The Best of Northern Utah – Salt Lake City Guide

I’m constantly writing travel guides for cities all over the world, but one of my favorite cities in the world is also where I live! Salt Lake City is where I was born and raised so I know this travel guide is perfect for locals and visitors alike. I have put my heart and soul into this guide to bring you what I feel are the very best things to do in Salt Lake City. I believe SLC is a true hidden gem and it shouldn’t be missed!

Restaurants – Best of Northern Utah

There are plenty of delicious eateries and restaurants right in downtown Salt Lake City and or nearby. When looking for things to do in SLC, eating some good food should always be on the list! Salt Lake City has become something of a foodie heaven in the last couple of years and it was really hard to narrow this list down, but here are some of the very best restaurants in Salt Lake City:

Tucanos- (Brazilian) $$-$$$

A top-notch Brazilian Grill famous for the meat and veggie skewers that are brought to your table where you can choose as many flavors and cuts as you like. Not a huge meat eater? No worries- an incredible salad bar selection comes with each order.

Red Iguana-(Mexican) $$

There are many delicious Mexican restaurants in Salt Lake City, but Red Iguana wins awards time and time again.  They are so popular that they even had to open up a second location Red Iguana 2 just a few blocks away. Their specialty is their authentic Mexican moles and there are so many to choose from. This restaurant is a must try on your visit to Salt Lake City.

The Dodo-(American Bistro) $$

 An upscale casual American Bistro, The Dodo has been a Salt Lake staple for over 35 years. Try one of their famous sandwiches with house-made BBQ sauce or a fresh salad. Make sure to leave room for dessert because they have a rotating selection of pies, cakes and cheesecakes that are all baked in house daily. Come during the summer and enjoy your meal on the patio with views of Sugarhouse Park and the Wasatch Mountain Range.

Blue Plate Diner-(American) $

Located on the outskirts of Salt Lake City in the hip area of Sugarhouse, Blue Plate Diner is a must. This diner is a mom and pop shop serving all things comfort food in a relaxed 50’s diner setting.

Blue Plate Diner is a must try and was even on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!

The Pie-(Pizza) $-$$

A hip undergound pizza joint near the University of Utah where a lot of University students hang out on the weekends. It has a kitschy atmosphere and everyone signs their name on the wall. The pizza is the best around and the portions are huge!

Moochies-(Philly & Sandwich Shop) $

A blink and you’ll miss it, hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop made famous for their Philly Cheese Steaks and meatball sub sandwiches. Try the Philly Cheese Steak with cheese wiz- trust me, you\’ll thank me later.

Copper Onion-(Modern American) $$ 

A modern take on American fare with the best locally sourced ingredients around. Also famous for their cocktails and brunch.

Zao Asian Cafe- (Asian) $

A popular fusion restaurant in Salt Lake City, Zao Asian Cafe is a must try. The flavors are bold and delicious and everything tastes so fresh and healthy. I recommend trying the chips and guac, yakisoba noodles, tacos and a Chicken Bowl Zao Style with Tiger Sauce.

Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade-(Farm to Table) $

 A perfect place to eat lunch after visiting the Salt Lake City Farmer’s Market- this diner has delicious organic and homemade meals. You have to try one of their famous baked biscuit sandwiches and their fresh mint limeade.

Hires Big H-(Burgers) $ 

A Salt Lake City original burger joint that still serves as a car hop. Order from your car and wait for your order to be delivered to you. Famous for delicious burgers with special sauce and root-beer floats served in frosted mugs.

Spitz- (Mediterranean) $

Known for their delicious Mediterranean street food. Try one of their doner wraps or doner salads with their street cart fries and fried pita strips with hummus.

Ruth’s Diner-(American) $$

Ruth’s Diner is one of the most popular restaurants in Salt Lake and also the second oldest restaurant in Utah! Ruth has since passed away, but the new owners still carry on her legacy. There are many pictures and stories of her up on the walls which are really fun to see. This historic diner in a trolley car serves American fare in a scenic locale with canyon views.

Ruth’s Diner located up a beautiful canyon is definitely one of the best restaurants in Salt Lake City for the delicious food and the stunning views outside.

Bruges Waffle and Frites-$ 

Founded by Pierre Vandamme who was born and raised in Bruges, Belgium. After living in Salt Lake City for 10 years, he adapted an old family recipe for the Liege waffle and started his own waffle business selling waffles from a vending cart. It has definitely blown up since then and there are two locations- one right in downtown and one in Sugarhouse. Try the chicken and waffles and frites!

Lucky 13-(Burgers) $$

Voted the best burger in Salt Lake, Lucky 13 is a perfect place to stop if you are headed to a Bee\’s Game (the local baseball team). It is a bustling roadhouse with a lot of character. They also have an innovative Sunday Brunch which is a must try! It is first and foremost a bar for those over 21.

Crown Burgers– $ 

Started as a family owned popular burger joint that has since popped up all over the Salt Lake Valley. Their signature burger \”The Crown Burger\” named after the restaurant is a quarter pound hamburger patty on a sesame seed bun with Thousand Island dressing, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and topped with lots of hot pastrami. They are famous for their many choices of sandwiches, hamburgers and even Greek dishes. Make sure to try their baklava for dessert! The family members still work in the restaurants to this day.

Aubergine-(Mediterranean) $ 

A Utah original restaurant focused on healthy eating that you will actually love. All of their food is made daily from scratch and their mantra is “eat better, feel different.” They prove that eating healthy can still produce crave-worthy meals and they serve pizzas, salads, pitas, bowls and more. I recommend trying the cheesey bread, steak pita melt, Greek salad and the strawberry lemonade!

Activities – Best of Northern Utah

There is no shortage of fun activities for all ages when looking for things to do in Salt Lake City. Here are some of the top activities in SLC or nearby:

Hogle Zoo– 

Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a 42 acre zoo located in SLC at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. The Zoo supports conservation initiatives around the world and focuses on animal enrichment. It is a fun activity for all ages. There are hundreds of animals including giraffes, zebras, elephants, polar bears, tigers, river otters, eagles and more. They are now featuring red pandas as well!

There are up close wildlife connections that give guests a chance to interact and feed some of the most popular animals. All of the funds from this go directly to help save wildlife and their habitats. I was able to feed giraffes and it was so much fun! There are also many seasonal events at the zoo including Boo at the Zoo, Zoo Lights and Zoo Brew- a popular after hours event for adult’s only.

Clark Planetarium–

This space and science museum offers free interactive exhibits, plus educational shows in the IMAX and dome theatres. Clark Planetarium offers 10,000 square feet of exhibit space and has one of the best science gift stores in Salt Lake City. Admission to the store and exhibits are FREE to the public.

Rent Scooters-  

Scooters are the newest transportation trend in SLC. There are two different companies you can rent from- Lime and Bird. They both have hundreds of ready to use scooters spread out all over downtown and the surrounding areas. Unlike bikes, they don’t need to be docked and locked so there’s always one nearby. You can download their app on your phone to see a map of available scooters near you.

SLC Library–

 The Salt Lake City public library is worth a visit for its amazing and unique architecture. This building is so beautiful and a great place for photos inside and outside. Some of the best features are the Library Store, the Children’s library and the roof garden with beautiful views over SLC.

Red Butte Garden– 

These gardens and arboretum near the University of Utah are a serene escape from the city. There are beautiful gardens, workshops, 5 miles of hiking trails and amazing outdoor concerts in the Summer. It\’s the largest botanical garden in the Intermoutan West and is open year-round to guests. There are over 100 acres of gardens, nature trails and views. The Spring and Summer are a beautiful time to visit to see all of the flowers in bloom.

Golden Axe –

Axe throwing is a new trend in Utah and it’s taking the state by storm! I recently went to Golden Axe and had the most fun time! It is the premier axe throwing venue located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. It is really nice because they have dedicated “axeperts” who teach you what to do and introduce you to a variety of different games.

I was really surprised by how much fun this was and it was the best feeling when I got a bullseye! Golden Axe is also a bar so only people over 21 are allowed inside. They also now have a new Rock N Roll Tiki Fun Bar with tons of activities like billiards, ping pong, curling and a ball pit which are all free to play for bar guests.

Dave and Busters –

Dave and Busters is fun for the whole family and is a restaurant, bar and huge arcade.  You get to play arcade games in between eating nachos, pretzels, hamburgers and other delicious bites. What\’s not to love? This is fun for families and groups of friends and is also perfect for parties!

Rent City Bikes-

Green Bike is SLC’s non-profit bike share. It’s an affordable and convenient way to get around SLC.  A 24 hour day pass is only $7 and a 4 day pass is only $15! This is the perfect way to get around the city. Even though some places are pretty walkable in SLC, there are some that are further away and having a bike with you would be a fun and easy solution to get around. Renting bikes can also be an activity if you take them over to Liberty Park or Sugarhouse Park and spend the afternoon riding around and then having a picnic after.

Museums – Best of Northern Utah

Utah Museum of Natural History –

This museum is definitely worth a visit and one of the best museums in Utah. The actual building is an architecture masterpiece and the treasures and exhibits within its walls are definitely worth exploring. This museum carries the state’s collections of natural and indigenous cultural objects.

Some of the most notable exhibits are Past Worlds which contains many incredible dinosaur fossils, the gem and minerals exhibit and the Great Salt Lake exhibit. Don\’t forget to check out the beautiful terrace before you depart for a stunning view over the Salt Lake valley.

The Leonardo Museum –

The Leonardo, located in downtown Salt Lake City,  is a science and art museum where visitors can explore the ways that science, technology, art, and creativity connect. At the museum, there are many hands-on exhibits and science experiments you can participate in.

The featured exhibit changes seasonally and in the past they have had a Body Works and Mummies exhibit. Also, when I visited in the past, they had a mini golf course made into an art exhibit. It was really cool! Their current featured exhibit is all about Pompeii with pieces on loan from Italian museums!

Dreamscapes Immersive Art –

Dreamscapes is an immersive art museum located in downtown Salt Lake. It was created by over 50 artists and all of the art is made from donated reclaimed materials! Come visit and join a world of pure re-imagination where immersive physical and digital artworks take you on a journey. This is located at 110 S. Rio Grande Street at the Gateway.

Utah Museum of Contemporary Art– 

This art museum located in downtown presents rotating exhibitions by local, national and international contemporary artists. This is an incredible museum for art lovers.

Utah Museum of Fine Arts–

This museum is located in the Marcia and John Price Museum Building in the University of Utah campus near Rice-Eccles Stadium. This museum is the primary resource for culture and visual arts in Salt Lake.

Church History Museum– 

This museum is operated by the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It is located opposite the west gates of Temple Square. This museum helps you discover the spiritual, artistic and cultural legacies of the Latter Day Saints.

Discovery Gateway- 

Formerly known as the Children’s Museum of Utah, this museum is an interactive, hands-on children’s museum located in downtown Salt Lake at the Gateway.

Outdoors & Hiking in Salt Lake City

Hiking

It’s no secret that Salt Lake City and Utah in general are an outdoor lovers paradise. Salt Lake is surrounded by mountains and canyons and there are countless trails to hike on. I have compiled a list of some of the very best of northern Utah hikes in Salt Lake City including many hikes for all skill levels.

Living Room Hike (Moderate)-

This is one of my very favorite hikes in the Salt Lake valley and it is an incredible place to come for sunset. This hike is relatively short, but it’s also pretty steep. The hike leads to a perch on the foothills above the Natural History Museum of Utah and offers a panoramic view of the Salt Lake Valley.

There are different sets of rocks arranged into seats- making them look like outdoor couches- thus the name the Living room! Another bonus? This hike is dog friendly. You can find it at: Living Room Trailhead, 383 Colorow Rd., Salt Lake City

Ensign Peak (Easy)-

Located almost directly behind the Utah State Capitol, Ensign Peak is a perfect hike for all ages. This family friendly hike is only 0.8 miles and the reward is huge! The views over the Salt Lake Valley are incredible and it’s dog friendly.

Silver Lake  (Easy)-

Located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon and Brighton Ski Resort. This trail is 0.9 miles and is great for all skill levels. It is accessible year-round and a boardwalk extends out into a meadow and then along the lake shoreline.

Cecret Lake (Moderate)-

One of my favorite hikes in Salt Lake, Cecret Lake is a small alpine lake located in Albion Basin in Alta. It is considered part of the Wasatch National Forest and it is absolutely beautiful in July when all of the wildflowers are in bloom. There is a lot of wildlife on this trail so keep your eyes peeled and make sure to keep a safe distance. My husband and I saw several moose on this trail!

Donut Falls (Easy)- 

This hike is very popular among locals and is another very family friendly hike. The weekends are packed in the Summer and it can be difficult to find parking. Come in July if you want to see wildflowers.

Bonneville Shoreline Trail (Easy to Moderate)-

This trail starts in Draper and is a 6.2 mile trail and is good for all skill levels. This trail is used for hiking and mountain biking so make sure to make way for bikes when you are hiking it. It is also dog friendly which I love and the leaves on the trees look amazing during the Fall.

Bells Canyon (Moderate)

Bells Canyon is located east of Salt Lake in Sandy, just off of Wasatch Blvd. This is a very popular trail, but for good reason. It is absolutely beautiful and runs past a reservoir up to a waterfall. Come on weekdays or in the morning to avoid crowds. The trail head is located at about 10245 South on Wasatch Blvd. Wildlife is often spotted here.

Freedom Trail at Memory Grove Park (Easy)-

This is a great hike for all skill levels and is a 2.1 mile hike located near Salt Lake City. It features a river running along side it. Dogs are also allowed on this trail. This is a great option if you are shorter on time.

Grandeur Peak (Difficult)-

The most difficult hike on this list- Grandeur Peak is an 8299 foot summit on the east side of Salt Lake Valley. It’s steep, but one of Utah’s quicker mountains to summit. Once you reach the top, you\’ll see stunning views of the Salt Lake Valley and the surrounding mountain peaks.

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail (Moderate)-

Located in Milcreek Canyon near Salt Lake, Rattlesnake Gulch trail is a heavily trafficked 3.3 mile trail. It’s great during the Summer for wildflowers or in the Fall for all of the beautiful Fall colors. Dogs are allowed to join you here.

Parks – Best of Northern Utah

Sugarhouse Park 

This 110 acre park is the cornerstone for Sugarhouse city- a close suburb to Salt Lake. The park features several amenities including a large pond and it is a popular place for sledding in the winter. There is also a 1.38 mile road just for pedestrians. Many carnivals and fireworks take place here in the Summer.

Liberty Park 

Located right in the middle of Salt lake City, this spacious park has plenty to do. Amenities include walking/running trails, a swimming pool, tennis courts, paddle boats and a small children’s amusement park, a playground, picnic areas, little streams throughout and plenty of room to relax and play. The Tracy Aviary is even located inside this park.

Memory Grove Park 

This beautiful park is one of Salt Lake City’s oldest public parks. It is located very close to the Capitol building in the mouth of City Creek Canyon. It is a tranquil area with monuments, fountains and creekside paths. Dogs are allowed here and there is even an off-leash area.

Entertainment – Best of Northern Utah

Hale Center Theatre-

The Hale Center Theatre puts on incredible Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. The theatre is located in Sandy, Utah and is only a few years old. It is a luxurious building and is beautiful inside and out. The shows are incredible and range from Phantom of the Opera to Murder on the Orient Express.

Capitol Theatre-

Capitol Theatre has been a landmark since 1913 and is home to Ballet West and the Utah Opera. Capitol Theatre also hosts concerts and Broadway plays.

Eccles Theatre-

Eccles Theatre recently opened in 2016 and hosts Broadway shows, concerts and other entertainment events. The main hall seats 2500 people. The building is incredible with a spectacular five-story glass lobby, chandeliers and a striking terrazzo floor. There is also a beautiful outdoor terrace with amazing views of the city.

The Depot

This 4-story venue is located in the historical Union Pacific building located right in the heart of downtown Salt Lake. The Depot is a great place to see shows and the venue books a good variety of touring bands and artists.

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USANA Amphitheatre–

This famous outdoor amphitheatre located in West Valley City seats 20,000 people and hosts many unforgettable concerts from huge stars including Lindsay Stirling, Haylsey, Kenny Chesney and The Backstreet Boys. There are also lots of yummy food options right at the venue. Bring your ID in case you are wanting to purchase drinks.

Kilby Court

Kilby Court is a small, no-frills music venue without an age restriction that showcases local and smaller touring acts. Their garage style atmosphere makes the shows feel very intimate and almost feels like you are having a show in your own backyard! Many artists have performed here before they became famous like Foster the People and Mackelmore.

Urban Lounge

This is a late night concert venue that features cocktails and nightly performances in a unique and intimate setting.

Broadway Centre Theatre-

This small cinema with only 6 screens is the place to go for indie-flicks, documentaries and foreign films.

Laughing Stock-

Laughing Stock is a great place to go to see Off Broadway Theatre that is family friendly. They perform parodies, traditional plays, musicals and really fun live improv comedy shows.

Brewvies

Host to many local film premiers, community events, fund raisers, live performances and great films. Brewvies is the only place in Salt Lake that you can drink a beer while watching your movie. They focus on local craft breweries with 19 beers on tap, delicious food and unique cocktails. They often show cult classics and have fun events all the time.

Wiseguys Comedy Club 

This is the best of northern Utah live stand-up comedy in Salt Lake and West Jordan. Many comedians have performed here including Joe Rogan, Kevin Hart and Rob Schneider.

Utah Nightlife – Best of Northern Utah

Quarters Arcade Bar 

Quarters is a bar and arcade with a casual and comfortable gaming and social environment that provides high end craft cocktails and craft beer. There are tons of different video arcade games and old school pinball machines. They also have a huge selection of board games. Most games only cost 1 or 2 quarters. Quarters is located in Downtown Salt Lake City in the basement of the historic New Grand Hotel and just steps away from the Courthouse stop on the Trax line.

Keys on Main

This is a really fun destination for special occasions or parties! Keys on Main is an All Request Dueling Piano Show. There is a $5 cover on Fridays and Saturdays, but the rest of the week it is free to enter. The Dueling Piano Show features two grand pianos on stage with extremely talented musicians playing and singing requests all night long. The musicians know thousands of songs and can play a number of them at a moment’s notice!

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The Rest

Tucked behind the unassuming Bodega on downtown Main Street, this subterranean speakeasy provides creative eats and cocktails. You can get permission from the attendant or call ahead to reserve to be guided down a hidden staircase to this speakeasy. They have great comfort food and make sure you try to the Beer-can chicken.

Bambara

This bistro located in the hip Hotel Monaco also serves cocktails and fine wines. This is a great place to come for the holidays because the bar transforms into a Miracle Pop Up Bar with fun themed specialty cocktails. Come around Halloween time and the bar is transformed to the Vault of Nightmares with spooky decorations and Halloween cocktails.

Bar X 

This prohibition-era cocktail bar showcases classic mixed drinks, beer and wine. Bar X was opened the year the Prohibition was repealed in 1933. It is now the home of craft cocktails and great Friday nights. Bar X now has a sister bar right next door called Beer Bar.

Copper Common 

This popular and sophisticated bar and restaurant serves up great American fare, craft cocktails and a lively patio.

Lake Effect 

Located right in the heart of downtown SLC, this cocktail bar serves up hundreds of different wines, beers and the largest spirit selection in the state. Lake Effect was voted as the best bar to visit in Salt Lake if you want to feel like you’re in a big city. This is a great place to spend a Friday night and they have live music almost every night.

Purgatory 

Purgatory is popular for their bar snacks and craft cocktails. The bar is located in an industrial building and has a great patio with lawn games and a fire.

The Bayou 

This restaurant and bar offers Cajun-inspired fare and pub grub. They are most well known for their live music and extensive beer list. The Bayou is an independent, locally owned place for beer and food lovers to relax and try new kinds of beer.

The Westerner

Looking for a country bar? Then look no further than the Westerner. Equipped with a mechanical bull, pool, karaoke, a full bar and restaurant and country line dancing, you are sure to have a good time.

BTG Wine Bar 

This bar is a more upscale option and offers a huge list of wines, cocktails, beer and light bites. BTG Wine Bar is located in downtown Salt Lake City at 404 S West Temple Salt Lake City, UT.

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The Red Door 

This kitschy craft martini bar has a long drink list and is located in a sophisticated urban atmosphere with a patio.

Shopping – Best of Northern Utah

City Creek Center–

This award-winning, state-of-the-art shopping mall has something for everyone, including waterfalls, a fish-stocked stream, and an enormous  retractable glass ceiling that opens and closes based on the weather. There are plenty of food options here in the food court and tons of shops to stop at including: Albion Fit, Kendra Scott, Madewell and the Disney Store. Definitely the best of northern Utah.

City Creek Center is very festive for the holidays.

9th and 9th boutiques–

The 9th and 9th neighborhood and the 9th and 9th business district is often referred to as one of Salt Lake City’s best kept secrets. This neighborhood is a unique and fun place to walk, shop, dine or just spend an afternoon. I love the shops and boutiques here and they often have things you can’t find anywhere else in Utah.

Pib’s Exchange- 

The cutest thrift store located in the hip area of Sugarhouse. Pib’s Exchange always has so many fun and unique options and is also a year-round costume shop.

Trolley Square–

An icon to Salt Lake City, Trolley Square has been both a cultural and retail anchor for decades. Trolley Square is a more intimate and hip shopping mall with some great shops and often the best food trucks around.

The Gateway– 

The Gateway Shopping mall has been revitalized in recent years and is a great place to visit for great shops, food, outdoor spaces, murals and entertainment. The Gateway is an outdoor pedestrian only plaza which includes a movie theatre, the Clark Planetarium and Discovery Gateway (The Children’s Museum). There is often live music on weekends and many events take place here. There are even fountains that kids can run through and play in during the summer.

The Gateway has been revitalized these past few years and is the perfect place to spend the afternoon.

Salt Lake Farmer’s Market–

This downtown Farmer’s market has been around SLC for 29 years. It is a huge summer tradition for residents and visitors alike. It is open every Saturday June-October from 8 AM-2 PM. The Farmer’s Market helps to strengthen and support small local farms and businesses. I have been to many Farmer’s Markets and this one is huge and there is a huge selection of fresh foods to choose from! There is also a whole section dedicated to handicrafts, clothing and other goods people have made.

Decades Vintage Shop-

One of the best vintage stores around, Decades specializes in vintage, retro and contemporary fashion for both men and women. They sell everything from clothing to shoes and accessories to fun small decoration items for the home. The store is located at 627 S. State Street in Salt Lake.

Historical Places in Salt Lake City

Utah State Capitol

The Utah State Capitol is a prominent landmark in Salt Lake and has been home to the state government since 1916. The architecture and design are extraordinary and it was modeled after the Capitol in Washington D.C. This is a really great place to take pictures especially in the Spring when the cherry blossoms that were gifted from Japan bloom. You can also take free tours inside. Come on the weekend for lots of festivities and people roaming around on the grounds.

Temple Square

Temple Square is a 35-acre complex, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the center of Salt Lake City. Temple Square is one of Utah’s top tourist attractions and you can experience the beautiful landscape and historical buildings. You can discover history, gorgeous gardens and architecture and  incredible art and culture.

This is where the Salt Lake Temple is located that was dedicated in 1893 and took 40 years to build! Popular times of year to come to Temple Square are Spring for the cherry blossoms and tulips and Christmas time for all of the lights everywhere and dozens of nativity scenes from around the world.

Beehive House

The Beehive house is the historic home of Brigham Young built in 1854. It was later home to other Church leaders. You can take tours of the Beehive House and it displays many objects that belonged to Brigham Young and his family. Young was the second Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Utah’s first governor. Tours of the Beehive House are free and last about 30 minutes.

Assembly Hall

The Assembly Hall is one of the most historic buildings in Temple Square and downtown Salt Lake City. This building was constructed by pioneers with the discarded granite from the Salt Lake Temple. It was built so that several congregations in the Salt Lake Stake could worship together. The Assembly Hall is still a place of worship, but it also serves as a place for lectures, recitals and weekend concerts.

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

The Joseph Smith Memorial building is absolutely beautiful and actually used to be a hotel. This building has a lot of history and has been around for over 100 years. The building now serves as a social center and houses 4 incredible restaurants including the very popular Roof Restaurant with incredible views looking down over Temple Square. Come during Christmas time to see a huge gorgeous Christmas tree on display.

Tabernacle 

The Tabernacle is home to the world-famous Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and was built in 1867. The dome-shaped auditorium is so acoustically sensitive that if a pin was dropped at the pulpit, it could be heard clearly at the back of the hall. There is a beautiful 11,623 pipe organ that fills the front of the Tabernacle. You can actually come here to listen to the choir practice their performances and it’s an incredible experience!

Brigham Young Historic Park

This park in Salt Lake is somewhat of a hidden gem. This park was a part of Brigham Young’s farm land and is preserved today with statue memorials, nice landscaping and a wooden water wheel. This park is the venue of the Concerts in the Park concert series during the Summer and it is free to attend.

The Cathedral of the Madeleine 

The Cathedral of the Madeleine is a Roman Catholic church in Salt Lake. It is the only cathedral in the U.S under the patronage of St. Mary Magdalene. The building was completed in 1909 and now stands as a beautiful landmark of history in religion in Utah. The architecture is incredible and is worth a visit.

This is the Place State Park

This is the Place State Park was named after Brigham Young coming to the Salt Lake Valley with the Mormon pioneers and proclaiming “This is the Place.” This park is really fun for families and is like taking a step back into time. There is a little village you get to walk around and all of the workers are dressed like pioneers.

There are a lot of activities for kids like three different trains, pony rides, a petting zoo and other farm type activities. Don’t forget to try the old fashioned candy and homemade donuts! It is located at the foot of the Wasatch mountain range and near the mouth of Emigration Canyon right across from the Hogle Zoo.

Seasonal Events – Best of Northern Utah

Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point 

The Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point are beautiful year round, but especially in the Spring when the tulips start to bloom. There are 280,000 tulips in hundreds of varieties all from Holland. There are 15 different themed gardens to stroll through and it is spectacular. Admission is $20 per person.

FanX Salt Lake Comic Con 

FanX is Salt Lake City’s version of Comic Con- a multi-genre pop culture expo held in SLC at the Expo Center downtown each September. You can expect to meet some of your favorite actors, attend panels and see a lot of cool cosplay.

Movies in the Park 

Each Summer, several parks through out the Salt Lake Valley and downtown host free movies in the park every Friday. It is such a fun tradition for locals and visitors alike. Bring your favorite snacks and a blanket and you are sure to have a good time.

Gallivan Plaza Ice Skating 

The Gallivan Plaza is transformed into an ice skating rink every November and is adorned with festive lights and festive music.

Sundance Film Festival 

The Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It takes place each January in Park City- 30 minutes from Salt Lake and it is the largest independent film festival in the United States. This is a great time to visit Park City and see some independent films, spot a celebrity or go to events.

Twilight Concert Series

The Twilight Concert series is a summer concert series located downtown at Pioneer Park. There are new concerts every week with a lot of upcoming artists and even famous artists. They are tons of fun and there are always tons of food trucks to choose from.

Craft Lake City

Craft Lake City’s DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Festival is Utah’s largest local-centric, three-day arts festival, with over 300 local exhibitors—artisans, DIY engineers, vintage vendors and craft food creators—a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Building, two stages of music and dance performances, local food vendors, food trucks, a kids’ area, DIY workshops areas, artisan demonstrations, a parenting lounge, a VIP lounge and approximately 20,000 attendees. The DIY Festival is held at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City the second weekend in August. Admission is $5, children 12 and under are free.

Utah Arts Festival

The Utah Arts Festival is the largest outdoor multi-disciplinary arts event in Utah with over 70,000 people in attendance each summer. The festival presents hundreds of visuals, music, film and other performances. The annual Festival takes place the 4th weekend of June each summer and is held downtown in Salt Lake City at Library and Washington Squares.

Gallery Stroll

The Salt Lake Gallery Stroll strives to gather galleries and businesses to promote visual art in hopes to get the community interested in art. This a free event and happens on the 3rd Friday of every month.

Cherry Blossoms at the Utah State Capitol 

My favorite time to visit the Utah State Capitol is in the Spring when the Yoshino cherry trees bloom. There are over 433 cherry trees all around the capitol lining a .7 mile Memorial Walkway. They typically bloom mid-March and early April. As a symbol of friendship and reconciliation following World War II, the cherry trees were sent by the Japanese to Utah.  To honor that friendship, they were placed around the Utah State Capitol.

Downtown Dine O’ Round

Dine O’ Round is a really fun way to try out new dining locations downtown or return to your favorites. Participating restaurants offer $10, $15 or $20 two-item lunches, as well as $20, $30 or $40 three-course dinners in addition to their existing menus. There is no need to sign up for anything or print coupons to participate; simply ask for the Dine O’ Round menu wherever you choose to dine.

Utah Pride Parade

The Utah Pride Festival is a festival held in downtown Salt Lake City in June celebrating Utah’s diversity and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. This is a huge event in Utah and includes the second biggest parade of the year.

Days of 47 Parade

The Days of 47 Parade is the biggest parade in Utah and is celebrated downtown each year on July 24th, Utah’s state holiday-Pioneer Day.

Utah Beer Festival

This annual event is held at the Utah State Fair Park and features over 200 different beers and ciders, including local regional and international choices. There will be beer, live music, karaoke, local food vendors, games and much more. All of this helps to fund raise for the Humane Society of Utah.

Oktoberfest

Utah’s version of the popular festival in Germany, Oktoberfest Utah shouldn’t be missed. It begins mid-August and lasts through mid-October taking place every Saturday and Sunday from Noon-6 pm. Admission is free and there are activities for kids as well as adults.

There are also lots of tents with German food to try including brats, pretzels and apfelstrudel. And of course, there is plenty of beer. You can sample over 50 different varieties of local and international brews- some you can only try at Oktoberfest. Truly an activity that shows off the best of northern Utah

Celebrating the Holidays downtown

There are a lot of events that happen in Salt Lake City during Christmas time and tons of places to catch great Christmas lights- I have written an entire post about the best Christmas Activities in Salt Lake and you can check it out here.

Sports – Best of Northern Utah

Some of the best of northern Utah has to offer is sports. Only thing we are missing is a local NFL football team, but there are plenty of other events for sports fans.

Jazz Games 

Utah’s professional NBA team plays at the Vivint Smart Home Arena and attending a basketball game is always a good time. The arena has had a recent face lift and there are tons of new food options including: Chik-fil-a, Chip, Cup Bop, R & R Barbeque and many more.

Real Salt Lake Games 

Real Salt Lake, also known as RSL, is the Utah professional soccer team that competes as a member club of Major League Soccer in the Western Conference. Attending Real Salt Lake games are surprisingly fun, especially given their huge fan base in Utah.

Bees Games

The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels. They compete in the Pacific Coast League. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, the team plays its home games at Smith’s Ballpark.

Utah Grizzlies

The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play their home games at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah.

Hotels – Best of Northern Utah

The Grand America

The Grand America is the only 5-star hotel in Salt Lake City and is definitely the most upscale. There are many suites and premier rooms that feature balconies with views over Salt Lake. It is both luxurious and family friendly and there are many nice amenities like cribs and a babysitter service. The Grand America is really famous for their signature Afternoon Tea, their Grand Spa and their incredible weekend brunch. The hotel has many dining options, an adorable candy store and one of the coolest toy stores I’ve ever seen. Book your stay here.

The Grand America Hotel is very festive at Christmas time.

Little America

This is one of the nicest hotels in Salt Lake and dates back to the 19th century. It’s a huge hotel with many amenities including many dining options, a fitness center, a huge and very nice and cozy lounge and the biggest indoor/outdoor pool in the city. There is a Trax line right outside the hotel making it very convenient to get anywhere you need to go in Salt Lake. Book your stay here.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco

The Monaco is a really fun, hip and kitschy hotel located in downtown and often voted one of the best hotels in Salt Lake. It was actually an old historic bank building. It’s just a ten minute walk from Temple Square and surrounded by many restaurants., theatres and other places to explore. Book your stay here.

The Peery Hotel

This is a great upscale hotel to stay in and feels like it’s a hotel combined with a museum because there is so much history and artwork throughout this property built in 1910. It’s a short walk to Pioneer Park and lots of dining options, 5 minutes from the Gallivan Center and a 10 minute walk to Temple Square. Book your stay here.

Hyatt House Salt Lake City

This laid-back hotel is a 3-minute walk from Clark Planetarium, a mile from Temple Square and 2 miles from The Leonardo Museum. Book your stay here.

Anniversary Inn

Anniversary Inn is probably the most unique hotel in Utah and there are two different locations in Salt Lake- South Temple and Fifth South. A lot of couples stay here for special occasions like anniversaries, honeymoons and romantic staycations.

The thing that makes this hotel so unique is all of their suites are different themes and are decorated really immaculately. Some of the themes include Sultan’s Palace, Phantom of the Opera, Enchanted Forest, Jungle Safari and Mysteries of Egypt. These rooms are so immersive and you will be sure to have a really fun stay. Book your stay here.

Inn on the Hill

This 4-star Bed and Breakfast is set in a grand mansion from 1906 surrounded by beautiful gardens. The rooms are very elegant with whirlpool tubs. Temple Square is only an 8 minute walk away and it is located near the Utah State Capitol. The B&B also includes a game room and a nice lounge with a fireplace.

Day Trips – Best of Northern Utah

Antelope Island State Park

Antelope Island is a 28,800 acre state park island in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. There is a ton of wildlife on this island including bison, antelope, deer, bobcats, coyotes and elk! Bird watching is also popular here especially at the Bear River Bird Refuge.

This island actually has the largest free roaming herds of American bison in the U.S. Swimming and sunbathing are popular on the clean, white sand beaches at Antelope Island State Park. Hiking and mountain biking are other popular activities here.

Jordanelle State Park

This is one of the more popular state parks in Utah given its close proximity to Salt Lake. It is just 40 minutes East of Salt Lake and there is plenty of recreation opportunities including camping, boating, swimming, fishing and hiking. There is also an Aqua Zone at the top of Jordanelle Reservoir and it is an inflatable water sports park. It is designed to allow up to 65 people to run, jump, swing and swim on it. It’s a perfect family or friends activity.

Bonneville Salt Flats  

The Bonneville Salt Flats are a must see when visiting Salt Lake City; it is one of the most unique natural features in Utah. Stretching over 30,000 acres, the Bonneville Salt Flats can be found along I-80 on the Utah-Nevada border. The Salt Flats are an expanse of hard, white salt crust on the western edge of the Great Salt Lake. This place is incredible for photography and especially if it just rained recently. There will be water sitting on the salt and you can get incredible reflection photos! If you want to book a tour, here’s a good one here!

Spiral Jetty

Spiral Jetty is somewhat of a hidden gem and peculiar sight in Utah. It is an earthwork sculpture that was constructed in 1970 by sculptor Robert Smithson. It is built on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake near Rozel Point. It is made up of mud, salt crystals and basalt rocks. It is a 1500 foot long coil jetting out from the shore to the lake. It is definitely worth a visit if you are visiting the Great Salt lake.

The Great Salt Lake 

The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere and is the remnant of Lake Bonneville- a massive prehistoric lake. The lake is now landlocked and its waters are very salty.  Many water activities are popular at the lake including sailing, kayaking, swimming and sunbathing.

There are full-service marinas available at Antelope Island, the Great Salt Lake State Marina and on the south shore. Swimming is fun in the lake and the salinity of the water is much saltier than the sea so people can easily float! Freshwater showers are available to rinse off after swimming.

Park City 

Park City is a popular mountain town 25 minutes east of Salt Lake. It is a great place to visit during all 4 seasons. It is the busiest in the Winter because of the Ski/Snowboard season. January is especially busy because this is where the Sundance Film Festival takes place.

I also really love visiting during the Summer. It is a great place to escape the Utah heat and there are incredible wildflowers everywhere. Visit the Olympic Park and you can actually watch Olympians train on a ski jump and do flips into a swimming pool. You can actually ride on a bobsled ride or an alpine slide and coaster at the Park City Mountain Resort. Take a stroll on Main Street and make sure to try a pizza at Main Street Pizza and Noodle!  

Read this post to learn more about where to stay in Park City.

Ice Castles & Heber Valley

If you visit Salt Lake during the Winter, this is another must visit. I absolutely love Heber Valley! It is definitely a hidden gem in Utah. There is so much to do in the Winter and it is all located close by each other so you can fit in a few different activities.

If you read this post you will read more details about all of these activities, including the Ice Castles! Some of my favorite things to do in Heber Valley include: Seeing the Ice Castles, Tubing, Horseback riding, snowmobiling, and soaking in a crater! A trip to this area will be very memorable and it’s just about 40 minutes outside of Salt Lake.

Mirror Lake 

Mirror Lake is a lake in the high Uinta Mountains two hours from Salt Lake. This is one of my favorite lakes in Utah and a drive up here is sure to be incredibly scenic and make for a great day trip from Salt Lake. This is also a really popular place to go fishing and the lake contains three different species of trout!

The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is a 42-mile road that is definitely worth the road trip. It climbs into the Uinta Mountains before descending to the Wyoming border. There are numerous scenic overlooks, picnic spots, lakes, waterfalls and hiking trails.

Bridal Veil Falls 

Bridal Veil Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Utah and is a 607-foot tall waterfall in the south end of Provo Canyon. It’s easy to reach via a trail that connects to the parking lot. The trail is open year round.

This is a great place to spend an afternoon and the nearby Bridal Veils Park has picnic tables with BBQ grills as well as tons of grassy areas to play sports or lawn games with your family or friends. Bridal Veil Falls also sits nearby the Provo River which a lot of people go tubing down during the Summer!

Another perk of Bridal Veil Falls? It’s dog friendly!

Snowbird 

Snowbird Mountain Resort is worth a visit any season of the year. There are plenty of activities to choose from no matter when you visit and you’ll be in for a great treat no matter what. There are actually a few really nice hotels up there too if you are wanting to stay in this area for a day or two.

Some of the top Winter activities include: Skiing, Snowboarding, Snow Shoeing and Snowmobiling. Some of the top activities in the Summer include: a Ropes course, an Alpine Slide, an Alpine coaster and hiking through wildflowers. It’s also a great place to visit in the Fall because the changing leaves up here are incredible and this is where Utah’s Oktoberfest festival takes place.

Timpanogos Cave 

Timpanogos Cave is actually where my husband and I went on one of our first dates. It is a great activity during the Summer. Hike up a mountain with stunning views of the valley below and nearby mountains. Once you reach the top, you get to explore an incredible cave and underground world. You will see beautiful caverns and learn the science behind the formations and stories of its history. Open May 22 for the Summer season.

Provo

Provo is a thriving city and is the third largest in Utah. Home to Brigham Young University, this college town packs a big punch and there is a lot to do nearby. Visiting in the Summer or Fall? Make sure to visit Stewart Falls in Provo Canyon. This place is incredibly scenic and where I got engaged! After you check out the waterfalls, head up Alpine Loop (this is one of the best places in Utah to see Foliage in the Fall), stop for a visit at Sundance Mountain Resort and then head up to Tibble Fork Reservoir.

Ready for lunch? Head back down the mountain into downtown Provo and stop at The Hut- Utah’s first ever Food Hall. There are tons of great options here, but I personally suggest Seven Brothers or Dirty Bird and Crumbl for dessert for some of the best cookies in Utah. Spend the afternoon exploring Provo’s downtown murals, the Provo Temple (a lot of people think it’s a castle) and many of the shops and activities they have downtown including axe throwing or candle making at the Wick Lab.

Spanish Fork

Spanish Fork is an hour south of Salt Lake with some unique activities you might want to check out on your visit to Utah. The first place you’ll want to visit is the Krishna Temple. The Krishna Temple is a beautiful hindu temple modeled after Rajasthan, India architecture.

You can take free tours every day from 10 AM- 6 PM. If you are a photography lover- this is an incredible place to take pictures. After your tour around the temple, pay a visit to the Llama farm on the grounds. They have over 20 adorable and lovable llamas.

The next activity you won’t want to miss is a hike to some incredible hot springs. Make sure to bring your hiking shoes, swimsuit under you clothes and a towel. You will drive up Spanish Fork Canyon until you arrive at Fifth Water Hot Springs Trail Head.

It’s a 2.5 mile hike to these various hot springs that are every color of blue you can imagine. Some are also hotter than others so you’ll just want to try out a few until you find one that is suitable! This place is magical! The one bad thing? It smells very strongly of sulfur!

Meadow Hot Springs

If you are wanting to find a unique and peaceful place to relax, head two hours south of SLC to Meadow Hot Springs. Located in the middle of a pasture lies three hot pools that you can soak in. There are beautiful mountains surrounding you making for a really serene time. The water is crystal clear and stunning. The hot springs are free to visit, but there are no facilities. Make sure to bring your own towels and snacks.

Mantua Poppy Fields

These poppy fields are just an hour north of Salt Lake City near Box Elder Campground and they seriously make the best day trip. The poppy fields are only in bloom for about two weeks in June, but they are incredibly magical and worth going to.

There is also a nice, peaceful lake called Mantua Lake that you have to make sure to stop at. Make sure to get a burger or club sandwich and tator tots at the Shack, located really close to the poppy fields. Read more about the poppy fields here.

Road Trips

There are so many incredible places to visit 2-6 hours outside of Salt Lake City so whether you are a local or visiting Utah for the first time, here are some of the top places to go on a weekend road trip in Utah!

Moab

An outdoor lover’s playground, Moab is one of my favorite places in Utah. With two national parks, a state park and plenty of adventures to be had, what’s not to love? Moab is located in eastern Utah and is the gateway to red rock formations, mesas and buttes carved by the Green and Colorado rivers. You can find dinosaur tracks at Bull Canyon Overlook and Copper Ridge.

This is the only place you can visit in Utah with two national parks in one convenient location. River rafting and off roading are other really popular activities here. Downtown Moab is filled with restaurants, microbreweries, shops and galleries. There are tons of food options from regional southwestern fare to world-class gourmet. Stay at Moab Under Canvas for a unique experience glamping in the desert.

Don’t have a car with you? No problem! You can book a Moab tour here.

Driving to Moab is one of the best road trips in Utah

Bear Lake

This natural fresh water lake in northern Utah is often compared to the Caribbean because of its beautiful blue turquoise waters. This is a perfect place to relax for the weekend and go boating, fishing, jet skiing and canoeing. You have to try a raspberry shake while you are here because they are world famous!

Yellowstone Bear World/Idaho Falls

3 hours north of Salt Lake City is the beautiful city of Idaho Falls and Yellowstone Bear World. Bear World is really fun place to visit for families  and it is a park where you get to drive around while bears walk around your car. There is also a mini amusement park for kids and a petting zoo.

Southern Utah

Southern Utah is wildly popular and receives thousands and thousands of visitors each year. I absolutely love this area of Utah and there is so much to do with two National Parks- Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, state parks, many lakes and tons of other outdoor adventures in red rock canyons. I have a whole post about the top things to do in Southern Utah here. My guide goes beyond the typical guides and also shows you places only Utah locals know about.

The Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park, in Arizona, is home to much of the immense Grand Canyon, with its layered bands of red rock revealing millions of years of geological history. Viewpoints include Mather Point, Yavapai Observation Station and architect Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio and her Desert View Watchtower. Lipan Point, with wide views of the canyon and Colorado River, is a popular, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is a huge man made reservoir on the Colorado River on the border of Utah and Arizona. Most of Lake Powell is located in Utah and it is a huge vacation spot visited by more than two million people every year. Lake Powell is a great place to go camping or spend a week on a house boat. This area is absolutely beautiful and shouldn’t be missed.

Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Utah. The park features thousands of hoodoos (or referred to locally as goblins!-thus the name). These hoodoos are formations of mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles of all shapes and sizes. This is definitely a fun and unique place to explore and will definitely be fun to explore if you have kids!

St. George

St. George is the southern most city in Utah and one of my very favorite. There are countless things to do in this area with incredible hiking through red rock filled state parks and lots of water activities at Sandhollow State Park which reminds me of a mini Lake Powell. I have two posts on St. George here and here.

Dinosaur National Monument

Located in Northeastern Utah on the border with Colorado, Dinosaur National Monument is a really cool place to visit to learn more about dinosaurs and geology. There are also tons of outdoor adventures you can go on and there is something for everyone.

You can visit a dinosaur quarry, go on driving tours around the park, hike many trails, go white-water rafting, bird watching, fishing, biking and more. This park also boasts some of the most incredible dark skies and is designated an International Dark Sky Park so it is perfect for star gazing and trying your hand at astro photography.

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is definitely worth a visit. It\’s the least visited national park in Utah which makes it even more special because you can actually go to certain areas and feel like you have the whole place to yourself.

Capitol Reef National Park is in Utah’s south-central desert. It surrounds a long wrinkle in the earth known as the Waterpocket Fold, with layers of golden sandstone, canyons and striking rock formations. Among the park’s sights are the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and Capitol Reef, known for its white sandstone domes. In the north are the towering monoliths of Cathedral Valley.

Las Vegas

The city that needs no explanation is about 5 1/2 hour south of Salt Lake making for a pretty easy road trip. Check out my weekend guide to Las Vegas here.

 So there you have it! The best of Northern Utah all in one place!

What things do you plan on doing in Northern Utah?

Read Next:

Utah in the Winter | 11 Magical Things to Do

Christmas in Utah | Top 10 Activities

Fall in Utah | Beautiful Colors

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