10 Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City
Quick answer: The top 10 things to do in Salt Lake City mix iconic sights, hidden gems, food, and outdoor adventure. Read the full list below — costs and tips included for each.
Salt Lake City offers far more than the tourist trail suggests. This list balances must-see landmarks with off-the-beaten-path experiences locals recommend. Each activity includes time needed, cost, and the one tip that makes it work. Sequence them based on your trip length — see itinerary suggestions at the bottom.
Top 10 Things to Do in Salt Lake City
1. Tour the main historic district
Walk the old town, see the iconic landmarks, take photos. Free or low cost — best done first morning.
Cost: Free-low
2. Visit the top museum
Every destination has one essential cultural museum. Book online to skip lines.
Cost: $10-25
3. Take a food tour
2-3 hour guided walking tour with multiple tastings. Best way to learn local food + history.
Cost: $50-100
4. Do a day trip
Many destinations have a nearby site (1-3 hours away) worth a full day. Research the top 2-3 options.
Cost: $30-100 tour
5. Visit a viewpoint at sunset
Whether rooftop, hill, or tower — sunset views beat day views. Arrive 30 min before.
Cost: Free-$30
6. Try local nightlife
Live music, traditional dance, or just bars where locals gather. Avoid pure tourist traps.
Cost: $10-40
7. Take a cooking or craft class
Lasting souvenir — learn a recipe or skill you’ll remember. Most cost $40-80.
Cost: $40-80
8. Outdoor adventure (hiking/biking/water)
Most destinations have a signature outdoor activity. Half-day to full-day.
Cost: $30-150
9. Local market visit
Souk, bazaar, mercado, or farmer’s market. Get there early. Bargain where appropriate.
Cost: Free
10. Hidden gem off the tourist trail
Ask your hotel concierge or local. Often the best memory of the trip.
Cost: Varies
Suggested Itineraries
| Trip Length | Recommended Activities |
|---|---|
| 2 days | Activities 1-4 from the list above. Focus on iconic experiences. |
| 3-4 days | Activities 1-7. Add a day trip and food tour. |
| 5-7 days | Full list + 1-2 self-discovered hidden gems. Add downtime. |
| 10+ days | Full list + day trips outside Salt Lake City + slow days for serendipity. |
Money-Saving Tips
- City pass/combo tickets: Most major destinations sell a multi-attraction pass that saves 20-40% over individual entries.
- Free museum days: Many top museums offer free entry one day per week or month — research before.
- Walking tours: ‘Free’ walking tours (tip-based) cover history and orient you on day 1. Quality varies — check recent reviews.
- Lunch deals: Top restaurants often offer prix-fixe lunches at half the dinner price.
- Public transit pass: Day/multi-day transit passes pay back after 3-4 rides.
What to Skip
- Tourist trap restaurants directly adjacent to major sights — usually overpriced and underwhelming.
- Souvenirs from official gift shops — markets and indie stores offer better quality at half the price.
- Hop-on-hop-off bus full day — useful for orientation (do 1 loop), waste of time as full transport.
- Booked tours for things you can do solo — walking tours of public neighborhoods rarely add value vs. a $5 guidebook.
Where Your Time Actually Goes in Salt Lake City
Most itineraries push you straight to Temple Square, but the headline draw is unavailable right now. The Salt Lake Temple has been closed for renovation since December 2019, and while the exterior scaffolding finally came down in early 2026, the building itself stays shut to the public until a six-month open house in April 2027. The surrounding gardens are pleasant for twenty minutes; do not budget a half-day expecting to go inside.
The better free landmark is the Utah State Capitol, a 1916 building on the hill just north of downtown. Self-guided tours are free during business hours, free docent-led tours run on the hour on weekdays, and the front steps give you a clean panorama of the valley and the Wasatch range without any ticket.
The pick most visitors skip is Ensign Peak. The trail is short, roughly 0.9 miles round trip with about 374 feet of climbing, and it delivers a wider skyline-and-lake view than anything you will pay for. Two practical moves:
- Hit the Natural History Museum of Utah on a Wednesday after 5 PM, when admission drops to around $5 instead of the usual adult rate near $23.
- Hike Ensign Peak near sunset and treat it as your viewpoint stop, so you are not also paying for an observation deck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top things to do in Salt Lake City?
The essentials for Salt Lake City include: Tour the main historic district, Visit the top museum, and Take a food tour. These three alone deserve at least 2-3 days of your itinerary. See the full list above for 7 more recommended experiences.
How many days do I need in Salt Lake City?
For a focused trip covering the highlights, 3-5 days in Salt Lake City is enough. To explore in-depth (day trips, hidden gems, slower pace), plan 7-10 days. First-time visitors should err toward more days — you can always slow down, but rushing key sights is regret-inducing.
What can you do in Salt Lake City for free?
Many of the best experiences in Salt Lake City cost nothing: walking the historic district, sunset viewpoints, public markets, beaches/parks, free museums on certain days. Build a ‘free day’ into your trip — it’s often the most memorable.
Is Salt Lake City family-friendly?
Yes — most major attractions in Salt Lake City suit families. Look for activities under 2 hours, museums with interactive exhibits, and outdoor options to burn kid energy. Avoid extreme heat midday and crowded peak hours. Restaurants in tourist districts are usually kid-friendly.
What’s the best time to do outdoor activities in Salt Lake City?
Plan outdoor activities for early morning (before heat/crowds) or late afternoon (golden hour for photos). Check weather and seasonal closures — some popular hikes or attractions close in winter or during monsoon/hurricane season.
Are guided tours worth it in Salt Lake City?
For complex historic sites (ruins, ancient cities, museums with limited English signage), a guided tour pays for itself in context. For wandering and food, self-guided is often better. Read recent reviews — operator quality varies hugely.
Related Salt Lake City Travel Guides
- Where to Stay in Salt Lake City
- Best Time to Visit Salt Lake City
- Best Food in Salt Lake City
- Salt Lake City Itinerary Guide
- Salt Lake City Trip Cost Breakdown
Related Articles
- 15 Best Things to Do in Iceland Reykjavik
- 15 Best Things to Do in Cuba
- 15 Best Things to Do in Puerto Rico
- 15 Best Things to Do in Bahamas
You Might Also Love
Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.