From Mountains To Downtown: 20 Things To Do In Salt Lake City
Are you planning a trip to Salt Lake City and don’t know where to start? Well, look no further! Here’s your local guide on the best and most fun things to do in and near Salt Lake City!
With so much to do, planning your trip can feel overwhelming. In this guide, I include my personal favorites to help you build the perfect itinerary, with a mix of city and outdoor activities.
The list is long and extensive, and as a local, it’s taken me years to experience all of these places myself. In my opinion, that’s exactly what makes Salt Lake so exciting. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
What To Do In Downtown Salt Lake City
Downtown Salt Lake City is nestled up against the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, with picture-perfect views in every direction. If you’re staying in downtown, this section will help you uncover its most fun and exciting activities!
1. Enjoy One of Salt Lake City’s Numerous Cafes And Coffeeshops!
There’s a rumor out there that Salt Lake City isn’t known for coffee, but that simply isn’t true! In fact, I’d argue one of the best things to do in Salt Lake City is to explore and expand your coffee palate! Salt Lake City has grown a lot in the last decade, and so has the food scene.
Here is a list of some of my favorite Cafes and Coffeeshops!
Rawbean Coffee
With four locations across the Salt Lake Valley, including one in the heart of downtown, Rawbean is a true local favorite! Be sure to check out their monthly specials as each drink is both tasty and creatively named to match a fun theme! Don’t forget to grab a breakfast burrito, paired with their yummy picante sauce.
Bjorns Coffee
With three locations across the Salt Lake Valley, Bjorn’s Coffee is also a local favorite! They also have themed monthly specials, and their breakfast burrito is very underrated! This is a must-stop for any coffee and dog lover (every dog gets a free treat!)
The People’s Coffee
The People’s Coffee is a true local gem, with cozy vibes that will have you wanting to spend a few hours there! Their menu is simple but effective, and the owner is very welcoming! Try your favorite flavored latte paired with the Nutella toast.
Coffee Garden
Coffee Garden is located in a popular, quaint, and walkable neighborhood called 9th and 9th (the numbering makes more sense if you understand Salt Lake City’s grid system). It is another truly local spot, with a hip, earth-friendly vibe. I recommend a chai latte paired with your favorite morning dessert (like an almond croissant!)
Publik Coffee Roasters
Are you someone who loves to be adventurous and try unique coffee blends you’ve probably never heard of? Do you love buying different beans and roasts, supporting local, and helping protect the planet?
If so, then Publik is the place for you! With four locations across Salt Lake City, it’s a must-visit for any conscious/grounded coffee enthusiast.
Oasis Cafe
As the name implies, Oasis Cafe is truly an oasis amidst a concrete jungle! It’s been one of my favorite breakfast/brunch spots in Salt Lake City! I highly recommend trying their Eggs Benedict, served with toast and, of course, a warm cup of coffee.
Check out my full guide on where to eat in Salt Lake City: Coming Soon!
2. Dine At A Rooftop Restaurant
Van Ryder is a rooftop bar in the heart of Salt Lake City, offering an amazing sunset view while serving fun drinks and delicious food! It stands out as one of the rare true rooftop options, with open-air seating located ten stories up!
This is an area where downtown Salt Lake City is growing, and the future is exciting!
We started our night with two yummy cocktails: the Cashmere Eclipse and the Blood Moon. We split the Brisket Nachos and “The Burger” with fries. To top it off, we always say, “there’s a second stomach for dessert”, for which we chose the Banana Fosters!
Honorable mentions include Gracies, which is a bar with a rooftop section on the second floor. Mar | Muntanya is another option for fine dining with a view, and one I have yet to try myself!
3. Explore The City With A Bike Ride
In 2025, the state of Utah announced the creation of hundreds of miles of new paved trails. While a fully dedicated biking path in downtown Salt Lake City is still on the horizon, I recommend using the super-affordable green bikes to explore the city. Simply download the app, and you’re set!
Bonus: If you are looking for trails outside the downtown area, check out City Creek Canyon, Parley’s Trail, 9th South Biking Path, Jordan River Trail, or Legacy Trail.
4. Explore The City On The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
2025 marked the first year of the new Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours, offering a new and exciting way to explore the city. They offer several tours, with seasonal options available as well.
The most popular option is the 24-hour pass, where you can ride the bus as many times as you’d like, and it includes some great perks, such as shopping discounts, live narration, and cold beverages for those hot summer days!
5. Visit Temple Square
A visit to Temple Square is a quintessential part of learning about the history of Salt Lake City. This area highlights the city’s historical, architectural, cultural, and modern atmosphere.
If you’re here during Christmas, it’ll be hard not to notice the entire area lit up with Christmas lights! It is a truly magical experience.
Many visitors will notice how clean and well-kept the area is. Salt Lake City prides itself on being a growing urban metro that manages to still keep its small-city charm. If you’re looking for a great first impression of the city, Temple Square is the place to go!
6. Visit The State Capitol
I may be a little biased here, but I think Utah has one of the prettiest state capitol buildings in the country. The white granite rock contrasts beautifully against the Wasatch Mountains. The building sits elevated on a hilltop, offering a breathtaking panorama of the valley.
Bonus: For a truly panoramic perspective, take on the steep but rewarding one-mile (1.6 km) round-trip hike up to Ensign Peak. It offers the best elevated view of the entire Salt Lake Valley, including the state capitol.
Things To Do Outside Of Salt Lake City
The region surrounding Salt Lake City along the western edge of the Wasatch Range is known as the Wasatch Front. Home to the majority of Utah’s population, this area is also packed with unique things to do. I recommend venturing beyond downtown to discover everything Salt Lake City has to offer!
7. Visit Lagoon Amusement Park
Lagoon Amusement Park, located in Farmington, Utah, is the state’s premier attraction for both adults and children! Home to over 50 rides, it features everything from gentle family attractions to record-breaking coasters, such as the Cannibal.
In the fall, the park comes to life with Haunted Houses, Halloween-themed rides, and thrills. If you love gelato, check out the Peacock Parlor, which opened in summer 2025! This was some of the best gelato we’ve had in Utah!
8. Visit Antelope Island State Park
I am sure you’re thinking, “There’s an island near Salt Lake City”? The answer is yes! Antelope Island offers a variety of year-round activities, including hiking, biking, boating, camping, and bison viewing!
The $15 entrance fee per car is well worth the price of admission! The Island offers a truly unique and otherworldly landscape. Check out the Island Buffalo Grill if you’re up for trying a bison burger; if not, they also have other options available.
Best Hikes (easiest to hardest): Buffalo Point, Dooly Knob, The Sentry, Frary Peak
Pro Tip: Watch the sunset from Buffalo Point!
Note: It’s best to avoid visiting between April and June due to the infamous biting gnats! They are truly a nuisance to humans but have a vital role in the island’s ecosystem. Find more information here.
9. Visit The Bonneville Salt Flats
Did you know that just an hour and a half west of Salt Lake City, you’ll find the largest salt flats in North America? A vast, otherworldly expanse that is a remnant of an ancient lake bed.
You may hear the name “Lake Bonneville” during your visit: these salt flats, along with the Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake, are the primary remnants of this prehistoric body of water, which once covered 2/3 of the state!
I highly recommend taking a day trip from Salt Lake City to experience this breathtaking landscape. For photographers, bring your camera and a drone; you won’t regret it! For everyone else, don’t forget sunscreen and the most essential road trip item: snacks!
10. Visit the Uinta Mountains
Just an hour east of Salt Lake City, the Uinta Mountains offer a stunning contrast to the nearby Wasatch Range. Unlike the north-to-south-oriented Wasatch, the Uintas are one of only two major east-to-west ranges in the Greater Rockies. This unique range is also a land of water, boasting over 2,000 lakes, more than anywhere else in Utah.
Bald Mountain is, without a doubt, a hike I do every year! For a hike that takes about 2 hours, the rewards are astonishing!
Pro Tip: Consider camping or taking a day trip to the scenic Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. Here you can thorougly explore the scenic viewpoints, hikes, waterfalls, lakes, river gorges, and mountain peaks!
Full Guide: coming soon
Best Mountain Activities Near Salt Lake City
The Wasatch Mountains form the dramatic western edge of the Rocky Mountains and serve as the breathtaking backdrop to Salt Lake City. From anywhere in the valley, their immense presence is unmistakable, rising over 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) above the valley floor!
11. Take a Scenic Drive To One Of The Canyons
The Wasatch Range is home to dozens of canyons, and within the Salt Lake Valley itself, there are five canyons you can drive up. The two most popular (for good reason) are the Cottonwood Canyons, both of which are only a half-hour drive from downtown.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon is a 15-mile (24 km) long scenic drive offering spectacular views, seemingly endless hiking trails, and two world-class mountain resorts. While I’ve never counted all the trailheads, there are easily a dozen, if not more.
I recommend giving yourself a full day to explore the canyon: stop at the various scenic pullouts, visit the resorts, and take a hike.
Having hiked nearly every trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon, I can offer a suggestion. For those short on time, consider either the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) round-trip hike to Donut Falls or the easy, 1-mile (1.6 km) walk around Silver Lake. For the more adventurous individuals, Lake Blanche is calling your name!
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Little Cottonwood Canyon is a 9-mile (14.5 km) scenic drive with stunning views at every turn. Unlike Big Cottonwood, it features taller, more rugged canyon walls and a much steeper ascent, which means fewer trailheads and hiking trails in comparison.
You can still easily spend a full day exploring the area. Take in the numerous scenic viewpoints, visit the two world-class resorts, enjoy a hike, and stop for a meal. Snowbird Resort features both an Aerial Tram to the summit of Hidden Peak and the scenic Peruvian Chairlift.
For a memorable hike, consider the trails to Cecret Lake or Gloria Falls—each can be completed in under two hours.
For the more adventurous individuals, check out Red Pine Lake, which you can pair with Gloria Falls!
12. Visit One Of Several Mountain Resorts
Within Big Cottonwood Canyon, you’ll find two of Utah’s best resorts: Brighton and Solitude. While many visitors come for winter sports, these resorts also offer a variety of summer activities, including scenic chairlift rides, disc golf, hiking trails, farmers’ markets, and dining options.
Little Cottonwood Canyon is home to two of Utah’s snowiest resorts: Alta and Snowbird. Alta receives the most snow in the state, averaging over 550 inches annually. In the summer, the Albion Basin comes to life with spectacular wildflower blooms.
Other notable resorts include Sundance, located about an hour from Salt Lake City. It features the best scenic chairlift in the state, which takes you to a mountaintop restaurant, a zipline (which includes the chairlift), and winter sports.
Honorable mentions also go to Park City Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and Snowbasin.
13. Go For A Hike
There is no shortage of beautiful trails to explore near Salt Lake City! From cascading waterfalls and alpine lakes to colorful meadows and rugged peaks, the Wasatch truly has it all! With over 1700 miles (2736 km) of trails in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, you’ll never run out of places to explore!
To give you a great introduction to its wonders, here are three of my favorite hikes that each offer a unique and stunning experience!
Stewart Falls – Easy
Stewart Falls may be the most breathtaking waterfall in the Wasatch Mountains. The two-hour round hike is well worth the effort, with peak water runoff between May and July.
Lake Blanche – Moderate
Lake Blanche is the quintessential Wasatch Hike. The 5-6 hour round-trip hike is quite challenging but worth every step. Give yourself time to explore the area, including two bonus lakes nearby.
Mount Timpanogos – Strenuous
Mount Timpanogos is more of a pilgrimage than a hike for Utah locals! Take the incredibly scenic Aspen Grove route or the slightly easier Timpanooke route, which requires a parking reservation on the weekends. Either way, be prepared for an 8-10-hour hiking day, but one you’ll never forget!
Check out my complete guide for the best hikes near Salt Lake City!
14. Go Skiing Or Snowboarding
Utah’s slogan, “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” is well-earned, thanks to the Wasatch Mountains’ unique geography and topography. This legendary snow is remarkably light, fluffy, and powdery. For winter sports enthusiasts, this snow is what dreams are made of!
Resorts here receive massive amounts of snow throughout the season, ranging from 300 to 550 inches (approximately 762 to 1,400 cm). So grab your skis or snowboard and make your way to the slopes!
Remarkably, 10 of these 15 resorts are within an hour’s drive of Salt Lake City. They can be broken down by region as follows:
- Cottonwood Canyon Resorts: Alta (ski only), Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton
- Wasatch Back Resorts: Park City, Deer Valley (ski only)
- Provo Area Resort: Sundance
- Ogden Area Resorts: Snowbasin, Nordic Valley, Powder Mountain
15. Visit Park City
Park City is consistently rated as one of the top ski towns in the United States. While many ski enthusiasts are drawn to the winter season, don’t overlook the warmer months, where hiking, biking, and summer festivities pave the way for a unique getaway.
Pro Tip: Combine Park City with Big Cottonwood Canyon for a perfect day trip. Start your day in Salt Lake City and drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Cross over Guardsman Pass (typically open from June through November) and descend into Park City. For your return, take I-80 east through Parleys Canyon back to Salt Lake City.
16. Go Zip-Lining!
Sundance ZipTour
Just an hour from Salt Lake City, you’ll find a truly unique attraction at the Sundance Resort: a Summer Zipline Tour offering a thrilling ride with unforgettable views of Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Mountains. Featuring a 2,100-foot (640-meter) vertical drop spread across multiple lines, it boasts the largest descent of any zipline tour in the United States.
Zipline Utah – Heber City
If you ever imagined yourself soaring over a picturesque reservoir, then I highly recommend this Zipline Course! This tour offers several options, most of which include a series of ziplines and bridges. Afterwards, complete your day by stopping at The Lakehouse at Deer Creek for a delicious meal with a lakeside view!
Best Hidden Gems Near Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is no longer an “under-the-radar” destination. As a result, many of its attractions have become popular and rightfully so! However, numerous less-traveled spots still offer a sense of discovery for those who seek them out.
17. Hike The Herriman Hills
The Herriman Hills are tucked away in the southwest corner of Salt Lake City, about a 40-minute drive from downtown. This area is undergoing an expansion as of 2025, with more trails being developed every day. The hikes here offer a unique, lesser-seen view of the Salt Lake Valley from the lesser-known Oquirrh Mountains (located on the western boundary of the Valley).
As of January 2026, the Wide Hollow Trailhead is officially complete and is a rather impressive trailhead! There’s also a new trail with nearly 200 stairs, which makes for a great workout and a super scenic hike!
My recommendations: South Mountain (moderate), Breccia Knob (hard), and the Herriman Flagpole (moderate)
18. Hike Fifth Water (Diamond Fork) Hot Springs
I have no shortage of “favorite hikes”, so you’ll hear me say that phrase quite often! Diamond Fork Hot Springs may be one of my favorite hikes in all of Utah! Imagine soaking in a natural, turquoise-colored hot spring tucked within a canyon, surrounded by nature, and the feeling of being very far from civilization. This trail delivers exactly that.
In recent years, this trail has grown popular and, unfortunately, seen an increase in trash. Please follow Leave No Trace (LNT) principles when visiting this special place.
Pro Tip: Although still somewhat of a hidden gem, this hike can get crowded in warmer months. Consider visiting in winter instead. Don’t forget to bring extra clothes, a towel, and microspikes.
19. Hike Deseret Peak
Salt Lake City is a unique geographical point, situated between the Rocky Mountains to the east and the expansive ranges of the Great Basin to the west. To the west of the city, separated by the Oquirrh Mountains, rise the Stansbury Mountains. The crown of this range is Deseret Peak at 11,035 feet (3363 meters) above sea level.
Tackle this challenging hike, and you’ll be rewarded with a breathtakingly unique view. I recommend doing the loop instead of the out-and-back route. Remember to pack The Ten Essentials and Leave No Trace.
Note: The last few miles of the drive are on a well-graded dirt road, which is easily navigable in a sedan.
20. Visit Heber Valley And Midway
Heber and Midway are often overlooked in favor of the more popular Park City to the north. Stop by downtown Midway to experience its charming, European-style vibe.
Explore the trails at Wasatch Mountain State Park, visit the natural beauty of Cascade Springs, and enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding on Deer Creek Reservoir.
In the winter, Midway is famous for its Ice Castles. Alternatively, to escape the cold, take a swim in the Homestead Crater, one of Utah’s most unique hot springs. My final suggestion: don’t forget to tell your friends and family what a great time you had in the Heber Valley!
What Is Salt Lake City Most Known For?
Salt Lake City is known to offer some of the best mountain access in the lower 48, paired with rapid growth, a blend of modern architecture and historic sights, and a thriving food and music scene.
While the city is more than just an outdoor hub, its natural surroundings are undoubtedly the star of the show. With the Wasatch Mountains ever looming in the background, no matter where you are in the valley, you can’t help but be drawn by their allure.
Salt Lake City’s unique geography makes it not just a destination in itself, but the perfect starting point for endless road trip adventures! And though it ranks among the most expensive cities to live in, it remains an affordable and rewarding destination to visit
How You Can Give Back
As a traveler, the places I visit leave an imprint on me, one I would never have if I had never ventured out there. I believe that being good stewards of these places is essential to preserving them. I will post a few ways you can give back, if you feel inclined to do so!
- Save Our Canyons – Consider a one-time donation to this 501(c)(3) non-profit, whose mission is to protect the Wasatch Mountains from overdevelopment and misuse.
- Wasatch Trails Foundation – If you ever find yourself appreciating the work that goes into building trails, consider a one-time donation to this foundation.
