building is backdropped by the mountains and is a grand sight to behold.

Keep an eye out for local events

SLC is always hosting! Sniff around for local events going on during the potential dates of your visit, and you will most likely find some cool, entertaining local event being sponsored.

Walk around and enjoy the Red Butte Gardens

The Red Butte Gardens are a local favorite, with beautiful, peaceful gardens and walking trails abutting the mountains behind the city.

Shop at City Creek Center

For any travelers who enjoy shopping while on vacation, they will not be disappointed with downtown Salt Lake’s City Creek Mall, located in the heart of things.

Treat yourself at The Cliff Spa at Snowbird

If you want to get out of town and opt for a pampering day in the mountains, The Cliff Spa is fantastic, with impeccable views of Snowbird ski resort, and phenomenal facilities offering a spa, lounge, rooftop pool, sauna, massages and more.

Head up into Park City for the day

Park City has a charming downtown to walk around in and offers outdoor recreation, all about a 40 minute drive from downtown SLC. Driving through the different canyons and mountain passes are some of the best ways to witness the beauty of Salt Lake.

Spend an afternoon at the Natural History Museum of Utah

For any history buffs or curious minds, this museum is highly recommended. Learning about how the valley formed (both geographically and culturally) makes for a very worthwhile visit!

Walk around Temple Square

Spanning five city blocks, Temple Square houses the historical and religious center of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Checking this site out is a great way to get to know Salt Lake’s historical background.

Check out the Salt Lake Temple

See and experience some of the city’s Mormon historical roots and still-prevalent religious community at the Salt Lake Temple!

Drive to the Bonneville Flats

About an hour and a half from the city, the Bonneville Flats is a unique geographical feature and natural wonder of Utah. Rippling white salt fields stretch for 30,000 acres, making for a popular sunset picnic and photography destination.

Walk around Liberty Park

Liberty Park is a popular city park with tons of space, lawns, and events; it has an aviary, tennis courts, a pool, a ferris wheel, and more! Grab a coffee and take a seat, because it is an amazing place to people-watch.

Soak in natural hot springs

There are a number of natural hot springs around the city that are a popular attraction for visitors and locals alike. A few of the most popular ones are Saratoga Hot Springs, Homestead Hot Springs, and Crystal Hot Springs.

Walk up Ensign Peak

Tucked behind Capitol Hill, Ensign is a short but steep, one-mile round-trip trek that offers panoramic views of downtown and the entire valley. A great sunset spot!

Snow at Brighton Resort

Skiing and Snowboarding in Salt Lake City

Boasting “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” Salt Lake City is a haven for winter outdoor recreation and sports and makes the top of any list of best ski towns in the US. From opportunities for Nordic skiing, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, skating, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and more, Salt Lake City is known the world over for its spectacular snow and terrain. To put it in perspective, SLC gets 54 inches of snow per year, while the national average is only 28. The surrounding ski resorts, such as Park City, get 300 to 400 inches a year on average.

Staying in Salt Lake will also put you in close proximity to more world class resorts than nearly any other city; there are 10 ski resorts within an hour radius of the city!

Some of the most popular resorts include

A perk to staying in Salt Lake valley—instead of selecting lodging at the base of a ski resort—is that it will be far less expensive, there will be more lodging options, you can access multiple resorts as opposed to sticking to one, and you will have all the amenities and opportunities that a big city like Salt Lake provides.

Skiing at Snowbird

Hiking and Biking in Salt Lake City

In the warmer months of the year in Salt Lake, hiking and biking are huge pastimes and attractions to anyone interested, regardless of their level of experience or fitness. There is a huge diversity of trails for all levels, and they offer some of the coolest views and experiences.

Salt Lake City gets all four seasons. Snow sticks around until May on the mountain tops fringing the valley, and by July, it is nearly 100 degrees daily. The best times of year to mountain bike and hike are May through November, but be aware of the mid-year heat!

There is a maze of hiking and biking trails in every direction, but a few of the top trails include:

Beginner Friendly Hiking Trails

Cecret Lake, Bonneville Shoreline Trail, and Donut Falls are easy, beginner-friendly hiking trails that are accessible to all and offer a great scenic and outdoor experience.

Intermediate Hiking Trails

Mount Olympus, Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, and Bell’s Canyon are great intermediate trails.

Advanced Hiking Trails

Neff’s Canyon, Lake Blanche, Red Pine Lake, and Grandeur Peak are more aggressive hikes with steep elevation and challenging technicality.

Check out Salt Lake City’s website for more information on current local events, happenings, and things to do in SLC before your visit.

27 Things to Do on a Salt Lake City Vacation